Famous or fame-ish?
The blogs, they need their stories. So when
We try to sort it out. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
The
Why we know them: The teen-pop superstars became an overnight sensation after guest-starring in Miley Cyrus’ “Hannah Montana,” and then opening for her on her 2008 tour. They went on to appear in Disney’s “ Camp Rock,” land the television series “J.O.N.A.S.,” score a top-10 album and receive a nomination for best new artist at the Grammy Awards. Despite Nick’s solo music project Nick Jonas and the Administration and Kevin’s marriage to his girlfriend Danielle in December, the boy band remains together as a force in the business.
Verdict: Famous
-- Todd Martens (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Audrina Patridge
Why we know her: After MTV producers spotted her sunbathing by a pool, she was cast as one of Lauren Conrad’s friends on “The Hills.” When Patridge isn’t starring in horror movies like “Sorority Row” or appearing on “The Hills,” she tracks her appearances and social life on her blog.
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Denise Martin (Paul Buck / EPA)
Why we know her: Billy Ray’s daughter rose to fame with her Disney series “Hannah Montana.” Cyrus became one of the hottest concert tickets around, and she went 3-D long before the JoBros did. A bit of controversy entered Cyrus’ world when some racy MySpace pics surfaced, and she got a little bare for Vanity Fair. Now, she’s looking beyond “Hannah,” with films like Nicholas Sparks’ “Last Song.” And yes, it features Miley singing “When I Look at You.”
Verdict: Famous
-- Todd Martens (Jay L. Clendenin/ Los Angeles Times)
Olivia Munn
Why we know her: The actress, model and TV personality has had a variety of showbiz stints: reporting on college football, appearing in straight-to-video films and acting in the surfing series “Beyond the Break” on the N Network. Munn continues to co-host G4’s “Attack of the Show” and pursue acting roles in films like “Date Night” and “Iron Man 2.”
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Todd Martens (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Why we know her: Besides being a Super Socialite, she’s bounced around showbiz, starring in reality shows like “Simple Life” and “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF,” movies such as “Repo! The Genetic Opera” and “Hottie and the Nottie” and her 2006 self-title album, “Paris.” A sex tape and DUI arrest did little to damage her reputation.
Verdict: Famous
-- Jevon Phillips (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)
Name: Spencer Pratt and
Why we know them: Because they try very, very hard! But seriously, the villainous twosome should get a paycheck for plotting to keep “The Hills” interesting in spite of its do-nothing protagonist,
Can be seen on: The upcoming season of “The Hills” but more regularly on PerezHilton -- recent headline: “Spencer Setting the Stage for Fake ‘Divorce’ to Fake Marriage!” -- and the pages of US Weekly.
Verdict: Both! “The Hills” is big, but these two are much bigger
--Denise Martin (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)
Katy Perry
Why we know her: She kissed a girl, and she liked it.
Can be seen on: Tour, online music videos and music award show red carpets and stages.
Verdict: Famous. Working her way up from a Christian gospel album, Perry finally signed with Capitol Music. The fruity accessories are just a bonus attention-getter.
-- Rebecca Snavely (Larry Busacca / Getty Images)
Why we know her: Duff started out innocently enough, starring in the Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire” and moving on to family-themed films such as “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “A
Can be seen on: Various entertainment talk shows while promoting her role in the upcoming “Bonnie & Clyde” remake.
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Lora Victorio (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images)
Tila Tequila (nee: Thien Thanh Thi Nguyen)
Why we know her: She starred in two seasons of the MTV dating show “A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila” and her own fee-based adult website, Tila’s Hot Spot. Tequila was thrown into the spotlight again in December when she became engaged to Johnson & Johnson heiress Casey Johnson. Tragically, Johnson died a month later of diabetes complications.
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Denise Martin (Valerie Macon / Getty Images)
Elisabeth Filarski Hasselbeck
Why we know her: From Survivor: The Australian Outback.
Can be seen on: “The View, where she takes to her soapbox on hot topics like the Iraq War, the morning-after pill, and politics that lean more right than left. Married to a football player, the youngest and most outspoken member of The View is not afraid of going toe-to-toe with real famous folks like Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie ODonnell and any of the star power that guests on the show.
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Darcel Rockett (Diane Bondareff / Associated Press)
Why we know them: He was a star on All My Children and Las Vegas ; she was a star on Kids, Incorporated and a member of the Black-Eyed Peas.
Can currently be seen on: Each others arms. The couple, who married in January, caught the attention of photographers because of their good genes -- he’s a former model and she’s a girl with abs of steel who toured with the likes of Taboo and will.i.am. Now the solo artist has a shoe line and endorsements, and he’s working on his movie career.
Verdict: Famous
--Darcel Rockett (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)
Cast of ‘High School Musical’
Why we know them: They were involved in one of the biggest tween phenoms of the last decade.
Can currently be seen on: Ashley Tisdale (“The Suite Life of Zac and Cody”), Corbin Bleu (a movie called “Free Style” and an album), Vanessa Hudgens (a film called “Bandslam”) and Zac Efron (“17 Again” and “Footloose”) have all made headlines separately since the TV-movie/theatrical movie, and they continue to act in various roles. Another “HSM’”alum, Lucas Grabeel, is in Sean Penn’s “Milk.”
Verdict: Fame-ish and Famous (some more so than others)
--Jevon Phillips (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)
Lauren Conrad
Why we know her: She starred on the MTV reality series “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” and then took on more dramatic semi-reality antics on the MTV show “The Hills.”
Can currently be seen on: She’s still on “The Hills,” but her work is also on women’s bodies everywhere as her clothing line rises in profile. As well, she’s spokeperson for Avon and a social networking site called College Tonight.
Verdict: Fame-ish (Todd Williamson / WireImage)
Jessica Simpson
Why we know her: With her signature Daisy Dukes shorts and big hair, Simpson gets endless attention for her weight, relationships and fashion. Though she’s trying to make her way as an accomplished country singer, for now her personal life is more intriguing.
Can be seen on: Tour, and on almost every magazine cover on a newstand near you.
Verdict: Famous and fame-ish
-- Lora Victorio (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)
Lily Allen
Why we know her: This English singer-songwriter is known for her Mockney style on songs such as “Smile” and “LDN.” Also hosts her own BBC Three talk show, “Lily Allen and Friends.”
Can be seen on: Primarily on her MySpace page, where she launched her career and responds to the tabloids. News and music sites review her latest album “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” while the gossip blogs follow her for her youthful indiscretions that include insulting other celebrities, drinking, public revelry and exposing her third nipple.
Verdict: Both famous and fame-ish.
--Hanh Nguyen (Joel Ryan / Associated Press)
Why we know him: He plays tall, pale and bloodthirsty as dreamy vampire Edward in the
Can be seen: All over the Internet ranging from industry and news sites like E! Online and MSNBC to gossip, teen, horror and international celebrity sites. Since we’re waiting for production on the “Twilight” sequel “New Moon” to begin, there’s very little by way of real news, but that hasn’t stopped the interviews or curiosity about every aspect of his life.
Verdict: Both famous and fame-ish, depending on production schedules.
--Hanh Nguyen (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Why we know him: He’s the host of “American Idol.”
Can be seen on: E! entertainment news (as co-host), various red carpet shows, several radio shows, including “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” in Los Angeles, as well as the annual
Verdict: Famous. For the sheer volume of screen and air time accumulated.
-- Rebecca Snavely (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Justin Long
Why we know him: He’s in the TV show Ed, numerous funny films and is known as the Mac in Mac commercials.
Can currently be seen in: He’s with ex-girlfriend Drew Barrymore in Hes Just Not That Into You. His quick wit and humor, which made him a standout on shows like Ed and films like Live Free or Die Hard, keep landing him gigs in the same vein, but, just like Tom Green, he will forever be in Barrymores shadow.
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Darcel Rockett (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
Katie Price
Why we know her: She’s an English glamour model and TV personality also known by the name Jordan and married to musician Peter Andre, whom she met on the reality show “I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me out of Here!”
Can currently be seen on: British tabloid sites and now U.S. ones since they are planning to relocate to Los Angeles and have leased a house in Malibu. Most recent pics show her in layered workout gear as she trains for a marathon.
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Hanh Nguyen (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)
Why we know her: She played the tragic Marissa Cooper on “The O.C.”
Can currently be seen on: Her own blog, which she uses mostly to clear up what she says are rumors about her on every other blog, which report unfavorably on her appearance and romantic life. Dlisted’s Michael K said: “Someone like Mischa Barton is someone I see pictures of every day, but I never hear about in real life. I mean, I used to. But now she’s just existing on the Internet.”
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Kate Aurthur (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)
Nicole Richie
Why we know her: She’s a socialite, a friend of Paris Hilton, a co-star of the Fox show “The Simple Life” and an occasional actress, such as her guest spot on “Chuck.”
Can currently be seen on: The Internet and red carpets everywhere
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Jevon Phillips (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
Bai Ling
Why we know her: In 1998, she was named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” She posed for Playboy in 2005, which she claims led to her scenes being removed from “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.”
Can be seen on: She had a small role on “Lost” and just finished a part in “Crank 2: High Voltage.”
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Patrick Kevin Day (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Balthazar Getty
Why we know him: He’s acted in numerous indie flicks, is part of the oil billionaire Getty family and plays eldest brother Tommy of the Walker clan on Brothers & Sisters
Can currently be seen on: After images of him and a topless Sienna Miller were circulated around the world, he can be found on just about any entertainment gossip site. Getty, who is still married to his fashion-designer wife (with whom he has four kids), seems to be flaunting his tryst with Jude Law’s former fiancee. If it werent for the extramarital affair, Getty would get lost in the shuffle of celebrity-dom.
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Darcel Rockett (Ann Johansson / For the Los Angeles Times)
Agyness Deyn
Why we know her: Deyn is one of the most prominently photographed English models and is engaged to the Strokes’ Albert Hammond.
Can be seen on: Any of your favorite fashion magazines or websites. Deyn has done campaigns for Burberry, New Look and Jean-Paul Gautier, among others. She also has dabbled in music and sang on “Who” from British new-wavers Five O’Clock Heroes.
Verdict: Famous
--Todd Martens (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
Why we know her: She’s the hot beauty of “Transformers” fame.
Can be seen on: The upcoming “Jennifer’s Body” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Lora Victorio (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Why we know him: Played high school jock A.C. Slater on “Saved by the Bell” and later danced his way to second place on “Dancing With the Stars.”
Can be seen on: “Extra,” “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “MTV’s Top Pop Group” as host.
Verdict: Famous. Anyone who grew up with Screech, Slater and Zach knows he deserves his celebrity.
-- Rebecca Snavely (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Michelle Rodriguez
Why we know her: While shes starred in films such as “Girlfight” and “The Fast and the Furious,” and has a role in “Lost,” Rodriguez has been tabloid fodder due to her brushes with the law and questions about her sexuality.
Can be seen on: Her
Verdict: Fame-ish. Rumors about Rodriguez get more press than her performances.
-- Lora Victorio (Jordan Strauss / WireImage)
Phoebe Price
Why we know her: We don’t really know. But Dlisted’s Michael K calls her an “international supermodel and silver screen star,” so we’ll believe him.
Can currently be seen on: If there’s a red carpet, she’s on it. “At the beginning, people were like, ‘Stop writing about her!’ But I didn’t listen, I kept going, because that’s what I wanted to write about,” said Michael K. “Phoebe Price is someone who nobody knows about outside of the Internet, really.”
Verdict: Fame-ish
--Kate Aurthur (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Name: Eva Marcille, a.k.a. Eva Pigford
Why we know her: Won Season 3 of
Can be seen on: The
Verdict: Fame-ish. “Eva the Diva” has worked steadily since “Top Model,” but the reality show is still the top line on her resume.
--Rick Porter (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for Overture Films)
Bobby Trendy
Why we know him: He starred as
Can be seen on: La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles at his home decor studio, Bobby Trendy Designs, and on TMZ.com.
Verdict: Fame-ish. Starting your television career on an E! reality show and ending on a Fox reality show trying to win yet another reality show? Just asking to be an Internet phenom.
-- Rebecca Snavely (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Andrea Bowen
Why we know her: She plays
Can be seen on: “Desperate Housewives”
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Patrick Kevin Day (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
Dennis Rodman
Why we know him: A championship
Can be seen on: Will be a contestant on
Verdict: Famous
-- Patrick Kevin Day (David Goldman / Associated Press)
Andy Dick
Why we know him: He’s a stand-up comedian with well-known supporting roles on sitcoms “NewsRadio” and “Less Than Perfect.” He also has a history of public scuffles and arrest; the most recent incident was in 2008 in Murrieta,
Can be seen on: The VH1 reality series “Celebrity Rehab presents Sober House”
Verdict: Fame-ish
-- Patrick Kevin Day (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
