Sandra Bullock is Hollywood’s sweetheart. Even being married to rough and tough Monster Garage star Jesse James hasn’t changed this brunette beauty’s image. It might not be a surprise to find out she was a cheerleader in high school as well. But, first, let’s start at the beginning.

Sandra Bullock was born in Arlington, Virginia, but lived in Nuremberg, Germany, until she was 12 years old. During her time in Germany, she traveled with her opera singer mother (taking small parts in her mother’s opera productions), sang in the opera’s children’s choir at the Staatstheater Nurnberg, and studied ballet and vocal arts.

As a teen, Sandra attended Washington and Lee High School where she was a cheerleader and an active participant in her school’s theater productions. She then attended East Carolina University but left to pursue an acting career (she’s since earned her bachelor’s degree).

Sandra’s next move was to Manhattan for acting auditions and she is known to have held a variety of jobs (including bartender and coat checker). She also attended Neighborhood Playhouse for acting classes, appearing in several student films. Landing an off-Broadway play, No Time Flat, led director Alan J. Levi to offer her a part in the made-for-TV movie Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman. Sandra chose to stay in Los Angeles once the movie was wrapped.

Sandra appeared in independent films and a TV series called Working Girl, leading to her big screen debut with the movie Love Potion No. 9. Although she held many roles, her break-through performance came in the movie Speed, leading to many successful films such as While You Were Sleeping, Miss Congeniality, and Crash.

Sandra isn’t only an actress. She owns her own production company called Fortis Films. She’s the executive producer of the sitcom The George Lopez Show, and continues to gain praise anywhere you look in Hollywood.

What’s your favorite Sandra Bullock film?

[Photo: Angela George]

The 2009 Spike Scream Awards aren’t scheduled to air on Spike TV until October 27, but you don’t have to wait until then to see smokin’ hot Megan Fox when she was a teenager! Unibrow? Perhaps she might not have won the CuteKid Halloween contest (it is free to enter and the grand prize is $500), but never mind her awkward years, this brunette model turned actress is now topping all the “hottest women” lists in men’s magazines everywhere.

Megan Fox was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and began taking classes in dance and drama at the Kingston, Tennessee, community center by the time she was five years old. She was a member of the Kingston Elementary School chorus and Kingston Clippers swim team, but by the time she was 10, she moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. When she was 13 years old, Megan became a teen model, thanks to her wins at the 1999 American Modeling and Talent Convention in South Carolina. She attended middle school at a private school called Morningside Academy and St. Lucie West Centennial High School to complete her education.

During her high school career, Megan made her acting debut in a movie called Holiday in the Sun, but her major film debut came with Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. Although several TV  roles, including ABC sitcom Hope & Faith, boosted her career, it was the movie Transformers where she played the character Mikaela Banes that rocketed her career into the Hollywood limelight. Most recently, she held the leading role in Jennifer’s Body and is working on a project called Jonah Hex. It’s her modeling roots, combined with her Transformer character Mikaela that will keep her in the lockers and as the screen saver of teen boys and men long after her movies have gone to video.

Do you think Megan Fox’s comments about the unimportance of an education make her a bad role model?

[photo: Bruce Moyle]

The problem of obesity is a hot topic these days, so it’s about time that Hollywood stars like Renee Zellweger start seeing themselves as examples of good health. It has been reported that Renee will not be gaining weight for her sequel to the Bridget Jones movies; instead she’ll be donning a “fat suit.” Other Hollywood stars should put their foot down, too, and set a good example for their cute kid fan base!

Renee Zellweger was born in Katy, Texas, where she attended school. She actively participated in sports such as soccer and baseball in junior high school, but took up cheerleading, gymnastics, and drama club at Katy High School. She began acting in several school plays and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin (majoring in English) where she took a drama class to fill her credits requirements. Despite her Dean’s List grades and model student status, she realized her love of acting and began to waitress to support herself.

While still living in Texas, she landed her first acting gig in a beef commercial and began auditioning for roles around the Houston area. Renee appeared in several films such as A Taste for Killing and 8 Seconds, but her first major movie role came with her part in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation.

Renee moved to Los Angeles, California, and won roles in movies such as Empire Records and her career-boosting role in Jerry Maguire. In 2008, she produced Living Proof on Lifetime Television, but movies such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Chicago, Cold Mountain, and her latest film My One and Only continue to secure her place in Hollywood.

[photo: AP Photo/Peter Kramer]

Do you feel that actors and actresses gaining weight for movie roles sets a bad example for today’s children?

Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley’s adopted daughter Nancy Leigh made her public debut in photos posted to Katherine Heigl’s animal rescue foundation website a few weeks back. The child model-turned-actress, Katherine may have enjoyed the fast track with the adoption process, but her career took a little more time to build.

Katherine Heigl was born in Washington, D.C, but spent most of her childhood in Connecticut. At age nine, her aunt sent a number of photos of Katherine to modeling agencies and, within weeks, she was signed with Wilhelmina Models as a child model. A magazine ad and a Cheerios cereal commercial marked the start of her career, but her first acting debut was made with the movie That Night.

Katherine continued balancing modeling, acting, and school while attending New Canaan High School, but dropped out her sophomore year to concentrate on her career. Movies like King of the Hill, My Father the Hero, and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory marked her early film projects. After completing high school, Katherine moved to Los Angeles and her mother became her manager.

Although she continued to model, her true rise to fame was marked by her role on the TV series Roswell. She continued to rack up the movie credits, but is now most widely known for her role as Dr. Isobel Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy and her leading role in the film Knocked Up. She continues to bask in the limelight of Hollywood, currently making her one of the hottest stars in the business.

Do you feel that Katherine Heigl’s star status helped her through the international adoption process?

[Childhood photo: JADE ALBERT]

[Family photo: AP Photo/Cheyenne Ellis]

Sixteen-year-old Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen is getting flack from fans for her racy wardrobe choices. But that hasn’t caused her character on the show to make better fashion choices! The TV star’s character continues to avoid age-appropriate clothing!

Before Taylor Momsen was known as Gossip Girl’s Jenny Humphrey, she was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Potomac, Maryland. She made her first acting appearance in a Shake ‘N’ Bake commercial, and began picking up movie roles in films such as The Prophet’s Game and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Grade School, Herbert Hoover Middle School, and Winston Churchill High School. She also took dance lessons at COCA in St. Louis. Even during her career lulls, she still managed to add to her resume by tapping into her vocal talents and cashing in as a teen model with IMG Models.

Although her lead in a TV series never aired, her role as Jenny Humphrey in her current TV gig Gossip Girl has proven to be successful. Taylor also continues to expand the success of her band The Pretty Reckless with Interscope Records. As an actress, singer, and model, she’s sure to find continued success; let’s hope that Taylor’s fashion faux pas are overshadowed by her many talents!

Do you think Hollywood is responsible for making teen actors/actresses grow up too fast?

[photo: okmagazine.com]

Reports of things getting serious between Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez cannot be confirmed, but there’s no question that this blonde beauty has earned respect and paparazzi attention for her acting ability, not just her relationship ups and downs!

Kate Hudson was born in Los Angeles, California, daughter of actress Goldie Hawn. Kate graduated from the performing arts school Crossroads in Santa Monica, CA, but chose not to pursue a degree at New York University where she was accepted.

Kate appeared in small feature films but wanted to make a name for herself outside of her famous parents’ success. It was her first major role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous that did the trick.

Several movie roles in films such as The Four Feathers, Le Divorce, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and You, Me, and Dupree helped prove that she was more than the daughter of an actress and the spitting image of her mother. Now with Alex Rodriguez by her side, she even makes life as a baseball girlfriend look good.

Do you think the fact that Kate Hudson looks so much like her mother Goldie Hawn has helped or hurt Kate’s career?

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera is a beauty indeed! Now on her fourth season with the series, this young starlet knew at a young age that acting was for her.

America Ferrera was born in Los Angeles, California, growing up in the Woodland Hills area of the city. At only age seven, she landed her first role in a school production of Hamlet, and began acting in school plays and community theatre. She attended George Ellery Hale Middle School and El Camino Real High School and often took the bus to auditions.

By 2002, America made her TV debut in the Disney Channel movie Gotta Kick It Up! Her feature film debut in Real Women Have Curves put her on the map to stardom, followed by much success with TV and film roles such as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

America’s biggest success thus far is the lead role in Ugly Betty, earning her a spot in the Time Magazine “Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World” list in 2007. She is currently in production on her latest film role.

[photo: Jerry Avenaim]

Do you think characters like America Ferrera’s Ugly Betty have positive or negative effects on the self-esteem of young girls?

Denise Richards is the latest to give support to the reality show parents Jon & Kate and their pending divorce, encouraging them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This former wife of Charlie Sheen knows that divorce is no picnic, but this actress and former fashion model has managed to keep her head up high through what wasn’t the most private of situations.

Denise Richards was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, but graduated from El Camino High School in Oceanside, California. No one could have predicted that this former “tomboy” would become the fashion model and actress that she is today!

Denise made the most of her industry experience to appear in lower-budget films and TV shows until her theatrical debut in Starship Troopers. Her second film, Wild Things, boosted her career in the direction of Hollywood, even landing her the role of Bond Girl in The World is Not Enough. Seemingly comfortable with the sex symbol label, her roles in movies such as Undercover Brother and Scary Movie 3 earned her a spot on Maxim’s 50 Sexiest Women in 1999.

She continues to make appearances on a handful of television series, but most recently focuses on her own reality TV show It’s Complicated.

[photo: Jackson Lee/Splash News Online]

Sound off: Denise Richards’ show It’s Complicated – worth watching or just another mindless reality show?

Christina Aguilera, mother to one-and-a-half-year-old cute kid Max, is birthing a new venture: her very own radio station! The online channel will be featured on the “iheartradio” network, filled with interviews, Christina’s personal commentary, music, and more. Are more cute kids in the stars for Christina? Rumors have it that she and hubby Jordan Bratman are trying for a sibling for little Max. Time will tell!

Also known as “the little girl with the big voice,” Christina Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York, and eventually moved to Rochester, Pensylvania when her parents divorced. As a child, Christina’s talent was apparent singing in talent shows and competitions, causing her to become the target of vandalism and exclusion by her peers due to jealousy. The family eventually moved to Waxford and kept her talent a secret. At that time, Christina attended Marshall Middle School and North Allegheny Intermediate High School until she was later home schooled.

The country was first introduced to Christina’s talents when she appeared on Star Search, leading to her role on The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Although the show was canceled after only a year, Christina recorded a song for the animated film Mulan, which landed her a contract with RCA Records.

Her debut album shot Christina to the top of the charts, but her lack of input into her music caused her to part ways with her management. It wasn’t until she released her album Stripped with BMG Records (produced by Scott Storch and singer-songwriter Linda Perry) that her sugary image was squashed by a raunchier side. In yet another image make-over, Christina released Back to Basics, giving her vocal ability center stage again.

Now as mommy Christina balances the limelight with motherhood and marriage,  we hold our breath to see what the next side of Christina will be!

[Photo: GSI Media]

Do you censor your children’s music options based on the artist’s image?

Sarah Michelle Gellar was spotted all dolled up for her baby shower the first weekend in August. Will her pea in the pod be a future child actor? Only time will tell!

Sarah Michelle Gellar was born on April 14, 1977, in New York City. Even before attending New York’s Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School and the Professional Children’s School, she was spotted by an agent in a restaurant at only four years old. Her first audition occurred only two weeks after having been spotted in Uptown Manhattan, landing her a role in the made-for-TV movie An Invasion of Privacy. Her next gig involved her in more than just a commercial for Burger King; she took the stand in a lawsuit between McDonald’s and the burger competitor.

Sarah Michelle continued to make TV commercials while balancing roles on both television and the big screen, but it was her roles in the TV series’ Swans Crossing and the ABC soap All My Children that showed that her star was on the rise. She eventually landed her signature role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which put her smack in the middle of the spotlight.

Future roles in big screen hits I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream 2, and Cruel Intentions helped her shed her “Buffy” image, although she has not received much acclaim since her role in the horror movie The Grudge. The critics have not been kind to Sarah Michelle for her more recent movie roles, but her role of mommy-to-be has her shining like the star she is!

Sarah Michelle was formerly represented by the William Morris Agency, but currently is represented by the Creative Artists Agency. She is happily married to Freddie Prinze, Jr., and the couple awaits the arrival of their first child, due in fall 2009.

[photo: David Shankbone]

Do you think actresses taking “bad girl” roles helps expand their acting opportunities or hurt them?