She had the chance to take advantage of the culture the city provided as well as its quality education. At 12 years old, she auditioned and was accepted to the Professional Performing Arts School. For Alicia, the school was an artistic playground.

It was her mother's strong faith in her daughter's talent that led Ashanti Douglas down a hard and often frustrating road to finally find success as a singer.

With the support of her driven mother, Ashanti made the decision to try and make the big time.

It's not easy growing up with a beautiful and talented older sister; Ashlee Simpson knows all about it. Her sister is Jessica Simpson, a popular entertainer and one of the stars of the reality TV series, Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica. For most of her life, Ashlee lived in the shade cast by Jessica's shadow.

Ashton Kutcher was born in a small farming town and ended up among the bright lights of Hollywood. The path he took to get there is one filled with challenge and uncertainty. Dealing with his twin brother's illness, his parents' divorce, and a move to a brand new town as a teenager left Ashton wondering what to do with his life. His plan to pursue a medical career was fueled by his desire to find a cure for his brother but his dreams of fame began to overtake him.

If it seemed like Britney Spears appeared on the music scene and instantly became a smashing success, it was just an illusion. In reality, Britney has been working for years to create the kind of stardom she has just begun to receive. A down-home country girl,

Christina Aguilera began performing in talent shows when she was six years old. She appeared on Star Search at the age of eight. At ten she sang the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and at twelve she joined the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club. If she seems in a hurry, she is. "I've wanted to be a star since I was six or seven,"she said.

Justin Berfield had already made Hollywood history. He was the youngest person in television history to have shot 100 episodes on not one but two different series: Unhappily Ever After and Malcolm in the Middle. And as one of television's brightest young stars, that's no doubt only the beginning.

You might say Kate grew up on a movie set and loved every minute of it. Kate's childhood was filled with movie stars but it all seemed normal to her. Goldie and her "Pa" Kurt Russell raised Kate to appreciate everything she had. Kate was not given everything she asked for. She was always taught the importance of respect, generosity, and family. As she grew older,

Lindsay Lohan is a lot more than just Hollywood's latest "It Girl," she's a multi-talented performer who is taking Hollywood by storm. Bitten by the acting bug early, Lindsay began appearing in commercials when she was just three and since then has made a name for herself in TV, film and music.

Life wasn't always easy for Mario Barrett. He grew up in the mean streets of Baltimore and saw friends and neighbors drift into a life of gangs and drugs. But music would be Mario's passion and salvation. When he was just four years old, his mom heard him singing in the basement and knew then her son had a special talent.

Paris Hilton was born into the life of luxury and right from the start she embraced life and everything it had to offer her. Growing up in a fancy hotel with maids, butlers and posh surroundings, Hilton wanted her own identity and she struggled to find it.