Posted 13 October 2007 - 01:09 AM
Now that the girls are legal to go to bars, maybe it's time to take a look back at where Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen have come from. On one hand, Ashley should be a role model for other celebs like Lindsay Lohan. On the other hand ... Mary-Kate. Yikes. How could the twins end up so different?
Mary-Kate and Ashley: In the Beginning
'Full House' may have given the girls a break (the show needed twins, since one child could only work so many hours by law), but Mary-Kate and Ashley didn't even wait for the series to end to branch out. Considering that their billion-dollar empire is still branching, let's take a look their roots. No, not the brunette ones ... don't be mean.
The Rise of the Empire
Between straight-to-video movies, clothes, books, posters and even dolls, by age 12, Mary-Kate and Ashley had more money than we'll see in our lifetimes. And that was just the beginning.
After 'Full House'
Once 'Full House' ended its eight year run, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen moved on to bigger ... well, maybe not better things ... with 'Two of a Kind,' where they played twin sisters. Maybe it was too much of a stretch, because a year later, the show was cancelled.
'New York Minute'
Between tv movies and straight-to-video releases, all that Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen hadn't conquered was the big screen. Unfortunately, they still haven't, since 'New York Minute' didn't exactly overperform.
Ashley Olsen: The Quiet One
While both Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen decided to go to college after high school, Ashley stuck with it at NYU after Mary-Kate moved back to the West Coast. While gossip magazines are filled with MK's adventures, Ashley keeps pretty quiet. We're not sure if we like that or not.
Mary-Kate Olsen: The Newsmaker
They may look alike, but Mary-Kate and Ashley couldn't be more different. Where Ashley's private life is just that, Mary-Kate's relationship with Stavros Niarchos III, rehab visits and "interesting" fashion choices fill the gossip columns. And we love her for that.
Slime Time
Despite it all, it's nice to see that Mary-Kate and Ashley can still laugh at themselves, like in 2004 when they got slimed at the Kid's Choice Awards. Still, a billion dollars in the bank has to make laughing pretty easy.
Total Olsen Live
In 2004, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen boosted their near-iconic status by hosting 'TRL.' Not like they really needed the help, but we figure it was more of a charity thing for the MTV VJs. Introducing two seconds of video can't be easy!
The Fashion Line
A huge part of the Olsen empire is the twins' fashion lines. Their clothing offerings have grown up with them, and they have designs from toddlers up to teens. No comment on whether 'bag lady' will be featured next season.
Fashion Makers
It's not just their own fashion that interests Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen. The twins are regulars at Fashion Week, and always sport something new and interesting around town ... even if that something new is really something old and tattered.
The Family's All Here
Not everyone from 'Full House' had the same success as Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen. Still, the girls showed up to support their "dad," Bob Saget, at the release of 'Farce of the Penguins.' They're such good fake daughters!
Mary-Kate and Ashley: The Future
The girls aren't even 21 yet, but their brand is known around the world. We don't even want to think about where they'll be in ten years ... but don't be surprised if there's a 51st state named MaryAshleyKateOlsenLand. Oh, and a CD ... are Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen really the only stars to NOT force their singing on us? THANK YOU, girls. We can't tell you how much we appreciate that.
Wardrobe Malfunctions
Mary-Kate and
Ashley Olsen Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen are known for their dramatic red-carpet appearances and their ... interesting fashion choices (planning on flying, Mary-Kate?). They're not afraid to opt for big, bold makeup choices more suited to the 1940s than today. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't -- but it always makes the news.
