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There’s a stigma that kids who are homeschooled turn out to be weird and anti-social. This is entirely untrue. In fact, a number of celebrities received home education and became extremely successful.
So to combat the negative stereotypes of homeschooling, here are 13 famous figures who were taught at home and turned out just fine.
Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Homeschooled
Hilary Duff(01 of13)
Hilary Duff was homeschooled by her mother starting at age eight. Three years later, Duff landed her first acting gig in the film “Casper Meets Wendy,” and her career took off from there. (credit:Diego Corredor/MediaPunch/IPx)
Venus & Serena Williams(02 of13)
The Williams sisters were both homeschooled by their parents from elementary to high school. This made it easier for the girls to practice tennis every day. Clearly this paid off as Venus and Serena are now four-time Olympic gold medalists. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Elijah Wood(03 of13)
Elijah Wood was one of Hollywood’s biggest child stars, so naturally he was homeschooled. His home education started at the age of eight and he studied with tutors while so that he could accommodate his filming schedules. (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)
Dakota Fanning(04 of13)
Former child star Dakota Fanning was homeschooled from Grade 2 to 8. She then went to secondary school because she “craved a traditional high school experience,” which included things like cheerleading and prom. In 2011, Fanning enrolled at New York University. (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Kristen Stewart(05 of13)
While most child stars are homeschooled so they can focus on their career, Kristen Stewart revealed that she was forced to go this route because her teachers couldn’t keep up with her film schedules. “They didn’t want to do the extra work or put packages together so I could keep up while away,” the “Twilight” star revealed to British GQ in 2011. “My teachers failed me. Not one, but all of them.” (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ryan Gosling(06 of13)
Everyone’s favourite Canadian, Ryan Gosling, had a tough time in school. Not only was he bullied, but he had a hard time dealing with his ADHD. As a result, his mother decided to homeschool him at the age of 10. According to Gosling, homeschooling gave him “a sense of autonomy that I've never really lost.” At the age of 12, the actor auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club in Montreal and was hired by Disney. As a result, he became one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs. (credit:NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Taylor Swift(07 of13)
Believe it or not, Taylor Swift began her music career at the young age of 14. Because she became successful so quickly, she chose to be homeschooled. In 2007, Swift spoke to CMT about her education, saying: “My homeschooling has been a great experience. I feel like I’ve had the best senior year possible. It’s awesome that I’ve been able to stay on the same path to graduating that I would’ve been on if I’d stayed in high school. My education was always a big deal to me.” (credit:John Salangsang/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake(08 of13)
Justin Timberlake got an early start to his career. At age 12, he appeared on the talent show “Star Search” and got noticed. Timberlake attended Jeter Elementary School in Tennessee, but was homeschooled for middle school and junior high. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Emma Watson(09 of13)
Emma Watson got the role of Hermione in “Harry Potter” at the age of 10. During her years filming the series, she was schooled by tutors on set. She eventually went on to study at Brown University and Worcester College in Oxford, UK and earn her bachelor’s degree. Watson also continues to act today. (credit:Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Hayden Panettiere(10 of13)
Hayden Panettiere was homeschooled from eighth grade onwards. But despite this non-traditional education, she revealed to MTV in 2009 that she had a “great high school experience.”“I had a lot of fun, and I was wild and went crazy and was reckless,” she said. “I went to prom, and I went to homecoming, and I was in the yearbook.” (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jennifer Love-Hewitt(11 of13)
Jennifer Love-Hewitt was homeschooled until she moved to Los Angeles with her mother. She then attended Lincoln High School and began acting in commercials. (credit:CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP)
Justin Bieber(12 of13)
It’s not surprising that Justin Bieber was homeschooled. After all, his music career kicked off when he was just 12 years old. The Canadian singer attended elementary school, but as his fame grew, he turned to online courses to complete his high school education. Bieber graduated received his high school diploma in 2012. (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jena Malone(13 of13)
“Hunger Games” star Jena Malone was homeschooled from Grade 6 to 8. She quit school a year later and focused on being an actress. Today, Malone continues to act. She also became a first-time mom this year. (credit:Getty)