female celebrity of the weeks : mischa barton

Mischa Barton, best known for her role as the spoiled Marissa Cooper on the teen drama The OC, started her career as a stage actress at the tender age of 9. After conquering Broadway, she went to bit parts on the big screen, most notably the haunting ghost in The Sixth Sense.

With her trailblazing fashion sense, Barton has been a spokeswoman for Keds and Neutrogena, as well as a model for Calvin Klein and Bebe. Her high-profile romances include billionaire heir Brandon Davis and most recently rocker Cisco Adler of Whitestarr.

Since her character was killed off The OC (and the show subsequently cancelled), Barton has signed on to numerous film roles, including Closing the Ring, costarring Shirley MacLaine and Neve Campbell. More than just a Hollywood "It" girl, Barton's acting chops seem to be taking center stage.