American-born actress Gwyneth Paltrow is probably the most controversial celebrity in recent memory to be crowned People magazine's Most Beautiful Woman.

Following the announcement last week, the 40-year-old mother of two has been called "elitist", "pompous" and "the Barbie ideal" on several online news sites.

According to ABC News, People magazine's managing director Larry Hackett appeared on Good Morning America to explain that the magazine placed the Iron Man 3 star at the top of their 24-year-old annual list because "she's relatable as a wife and mother who balances personal life and her career" and "she's family- oriented, grounded, close to her mother and looks great".

Previous winners include Paltrow's best pal, singer Beyonce Knowles, 31, and ex-boyfriend Brad Pitt's current squeeze, Angelina Jolie, 37, as well as singer Jennifer Lopez, 43, and actresses Julia Roberts, 45, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 43.

But does Paltrow really deserve the title? Many in the fashion and beauty industry here do not think so.

Make-up artist Clarence Lee, 39, says in an e-mail interview that he was "rather startled" when he heard the news. He adds: "Honestly, I would never have picked her if it's based on looks alone."

Ms Linda Teo, 57, managing director of Carrie Models International, agrees. She says: "She looks a bit old, haggard and tired when I saw her on Glee. She's over skinny. When she smiles, she's got all these wrinkles. But she looked better when she played secretary to Tony Stark in the movie Iron Man."

Paltrow acted as Holly Holliday, a substitute teacher, in the comedic television series Glee from 2010 to 2011. She is also well known for her role as Pepper Potts in the Iron Man movies.

Fashion publicist Lionnel Lim, who declined to reveal his age, says that one of the reasons People magazine may have picked Paltrow was probably because "she is going to be in the next big summer blockbuster Iron Man 3".

Fashion director Daniel Boey, 48, suggests that controversy sells and after being named the "most hated" actress by Star magazine, catapulting her to "most beautiful" is a sure way to fuel talk among critics and fans.

Though Paltrow is not his personal favourite, Boey adds that she was probably chosen because she is "attractive with a great body, has lovely skin and a wonderful family life".

Fashion photographer Wee Khim, 48, agrees: "She is almost a plain Jane, girl- next-door pretty. She's not overly done up, so I think she's very relatable. But compared to past winners such as Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez, she certainly doesn't have the va-va-voom factor."

Still, there are some who think critics should cut her some slack.

Make-up artist Larry Yeo, 35, says: "I think she is very pleasant on the eyes and you won't get sick of her look. Some people look fantastic but you get sick of them. I think she has the soft features that women might want."

Of the revealing Antonio Berardi gown that Paltrow wore to the recent Hollywood premiere of Iron Man 3, he thinks it looked amazing. "I guess people are jealous because only certain body shapes can pull off a dress like that."

Ms Grace Lee, 46, editor of recently launched high-life magazine Chinese Prestige, says: "I think she looks very intelligent, she's a good actress and she dresses well when she appears at events.

"But I think beauty is not just about the outside, it is about the inside as well, and I cannot say I know any celebrity well enough to say if they are really beautiful."

"She is almost a plain Jane, girl-next-door pretty."

Wee Khim, a fashion photographer, on Paltrow

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