So, yeah, to call Violet and Seraphina Affleck leading ladies may be a bit premature, and perhaps just a smidge weird. Yet, there’s no doubt that these girls are already a couple of the coolest chicks in Hollywood who will go on to great things either in or out of the industry.
Photo via People.com
For one thing, they have the blood of Hollywood royalty. The daughters of Ben Affleck (Oscar winner, Boston charmer, official best friend to Matt Damon) and Jennifer Garner (Alias superspy, rom-com heroine, effortless hair model), Violet and Seraphina have a legacy of talent to live up to. And although it’s still early, they’re already doing the Affleck name proud.
The oldest of the Affleck’s brood is Violet, also known as the wisest 7 year-year-old alive and my model for living a life of sophisticated responsibility. A mini version of her mom, the girl knows how to rock a skirt/handbag combo, and could teach us all a little something about summer dresses. But more importantly, Violet has a diverse array of talents for someone who recently lost her two front teeth. From rollerblading, to spelling bees, to taking care of her younger siblings, Violet is the perfect child in so many ways. She wears glasses because she knows that 1. She can pull them off and 2. She’s smart and doesn’t care who knows it (Um-hum, Suri).
That’s not to say that Violet’s younger sister, Seraphina, is any less perfect. In fact, if Violet is like Jennifer, Seraphina is the cool, Ben-inspired mini-me. The 4-year-old has her own quirky feminine sense of style and isn’t afraid to take risks. She recently got a bob before Jennifer Lawrence; thereby cementing her status early on as an edgy Hollywood trendsetter. But mostly, Sera (as she’s nicknamed), spends a lot of time being adorable with Ben Affleck. They go for almost daily coffee runs, make cute faces, and he even cheers her on when she goes running. And who could blame him for wanting to hang out with her? She’s got a fun, free spirit, and with a beautiful role model of a sister, there can only be more good things to come.
In all, I’m not saying I want to be Violet or Seraphina Affleck, because that would be ridiculous. One should probably not emulate 7 or 4- year-old children in terms of life decisions. Yet, if one had to pick a duo of children to emulate, it would certainly be this one.
And yeah, Samuel Affleck is pretty cute too. But we all know it’s all about the girls.
With all the recent shakeups in the world of late night television, here’s my picks for some industry newcomers who would make excellent additions to the post-prime time slot. Click on any photo to scroll through a slideshow of the leading ladies who would rock the late night lineup.
So, duh. Emma Stone is the hilarious, adorable, ginger (and sometime blonde) haired goddess that we all wish we could be. She is the pure definition of a triple threat as someone who can act, dance, and sing in ways that could make Hugh Jackman jealous. In all, she’s maybe the coolest, cutest actress in the business right now.
Photo via Gage Skidmore
But more so, Emma Stone is an astonishing human being who stands as a model for just how great young actresses in Hollywood can be. Driven by a passion for performing from a young age, the Arizona-native worked in community productions all through her childhood until the age of 15 when she decided to get serious. At this point, Stone began her journey to winning America’s hearts by presenting an endearing PowerPoint to her parents about why they should let her move to Hollywood and pursue acting full-time. Obviously, the plan worked, and audiences have been blessed by her presence in the industry ever since.
Despite her ever-growing popularity since her breakout role in Superbad (2007), Stone’s managed to stay grounded, simple, and private. She lives a low-key lifestyle, free of the drama that surrounds many young Hollywood starlets. Amanda Bynes, she is not.
That’s not to say that Stone can’t bring the glamour when need be. She has undoubtedly transformed into a style icon of the entertainment industry, flaunting her impeccable taste on red carpets, the streets of New York, and just a cozy Parisian bench. Basically, it’s impossible to find a picture of her where’s she’s not looking fabulous. Seriously, feel free to try, I’m just pretty sure she possesses the real-life equivalent of Barney Stinson’s photogenic abilities.
And speaking of men, Emma’s got it pretty good. Not only is she with her adorable longtime boyfriend, Andrew Garfield, but she’s also costarred with some pretty great gentlemen in her short career including Justin Timberlake (a.k.a King JT), Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, and Ryan Gosling. Now it may seem excessive to state Ryan twice, but since Emma has costarred with him on two separate occasions and he is twice as important as any other man alive, it’s the only logical thing to do.
But even without any of the men, Emma would be a beautiful role model for girls everywhere. She once said, “I know a lot of people who aren’t traditionally ‘beautiful’ – not symmetrical or perfect-bodied or perfect-skinned. But none of that matters because all that shines through is their confidence, humor and comfort with themselves. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” Emma Stone is the epitome of that strong, healthy, hilarious presence in Hollywood, making her one of the most admired young women in the industry. And the Ryan Gosling thing doesn’t hurt either.
It’s no secret to anyone who’s ever caught a little program called Saturday Night Live, but Maya Rudolph is comic genius. The woman makes a better Oprah than Oprah herself (do not tell Queen O I said that), and can hold her own in a girl chat fest with a Jerseyed-up Amy Poehler. But now that the late-night queen of impressions has left her SNL throne, it’s time for Rudolph to show the full range of her talent and all-around awesomeness.
Photo via Athena LeTrelle
The crazy thing is that as brilliant of a comic actor as Rudolph is, she could’ve just as easily had a prominent music career. As the daughter of soul singer Minnie Riperton and music producer Dick Rudolph, Maya has the music in her blood. From her over-the-top musical performances on SNL to a more hearty role in A Prairie Home Companion, Rudolph has been able to integrate music into her acting and comedy.
Yet, the comedy world should be grateful Rudolph abandoned her touring bands and Steely Dan backup singer ambitions in favor of the Hollywood scene. Post-SNL, she’s made her mark in indie films like Friends With Kids and Away We Go and solidified her role in the mainstream as a comic superstar thanks to her hilarious turn in the NBC sitcom Up All Night.
But Maya isn’t the only one in her family circle with some serious talent. In fact her longtime partner and the father of her three, soon to be four, children is none other than Paul Thomas Anderson. Yeah, that Paul Thomas Anderson. Just to reiterate, Maya Rudolph’s partner is the writer/director of The Master, There Will Be Blood, and Boogie Nights. She lives in the same house as the man responsible for the most unattractive haircut ever recorded on film, not to mention arguably the greatest technical director on the face of the planet, and god to all pretentious film buffs. So, moral of the story: she’s the coolest and her life is an absolute dream.
Perhaps more important than all of her amazing work and astounding family connections is that at the end of the day, Maya Rudolph is just a great, funny lady. Her character in Bridesmaids became every girl’s ideal for what a best friend should be, but there’s no doubt that Maya herself would be BFF perfection as well. Not only is she hilarious, down-to-earth, and brilliant, but she knows what’s important in life. “If there’s ice cream present, ordering is a no brainer. I think all of us need to have ice cream whenever possible. My go-to is mint-chip,” Maya once said. With those kinds of priorities, who wouldn’t want to be her bridesmaid?
The Faith Hill-inspired queen of country music (the ever-classy Connie Britton) battles the newest country pop princess (a deliciously bratty Hayden Panettiere) in what is certainly one of the best new shows of the season. Nashville is filled with soapy romantic tension set against a backdrop of some of the most beautiful harmonies ever played. In the midst of all the musical drama, is Kourtney Hansen, an Iowa native and Drake University alum who plays Emily, the assistant and balancing voice of reason to Panettiere’s hotheaded Juliette Barnes. I talked with Hansen about her about life in Tennessee, living the Hollywood dream, and what’s next for Emily and the rest of the Nashville crew.
Photo courtesy of Kourtney Hansen
How did you get the job on Nashville? What was the audition process like?
“I have a talent agent here in Nashville, Mark Block, who got me the initial audition in conjunction with a casting agency that worked on the pilot. My initial audition was in front of casting (who I had auditioned for before) and a camera. I read through the scene of Juliette’s assistant with the casting agent a couple of times and that was it. After that, I was called in for a call back which, unbeknownst to me, was in front of the director of the pilot and one of our executive producers, RJ Cutler, and our show’s creator, academy award winner, Callie Khouri who wrote Thelma & Louise. So it was a great thing I didn’t know who they were because I would have been extremely nervous! There were several women at the callback as well and after that and waiting a few days, it came down to myself and one other woman. In the end, they cast me!”
What’s been your favorite part of working on the show so far? How has it been interacting with such huge stars like Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere?
“So far it’s been achieving a lifelong goal of being a working actor. The bonus is being a working actor on a successful major network TV show that I’m very proud of. The cast is incredible, not only Hayden and Connie, but everyone involved is amazing. We are all a team and that makes the show what it is. It’s very surreal to be included in this ensemble of wonderfully talented people. To get specific, though, I have been a fan of Hayden’s since she was a kid on Guiding Light. To be acting alongside someone who I’ve admired and was a fan of from there all the way to Heroes is absolutely unbelievable. I pinch myself all the time.
How has the character of Emily developed over the course of the show so far? Will we continue to see more of her during the rest of the season?
“We have seen Emily go from minion to watching her step up and show why she sticks with Juliette. She believes in her and I think, although she gets frustrated with Juliette’s actions, can truly see the good in her. She knows how truly talented she is and wants her to be a the good person Emily knows she is. We haven’t finished shooting the rest of the season so it’s unknown as to the course for Emily from here on out…I definitely hope you will see more of her!”
The show has been such a great platform for amazing country music. With your background in country music, will you get to sing on the show?
“Well, I’m not much of a singer, so I hope they don’t ask me to sing! My background was in country radio in Des Moines, and I’ve only worked on the acting and dancing sides of the entertainment biz, but having a fiancé who is a country artist, and being around country music at CMT and from my past in country radio, I definitely feel at home on a show with this platform.”
What are you involved in outside of your acting on Nashville?
“Since 2010, I have worked as a correspondent on CMT Insider, now Hot 20 Countdown, interviewing country artists and hosting pieces on the country music entertainment show. I also serve as in-arena host at the Nashville Predators NHL games, conducting contests and promos during breaks and intermissions as the host of the monthly Predators TV show, Predators Snapshot and I’m the host of features on the Predators’ website. I also just finished my third round of national 1800PetMeds commercials that run quite a bit, so you may catch me on those. Aside from that, there’s not much time in the day to do much of anything else right now during shooting season!”
How do you balance the Hollywood profession and living in Nashville?
“You know, it’s so strange because since the show is shot here, even though a ton of our cast and crew migrated here from LA for the show, I don’t get the Hollywood feeling a whole lot. At this point-since I’ve been blessed to have been shooting with everyone since the pilot, it just feels more like a really cool job in the field I was trained in. From time to time, I get a little of the Hollywood profession when people recognize me from the show or when cast members will go back to LA for award shows or something, but we’re so tight knit here and we have so much fun shooting, it doesn’t feel like a job; I have to remind myself of how big and far reaching this thing really is.”
How do you feel about living in Nashville?
“I absolutely adore Nashville. I knew the minute I visited for the first time many years ago that it would be the only place I could see myself living besides Iowa. It’s so comparable to home in many ways-with a little bit better weather, which is a plus! The live music, the southern hospitality, the feeling of a small town but just the right size of city-makes it such a wonderful place to live and work.”
Photo via Gage Skidmore
Although most often associated with her character, April, from NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Aubrey Plaza is a cool, quirky character all her own. As the reigning queen of the comedic deadpan, Plaza is a fresh face, quickly moving from the indie scene to mainstream superstardom.
But really, let’s talk about April Ludgate for a minute. Plaza plays the odd, dark, and even scary young government employee to perfection, mixing copious amounts of sarcasm with the occasional sentimental moment. Plaza’s real life and personality even plays into April’s character, interests, and family history. In the early years of Parks and Rec, April established the source of her personality. “My mom’s Puerto Rican. That’s why I’m so lively and colorful,” she said in a lifeless monotone, her dark eyes looking straight at the camera. And while in real life, it’s Plaza’s dad who is Puerto Rican, (her mother is Irish and English), there’s no doubt that Plaza is similar to April in more ways than one.
Working that deadpan glare that can bring even the toughest of critics to giggle fits has made Plaza a valuable comedic commodity in the business beyond Parks and Rec. Guest stints on Portlandia and 30 Rock and roles in such quirky classics as Damsels in Distress and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World have brought Plaza wide acclaim both professionally and personally as viewers have seen her own hilariously twisted personality. From interviews where she discusses her desire to be an old woman, to a slideshow of her funniest GIFs, Plaza has a new vision of comedy to offer to the world.
But despite her humor and sassy personality, Plaza has some serious acting chops as well. As anyone who’s seen the video for Father John Misty’s brilliant Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings can tell you, Plaza is a powerful dramatic actress who brings an intense level of rawness and vulnerability under her sarcastic exterior. With Hollywood at her fingertips and more fans continuing to catch on, this may just be the beginning of the Aubrey Plaza takeover.
So admittedly, I’ve never met Meryl Streep. And I’ve certainly never had a one-on-one sit down with the greatest actress ever to walk the face of the planet. But, if granted the opportunity, I imagine our conversation would go a little something like this.
Meryl, thank you for meeting with me today! First of all, how do you live your life being so consistently amazing?
Aw, stop it. I’m just lucky to have a career that I love and a family that makes my life complete.
That’s beautiful. Speaking of your family, you’ve been married to your husband, Don, for 35 years. How have you made the relationship work through a prolific Hollywood career and raising four children?
I would say commitment and communication. My husband and family have always been the most important things to me. I’m lucky to have three beautiful daughters and a handsome son, and I’m so proud of all of them. We just support each other and they really keep me grounded. Honestly, Abbey, I feel like you would fit right into our family.
The goddess herself. Photo via Vincent Luigi Molino,
You’re too much, Meryl, but I accept your invitation to become your honorary daughter/gal pal! Your lovely husband aside, you’ve had some pretty stellar male costars in your day including Robert Redford, Alec Baldwin, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, and a (pre-chair talk) Clint Eastwood. Who has been your favorite leading man?
Tough question. I would have to say Pierce Brosnan, based on pure singing abilities. Haha, just kidding! Honestly, I’ve loved working with all my costars, even the strangely intense ones like Robert De Niro. They’ve all brought something unique to the craft and I’ve learned how to improve my acting from all of them. Overall, though, anytime you’re hanging out on a safari with a young Robert Redford, it’s going to be a fulfilling project.
Agreed. You’ve played some really iconic characters in diverse films such as The Devil Wears Prada and The Iron Lady. How do you delve so deeply into a charter and craft such a distinctive portrait of the people you’re playing?
A lot of research is involved, especially when I’m portraying a real person. I work with dialect coaches, historians, the writers and filmmakers, and even other actors to ensure I’m giving the most authentic performance possible. It’s important for me to put my full focus on a role and completely immerse myself in it so that I truly come to understand my characters.
Well, clearly it’s that kind of dedication that has earned you 17 Oscar nominations and three wins. What about your passions outside of acting including your charity work?
It’s really important to me to use my Hollywood role to advocate for larger social issues. I’m especially involved with the fight for women’s rights and freedom in women’s reproductive health. I’ve been lucky enough to partner with the Center for Reproductive Rights and The National Women’s Museum to advocate for women everywhere. My husband and I also actually have a charity, Silver Mountain Foundation For the Arts, which works to help other international organizations and promotes arts education. All of this work is an intensely meaningful portion of my life.
Meanwhile, you’re best buds with Viola Davis and get kissed by Colin Firth. Is it safe to say that the perks of being a world-class actress in Hollywood outweigh the struggles?
Oh, yeah. It can be a tough job sometimes, but I love it and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Rocking the puppy purse like none other. Photo via Ace Showbiz
A few short months ago, Quvenzhané Wallis would have been a failed attempt to make up a winning triple word score in Scrabble. But today, she is an Oscar nominated actress with a bright future ahead of her. Thanks to her staring turn as Hushpuppy in Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, Wallis has now almost become a household name (one that most households can’t pronounce, but still).
Known for her trademark puppy purses, the nine-year-old star has bombarded Hollywood with cuteness and the kind of honest sass that leaves Chelsea Handler in giggle fits. From talking about her love of animals and style preferences, to new career opportunities, Wallis was a fresh, entertaining face on the red carpet this year.
Yet, despite her silly side and vibrant personality, Wallis is unquestionably one of the most talented actors in young Hollywood today. Beasts was her film, a beautiful statement on family, home, and life in bayou. There is no doubt that Wallis will continue to shine with the same kind of power, grace and spirit in her future projects, including her starring role in the upcoming Will Gluck production of Annie.
In the meantime, we should all follow Quvenzhané’s lead and celebrate her accomplishments. As the youngest person ever to receive an academy award nomination, Little Q deserves a fist pump from all of us. Not only is she adorable, talented, and destined for Hollywood greatness, but she has the positive attitude to back it up. In all, we all certainly have many more puppy purses in our future.
Slashing it up with Sleater Kinney.
Photo via Damon Green
That’s right, guys. We’re going indie this week. Carrie Brownstein was already underground royalty for her role as guitarist and singer in the girl rock groups Sleater-Kinney and Wild Flag, but she’s now making her way into mainstream pop culture as the hilarious co-creator, writer, and star of IFC’s hit Portlandia.
The show is a half hour sketch comedy compilation driven by Brownstein and SNL’s Fred Armisen. As the title suggests, Portlandia is a simultaneous parody and celebration of the hipster Northwestern culture. From adventures in a feminist bookstore, to the struggles of vintage clothes shopping, and the necessity of reusable grocery bags, Brownstein and Armisen encapsulate everything that is great—and hilariously mockable—about Portland living.
While there is no doubt that Fred Armisen is hilarious (just see SNL), it is Brownstein that truly grants the show its voice and completely unique vibe of comedy. As the quirky woman who softly chimes in at the perfect time with some of the oddest, funniest comments ever recorded on film, Brownstein is a comic superstar, who deserves to be among the ranks of the TV comedy greats.
Now entering it’s third season, critics, media, and audiences are all catching onto Portlandia’s free-range train. But even with a powerful group of devoted viewers and old and new Carrie fans, Brownstein realizes her brand of humor may not be for everyone.
In the true indie spirit, Brownstein aims to make true art, not popular art. “Even if the show is divisive, that to me is a more interesting kind of art to make than something that people never talk about or think about,” Brownstein said.
Thus as Brownstein and her fans know, Portlandia may get a little weird sometimes and Wild Flag certainly won’t be on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show anytime soon, but that’s kind of the point. As a true indie artist who can conquer any field she wants, Browstein represents the ultimate in all things cool. So put on some of her riff-filled tracks, turn on a little Portlandia, and above all, Put a Bird on It in the true celebration of Carrie Brownstein.
Harper wears a lacy white dress with accessories including sandals, a headband, and David Beckham.
Photo via
Okay, I know. Technically, Harper Beckham isn’t a woman. In fact, considering that she is actually 19 months old, infant might be the most accurate classification. But in her year and a half on this earth, the young lady Beckham has combined the best characteristics of her parents to become a worldwide phenomenon, surpassing all other celebrity babies to come before her.
It all begins with the name. A girl who is called Harper Seven Beckham is already, inescapably destined for coolness. While many celebrity baby names try a little too hard to be unique (looking at you, Suri Cruise), “Harper” is the perfect mix of glamorous, but approachable. And in case anyone needed more proof of her destiny for greatness, “Seven” is not only her dad’s old Manchester United number, but is also her weight and the hour of her birth.
For any daughter of the Spice Girl turned stone-faced style icon, Victoria Beckham, a groundbreaking sense of fashion is a must. But Harper has gone above and beyond to set fashion aspirations for not only celebrity youth, but all of Hollywood. According to The Daily Mail, she never wears the same outfit twice and has a wardrobe worth over $8,000. While this may seem excessive for an infant, the girl knows (or at least her parents do) that sometimes you have to shell out in order to look truly good. And boy, does Harper look good. As any Google search will tell you, she is the cutest baby to have ever existed on planet earth. But the fact that she wears Burberry capes, Marc Jacob’s dresses, and Chloe tights make her superhuman.
The media and world at large have definitely not failed to notice Harper’s supreme style. There is an entire blog devoted to her outings and fashion choices while just the act of simply wearing a pair of baby converse (and rocking them) become headline-making news with 43 comments.
In short, it is only natural to want to be Harper Beckham. She lunches at Balthazzar, shops at Balenciaga, and has attended New York fashion week 4 times…in the 19 months she has been alive. With an entire runway worth of fashion sense, and the fact that she regularly appears perched on the hip of the god known as David Beckham , this girl is already an icon and there’s no telling how powerful she’s gonna be once she turns two.
LA's Leading Ladies 