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When it comes to size, Hollywood seems to operate on a different scale than the rest of the world. To put it simply, the majority of starlets are incredibly tiny – they look petite on screen, and in person, they’re even more miniscule. Everyone knows the saying about the camera adding ten pounds, but it seems that it often adds a few inches of height as well – countless starlets seem to be statuesque and willowy, when in actuality they’re mere inches above five feet (if that).
However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and the ladies on this list prove that. While most celebrities end up being shorter than you may have imagined, there are a few who are far, far taller than you ever would have thought. On screen, whether it’s because of their proportions or just because of the average height of female celebrities, they seem to be fairly petite and certainly no taller than the average woman. And then, either on the red carpet or at an event, they stand next to someone else and you question how on earth they’re absolutely towering over their partner and co-star. It’s not just sky-high heels, in these ladies’ case, it’s all natural. There are definitely some tall ancestors in these 10 ladies’ genes!
Here are 10 celebrities who are likely taller than you might think they are.
10. Laura Prepon - 5'10
While some might know actress Laura Prepon from her days playing the lovable redheaded girl next door, Donna Pinciotti, on That 70s Show, chances are that most people know her as Alex Vause from the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Her role as Piper’s former lover catapulted her to superstardom, as everyone became obsessed with the glasses-wearing hottie on the new hit show. However, whether she’s rocking red, black, or blonde locks, there’s one thing that Prepon can’t hide – she’s consistently taller than many of her co-stars. No, it’s not only because many actresses are petite – it’s because Prepon clocks in at a statuesque 5’10.
9. Blake Lively - 5'10
Anyone who’s seen movie trailers, flipped through the channels on television, or picked up a fashion or gossip magazine in the last few years knows exactly who Blake Lively is. The blonde bombshell first stepped onto the red carpet when she was one of the four friends in the movie The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, but when she got the role of Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, the hit television show based on the popular teen books, she became a household name. Since then, Lively has gone on to star in several movies, start (and shut down) a lifestyle website, and marry one of Hollywood’s hottest, Ryan Reynolds. However, did you know that she towers over many Hollywood actresses at 5’10? Her Gossip Girl bestie, Leighton Meester, is only about 5’3-5’4.
8. Adrianne Palicki - 5'11
Blonde bombshell Adrianne Palicki recently snagged a role on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. playing Barbara “Bobbi” Morse, but we have a feeling many will know her better from her role as bad girl with a heart of gold Tyra Collette on Friday Night Lights. Her FNL co-stars were often tall, muscular men, making Palicki seem positively petite in comparison – but in actuality, this blonde babe is definitely a tall drink of water, standing at 5’11. Must be that Midwest air that the Ohio-born homecoming queen was raised on!
7. Nicole Kidman - 5'11
Aussie babe Nicole Kidman has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, starring in films including Eyes Wide Shut, Moulin Rouge, Cold Mountain, The Paperboy and more. She’s become a red carpet staple, and while she always looks flawlessly elegant, there’s one thing that many fans couldn’t help noticing – she always towers over her date on the red carpet. Her former husband, Tom Cruise, is notoriously short, so Kidman just seemed to be an average height, but when she began stepping out with current husband Keith Urban, she towered over him too! Well, let us satisfy your curiosity – it’s because Kidman is 5’11, and if you combine that with the sky high heels that many starlets wear on the red carpet, she’s probably anywhere from 6’2 to 6’5 when she’s all glammed up.
6. Taylor Swift - 5'11
Given that country ingénue turned pop superstar Taylor Swift frequently hangs out with supermodels, it can be easy to overlook her height. After all, since pretty much every single one of the models who make up her infamous squad are taller than the average woman, it makes Taylor’s height seem positively average in comparison. However, the superstar actually stands just under 6 feet tall – 5’11 to be exact. In a world of petite pop stars, Swift’s height definitely sets her apart, but it also contributes to her stage presence. Plus, who knows – if she didn’t have the build of a supermodel, maybe she wouldn’t rock as many of the glamorous stage outfits that her fans have come to love.
5. Brooke Shields - 6'0
It may not come as a surprise that a former supermodel is taller than the average woman, but with many supermodels standing anywhere from 5’9 to 5’11, Brooke Shields is still a cut above the rest. The actress turned model turned superstar reached 6’0, but you may be surprised to find just how early she sprouted up. While she was filming The Blue Lagoon at the age of 14, she was already a sky-scraping 5’10, compared to her co-star Christopher Atkins’ 5’6. Atkins even commented that walking the red carpet with Shields was like “having the Statue of Liberty standing beside me.”
4. Geena Davis - 6'0
Over the years, Geena Davis has become a household name thanks to her roles in films like The Fly, Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own, and Stuart Little. The talented actress is also known for her brainpower, as she’s a member of Mensa. This smart cookie has had a great deal of success in Hollywood, but when she was a young aspiring actress who had recently graduated from Boston University, she worked as a window mannequin for Ann Taylor and then as a model. Just like many models turned actresses, Davis is quite statuesque, standing at a surprising 6’0.
3. Jane Lynch - 6'0
The hilarious Jane Lynch didn’t rush straight to Los Angeles the moment she graduated high school, like many starlets – instead, the Illinois born actress spent over a decade with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Chicago’s infamous The Second City comedy troupe. Eventually, she began to snag small parts in movies and guest starring roles on television shows, but she truly became an A-Lister when she got the role of overbearing cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the hit series Glee. Lynch entertained fans endlessly and managed to portray a character who was both infuriating and lovable. However, while any actress would have towered over some of Glee’s petite stars, Lynch’s height definitely added to her authority – she’s 6 feet tall!
2. Aisha Tyler - 6'0
Actress and comedian Aisha Tyler is known for lending voice to the powerful Lana Kane in the hit series Archer, and Friends fans will remember her as Ross’ (and then Joey’s) totally brainy, totally gorgeous paleontologist girlfriend. Lately, you’ll see Tyler as one of the co-hosts on the daytime talk show The Talk. While her larger than life personality and infectious laugh definitely contribute to her stage presence, her height definitely doesn’t hurt – she stands tall at an even six feet. While many tall ladies end up with partners who are shorter than them, Aisha Tyler managed to snag a husband who’s even taller than she is, attorney Jeff Tietjens.
1. Gwendoline Christie - 6'3
Okay, most people who have seen Game of Thrones know that Gwendoline Christie definitely isn’t a short woman, but you might be surprised to find out just how unbelievably tall she is. Christie, a British actress, got her first taste of fame when photographer Polly Borland was so enchanted by her height that she wanted to make the future actress the subject of her photography series Bunny. Christie didn’t let her height jeopardize her chances of success in the entertainment industry, and eventually snagged the role of the incredibly powerful warrior Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones. I mean, could it have been anyone else?
Sources: biography.com, imdb.com
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