Breakout Stars of 2007
Posted: 17-Jan-2008 | Category: Celebrities CommentsWith a win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards, America Ferrera capped off an incredible year, as the accessible actress had already racked up wins from the Screen Actors Guild and the Hollywood Foreign Press for her adorable role as Betty Suarez on the hit ABC show, “Ugly Betty.”
Zac Efron stole the spotlight from his “High School Musical” castmates and emerged as one of the true breakout stars of ‘07, thanks to his role in “Hairspray,” a romance with Vanessa Hudgens, those piercing blue eyes, and that painfully captivating smirk.
A rumored relationship with co-star Milo Ventimiglia, a dramatic campaign to rescue dolphins in Japan, and continued success on NBC’s “Heroes” have all allowed hottie Hayden Panettiere to become a tabloid superstar in a short amount of time…and she’s only 18!
If you didn’t already know Michael Cera from his hilarious days on the defunct “Arrested Development,” you should now. With star-making turns in two of the year’s funniest films, “Superbad” and “Juno,” the 19-year-old actor is certainly poised for comedic leading man status in the very near future.
The star of TV’s guiltiest pleasure, Lauren Conrad took her soapy spin-off “The Hills” to new heights this year thanks to a bitter feud with her former BFF, Heidi Montag. In addition to headlining MTV’s highest rated program, the former “Laguna Beach” girl also managed to work for “Teen Vogue” while studying at L.A.’s Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising.
Tony Romo didn’t necessarily make our list thanks to his $67.5 million contract extension with the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys. It certainly helps, but the 27-year-old quarterback is better known in our circle for his off-the-field action, which includes brief romances with Carrie Underwood, Sophia Bush, and current distraction, Jessica Simpson.
2007 started on a low note and ended on a high one for “Grey’s Anatomy” cutie Katherine Heigl. At the beginning of the year, the actress continued to fume over Isaiah Washington’s employment with ABC after an alleged slurring of her BFF and co-star, T.R. Knight. Thankfully, that mess blew over and Kat’s year improved dramatically with a star-making role in “Knocked Up,” and Emmy win in September, and her holiday wedding to singer Josh Kelley.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the highlight of Shia LaBeouf’s remarkable year. With an unexpected win from box office hit “Disturbia” to a leading role in the summer’s biggest blockbuster “Transformers,” one might think that the 21-year-old actor had accomplished more than enough. Well, don’t forget that Steven Spielberg also cast Shia in the next installment of the Indiana Jones franchise.
Fergie definitely led a “Glamorous” life in 2007. The BEP chanteuse struck out on a solo career that made her a household name in a matter of months as single after single from her delicious debut topped the charts. Numerous award wins and arm candy in the form of Josh Duhamel also helped the “Dutchess” dominate.
29-year-old “Saturday Night Live” cast member Andy Samberg won audiences over with his recurring characters such as T Shane, Blizzard Man, and The Out-of-Breath Jogger. It wasn’t until his Emmy win, however, that his name became synonymous with a skit’s song, based on an organ-filled package, that he performed alongside Justin Timberlake.
This year, Minka Kelly did what most young actresses her age should do. The “Friday Night Lights” star realized that her show was plunging in the ratings, so she got herself a handsome boyfriend in the form of John Mayer in order to keep her name in the tabloids and on the guest lists. Go girl!
Remember when deranged moms would claw each others’ eyes out for a Cabbage Patch Kid or a Tickle Me Elmo? The only breakout star to incite such violence this year was teen titan Miley Cyrus. Tickets to the Tennessean’s “Best of Both Worlds” concert tour, featuring her alter ego Hannah Montana, were the hardest thing to get your hands on.
As the star of E!’s top-rated program, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” 27-year-old wild child Kim Kardashian has shed her “famous for nothing” image. Now if only her pal Paris would follow suit.
The only man on primetime that can challenge Wentworth Miller or Patrick Dempsey for the title of “TV’s Hottest Hunk” is “Heroes” heartthrob Milo Ventimiglia. Here’s hoping he steams up the screen for many years to come!
We look forward to Thursday night thanks to Becki Newton! The “Ugly Betty” star, who plays the deliciously devious Amanda Tanen, steals every scene she’s in. When “Betty” eventually bids adieu, we hope that Amanda and Michael Urie’s Marc St. James get their own saucy spin-off.
In 2007, Tim Gunn certainly “made it work!” The real star of Bravo’s #1 hit, “Project Runway,” made headlines this year when he accepted the position of chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. In addition, his first book was a certified best-seller and his makeover show, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style,” delivered strong numbers in its first run.
Sarah Silverman, the caustic comedienne best known for dissing Britney at the MTV Video Music Awards, took her act to new heights in ‘07 thanks to the tremendous success of her hit sitcom, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” which happened to score the highest premiere ratings in three years for Comedy Central.
LEAVE A COMMENT