Best known for its sexy pictorials that get the blood pressure rising, FHM or “For Him Magazine” which turns 10 in September, is set to celebrate its anniversary with a bang.

Packed with "the sexiest, funniest and most useful information", FHM is Singapore's top selling magazine for men with a readership of some 56,000. Its global publication reaches out to around 10 million men in 31 countries.

If you thought FHM always had skimpy-clothed women on its covers, think again.

Before the onslaught of the Internet, covers were conservative and believe it or not, everyone was covered up. As society became more liberal, the magazine also evolved to become more risqué and pushed the boundaries.

Mandy Soong, the newly-crowned champ of FHM's Girl Next Door, has no qualms about being associated with a men's magazine, in fact, her nonchalant attitude seems to be working for her.

The 19-year-old student took part in the contest to gain more media exposure and now she's one step closer to a career in showbiz.

But FHM Senior Editor David Fuhrmann-Lim will have you know that the magazine is not just about hot looks and bodies. "We don't really set out to objectify anyone, the pictorials glorify the women and they are always accompanied by a very FHM-style interview which in a way showcases the girls' personalities."

Besides the beautiful women, which only take up 30 per cent of the magazine, FHM also carries features that cover a wide array of topics, from health and fitness to travel.

However, Fuhrmann-Lim admits that the sexy pictorials tend to overwhelm the magazine, causing people to overlook the other content.

But this very aspect is also part of FHM’s winning formula, which can be summed up in three words – sexy, funny and useful.

“Sexy will attract the people. Funny will make them continue reading, and useful will make them stay as fans,” Fuhrmann-Lim explained.

Part of FHM's success also boils down to tantalising events held in conjunction with the magazine, which serve as an incentive for readers.

"We tend to be very event-centric because it gets the branding out there and it gets the readers a chance to meet the people at work and of course, the FHM girls. And they know what is going on and it is kind of like a reward for them and for being with us all this time,” said Fuhrmann-Lim.

For FHM’s Girl Next Door, finalists were supposed to come up with a campaign promise which they will fulfil if they won. The more outrageous the promise, the higher the likelihood of garnering more votes.

Unlike other unoriginal suggestions such as letting people lick chocolate off your body, Soong came up with this – making sushi along Orchard Road in her lingerie.

FHM will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in September, and will combine the party with the its signature cover of 100 sexiest women in the world.

In the meantime, you can catch the FHM team and Soong in her sushi act on Friday, 5pm at Tangs Orchard Road.

Singaporean Model Close Up: Mandy Soong

Cool info on Mandy Soong, including pictures, videos, news, biography, photos, stats, and wallpapers.

AGE: 19
OCCUPATION: Student

HOBBIES: Playing Volleyball, Netball, Running, Yoga
FAVOURITE DRINK: Mango juice, Green apple juice, Green tea
DREAM CAR: Audi R8
FAVOURITE COLOUR: Black and Metallic Silver

PRATA OR PASTA? Pasta
HOT DOG OR BANANA SPLIT? I don't like either
INDOORS OR OUTDOORS? Outdoors
ROUGH OR GENTLE? Gentle
MOST SENSITIVE PART OF MY BODY: My neck
FAVOURITE POSITION: Sitting Down!

What do you look for in a guy?
Tall, fair and plays sports.

How often do you get picked up in clubs?
Difficult to say ’cos I haven’t been clubbing for a long time. About two years now.

How would you approach a guy?
I’d just sit beside him and talk to him. The next day, I’d go back and see if he’s there again. If he is, then I’ll get him number.

What uniform would you like to see your guy in?
A bank uniform. ‘Cos these kind of guys are more gentle.

What’s the first thing you’d do if you found your guy cheating on you?
If I find out from my friends, I’d confront him personally. Maybe give him another chance, but yes, I’d bawl my eyes out.

Describe your sexiest piece of lingerie.
Black and lacy. Just the top bit only, it’s very simple.

Your sexiest body part?
My eyes. I think they’re very electrifying and everybody says that.

When do you feel the sexiest?
When I’m just out of my bathroom, when I look really fresh.

The naughtiest thing you have done?
I glued my friend’s pencil case onto his table. The next day, he put staple bullets onto our chair, but it didn’t hurt and we didn’t notice.

Readers should vote for me, because…
I think I’m sexy, and I can represent FHM well.

If I win the GND 2008 title…
I will cook for FHM readers in my sexy lingerie… at Orchard road!