Women on the Verge

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The Seven Habits of Highly Paid Actresses

Rachel McAdams

She’s Canada’s new leading lady. How Rachel McAdams went from breakthrough to breakout star.

1 Perfect your craft
Not only did McAdams receive a BFA with a major in theatre from York University, she graduated with honours.

2 Diversify your portfolio
After her breakthrough role in the dark comedy Mean Girls, McAdams went on to star in the romantic drama The Notebook, followed by the thriller Red Eye and the romantic comedy Wedding Crashers.

3 Never compromise
Yes, she’s done the steamy love scenes, but McAdams still walked out of a Vanity Fair cover shoot when asked by guest editor Tom Ford to appear nude.

4 Put your celebrity status to good use
McAdams and boyfriend Ryan Gosling participated in the “Day Without Immigrants” demonstration in L.A., a protest against tighter restrictions on immigration.

5 Immerse yourself in your character
Prior to playing a Southern debutante in The Notebook, McAdams spent two months in Charleston taking ballet, tennis and painting lessons, not to mention getting a dialect coach.

6 Be low-key
McAdams prefers to reside in Toronto rather than the paparazzi-infested L.A.

7 When you’re on top, take a break
After starring in three high-profile movies in 2005, McAdams took a break before signing on to 2007’s Ira Sachs directed Marriage.

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