Celebrity Dropouts

June 01, 2007

Apparently you don't need a degree to make it in Tinsel town...as long as you hire someone who has one. It's no surprise that some of young Hollywood opted for the road to fame instead of education.

Jessica Simpson:
The pop-tartlet-turned-reality-show- star dropped out of JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, in 1997 to pursue a music career. She later received her GED.

Katharine McPhee:
The fifth season American Idol runner-up graduated Notre Dame High School, in Sherman Oaks, Calif., in 2002. She attended Boston Conservatory for 18 months before dropping out to pursue her music career.

Paris Hilton:
The hotel-heiress-turned-imminent- jailbird dropped out of Dwight, the posh Manhattan high school that boasts celebrity alumni Truman Capote, Julian Casablancas (the Strokes) and Roy Lichtenstein. She is believed to have later earned a GED.

Mischa Barton:
The former star of Fox’s teen drama The O.C. graduated from Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School in 2004. She is not currently enrolled in college

Britney Spears:
Before her meteoric rise and fall as a pop star, Spears attended Kentwood High School in her Louisiana hometown. She dropped out to pursue a music career

Avril Lavigne:
The punky pop star attended the Napanee District High School, in Ontario, Canada. She dropped out in the 11th grade after securing a record contract. She later earned her GED.

Lindsay Lohan:
The flame-haired Hollywood wild child dropped out of Calhoun High School in Merrick, Long Island, in the 11th grade. Calls to Lohan's camp concerning whether the actress earned her GED went unanswered.