In the age of ubiquitous media and access, polarizing controversies, and publicized scandals, it’s hard to know what, or whom, to follow. Social media allows impressionable kids and teens to follow newsworthy celebrities and public figures. Contemporary music exposes this same audience to adult topics and language, and the detachable limb that is our smartphones may be silently poisoning us as well.
No, this isn’t some damning rant about the deterioration of morality in society, but rather a refreshing time out. Never fear, some people do have their heads screwed on. And in an age that is redefining the modern woman, let’s take a look at a few famous women you should admire.
THE TEENS
The brain may not be fully developed until 25, but these girls are ahead of the learning curve and put many of their superiors to shame.
Elle Fanning
She started her acting career as a toddler and soon earned a name for herself as a charming, driven, and talented starlet. Even with fans like Angelina Jolie and JJ Abrams, Fanning manages to live her life primarily out of the spotlight.
Maude Apatow
The daughter of director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann has charmed the masses with her witty social media presence and maturity. She attends college this fall and only time will tell where the budding starlet will go.
THE SCHOLARS
It’s fair to say that these brainy babes followed the mantra of “work hard, play hard†and boy are they playing now.
Emma Watson
Hermione is all grown up, and though she isn’t a wizard, Watson has proven that she is at the top of her class. Having graduated from Brown University, the Brit is a UN Ambassador who gained recognition and widespread support for her HeForShe campaign, benefiting equal rights for women.
Maya DiRado
The 2016 Olympian proves you can have it all. After graduating from Stanford and winning four medals at her first (and last) Olympic games, DiRado has thrown in the towel as she pursues a career as a business analyst.
Ellie Kemper
Up until Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ellie Kemper was one of those people who you thought you knew from somewhere, but couldn’t place her. In reality, Kemper’s had an illustrious career, having had roles in Bridesmaids, 21 Jump Street, and The Office. She is also a comedian, having written for several sketch comedy shows. Oh, and before she got her big break, Kemper studied at Oxford and Princeton, NBD.
THE LEGACIES
Mum or Dad may have left big shoes to fill, but these ladies are stars in their own right.
Sofia Coppola
Coppola proves that she’s nobody’s Goddaughter (I had to) and a talented director in her own right. She has proven to be a pioneer in her field, being only one of three women ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director (she won it, too!).
Bee Shaffer
The daughter of Vogue’s Anna Wintour could easily have had any job in either fashion or journalism that she could have imagined. And while she does attend the annual Met Gala with her mum and a fashion show here and there, the 29-year-old is a segment writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers. Ironic, I know, considering her mother’s intimidating and uptight reputation.
THE (ROLE) MODELS
Model behavior just about sums up these women, who prove that beauty and brains are always on trend.
Julia Nobis
You probably haven’t heard of Julia Nobis, but don’t bother looking her up on Instagram, she doesn’t have one – or any social media for that matter. Yet somehow she has made it to the top of her game, modeling for Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang, Lacoste, and Jason Wu during this year’s New York Fashion Week alone. This girl deserves some R&R, right? Instead, she’s studying to become an emergency care doctor. Because who says you can’t do it all?
Karlie Kloss
At 24, Kloss has started a coding scholarship for girls interested in Computer Science, developed a special line of cookies that benefit FEED, was named one of TIME’s 100 people of the year, and attends NYU.
THE SHOWSTOPPERS
These award season staples have already won the hearts of their critics and contemporaries alike.
Alicia Vikander
The Swedish Oscar winner isn’t just known for her acting chops, although over her 10-year film career, she has garnered much acclaim. But aside from her poise and grace on the screen, Vikander is adventurous – she has skydived – and unrestrained. Her goofiness not only makes her lovable, but relatable.
Saoirse Ronan
It’s hard to believe 22-year-old Saoirse (pronounced Sur-sha) has already been nominated for two Oscars, two Golden Globes, three BAFTAS, and two SAG awards, and nabbed a major role in a Broadway production. The bubbly Irish actress is known for keeping a low profile, and it’s her girl-next-door attitude that makes her so popular in her roles.
Lisa Kudrow
Kudrow is perhaps one of the only ones to break the Friends curse. She has gone on to helm other successful projects and earn Emmy nods ten years after she parted ways with Rachel, Mon, and the gang.
