Why are they famous?
Tara Reid actually acts - and yes, you’ve heard of the movies. However, ‘The Big Lebowski’ and ‘American Pie’ have been replaced by such straight-to-DVD flops as ‘Senior Skip Day.’ They say there’s no such thing as bad press, but Reid’s party-girl reputation seems to have overshadowed her legitimate cinematic contributions. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Cedars-Sinai)
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Hollywood seems to have a new infatuation with celebrities who are famous for being...well, famous. Thank you, reality TV, for introducing the world to these divas, bros and hooligans. Here’s a list of who you should know, and why the entertainment gods decided their lives were worth chronicling.
Like all the best socialites, Park Avenue princess Tinsley Mortimer has added ‘reality TV star’ and ‘fashion entrepreneur’ to her resume. You might recognize her from a cameo appearance on ‘Gossip Girl,’ or perhaps her own CW show, ‘High Society,’ which is GG minus the professional actors. But you might not recognize her clothing line, Riccime by Tinsley Mortimer - it’s only available in select stores in Japan. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
The former Mr. Britney Spears has achieved more celebrity than most backup dancers. However, Federline’s moment in the media spotlight has included plenty of ups and downs. Beyond the custody battles, how does a former dancer wind up as a contestant on ‘Celebrity Fit Club’? (Photo by David Hardenberg/Getty Images)
The fame bug bit Kristin Cavallari early, and so far, it seems incurable. TV cameras have documented the California girl’s every move since she was a high school junior in Laguna Beach. Recently, Cavallari followed in the footsteps of her old nemesis, Lauren Conrad, and joined the cast of ‘The Hills.’ Team Kristin or Team LC? (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
She has one of those names and faces that you’ve seen a million times, but you’re just not sure where or why. Some possible sightings include ‘Playboy,’ ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Scary Movie 4.’ Sports fans may recognize her as the former Mrs. Rodman. Frankly, We think her main claim to fame is excessive hotness. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Let the people’s voice be heard...on MySpace. Tila Tequila achieved stardom in 2006 as the site’s most popular artist and solidified her celebrity with an MTV reality show, ‘A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila.’ And yes, boy and girls, she swings both ways. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images)
Mr. Tori Spelling has an acting career of his own - the couple actually had an illicit affair while filming a Lifetime TV movie. Now the pair is legally wed, and McDermott should thank his better half for a push into the Hollywood limelight. We never fully appreciated the bed-and-breakfast industry until ‘Tori & Dean: Inn Love’ opened our eyes. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Audrina Patridge is a reality TV staple, introducing her bangin’ bod to the world as one of the original cast members on ‘The Hills.’ As that era ends, Patridge is set to star in her own series, ‘The Audrina Show.’ She has also added movie star to her resume, with appearances in ‘Sorority Row’ and ‘Into the Blue 2.’ But we’ll always remember her best for that sinfully delicious Carl’s Jr. commercial. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Las Palmas)
They dominate E!, the red carpet and magazine covers. Sure, they’re hot, but what instigated the Kardashian mania? Hollywood first took notice of Kim’s famous friends and infamous sex tape, but the Kardashian name made headlines way earlier than that. Kim, Khloe and Kourtney are daughters of the late Robert Kardashian, friend and attorney to O.J. Simpson. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images)
The more attention that tabloids give to Courtney Love’s personal dramas, the less credit people give to this rockstar for her accomplished career. Love was the lead singer, guitarist and lyricist for the Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Hole. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role the ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt.’ Unfortunately, we seem to know her best as Kurt Cobain’s widow, a struggling drug addict and a mother embroiled in legal battles. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
This Upper East Side princess has joined the reality TV ranks as a cast member on ‘The City,’ MTV’s East Coast spin-off of ‘The Hills.’ (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
This oil-heir is slick enough to get involved with the hottest of Hollywood hotties...and then trash them. He most recently made headlines for calling ex-girlfriend Mischa Barton ‘fat’ on his Twitter account. His actions prove that a true celebrity can always manage to make a fool of himself, even with a 140-character limit. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Her mom feels like she is “mourning the loss of a child,” but tabloids and Hollywood gawkers have gained plently of material from ‘The Hills’personality. She’s Lauren Conrad’s ex-best friend, half of the infamous ‘Speidi’ (with castmate and husband Spencer Pratt) and an aspiring songstres. She’s most famous for her plastic surgery binge and enhanced triple-Ds (let’s make them an ‘H’ for Heidi!). Hollywood Barbie, anyone? (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
They say politics is Hollywood for ugly people, but this Playgirl centerfold has brought the sizzle back to Capitol Hill. Bristol Palin’s ex has become the most covted baby daddy to emerge from any political scandal. (Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
The ex-pair from “John and Kate Plus Eight” are now more recognizable for their tabloid exploits than their parenting skills. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Discovery)
He has a few hit songs: ‘On the Way Down’ and ‘True.’ He has gained more media attention for being a hit with the ladies, including Ashlee Simpson and Audrina Patridge. But his most memorable hit has to be that hair. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Maxim)
Before Kelly Osbourne won third place on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ we were under the impression that you had to be, well, a star, to compete on the show. Osbourne stepped into the limelight with her rock-and-roll family on their reality TV show, ‘The Osbournes,’ and then rode the celebrity wave into music, acting and fashion ventures. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Hef’s ex-girlfriend and former ‘The Girls Next Door’ star has seen her celebrity status explode since leaving the Mansion. Kendra has her own E! reality show, a pro-athlete husband (the Eagles’ Hank Basket) and a lineman-sized baby boy. This resilient Bunny has even managed to bounce back from a sex tape scandal. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Resorts tInternational)
Lindsay Lohan’s father is one of those Hollywood parents who really know how to cash in on their children’s fame. He has been embroiled in numerous legal battles, ranging from assault charges to DUIs, but he still manages to engage in tabloid-worthy romances. No wonder Lindsay has issues. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
His dad, Bruce Jenner, is a gold medal Olympic decathlete. His mom, Linda Thompson, is an actress and former Miss Tennessee. With such an impressive lineage, it’s no wonder that TV personality and notorious playboy Brody Jenner is famous for being...Brody Jenner. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
