Minka Kelly On Being Esquire’s ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’: ‘I Thought They Were Joking!’

Minka Kelly still can’t believe she was named the “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire magazine.

“I thought they were joking and I didn’t believe it till the [photo] shoot happened,” Minka told Access Hollywood at an Esquire event in New York City on Wednesday. “Then I didn’t believe it till I saw it in print… and then I didn’t believe it, and I still don’t believe it!

“It’s a title you really don’t take very seriously,” she smiled. “It’s all in fun and certainly debatable, but I’ll take it for the night!”

Although the humble beauty may still be in shock, she is excited about one aspect of her new title – street cred with her future offspring.

“The most exciting thing about it for me is the bragging rights for my grandkids one day,” Minka laughed.

One would think being the “Sexiest Woman Alive” would come with a host of social benefits, but Minka says that hasn’t been the case thus far.

“No — God, no! No one recognizes me,” Minka told Access, when asked if her new status has brought many fresh perks. “Certainly nothing else has changed in my life. I’m still the silly geeky girl who does not deserve this title – but I’ll take it!”

As for what the brunette bombshell finds sexy, Minka (who is rumored to be engaged to NY Yankees star Derek Jeter), rates laughter as her No. 1.

“I think a good sense of humor is really important and essential,” Minka told Access. “And maybe a healthy diet and exercise. Everyone has their interpretation of what sexy is. I think what’s most sexy to me is someone who can laugh.

“I think everyone is their sexiest when they’re smiling,” she added.

In related news, Minka, who rose to fame playing Lyla Garrity, longtime love to sexy Tim Riggins (played by “Battleship’s” Taylor Kitsch) on NBC’s hit drama “Friday Night Lights,” told Access that she has numerous projects on the horizon.

“I am working on [NBC’s] ‘Parenthood,’ and then I have a movie called ‘The Roommate’ coming out in February,” she told Access. “I just finished a movie, but it will be awhile before that comes out. And I also had a small part in ‘Just Go With It’ — an Adam Sandler movie.”