Image 1 of 18

<b>By Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer</b><br>
<br>
This past weekend Hollywoods richest, most beautiful and most exclusive sorority of ladies who can open a film -- let's call it Omega Mega Bucks -- welcomed a new member into its gleaming, wide-smiling ranks.<br>
<br>
Katherine Heigl had been an attractive rushee as Dr. Izzy Stevens on Greys Anatomy and a promising pledge when she starred as the gorgeous but vulnerable E! News anchor who helped push Knocked Up close to the $150-million mark this summer.<br>
<br>
But it wasnt until 27 Dresses (marketed almost entirely on Heigls personality) grossed $30 million in four days that Heigl passed the crucial initiation test: She opened a film successfully. That puts her in the same rarefied club as Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore and just a few select others.<br>
<br>
Like all sororities, this exclusive group of women is in constant flux: There are alumnae who enjoyed the adoration of the masses for a time but then moved on to more adult (read: less mass appeal) pictures, those who joined but were eventually kicked out, and others who are desperately beating down the door to get in.<br>
<br>
Heres a look at Heigls peers, her role models and those she may someday mentor -- if she lasts long enough. After all, this group has something else in common with college campus sororities: Its vicious.

Heigl

( Paul Buck / EPA )

By Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

This past weekend Hollywoods richest, most beautiful and most exclusive sorority of ladies who can open a film -- let's call it Omega Mega Bucks -- welcomed a new member into its gleaming, wide-smiling ranks.

Katherine Heigl had been an attractive rushee as Dr. Izzy Stevens on Greys Anatomy and a promising pledge when she starred as the gorgeous but vulnerable E! News anchor who helped push Knocked Up close to the $150-million mark this summer.

But it wasnt until 27 Dresses (marketed almost entirely on Heigls personality) grossed $30 million in four days that Heigl passed the crucial initiation test: She opened a film successfully. That puts her in the same rarefied club as Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore and just a few select others.

Like all sororities, this exclusive group of women is in constant flux: There are alumnae who enjoyed the adoration of the masses for a time but then moved on to more adult (read: less mass appeal) pictures, those who joined but were eventually kicked out, and others who are desperately beating down the door to get in.

Heres a look at Heigls peers, her role models and those she may someday mentor -- if she lasts long enough. After all, this group has something else in common with college campus sororities: Its vicious.

Comments (0)

Add comments | Discussion FAQ

Currently there are no comments. Be the first to comment!

Comments are filtered for language and registration is required. The Times makes no guarantee of comments' factual accuracy. Readers may report inappropriate comments by clicking the Report Abuse link next to a comment. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.