When you set out to photograph the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World", you're bound to encounter a few surprises. This year, none was bigger than comedian Jon Stewart's agreement to pose on the condition that he could do it in a prom dress -- for a couple of shots, anyway.

"Forty-nine people are doing the right thing," said the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. "I want to do something different." Jumping at the chance to be seen as he has never (he assures us) been seen before, he wedged himself into a $1,500 vintage dotted tulle frock and, with tiara, gloves and beaded cashmere sweater in place, declared, "I feel pretty."