By Stephanie Lysaght, Todd Martens, Jevon Phillips and Denise Martin
It took less than a year for the folks on our Breakout Stars of 2008 list to become household names. You may not have known them a year ago, but this year you couldn’t get away. Robert Pattinson and his unruly ‘do sent “Twilight” fans -- and then some -- swooning. Sarah Palin became the first hockey mom-pitbull to ever run for VP. Katy Perry kissed a girl, and radio liked it. (A lot.) David Cook became the first angsty rocker to win “American Idol.”
And that’s just a few of them. Check out the rest of our picks for the faces that captured our collective attention of the year that (almost) was. (Clockwise from top left: AP / Getty / EPA / Getty)
Santa Barbara-born songbird Katy Perry shot from obscurity to notoriety this year, thanks to her breakout hit I Kissed a Girl. But Perrys bi-curious lyrics alone didnt make her a star. Her flamboyant style of dress (skimpy retro) also helped distinguish her from a sea of pop princesses. Perry’s rise to stardom, however, was not without controversy. The lyrics to both of Perrys hits -- “Ur So Gay” and “I Kissed a Girl incensed some listeners. With lyrics like, You need SPF 45 just to stay alive / Youre so gay and you dont even like boys,” they asked, was Perry rebelling against gender stereotypes, or reinforcing them? (Getty Images)
He was already a star in Britain, but comedian Russell Brand rocked America in 2008. After a scene-stealing role in Judd Apatows Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Brand went on to host the Video Music Awards. Even though he incensed some audience members by mocking the Jonas Brothers purity rings, critics applauded Brands hosting skills, and rumor has it he will host the show again next year. (Max Nash / AFP / Getty Images)
David and David
American Idol proved its star-making power yet again in 2008 with the creation of at least two new stars: Idol runner-up David Archuleta and Idol winner David Cook. With his boyish good looks, goofy demeanor and angelic voice, David Archuleta dubbed The Chosen One by my colleague Richard Rushfield seemed groomed from birth to compete on Idol. David Cook, by contrast, was not a front-runner when the season began but rose in Americas esteem through a mix of old-school rocker-angst and innovation. Both Davids debut albums have sold impressively. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)
Even if you dont know her name, chances are youve had her song stuck in your head at some point over the year. Bleeding Love dominated the airwaves in 2008, and Lewis sang it on numerous television shows. The British songstress first garnered attention in Britain in 2006, when she won The X Factor and became judge Simon Cowells protégé. In April, with the U.S. release of Spirit, Lewis became the first British solo artist whose debut album began at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. (Vince Bucci / Getty Images for AMA)
The globe-trotting political activism of electronic artist M.I.A. has been a cult fave for years. Both her albums -- 2005s Arular and 2007s Kala -- reached the Top 200 on the U.S. pop charts. But the operative word is cult. It wasnt until comedy Pineapple Express used her tune of revolution Paper Planes in its commercial that M.I.A. became a mainstream entity one who scored a Grammy nom for record of the year.
And her momentum isnt slowing. Her new label, N.E.E.T, recently released the soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire, in which she has a song. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)
Amy Winehouse may not have had a new album this year, but no matter. Those who wanted some retro soul could take solace in Duffy. And plenty of people did. Duffy had a top five album in the U.S., and it spent 30 weeks on the pop chart. Duffy, whose 60s-influenced music comes with a bit of grit, scored a best new artist Grammy nomination. (Dave Hogan)
Ashley Alexandra Dupre was at the center of one of the most salacious politcal sex scandals since Bill and Monica. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s career was cut short when it was discovered that he had procured a professional escort. Dupre said she didn’t know who he was when she met him, in a widely publicized interview with Diane Sawyer, but their meeting(s) caused a political firestorm. Dupre has been offered roles in porn films, reality TV shows and more, but she’s turned them down in hopes of starting a music career. (Associated Press)
Vampire Weekend was one of the bands to watch at this year’s Coachella music fest. The New Yorkers’ self-titled debut album brought either love it or hate it reviews. (Steven Brahms / XL Recordings)
Is it the British accent? His alleged negligence of personal hygiene? Could it be his total cluelessness over how to maneuver in his newfound fame? Or is he just the lucky bloke who got cast as hottie teen vampire Edward in “Twilight”? (Answer: All of the above.) And the 22-year-old Pattinson won’t be disappearing back into obscurity any time soon. He and “Twilight” costar Kristen Stewart start filming the sequel, “New Moon,” in March. (Richard Drew / Associated Press)
Elizabeth Banks is not exactly a new face on the scene, but with five movies (" Role Models,” “W.,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” " Meet Dave,” “Definitely, Maybe”) and a huge television movie (“Commanche Moon), she was definitely a big prescence on screen in 2008. With so many projects, it’s no wonder that she also made the talk show rounds. She also took on a producing role in the upcoming Bruce Willis- Ving Rhames sci-fi thriller “The Surrogates.” (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)
It’s true. We never want to hear the word “fierce” as a substitute for “awesome” again. Not at least for, like, five years anyway. But that doesn’t mean we don’t love us some of the hot mess that is Christian Siriano, the “Project Runway” winner who captivated Heidi & Co. with his sleek and billowing designs. Of all the show’s champs, the spiky-haired, bespectacled fashionista is least likely to be forgotten. (Kevin Winter / Getty)
He’s the guy who probably busted the most guts and appeared in the most successful of this year’s big-screen comedies. He starred in “The Foot Fist Way,” the sleeper indie hit about “a man who teaches other people to kick other people in the face.” He was the armpit hairless wonder who got memorably shot up several times in the stoner movie “Pineapple Express.” And he orchestrated the explosions in Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder.” Next, McBride will appear opposite Will Ferrell in “Land of the Lost.” (Merie Weismiller Wallace / Dreamworks)
Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, was quite possibly the most famous and infamous character on television in 2008. Her surprise pick as John McCain‘s vice presidential running mate and her subsequent speeches opened up a floodgate of political scrutiny and comedic fodder. Most popular was Tina Fey‘s impersonation of the politician on “Saturday Night Live,” which became an event in and of itself. But other factors -- an investigation into firings leveled by the governor, her love of guns and hunting, her foreign policy views, and her teenage daughter’s pregnancy -- all contributed to the hockey mom’s persona and media presence. (Al Grillo / Associated Press)
