During celebrity interviews, you're more likely to hear the star giggle about how they were an outcast, geek, nerd, or the quiet type in high school. Rarely have celebrities thrown the winning touchdown or been crowned prom queen, and that's likely because they were too busy starring in their school's choir or theater productions — neither of which wins popularity contests in the typical high school.
But there are a few celebs who have won the hearts of fans and their fellow peers. Dakota Fanning was recently crowned homecoming queen at her private high school in North Hollywood, where she somehow manages to juggle being part of the Volturi and studying Algebra.
Dakota has exclaimed the importance of having a regular high school life:
"I think it was really important to have the high school experience," she said. "I think that I want [the college] experience as well. I just think everyone always looks back on that time in their life. Who was homecoming princess and [did] the cheerleading … and all the things that go along with high school? And I wanted to have that. I'm really lucky that I found a school that allows me to do both."
She's not the only one who has walked the popularity red carpet in high school. Here are 9 other celebs who were popular, even before their faces hit the big screen.
Halle Berry: This beauty was seriously involved in her high school. Her long list of extracurricular activities includes: Honor Society, editor of her school newspaper, class president, a cheerleader, and prom queen.
Meryl Streep: Meryl was a cheerleader and homecoming queen at Bernards High School in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
Brad Pitt: Teenage Brad sounds a lot like Hollywood Brad. He played sports, participated in debate (guess he cared about world issues even then!), student government, and school musicals. He was also voted best-dressed his senior year.
Sandra Bullock: America's Sweetheart grew up exactly how you'd expect — cheerleader, above-average student, and voted "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day."
Alec Baldwin: He served as class president and was a member of the Youth Council, drama club, the Student Activities Council, and the lacrosse and football teams.
Matthew Morrison: Before becoming a gleek, he definitely was not a geek. In fact, he was a soccer-playing prom king.
Rosie O'Donnell: Not the cookie-cutter queen, but she was winning the titles nonetheless. She won homecoming and prom queen, as well as senior class president and class clown. Okay, so the last part isn't exactly shocking.
Paula Abdul: Before she was judging American Idol, she was doing herkies as head cheerleader, and she was also voted homecoming queen as well as "Most Likely to Succeed."
Cameron Diaz: Cameron shimmied with pom-poms before becoming one of Hollywood's leading ladies as her Long Beach, California high school.
Do you know if your favorite celebrities were popular in their high school days? Are you shocked to learn that these celebs were?
Image via Anthony Citrano/ Zigzaglens.com
