Ask anyone north of the border who their favourite Canadian actress is, and Rachel McAdams's name is bound to come up.
It's not hard to see why she's so well-liked: the 34-year-old star is beautiful, stylish (she's landed on Vogue's best-dressed lists) and incredibly talented (not to mention the fact she's the most uncelebrity-like celebrity we know).
While other Hollywood starlets are photographed out at nightclubs flashing their underwear, McAdams manages to keep a refreshingly low profile. She still lives in Toronto and enjoys cooking and gardening. She cares about the environment, running an eco-friendly style website GreenIsSexy.org and travels around Toronto by bicycle, her preferred mode of transportation.
So when news broke Wednesday that she had split with her boyfriend of two years, Michael Sheen, we're pretty sure everyone in Canada let out a collective sigh of, "but why!?"
Call it the Jennifer Aniston effect, but most of us have come to want only the best for our favourite Canadian star. We realize the innate desire to protect and ensure Rachel's happiness is a little irrational (because, really, who says she's unhappy?), but we can't help it. We love all of "our" on-screen leading ladies. We want to see them succeed. They're our style stars.
It's something that got all of us at The Huffington Post Canada chatting about who this nation's "sweetheart" actually is. Americans have the same "protective" response to several of its top A-listers. Outside of Aniston, there's Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman and, now, newcomer Jennifer Lawrence.
Does Rachel McAdams win the "Canada's Sweetheart" title by default? To answer that question, we turn to you. We've compiled a list of the hottest, sexiest and most prominent Canadian starlets who could also deserve the crown.
Who really deserves the title? Cast your vote below.
Who Is Canada's Sweetheart?
Anna Paquin
The "True Blood" star was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and sizzles both on the big and small screen, but we may have to fight over Anna for the title of national sweetheart -- New Zealand has made some pretty strong claims over the actress's true ties.
Ellen Page
Adorable actress Ellen Page grew up in Halifax, N.S., and charmed us as a quirky, pregnant teen in "Juno". She's gone on to star in critically-acclaimed films like "Whip It" and "Inception." And though she's known as "The Tiny Canadian" -- she's only 5'1! -- Page's girl-next-door vibe melts our northern hearts in a big way.
Avril Lavigne
While the pop-punk princess was Canada's darling when she first stepped on the scene in 2002, we've been in a love-hate relationship with Avril ever since she hooked up with Chad Kroeger.
Pamela Anderson
Born in British Columbia, Pam was the original Canadian sexpot. Several tumultuous marriages and boob jobs later, the bubbly blond has fallen slightly off our radar.
Carly Rae Jepsen
British Columbian Carly Rae may be new on the scene, but the the "Call Me Maybe" singer is just as sweet as her sugary pop tunes. (And her style is much-coveted by teens and tweens.)
Elisha Cuthbert
Recently dubbed the hottest woman on television by Maxim Magazine, Elisha got her start on "Popular Mechanics For Kids" with fellow Canadian star Jay Baruchel. She's stuck close to her roots since -- we've heard she has a thing for hockey players.
Alanis Morissette
We fell in love with Canadian crooner Alanis Morissette for her in-your-face angst, but she's long ditched the grunge-rock and flannel shirts for a softer look. Truthfully, we kind of miss '90s Alanis, don't you?
Shenae Grimes
"90120" actress Shenae Grimes got her start in the most Canadian way, with a role on the series "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Despite rumours she's been having a bit too much fun on the Hollywood party scene, we still think Grimes is cute as a button.
Emmanuelle Chriqui
Hailing from Montreal, Que., the "Entourage" actress topped the AskMen.com list of the Top 99 Women in 2010, beating out both Americans and Brits (like Beyoncé and Kate Beckinsale) for the number one spot.
Evangeline Lilly
This "Lost" star is proud of her Canadian roots, and considers herself an activist in wilderness conservation. The beautiful actress spoke out against the tar sands in Alberta and the construction of new pipelines. She's also decried the mistreatment of First Nations people in Canada.
Celine Dion
She's the original Canadian diva, with golden pipes that few other singers posses. The Québécois songstress may have relocated to Vegas, but as far as we're concerned, Celine is, and will always be, a national treasure.
Cobie Smulders
Her Canadian status makes her the butt of many jokes on "How I Met Your Mother," but Cobie admits she grew up watching MuchMusic and dreaming of the day she'd become a stylish VJ. It doesn't get much cuter, or much more Canadian, than that.
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