In the entertainment industry, numerous actresses, singers and personalities have left an indelible mark on the public consciousness. Their incredible performances, melodious singing or even their ability to impeccably grace the ramp, catapult them to the status of Hollywood ‘it’ girls — an esteemed stratum that many aspire to join. This discussion will retrace the journeys of some of these esteemed personalities, the time when they shone the brightest, and where they stand today.
Starting in the 1960s, Audrey Hepburn rose to stardom with her stellar performances in noteworthy films like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, ‘Roman Holiday’, ‘My Fair Lady’, amongst others. She took home an Oscar for her work in ‘Roman Holiday’, cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s legendary icons. Sadly, she bid adieu to the world in January of 1993 at the age of 63.
Angelina Jolie entered the Hollywood limelight in the 1990s and her fame soared with her role in ‘Girl, Interrupted’ in the early 2000s. Her impactful performances in leading roles for films like ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’, ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’, ‘Wanted’, ‘Salt’, among many others led to her being lauded as a Hollywood ‘it’ girl. She also ended up clinching an Academy Award for ‘Girl, Interrupted’.
Rita Moreno captivated audiences worldwide with her performance in the iconic musical ‘West Side Story’ in 1962, a role that earned her an Academy Award. Moreno continued to charm audiences in the decades that followed. Her recent work includes roles in the revived ‘West Side Story’ and films like ’80 for Brady’, ‘Fast X’, amongst others.
Elizabeth Taylor enamored numerous fans globally during the 1960s with her performance in ‘Cleopatra’. She also appeared in films such as ‘Father of Bride’, ‘A Place in the Sun’, ‘Ivanhoe’, and others. Her performance in ‘Butterfield 8’ won her the Academy Award, and her numerous collaborations with Richard Burton, her partner through tumultuous relationship periods, further enhanced her fame. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.
Drew Barrymore’s portrayal in ‘The Wedding Singer’ during the 1990s landed her the title of Hollywood’s ‘it’ girl. Add to this her work in the ‘Scream’ franchise and a plethora of films like ‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘Boys on the Side’, ‘Batman Forever’, and more, her stardom was firmly established.
Julie Andrews secured her place as an ‘it’ girl through her powerful performances in films such as ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Mary Poppins’. Not only did these showcase her acting prowess, but they also highlighted her outstanding singing. She continues to share her incredible voice with fans globally through various franchise collaborations.
With a foot in the music industry and another in film, Dolly Parton won over a great audience and rose to an ‘it’ girl status during the 1980s. Along with her notable roles in movies such as ‘9 to 5’, she solidified her iconic status in the music world and gained recognition to the point of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Diana Ross first enchanted audiences as the lead singer for Motown girl group, The Supremes, in the 1960s. Her successful solo career helped establish her status as a Hollywood ‘it’ girl. Ross’s sterling performance in ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ additionally bagged her several awards.
Aretha Franklin, a renowned singer in the late 1960s, grew to be one of Hollywood’s biggest ‘it’ girls. Her legacy includes classic hits such as ‘Respect’, ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, amongst others. She passed away at 76 in 2018.
Brooke Shields started her journey in Hollywood as a model but rapidly gained fame with starring roles in movies like ‘The Blue Lagoon’ and ‘Endless Love’ — roles that solidified her Hollywood ‘it’ girl status. Her recent work includes a role in ‘Holiday Harmony’ released in 2022.
Judy Garland etched her mark in Hollywood history as Dorothy in the iconic film ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and became a widely-regarded ‘it’ girl right from the 1930s. Apart from her legendary role as Dorothy, Garland showcased her talent in several other classics such as ‘Easter Parade’, ‘Summer Stock’, ‘A Star Is Born’, and more before her untimely demise in 1969 at the age of 47.
The mid-1980s were no stranger to the charm of Molly Ringwald. She dominated the teenage coming-of-age genre with some major hits that continue to be favourites among many. Her credentials as a Hollywood ‘it’ girl were further substantiated with her roles in films such as ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Pretty in Pink’, ‘Sixteen Candles’, and others.