These days in Hollywood, sisters–both gay and straight–really are doin’ it for themselves. For proof, check out the Showtime series The L Word, about a group of young women in Los Angeles, their lives, careers, and romantic relationships, which airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
In honor of the show’s second season, we thought we’d celebrate nine of Hollywood’s real-life movers and shakers–bright, successful, beautiful women who’ve made their mark on the city and the entertainment industry in significant ways.
Why her? Because even at a young age, she played old souls in films such as The Professional and Beautiful Girls–girls who were able to reach in and yank your heart out with just one devastating look. Because her grounded maturity was perhaps even more telling in the parts she has declined, including Adrian Lyne‘s controversial remake Lolita (the sex and nudity was a problem) and Robert Redford‘s The Horse Whisperer (couldn’t relate to the young character). Because she is the best thing about the latest Star Wars films. Because she put her career on hold to go to college. Because now, at 23, she’s back and better than ever–not only doing a stellar job in the quirky indie Garden State but also earning a Golden Globe (and perhaps an Oscar) for another heartbreaking performance in Mike Nichols‘ Closer.
She’s a Gemini: A Gemini is adaptable, witty, eloquent and youthful. They are also inquisitive and cunning.
She isn’t afraid to… Let everyone know acting isn’t necessarily what she wants to do forever. “I didn’t have this undying need to be an actress. I didn’t have that fire in me ever–at any point. And still, I don’t think I have that within me.”
What you might not know about her: She has been a strict vegetarian since the age of 8.
Her words to live by: “I think it is a really beautiful thing that we have recognition within our industry–but it’s not that important.”
Her next move: Portman will reprise her role as Amidala in the final Star Wars episode Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, opening in May. She’s also starring in the indie Free Zone, a film about inter-racial cooperation amid the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Why her? Because this Mexican beauty came on the radar in a blaze of glory as Antonio Banderas‘ fiery lover in Robert Rodriguez‘s Desperado. Because she gave us another sultry turn in the cult favorite From Dusk Till Dawn and did the same in the big-budgeted Wild Wild West. Because she bucked the system and proved she more than just a pretty face, producing, starring and getting an Oscar nomination for her searing portrait of the surrealist painter Frida Kahlo in Frida. Because she made even having a unibrow sexy. Because now, at 38, she finally generates her own roles.
She’s a Virgo: A Virgo can be shy, meticulous, practical and analytical. They can also be a perfectionist as well as conservative.
She isn’t afraid to… Pontificate on a great many subjects, including men: “I keep waiting to meet a man who has more balls than I do”; marriage: “For many women, marriage is only about needing the world to know that someone desires them enough to say, ‘Here’s a contract to prove that I love you and will commit to you for the rest of my life'”; and the Latino explosion: “I don’t believe in the so-called Latino explosion when it comes to movies. Jennifer Lopez doesn’t have an accent. She grew up in New York speaking English not Spanish. Her success is very important because she represents a different culture, but it doesn’t help me.”
What you might not know about her: She is dyslexic.
Her words to live by: “To dream big doesn’t necessarily mean to imagine becoming the biggest movie star in the world. Dreaming big is about taking the simplest thing in life and enjoying it, and seeing it as the biggest thing that can possibly exist.”
Her next move: Hayek just finished filming Bandidas with co-star Penelope Cruz, about two turn-of-the-century Mexican women who become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.
Why her? Because the gorgeous, pouty, dark-haired actress went through some short-lived TV series (Significant Others and The Time of Your Life) before landing her own kick-ass series Alias. Because playing the multi-disguised uber-spy Sydney Bristow has given her loads of accolades, including a Golden Globe. Because she’s parlayed her success on television to the big screen, with her hit comedy 13 Going on 30 and comic-book actioner Elektra. Because now, at 32, with a hit TV series and a burgeoning film career, she’s ready to take on the world.
She’s a Aries: An Aries is an adventurous type, pioneering, enthusiastic and quick-witted. They can also be quick-tempered, impatient and a bit of a daredevil.
She isn’t afraid to… Be the “other” Jen in Ben Affleck‘s life.
What you might not know about her: She played saxophone in high school.
Her words to live by: “Happiness is your own responsibility.”
Her next move: Garner is in her fourth season as Alias‘ heroine, who, week after week, gets to open her own particular can of whup-ass on her enemies.
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Why her? Because at the tender age of 13, in her first breakout role, she acted circles around her co-stars Robert Redford and Kristin Scott Thomas in The Horse Whisperer. Because she took three years off after that, grew up and emerged as a beautiful young woman, co-starring in the quirky indie Ghost World. Because she then completely wowed us, making innocent flirting with much older men seem perfectly natural in Lost in Translation and Girl With a Pearl Earring. Because, at 20, she’s got the world at her feet.
She’s a Scorpio: A Scorpio is determined, passionate and intuitive. They also can be secretive, jealous and compulsive.
She isn’t afraid to… Date anyone she damn well pleases. Johansson has been linked to such hunks at Benicio Del Toro and Jared Leto but regrets ever saying she’d only date men over 30. “It’s horrible. I only get balding men with giant guts since that comment circulated. Young men can feel free to seduce me,” the actress told World Entertainment News Network.
What you might not know about her: She has a twin brother, Hunter Johansson.
Her words to live by: “Maybe years from now, when I’m having my midlife crisis and need to find myself, I’ll search deep down inside and find that old soul of mine and dust it off. But for now I’m enjoying getting to know all about my young soul.”–to Interview magazine.
Her next move: Johansson is a busy bee these days. In the can are the sci-fi thriller The Island with Ewan McGregor and the Woody Allen film Match Point. Plus she’s signed up to shoot guns with Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible III.
Why her? Because the vibrant lead singer of the hard-rocking quartet No Doubt has risen to emerge as one of pop music’s most recognized and adored vocalists. Because her ballad “Don’t Speak” cemented the band’s, and Stefani‘s, celebrity and spoke to women everywhere about painful breakups. Because looking enviably glamorous in anything from wildly creative rock/punk styles to high end haute couture, she has emerged as an influential, much-admired and frequently copied fashion icon in the entertainment industry, even launching her own line of clothing and accessories. Because the 36-year-old has finally taken her talent to the big screen with a cameo as Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese‘s The Aviator–and we can’t for more. Because even though she loves being part of a band, she gone solo with a new album Love, Angel, Music, Baby.
She’s a Libra: Libra’s are diplomatic, romantic and sociable as well as being idealistic and peaceable. They can also be indecisive, gullible, flirtatious and self-indulgent.
She isn’t afraid to… Show some skin. Lots of skin. In videos, on the red carpet. And not afraid to show her emotions, either. “I’m really emotional. I don’t fight with people–like, I can barely fight with my husband [Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale] because I’ll just start crying instead.
What you might not know about her: She was on her high school swim team.
Her words to live by: “I’ve been making a conscious effort not to think about the future. I’m lucky to not have a real job, to be able to express myself, be creative and be relevant. I don’t know what I will be doing in 10 years. How old will I be? Forty-five. I don’t want to think about it to be honest, because it’s a waste of time. Tomorrow night I’ll be in bed with my husband again and it will be really great. It’s all about right now.”
Her next move: Besides releasing her solo album in 2004 and being nominated for a Grammy for her hit “What You Waiting For?,” she provided a singing voice for the upcoming computer animated film Madagascar.
Why her? Because, after the 1990 short-lived TV series Working Girl, she survived sitcom hell and went on to kick butt with Keanu Reeves in the action blockbuster Speed, becoming a bonafide movie star. Because even with some big-time misses (In Love and War, Speed 2: Cruise Control, her smash hits (While You Were Sleeping, Miss Congeniality) earned her the title of “America’s Sweetheart” in the 1990s. Because she then proved she could give up the frivolities of romantic comedies and dig deep in the somber 28 Days. Because now, at 40, she’s still saucy, recently voted the sexiest female celebrity in a “Naughty Forties” poll.
She’s a Leo: Leo’s are generous, warmhearted, creative and loving. They can also be patronizing, bossy and intolerant.
She isn’t afraid to… Encourage those Hollywood folk to donate money in times of need. She donated $1 million to the Red Cross after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and did the same earlier this year, donating $1 million for those who suffered in the tsunami-disaster in Asia, sparking an onslaught of celebrity donations. She also isn’t afraid to date a guy (Jesse James), who hosts a make-over car show called Monster Garage.
What you might not know about her: Loves horses but is extremely allergic to them.
Her words to live by: “I’ve learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you. It’s what you choose to do with it, the people you choose to surround yourself with. Always choose people that are better than you. Always choose people that challenge you and are smarter than you. Always be the student. Once you find yourself to be the teacher, you’ve lost it.”–to USA Today.
Her next move: Bullock reprises her role as FBI agent-turned-beauty contestant Gracie Hart in the upcoming Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, opening March 24.
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Why her? Because she made her feature film debut in the smash hit Flashdance while a freshman at Yale–and stayed to graduate. Because she encapsulated the ’80s by making oversized, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt a fashion trend. Because she never gave into the idea that her career had faded, co-starring in some stellar indie films, including Devil in a Blue Dress, The Anniversary Party and Roger Dodger. Because now, at 41, she’s landed on the hit Showtime show The L-Word, playing the successful and beautiful Bette, an art museum director who likes to control the lives of those around her, and ends up driving them away.
She’s a Sagittarius: A Sagittarian is optimistic, jovial and good-humored. They love their freedom and are straightforward and philosophical.
She isn’t afraid to… Embrace her biracial heritage, not only as the lesbian Bette on The L-Word, but also in real-life (her father’s African-American, her mother’s Irish). Also, she isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself. In The Full Monty, a group of aspiring male strippers rent Flashdance to learn some moves, but they end up critizing Beals’ skills as a welder. “I also got sent the script for The Full Monty because I had to give my approval … I think they were worried that I wouldn’t take it well, but the script was so funny! I don’t mind being made fun of, because Flashdance really was so silly …”
What you might not know about her: As a teenager, she babysat for her neighbor, Regis Philbin.
Her words to live by: “It’s been perfect. I can still ride a subway and work with great people. I can’t imagine being Julia Roberts. I don’t have the fortitude to withstand that kind of attention.”–People magazine.
Her next move: The L-Word recently was picked up for a third season, and she was just cast in the indie Desolation Sound, with Ed Begley Jr.
Why her? Because the famously full-lipped 29-year-old beauty made a name for herself in the business, regardless of her Hollywood pedigree as the daughter of Oscar-winning Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. Because of her unpredictability and eccentricities that made even wearing a vial of her former husband’s blood around her neck seem a little weird but way too cool. Because she’s matured into a talented actress, winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in 1999’s Girl, Interrupted. Because no matter how glamorous she can be, she knows what’s really important in life and continues to reach out to those in need as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
She’s a Gemini: Geminis are known to be versatile, communicative and witty, and intellectual, eloquent and youthful. They can also be cunning and inquisitive.
She isn’t afraid to… Speak her mind about anything, from the fun you can have playing with knives to the breakup of her marriage to Billy Bob Thornton, to forcing people to pay attention to the world around them. Or to be a shoulder to cry on, especially for her new friend, Brad Pitt, who, after bonding with Jolie on the set of their upcoming movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith, asked her for guidance as his marriage to Jennifer Aniston fell apart.
What you might not know about her: She once considered being a funeral director.
Her words to live by: “If you don’t get out of the box you’ve been raised in, you won’t understand how much bigger the world is.”
Her next move: Besides the June release of Smith, she’s also due to play the wife of a CIA agent, played by Matt Damon, in the Robert De Niro-directed The Good Shepherd. That is after she finishes making A Moment in the World, a documentary she financed in which she sent 38 teams of cameramen and narrators to locations in the United States and throughout the world to capture events that occurred during the same random four-minute span.
Why her? Because she was once voted “Funniest Person in America” and then became the first openly gay lead in a successful TV sitcom. Because she didn’t back down when doors were shut in her face in the backlash. Because, in 2003, she proved that she indeed is the extremely talented comedienne we all know she is by producing the hysterical HBO standup special Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now and by bringing to life one of the funniest animated character ever in Finding Nemo. Because, at 47, she continually tickles us pink and gets us to boogie with her on her hit daytime chat fest The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
She’s an Aquarian: Aquarians are friendly, honest and loyal, and original, inventive and independent, putting an emphasis on humanitarian efforts.
She isn’t afraid to… Dance in public, natch, and show a little PDA–especially with new girlfriend, Arrested Development‘s Portia de Rossi.
What you might not know about her: Her first standup appearance in 1980, in a New Orleans comedy club, consisted of her eating a Whopper, fries and a shake.
Her words to live by: “…I have a tendency to diminish what I do for a living, but I also know I’m going to leave here, and I won’t be somebody who just had a sitcom but someone who helped change people’s minds.”–in an interview with TV Guide.
Her next move: Along with doing the second season of her show, DeGeneres is set to play the Almighty One in a remake of Oh, God!.
