We've been totally ga-ga for Channing Tatum since his slick dance moves first hit the big screen in Step Up, and we obviously can't stop talking about how excited we are for the dude to strip down in Magic Mike.
And since Chan's officially become one of the hottest hunks in H'wood, gracing the theaters with a slew of new projects in 2012—his latest, Haywire, opens Jan. 20 and we hear he's set to host SNL soon after—we were a bit surprised to learn Channing doesn't view himself as one of the best actors in the Biz.
How modest of you, Chan! But don't worry your pretty little face, ‘cause director Steven Soderbergh wants to present you with the award for best…
Stripper.
Yep, you read that correctly. When we caught up with Mr. Soderbergh at the Haywire premiere last week he simply told us Channing's "tough to beat" when we grilled him on the best male stripper in Magic Mike.
And we're not surprised Channing takes home the title—even up against his hottie costars Joe Mangienello, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey—Chan knows how to bust a move and work that sexy bod, and Soderbergh agrees:
"They were all great but Channing's an amazing dancer. And he's done it before," he smirked.
But back to the acting before we get carried away, ‘cause even though Channing's as hunky as they come, the dude doesn't rely on his looks to carry him in Tinsel Town.
In fact, he tells Details magazine he never went to acting school and knows he's "not the best actor," so he values learning from others on set, and despite his heartthrob roles, he chooses his projects carefully:
"You gotta do the Dear Johns. You gotta do The Vow. I'm conscious about why I did those parts, those movies," explains Mr. Tatum.
And we love that such a sexy dude can be so humble over his rise to stardom, but don't think stripping is Channing's only appeal—Mr. Soderbergh believes C.T.'s here to stay:
"He has a lot of the qualities I associate with people like George and Matt and Brad in terms of being clear-eyed, hardworking, and masculine. He's a man," insists the famed director.
We couldn't agree more. Now, about that full frontal?