Some Advice for the Young Starlets: Go to School

By Jo Piazza Posted Mar 7th 2010 01:00PM

Hello, Kristen Stewart, Vanessa Hudgens, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. You girls are adorable and we love all of you. We love all of you so much and think each of you have so much talent that we want to give you some advice. Here it is: Your star may be rising right now and you might be on top of the world, but you shouldn't underestimate the value of heading off to college and spending some you time growing up and making sure your head is screwed on straight.

Sure, we know L.A. is tons of fun, and it seems like the movie roles and all those checks will never stop rolling in, but the hard truth is, it is hard work to transition from teen starlet into serious adult actress and not everyone makes it. Plus, Hollywood and its excesses represent danger for someone so young with the world at their fingertips.

"For many young actors and actresses in Hollywood, there is a great temptation to go out and party because they are on everybody's list," explains HollywoodLife.com Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Fuller. "They're invited to everything and treated to everything. It's very tempting and it is a distraction from work. If you go to college, you learn to buckle down and you learn discipline. You have to get up the next day."

As for the opportunity cost of going to college (meaning the income lost during those four years spent studying), our number crunching guru, Jennifer Portland, founder and CEO of ExcelRainman, found that beloved box office stars Natalie Portman (Harvard), Julia Stiles (Columbia) and Anne Hathaway (Vassar and NYU) actually grossed more at the box office while in college than child and teen stars Hillary Duff and Lindsay Lohan made in the years they respectively would have been in school. These women were actually more useful to the studios while they were in school. There is something to be said for having a lot on your plate. What's that about idle hands and the devil again?

That's irrespective of the cautionary tale that is Miss Lohan, who bandied about the idea of going to NYU before joining Tara Reid and Paris Hilton on a tirade of partying, drinking and leaving their underwear at home. We're now seeing how well that worked out for her. Trust us, you would much rather be in a dorm than a room at rehab center.

"Like it or not, celebrity careers don't last forever. Going to college is a long term investment in yourself and your career that may not pay off right away. But it's an approach that creates long term career value," explains journalist Anna Bernasek, author of the new book, 'The Economics of Integrity.'

And even if the four of you do survive the transition into serious grown-up lady star (which we hope you do!) having a college degree -- or even just a couple of years of studying under your belt, like Jessica Biel, who spent several semesters at Tufts -- makes people take you more seriously as an actress and as a person.

"Education is linked to credibility. They cannot be accused of being a bubble headed actress if they have a legitimate degree," says psychologist and 'Cult of Celebrity' author Cooper Lawrence. "Lots of celebs go to Ivy League schools or study really esoteric subjects for the purpose of legitimizing their success. You can't resent someone or begrudge them their success when they at least got an education."

So take some time, study medieval English lit and find yourself in academia. Your check book and your liver will ultimately thank you for it.

Tags: kristen stewart, lindsay lohan, miley cyrus, mischa barton, selena gomez, vanessa hudgens

Comments

(12)

Sunday 07 March

By Anita Bonghit

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I dropped out of school and my life is fine. I make a butt load of money from doing educational romantic films that are released on DVD or select theaters in major cities. I work so HARD that at the end of the day I am sore. My feet also hurt from my required uniform of only high heels.

By PixelBatsa

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Are you a Porn 'star'?

By periodfilm

"... doing educational romantic films" Now that is a verity I have not heard of before. Such as?

By Ralph Zuccaro

Please STAY away from Sarah Jessica Parker, she will try hard to make you guys like her on SATC- Please do not associate with that group of PIGS!!!!! She thinks NOTHING of teaching people how to be a WHORE!!!

Monday 08 March

By Ronny

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"...somehow I doubt Hollywood producers give a rats arse about a good-looking actress having a college degree."

They also don't give a rat's arse about either a formerly good-looking actress who has aged a bit and can easily be replaced by the next hot young thing or a still young good-looking actress whose irresponsible lifestyle makes her an unpredictable liability on the set. At least the starlet who bothered to get a higher education has something on which to fall back when the studios quit calling.

By Mandy

I do think everyone should have a high school diploma, but beyond that, it's really just their decision.

I'm in university, about the graduate and I love it here! But I know that there are some careers and some people who don't need to go to college or university. Let's face it, Miley Cyrus is going to be rich, famous and working for the rest of her life, whether you like it or not and whether she goes to college or not.

I think it's great when young stars attend college or university (ie. Emma Watson), but sometimes it's just not necessary. It simply doesn't make sense for them to stop making music/movies when they are in their prime. Once their fame starts to die down and they can't find jobs, THEN they can go to college if needed. They'll probably have the money saved up and they'll have the time to do it.

By LeilaRioBrazil

What a coincidence! Another article about Kristen Stewart. And guess what? ..Since you have attacked her because of her clothes, her style, her eyes, her hair, her movies, her performance, her age, her coat, her face and her life and didn't work..let's attack now her education! Give Kristen a break, guys!Kristen stays true to her self! There are some lessons we don't learn at school. I'm sure Kristen has been through a lot! America should be proud of her. What the press is doing to her is really cruel. Shame on you, guys, how old are you? ..Let's give her some credit...Let her in peace for a while.

By --

I think that is the point. Producers will not be interested in them (not likely anyhow) forever. Probably only till they can get them to do a nude scene. Then without an education they might do something really stupid and pose for playboy thinking it will jump start their career.

By pillobytre

That Sarah Jessica Parker: what the hell happened to her: she used to be relatively hot. She now looks like she can play the Joker in a Batman movie: without any makeup! Or perhaps she can play Dee Snyder in a movie about the rock band Twisted Sister. Time- the great equalizer.

... and on another thing, the PC Hollywood red carpet bunch love to rip Miley Cirus up to shreds. They can say whatever they want about her crappy Oscar dress; there isn't one female Oscar nominee who wouldn't kill to look like Miley Cirus does at the top of this page! There is no substitute for both youth and beauty.

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Saturday 13 November

By juliet

vanessa anne hudgens is a strong girl and a great role model for people and i juliet support her in everything she does!!!!!!!!!!!

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