As young Hollywood continues to tread on a downward spiral — both actors Heath Ledger and Brad Renfro died tragically within the same week — a new generation of power girls are pledging not to wind up with the same sad fate.
In the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, Us interviews the top 10 stars — from Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus to Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively — you need to know about. In addition to raking in the big bucks — Miley Cyrus earned $3.5 million last year — these young ladies tell Us they keep their heads on straight.
Says honoree Amanda Bynes, 21: “I don’t like to drink. I have definitely stayed out of the party scene. I’ve been offered to go to those parties, but I feel like I would be the one who would die if I did something.”
Of today’s out of control club-goers, she adds, “I don’t know how they think they’re gonna live forever.”
Echoes High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale, 22: “I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke. It’s a personal preference. My mom has never drunk or smoked. I look up to my mom.”
She tells Us she doesn’t get how her Hollywood counterparts can find time for clubbing.
“I don’t understand how people do it —I work non-stop! Then when I’m done working, I’m just so tired I just want to be home,” she says.
“Clubs are just not where I want to be photographed,” adds country singer Taylor Swift, 18.
She also says she realizes the impact her actions could have on her younger fans.
“For everything I do, I think about a 6-year-old girl and her mom that I saw at my concert last night,” she tells Us. “I think about what those two individuals would think if I were at a club last night.
I never want to be arrested, and I never want to get a DUI,” Swift says. “Those are my moral values. I am an over-achiever, and I want to be known for the good things in my life.”
Childhood star-turned-teen queen Raven-Symone obeys a rule: “I like to be in by 1 or 2 a.m. because [you can get in more trouble] at night. Anytime really, but the night scares me sometimes.”
Miley Cyrus, 15 — Hollywood's No. 1. power girl — offered this tip to today’s troubled young stars.
The most important thing is really staying true to yourself,” she tells Us. “That’s what my mom taught me. She’s the most beautiful girl, not only on the outside but on the inside. She’s teaching me how to be a good person.”
For more on Hollywood’s new power girls, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands today.