Vanessa Minnillo

Vanessa Minnillo

Birth Date: November 09, 1980
Birth Place: Pampanga, Philippines

After more than a year together, former MTV VJ and Entertainment Tonight correspondent Vanessa Minnillo and former Newlywed Nick Lachey have proven their romance isn't just a post-Jessica rebound.

At 17, the South Carolina cheerleader was crowned Miss Teen USA, and eventually landed a spot on MTV's countdown show, TRL. Today, Minnillo has opted out of her contract with the music network to promote fashion brand Bongo and spearhead her own makeup line with Flirt! Cosmetics. The brunette babe also dated New York Yankees stud Derek Jeter on-and-off for two years, but now hopes for a happy ending with Lachey.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams

Birth Date: March 18, 1963
Birth Place: New York, N.Y.

Before sharpening her villainous claws to play Wilhelmina Slater, the backstabbing fashion magazine editor on ABC's hit show Ugly Betty, Williams was best known for her appearance in a different kind of magazine.

The first African-American to win the Miss America title, Williams was forced to give up her crown ten months later when nude photos of her were sold to Penthouse. During Pageantgate, she retreated to Millwood, N.Y., where her parents supported her as publicist-turned-husband Ramon Hervey II helped stage her comeback.

Williams eventually became a platinum-selling recording artist, Tony-nominated Broadway actress, film and Emmy-nominated TV star. Her 1991 hit song "Save the Best for Last" could serve as the anthem for this twice-married, and now happily single working mother of four, whose stunning green eyes made her one of PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder

Birth Date: October 29, 1971
Birth Place: Winona, Minnesota

After making an indelible impression as a morose teen outcast in Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder became the dream girl of angst-ridden Generation X slackers with her starring turns in Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Reality Bites. Her vulnerability and natural talent won over directors Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, and off-screen the waifish beauty romanced Johnny Depp and Matt Damon.

But in 2001, Ryder fell from her pedestal when she was caught on tape stealing from Saks Fifth Avenue. The controversy exposed her psychological instability and extensive use of painkillers. Her much-publicized trial left a "Free Winona" T-shirt imprinted on pop culture. After retreating from the spotlight for five years, the twice Oscar-nominated actress resurfaced will return to the blockbuster realm as Spock's mom in J.J. Abrams' 2008 Star Trek XI.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

Birth Date: June 09, 1981
Birth Place: Jerusalem, Israel

There's more to Natalie Portman than Queen Amidala. With a psychology degree from Harvard, an Oscar nod for her role as an intriguing stripper in Closer, and a critically acclaimed turn on Broadway in The Diary of Anne Frank, Portman has proven she is just as talented and intelligent as she is stunningly beautiful.

While Portman has been linked to actors Gael García Bernal and Jake Gyllenhaal, she continues to keep her offscreen life relatively private. In 2007, after filming five films in less than two years (including The Other Boleyn Girl with Scarlett Johansson and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium with Dustin Hoffman), the busy actress stepped out with Rag and Bone denim cofounder Nathan Bogle.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz
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Birth Date: August 30, 1972
Birth Place: San Diego, Calif.

One of the truly great film moments from late '90's: Cameron Diaz pulling off the gross-out "hair-gel" scene in There's Something About Mary. The model-turned-actress proved she could laugh at herself and needn't rely on her good looks.

Diaz's work runs the gamut from action flicks (Charlie's Angel's) to more serious fare (Gangs of New York) and even animation (Shrek), helping her become one of Hollywood's most powerful and highest-paid actresses. As for her personal life, after quietly dating Matt Dillon and Jared Leto, the blonde beauty dated younger pop star Justin Timberlake for nearly four years.

Rumer Willis

Rumer Willis

Birth Date: August 16, 1988
Birth Place: Paducah, Ky.

Papparazzi may scramble for shots of Rumer Willis hanging with Lindsay Lohan and Hayden Panettiere, but really, she was born famous. The first child of former power couple Bruce Willis and Demi Moore has her mom's eyes and dad's chin, but she doesn't want a free ride in Hollywood because of her genes.

Although she was raised in the small town of Hailey, Idaho, Rumer was never far from Hollywood. She took bit parts in her parents' films (mom's Striptease, dad's Hostage) and in 2007, landed her first onscreen roles not associated with her parents in the indie flick From Within and the comedy I Know What Boys Like with Katharine McPhee. As part of a famous tight-knit family, including step dad Ashton Kutcher, Rumer enters the ranks of Hollywood's next generation of stars.

Ashley Olsen

Ashley Olsen

Birth Date: June 13, 1986
Birth Place: Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen are known for their individual style, but the twins were first famous as Michelle Tanner on Full House. Before turning 10, they had already earned millions, and at 18, took charge of their billion-dollar brand, Dualstar.

While Mary-Kate struggled with anorexia and took a leave of absence from college in 2005, Ashley continued her studies at New York University. Today, her influence as a fashion trendsetter garnered her spreads in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and Teen Vogue, and with Mary-Kate, she has launched the fashion line, The Row, and its lower-priced counterpart, Elizabeth and James.

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst

Birth Date: April 30, 1982
Birth Place: Point Pleasant, N.J.

At 12, Kirsten Dunst scored a Golden Globe nod for her breakthrough role in Interview with the Vampire and got the chance to kiss Brad Pitt. Ironically, the young actress told PEOPLE, "It was gross 'cause his lips were so dry."

As a teen, Dunst starred in the beauty-pageant satire Drop Dead Gorgeous, Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides and the cheerleading romp Bring It On. But in 2002, Dunst transformed from indie darling to international star as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man. As for her private life, the alabaster-skinned fashion plate dated actor Jake Gyllenhaal on-and-off for two years before surprisingly entering rehab in February 2008.

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks

Birth Date: December 04, 1973
Birth Place: Inglewood, Calif.

As a kid, Tyra Banks described herself as "this tall beanpole freak." However, the 5'10" voluptuous knockout went on to become the first African-American to grace the covers of GQ and the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

After becoming a mainstay for lingerie brand Victoria's Secret, Banks blazed a trail beyond modeling by serving as creator, producer and judge on America's Next Top Model. But, it was with her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show in 2005, that she really became "far, far more than just a body in a bathing suit" according to Time, who twice listed Banks as one of their 100 Most Influential People.

The supermodel mogul also helps build self-esteem in teens at her camp, Tzone, and launched her "So What" campaign that promotes positive body images. Most recently, Banks took action and fought the tabloids when they printed unflattering photos of her in a swimsuit, disputing claims of being called fat on the cover of PEOPLE, showing everyone that beauty comes in all sizes.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton

Birth Date: January 24, 1986
Birth Place: Hammersmith, England

Mischa Barton, best known for her role as the spoiled Marissa Cooper on the teen drama The OC, started her career as a stage actress at the tender age of 9. After conquering Broadway, she went to bit parts on the big screen, most notably the haunting ghost in The Sixth Sense.

With her trailblazing fashion sense, Barton has been a spokeswoman for Keds and Neutrogena, as well as a model for Calvin Klein and Bebe. Her high-profile romances include billionaire heir Brandon Davis and most recently rocker Cisco Adler of Whitestarr.

Since her character was killed off The OC (and the show subsequently cancelled), Barton has signed on to numerous film roles, including Closing the Ring, costarring Shirley MacLaine and Neve Campbell. More than just a Hollywood "It" girl, Barton's acting chops seem to be taking center stage.

Heidi Montag

Heidi Montag

Birth Date: September 15, 1986
Birth Place : Crested Butte, Colo.

With Spencer Pratt serving as her unwavering cheerleader, Heidi Montag made herself the breakout blonde of MTV hit, The Hills.

Originally slated as Laguna Beach fan-favorite Lauren Conrad's sidekick-roommate, Montag widened her role through the drama she created on and off The Hills. The Colorado-native sacrificed her friendship with Conrad to shack up with trouble-making bad boy Pratt, who badmouthed Conrad in the press, even allegedly starting the LC-Jason Wahler sex tape rumors. The Speidi-Conrad feud boosted ratings for the ''reality'' series, enabling a surgically-altered Montag to step out of Conrad's shadow and set her sights on pop stardom.