Introduction
Being the little bro or sis of a superstar must have its perks: all the privilege and wealth of the successful sibling with none of the pesky work or obligatory stints in rehab (or at least that’s how we would play it). But rather than sitting back and basking in the glow of their famous siblings’ stardom, these seven ambitious up-and-comers are busy carving out names for themselves as stars in their own right. Say hello to the next generation of Tinseltown royalty.
While her older sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley, were thrust into the spotlight before they could even talk, Elizabeth is easing into it at her own pace—and so far, it’s paying off. Olsen graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and her starring performance in the independent thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene generated quite a bit of a-star-is-born buzz at Sundance this year. Olsen also starred alongside indie heavyweights Jane Fonda, Catherine Keener, and Kyle Maclachlan in Peace, Love & Understanding, and will star with Dakota Fanning in a film called Very Good Girls scheduled for release in 2013.
Dave Franco
It can’t be easy being the younger brother of James Franco. The prolific star, who is a critically acclaimed actor and director, but who also moonlights as an author, professor, and pilot, must cast a pretty big shadow. But little-bro Dave has managed to step out of it with the help of a few hilarious Funny or Die videos and some serious acting chops. His devastatingly good looks probably have something to do with it, too. He landed a regular spot on Scrubs in 2009 and a major role in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of 21 Jump Street with Johnny Depp.
Elle Fanning
Elle is not new to Hollywood; the thirteen-year-old starlet has been acting, or rather babbling in front of the camera, since she was eighteen months old. But with an edgy Marc Jacobs ad campaign and a Young Hollywood Award for Film Actress of the Year under her belt this year alone, and with a starring role in what’s sure to be a blockbuster hit, We Bought the Zoo, scheduled for a holiday release later this year, Elle is now officially giving older sis Dakota a run for her money.
Ali Lohan
Little Sis Lohan began her career as a Ford model at the age of three, and—much to Mama Dina’s relief, no doubt—all the primping and priming has finally paid off. Ali just landed a multi-year contract with Next modeling agency, the same agency that represents Milla Jovovich and Molly Sims. The agency’s director, Alexis Borges, has high hopes for Ali, telling E! News that she will become a “bona-fide icon” in the industry. Here’s hoping Ali can handle such great heights and that she doesn’t share her sister’s penchant for ankle-bracelet accessories.
Kylie and Kendall Jenner
When they’re not busy keeping up with their sisters, Kylie and Kendall are strutting their stuff on the runway. Both of the siblings walked in shows at New York Fashion Week in September, and Kendall recently landed a contract with Australian swimwear designer Leah Madden and was the face of Forever 21’s Twist campaign. Kylie has expressed an interest in acting, but told Teen Vogue that college is her first priority. Who says Bruce is the only level-headed one in the bunch?
Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts stint as the lovestruck tween with a song in her heart on Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous is what put her on the map, but her first role was long before that in the very Nickelodeon-unfriendly film Blow, with Johnny Depp. Now the multitalented entertainer is returning to the big screen with lead roles in films like Scream 4 and The Art of Getting By. With Aunt Julia around to offer top-notch career advice and to teach her how to use that megawatt Roberts smile, Emma might just be poised to become America’s next big-screen sweetheart. Pretty Woman 2, anybody?