Top 10 empowering Hollywood women

While Jolie has certainly shocked us all with her wild tendencies, it’s safe to say the days of locking lips with family members and drug use are over. Instead, the actress has invested time in something else — being an inspiration to other women. From splitting time between raising six kids and managing a career to bettering society and undergoing a preventive double mastectomy, Jolie’s actions have proven that women can be daring and independent, and at the same time caring and selfless.

From losing family members to battling weight issues, Hudson has had her fair share of ups and downs. But like many of the ladies on our list, Hudson didn’t let those circumstances stop her. In 2009, Hudson gave birth to her son, David. Shortly after the birth, the new mom lost more than 80 pounds and became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Today, Hudson is looking and doing better than ever and continues to inspire others with her passion and positive attitude.

This leading lady has been preaching about empowering women since her days with Destiny’s Child in the ’90s. Through her music we’ve learned about love, hardships, being strong and, of course, being sexy. Today, over a decade later, the award-winning superstar, now a mother and the wife to rapper Jay-Z, continues to do the same, making women in all walks of life feel confident, sexy and on top of the world.

There’s no denying that Madonna lives and breathes woman empowerment. From her risky music to raunchy clothing, she was never afraid to push the limits, do the unexpected and express her sexuality. Now three decades later, the pop-culture legend continues to inspire other females and budding superstars to be strong, opinionated, original and comfortable with themselves and their sexuality.

It seems like just about every teen star is involved in nude pic scandals, sex tapes or copious substance use of sorts, but not Gomez. This actress/singer stands out as being completely different than many other young Hollywood stars. Between her K-Mart clothing line, budding career and philanthropic efforts with UNICEF, Gomez proves that no matter what the age, anyone can be successful.

Whether you are going through a bad breakup or just looking to jam out, there is something to be said about Swift and her music. From the songs she sings to her actions off stage, she’s all about empowering girls to be themselves. Sure, others have bashed her for her unique style, music and good-girl image, but these are the reasons why we admire the teen sensation so much.

When she’s not making chart-topping hits, Perry is using her talents to do something else — help others. Since 2010, she’s been working to empower the youth of the LGBTQ community with her music. Today, she continues to support the community and strives to let youth know they have value, and by being themselves, they can be anything.

After getting involved in substance abuse at a young age, Barrymore was once labeled a washed out child-star. But after changing her attitude about her circumstances and taking charge of her personal and professional choices, she has restored her image and has become an inspiration to women and a highly recognized power in Hollywood.

You may know her for her outrageous costumes and freakishly high-heeled shoes, but this singer/songwriter is more than just what she wears. As part of an ongoing effort to empower the youth of today, Lady Gaga has focused her work with MAC AIDS and the launch of her own anti-bullying organization, the Born This Way Foundation. Her philanthropic efforts have since garnered national attention and that of other celebrities, empowering others to speak out about the issues youth face today.

As women, we all struggle, and celebrities are no exception. Lovato has been open about her self-confidence and self-image issues. After seeking professional treatment, Lovato has become more comfortable in her own skin and decided to use her experience to speak out about these issues and inspire others to get help.