We all love the Blake Livelys, Angelina Jolies, Cameron Diazes and Kim Kardashian-Wests of the high-profile celebrity industry — but what about the women who are being overlooked?
Sure, I have loved watching several different actresses and reality TV stars year by year. However, I realized that there are so many underrated women who may not play the star role — but are making an impact and are truly the women that young girls everywhere should be looking up too.
1. Meghan Markle.
Over the past two years I have grown an obsession for watching "Suits" — which is where Meghan Markle plays Rachel Zane, a law-student and paralegal for the prestigious Pearson, Spector, Litt firm.
She graduated from Northwestern University with a dual major in international relations and theatre. Her senior year, she spent six months as an intern for the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires (HOW COOL?).
Meghan is also the founder of The Tig (thetig.com), which is a lifestyle website that profiles inspirational people as well as publishing stories about self-image, food, travel and decor. She oversees the entire site while writing all of its content!
2. Zooey Deschanel.
Otherwise known as Jess from the hit TV series "New Girl." If you are a "New Girl" fan, you know how adorable Jess's character is — and truth be told, she helps write and produce the show!
Little do people know that Zooey is in a band called She&Him which is an indie duo comprised of her and Matthew Ward. She is a singer and songwriter and can play a multitude of instruments from the piano to the guitar.
Her authenticity and quirky personality shows women everywhere that you can be goofy, weird and still be better than the "cool" girl.
3. Chelsea Handler.
Also formerly known as your favorite late night host on E! Network's "Chelsea Lately." One thing that I love about Chelsea is that she isn't afraid of the truth. She may come across as rude, foul-mouthed or graphic — but in reality, she just isn't afraid to tell it how it is. WHICH IS WHAT WE ALL NEED TO HEAR!
I believe Chelsea to be an inspiration because she is someone who has overcome so many failures and hasn't necessarily had the red carpet walk to fame. Before her comedy show, she was a waitress up until she was 26, and her first late night comedy show on the E! Network was cancelled after the first season. Yet she kept persevering.
Now she is incredibly successful — she has written several books, has a docu-series on Netflix and is an active voice on social media accounts and in appearances about this upcoming presidential election.
4. Kelly Cutrone.
Easily one of my favorite celebrities. Most girls may know her from the MTV series "The Hillsand "The City" where she was the demandingly terrifying Fashion PR boss of Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port.
What I find most inspiring about Kelly Cutrone is the fact that she is an advocate for girls and women all over the world who are breaking out into their careers. She believes that there is no easy way to getting where you want to be or want to end up, but you definitely can get there with hard work, determination and efficiency.
What most people don't know about Kelly is that she founded her own company in her 20s. She even broke a New York Fashion Week record for having the most shows produced in a single day — five.
She strongly believes that women should be "gladiators" in their career. She knows that powerful women aren't perceived as well as powerful men are — she believes they are attacked more frequently, but believes you shouldn't care because you are good at what you do — they want what they don't have.
5. Shantel VanSanten.
Literally ... GOALS. Most of us know Shantel as our favorite character, Quinn James, from "One Tree Hill."
Shantel is an inspiration and motivator for all girls and women out there. She is incredibly active through her social media accounts and promotes/stands beside great organizations and causes.
She shows that with hard work, determination and keeping your health and well-being in mind, you can find great success in any and all of your endeavours!
