In the tabloids, Miley Cyrus is swinging from stripper poles, Ke$ha is chugging bottles of Jack and Lindsay Lohan is back in court (again). Celebs’ crazy antics are leaving collegiettes™ wondering if there are any class-act celebrities left in Hollywood. Luckily, there are plenty of Hollywood ladies who work as activists, entrepreneurs, and producers when the paparazzi aren’t looking. These are celebs who collegiettes™ can truly look up to, who have managed to stay out of the tabloids and step into the spotlight as role models for women everywhere. From A-listers to behind-the-scenes producers and entrepreneurs, here are 10 celebrities who are bringing class back to the red carpet.
Salma Hayek: The Political Activist
When this Mexican bombshell became a U.S. citizen, she tackled a not-so-popular subject among other actors and actresses: immigration. She publicly objected to a bill passed in the House of Representatives that would make illegal immigrants in the United States felons. “As a human being, I find this situation intolerable. As an immigrant, I find it offensive. And as an American citizen, I find it disheartening,” Hayek said.
Salma is well known for the causes she promotes, ranging from environmental issues to AIDS and domestic violence. She served as the spokesperson for the Avon Foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, appeared before the U.S. Senate to encourage extension of the Violence Against Women Act, and even traveled to the Arctic Circle for Earth Day in 2005 to raise awareness of global warming. Anyone who is willing to brave the arctic wilderness for a cause gets points in our book!
[pagebreak]
Shakira: The Educator
Despite Shakira’s international fame, the sexy Colombian singer, songwriter, and dancer has never forgotten her roots. She is a well-respected philanthropist, helping underprivileged children get out of poverty in her native country of Colombia. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, a nonprofit that provides education and meals to children, when she was just 18 years old. She also recently opened up a school in her hometown that provides 1,500 kids in need with a better education.
America Ferrera: The Fearless Bombshell
America has never been one to hide her curves, and for her bravery, we nominate her as a role model for collegiettes™ of any physique. Ferrera made her first on-screen appearance in the indie film Real Women Have Curves. She’s been flaunting her figure and smiling ever since. She is proud of her curvy physique and confident enough to pose in some of the world’s top fashion magazines, defying conformist standards of beauty. We love to root for her as the bumbling underdog in Ugly Betty as she sends a positive message of self-image, self-esteem and self-worth as the star of the hit TV series. For her numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, she’s been congratulated by the U.S. House of Representatives for being a role model for young Hispanics and women everywhere.
[pagebreak]
Hayden Panetierre: The Animal Advocate
This cute, petite actress and fashionista starred in the teen comedy I Love You, Beth Cooper and as superhero cheerleader Claire Bennett in the television series Heroes, but she’s dedicated to make a big impact off-screen, too. Along with serving as a teen ambassador for the Candie’s Foundation and helping to support the 2008 presidential election, one of her long-time passions has been protecting marine life, especially dolphins. Four years ago, she joined the Whaleman Foundation to help fight the annual dolphin hunt off the shores of Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. Side by side with five other surfers, she personally confronted Japanese fishermen in their boats. Don’t believe us? Check out the award-winning Sundance Film Festival documentary film, The Cove. She later delivered a letter to the Japanese ambassador, personally calling for the end of Japan’s whale hunt.
“The show [Heroes] put me in a place to speak for things that I’m passionate about,” she said in an interview with Teen Vogue. For her efforts, she was awarded the “Compassion in Action Award” by PETA. As a side note, she is a proud vegetarian.
Mindy Kaling: The Behind-the-Scenes Brains
You might recognize her as Kelly Kapoor, the bubbly, if a little ditzy, customer service rep from The Office. But she has, in fact, been the brains behind the dry comedy’s success, as a writer and co-executive producer alongside B.J. Novak, who plays her lazy boyfriend Ryan. She’s written numerous episodes and is responsible for some of the show’s most memorable moments, including the now-famous “Dundies” episode. For making us laugh time and time again and working happily behind the scenes, Mindy is a true role model.
[pagebreak]
Rashida Jones: The Renaissance Woman
You might remember her from previous seasons in The Office as Jim’s girlfriend Karen, or maybe as Ann in Parks and Recreation. Rashida may not be exactly what you would call an A-lister, but as a part of the Jones powerhouse family (her father is music mogul Quincy Jones), she doesn’t limit herself! From modeling for O Magazine to contributing to Teen Vogue, from back-up singing with Maroon Five to co-writing a comic book series, Rashida leaves us wondering, is there anything this girl can’t do? She also makes time for her share of charitable work, from promoting Peace First, a nonprofit that teaches children to resolve conflict without violence, to working with the Art of Elysium’s volunteer program, which runs artistic workshops for hospitalized children. Rashida teaches us by example that as women, we can do anything we set our minds to.
Gwyneth Paltrow: The Fashion Do-Gooder
When she’s not winning Oscars, Gwyneth Paltrow is designing clothes for kids’ charities. Just two years ago, the actress teamed up with French label ZOEtee’s to create a fall/winter ‘70s-inspired collection called ZOEtee’s Loves Gwyneth. The proceeds go to Kids Company, a London-based charity that provides practical, emotional and educational support to inner city kids. Gwyneth has been a longtime supporter of Kids Company. She even cleaned out her closet and donated some of her own clothes to the charity! Now that’s what we call giving back.
[pagebreak]
Taylor Swift: The Singer-Songwriter
Sure, we love her sweeter-than-cherry-pie sing-a-long country songs about first loves and high school proms, but did you know about her contributions to helping youth across America? Taylor was alarmed by the rising rate of Internet sex crimes, and she responded in 2007 by launching a campaign to protect kids from online predators. She partnered with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and worked to raise awareness about Internet safety to teens and their parents. She launched the campaign at just 17, proving to collegiettes™ everywhere that we are not defined by our age, but instead by our motivation and effort.
Tina Fey: The Writer
Tina is funny, frank and fearless—and for all of these reasons, she’s our role model. She first broke into comedy as a player in the Chicago-based improv group The Second City. She’s made us split our sides laughing at her Sarah Palin skit on SNL (“I can see Russia from my house!”) where she started to work her way up as a writer, comedian, and director. On top of that, she just released her autobiography Bossypants, which proves she’s not afraid to laugh at herself.
[pagebreak]
Amy Poehler: The Comedian
Amy Poehler, Tina’s comedic partner in crime, is another one of those down-to-earth celebrities we collegiettes™ love. Amy stars, produces, and writes for the television series “Parks and Recreation”. When this busy working lady is off set, she makes time to support Rosie’s Place, which provides housing and long-term assistance to poor and homeless women in Boston. Last year, she hosted a reception to benefit the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned children.
Sources:
http://www.kidsco.org.uk/
http://www.looktothestars.org/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6422523
http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/People-in-the-News-Salma-Hayek-immigrant-1202347.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/30/entertainment/main4060271.shtml?source=related_story
http://www.theartofelysium.org/?page_id=45
http://www.rosiesplace.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6iC-LjhUxo&feature=relmfu
http://ww5.komen.org/MakeADifference/ImHeretoMakeaDifference.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v_aWD2yLgk&feature=fvst
http://www.savethewhalesagain.com/call_or_email_president.htm
http://www.loveyourbody.org/
http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/barefoot-fundation/index_en.php
http://www.armyofwomen.org/armyfaq
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/19/7-things-you-can-do-for-e_n_541165.html