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On one hand, Hollywood is bursting at the seams with the self-obsessed, the overindulged and the most celebutardiest, are-they-for-real trainwreckery we’ve ever seen (bonus: good for easy jokes). On the other hand, there are the famous types you wish you knew in real life - nay, you wish were your FRIENDS in real life. Are we so overexposed to Hollywood sensationalism that we have tangible beliefs in real celebrity friendship? Wait, what? Shut up, me. This is a fluff piece, not an essay. Anyhoes, we’re not ashamed to say that we’ve occasionally daydreamed about dinner parties with the ultra-cool (Mindy Kaling - where you at?), and if we’re the only ones, well, fine. We regret nothing. The point is, we made a list of universally cool ladypeople, and we know it will be void of some of your faves (Tilda Swinton? Sam Ronson? We know, we know. Lists are so cutthroat). But one thing’s for sure: we love these bitches, and if they want to call us sometime to grab a drink or three, we most certainly would not be hating.

M.I.A.

Obvious. And we’re totally up for taking on the crowds who would froth at the mouth for some hang time with the Bamboo Banga. She came up in the game through file sharing her music. She invites masses of people onstage to dance with her. She’s got a degree AND killer style. Her lyrics mix humour and politics to make one super-danceable (yet relevant) package. She’s an artist first, a performer second. She’s raising awareness of the extreme gap between first and third world countries. In conclusion, you kind of can’t help but have a mad girl crush on the lady, because she’s pretty much colossally marvelous.

Proof That M.I.A. Wins At Life: Traveling to Africa to learn about post-war Liberia

Beth Ditto

Any woman who has the balls to wear the most outlandish ensembles this side of the Atlantic then take over a stage and just K-I-L-L I-T, well, they deserve our respect and an official please-be-friends-with-us seal of approval. The Gossip’s lead singer wrote “Standing In The Way Of Control” in response to the US government’s anti stance on gay marriage, she has unabashedly posed nude on the cover of NME, and it’s an inspiration for everybody to see that one of the coolest people in rock remains fierce with an above size 2 figure. Beth is a posterchild for human rights, and a welcome addition to our, uh.. knitting parties. Yeah, knitting.

Proof That Beth Is An Orb Of Marvel: Speaking out against bullying

Meryl Streep

This may seem like an unconventional choice, but listen. The Streep is ze original (post 1980s) bad ass bitch, and all of Hollywood should bow to her resplendence. She remains unfazed by the dreaded Oscar Curse - in fact, she can take any role and act its brains out. She could turn a Wayans Brother movie into a masterpiece. And still, so gracious in the face of ego stroking (see: above) and fame’s rabblerousery! We have much to learn from this woman (such as: how to remain fabulous, or how to speak in a perfect Romanian accent). She would be the wise den mother of our Awesome Pack.

Proof of Meryl Being Amazing: Dialtone scene in Adaptation (which she improvised)

Drew Barrymore

Every gal needs a chill, mellow, roll-with-the-punches friend in their squad, and Drew is the clear celebrity choice. Plus, she has one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood (donating $1 million to the UN’s World Food Program!) and as the producer of Charlie’s Angels ensured that nary a gun was used AND the heroines weren’t shy about scarfing some food. She’s cool, stylish, and despite going through a lot of shit in her life, she’s emerged as a real gem. Also: she’s not afraid of looking goofy. That is key, because we’re at the top of Goof Mountain.

Proof That Drew is Bad Ass: Destroying (kung-fu styles) in Charlie’s Angels

Lily Allen

No fear, no holds barred, in-your-face honesty - Lily can get wasted, flash her tits or kick a paparazzo and despite the sometimes questionable behaviour, she’s so easily forgiven. What a freaking cutie - come on guys, the girl is just having some fun, right? We love her style and her music, but most of all we’re fools for her frankness (mmm.. franks); her blogs are sincere and dotted with unglamourous photos, plus how can you not love the honesty and slight irony in lyrics like, “it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic, and that’s what makes my life so f**king fantastic”? She definitely gets an invite to our next birthday.

Proof That She’s Super Cool: Lily says food > fashion

Pink

Pink is an advocate for what she believes in, and if you don’t agree with her, well then provide an adequate counter-argument or shut the eff up. She’s an avid supporter of PETA, a frequent charity donor and if she wants to speak out against the President or Hollywood well galldangit, she will. We dig her brassy persona - we need more of it in our lives. Pink lived through the over-commercialized process of creating and marketing a new artist and although she sold millions, she soon chose to take creative control of her music - even if it meant losing clammy paws ‘o cash from the mass market. Who needs a mass market when you don’t care what they think, anyway?

Proof That Pink Rules: The Song Many Would Be Afraid To Sing

Estelle

You know, it’s kind of sad that we didn’t really know who Estelle was until she hit us with her amazing track “American Boy” (and followed it with an album that’s just as good). After all, she’s been doing her thing in Britain for a few years now - but at least we’ve caught the train, right? The truth is we love a good saucy minx, and Estelle totally fits the bill. “Don’t like those baggy jeans, but I’ma like what’s underneath them”? Sing it, sister. She speaks her mind, even if it means talking about racial bias in the music industry. The girl hits us with personality so sharp that our metaphorical balloon might bust, but we’ll take it, and we’ll like it.

Proof That Estelle Deserves Props: She tells everyone to get her music any way they can!

Ellen Page/Diablo Cody

Ok, don’t be a hater but we’re counting these gals as a friendship duo. Sometimes when you meet a person, you make friends with their best friend too, you know? Anyway, Diabs has taken some smack in the past few months but what the hell - she may have used the term “honest to blog”, but she’s still the awesome anti-hero of Hollywood and frankly, has the best success story of the past year. Plus, she’s still sassy and holding on to the personal style (in attitude and dress) that defines her. And then there’s Ellen, covering many a magazine and creating much buzz, yet continuing to brim with a chill east-coast vibe that makes you just want to, you know, hang out on a couch and eat grapes.

Proof Of Ellen Being (say in Milhouse voice) RADICAL: Ellen’s ghost hookers story on Letterman (first 2 minutes)

Tina Fey

Oh hello, personal favourite (bias IS allowed, my people, this is no journalism). Partly thanks to Miss Tina, it’s okay to be slightly awkward and sometimes ungraceful. Partly thanks to Miss Tina, Saturday Night Live saw a revival of sorts. All thanks to Miss Tina, Lindsay Lohan has a high point of her career. All thanks to Miss Tina, Alec Baldwin is an American sweetheart again (despite his character’s many inglorious qualities on 30 Rock, Alec makes us love him) and we have rekindled our joy for the sitcom. Funny bitches are the best, and therefore our heroes, and thus, Tina Fey is Superwoman.

Proof That Tina is a Badass Bitch: Bitch Is The New Black on SNL (go to 2:07 mark)

Lovefoxx

Excuse us, but how can a person be as cute as a button, yet so full of badassery at the same time? We don’t know, but apparently it’s possible - just look at Lovefoxxx. The Brazilian lead singer of CSS dons an absurdist wardrobe that always works wonders, and a carefree attitude that is nothing but contagious. Onstage, she’s a flying blur of colour, energy, screams, stage dives and fire. Basically, she’s a human fireball (that’s the badass part). Offstage, she charms interviewers and fans alike with a laugh and a smile and a lack of star snobbery (that’s the cute as a button part). What we’re saying is that she’d look pretty sweet in our photo album, and would probably participate in the building of cushion forts.

Proof That She’s A Good Time: Lovefoxxx Cuts A Rug

By the by, who would you put on your list? And also by the by, all images provided by Getty.

Posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm by Wendy and is filed under Celebrities & Pop Culture.

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