Amanda Bynes, Drew Barrymore, Emma Watson and more are taking breaks from the biz! But why?

What the heck is happening in Hollywood these days? Some of the biggest names in the biz are taking a break (some extended, some permanent) from their thriving acting careers. Just who is officially sick of having the acting bug and what are their reasons for being quitters? Read on, BFFs!

Emma Watson

The 20-year-old Harry Potter starlet is planning on taking a three-year break to graduate from college; she’s currently a sophomore at Brown University in Providence, RI. “I want to forget about hair and makeup,” Emma told UK paper The Times. “Sometimes on a publicity tour I can’t remember what time it is, what country I’m in. Now it’s coming to an end I’m trying to hold on to it. So I have a book, and everyone I’ve met has a page. I want to remember them and not just be left with the media version of what happened to me.”

Alec Baldwin

The 30 Rock star has threatened to quit acting for good when his contract with NBC expires in 2012. “I don’t have any interest in acting anymore,” the 52-year-old Emmy winner said in the December issue of Men’s Journal. “Movies are a part of my past. It’s been 30 years. I’m not young, but I have time to do something else.”

Sandra Bullock

Sandy has definitely had a tumultuous year! She won an Oscar, secretly adopted son Louis Bardo Bullock and divorced husband Jesse James after learning about his multiple affairs. But now the single mom plans on taking time out to enjoy what she loves the most – her newborn son. “All I know is that I want to be able to enjoy being a mom. Doing all the things moms get to do, outside in the sun, in the world,” the 45-year-old actress told People magazine. “The career will have to wait for a bit. I don’t want to step into that world until I can find out what room I left my armor in. You need tough skin to be in this business. I don’t have tough skin right now and I don’t want it”, she said about her future plans.”

Amanda Bynes

Amanda announced via Twitter that she plans on retiring from acting – at the ripe old age of 24! “I know 24 is a young age to retire but you heard it here first I’ve #retired,” the actress posted June 19. Too bad – we loved What A Girl Wants!

Drew Barrymore

Drew has fallen in love with Justin Long and directed her first film, Whip It!, in recent years, and now she’s ready for a break and wants to recharge her batteries. “For three years straight, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and as of last December, I just didn’t have anything left,” the 35-year-old Going the Distance star says in the August issue of Elle. Now, Drew is done being “so aggressive about living life to the fullest and being plugged into everything” and has “ripped the plug out of the wall and put it on the floor for a while.”

info: hollywoodlife.com

Amanda Bynes has reportedly revealed that she is still “figuring out” what direction she wants to take with her career.

According to Just Jared, the What A Girl Wants star told Cosmopolitan that she was hoping to enjoy a lengthy career doing what she loves.

“I’m at that stage where I’m still young and maybe naive, but I’m figuring it out,” she is quoted as saying.

“All I want is to continue – to have a long career. I want to do stuff that I’m passionate about.”

The 23-year-old actress also discussed what she looked for in a relationship, saying: “I want someone who’ll be there and who I can trust – that’s really important to me.”

Bynes can next be seen in high school comedy Easy A, alongside Emma Stone and Cam Gigandet.

You’ve been on television for most of your life. How has your style changed throughout the years?

My style has definitely evolved over time. I love basics now, like a great pair of skinny jeans, my favorite being J Brand, a simple black pump, love Christian Louboiton, and a classic watch, love my Cartier. I’ve learned to really wear what looks best on me not necessarily what’s the newest “hottest” trend.

You’ve also designed your own clothing line. How was that experience?

I loved being able to be so fully involved in the creative process of creating a clothing line. I have always loved to draw sketches of clothes and a clothing line is something I would really want to do again in the future.

What advice do you have for women who are looking to make the most out of their outfit?

I would say to wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable and like you’re not trying too hard. I feel like I always look best when I don’t over think an outfit and wear what makes me feel happy!

What is your daily beauty regimen?

I’m obsessed with Kanebo products. Sadly they are going to stop selling them in the US! They will be for sale online though, which is good! I use their face mask/wash and I have recently been using Murad’s skin perfecting lotion, and I love it! I love using Creme de La Mer’s gel cream every day too.

Does it differ when your filming?

Not really, except I may have to use the Kanebo mask more often because I’m generally wearing a lot more makeup while filming.

What are some of your favorite products/brands? (feel free to name as many as you’d like)

I love Creme De la Mer, Chanel’s lip glosses, Lorac’s pressed face powder, Guerlan’s mascara, kanebo’s under eye concealor, stila’s eye shadows, Kerastase’s pink line of hair products,

If you weren’t acting, what would you want to be doing?

I would either be a psychiatrist, makeup artist or a fashion designer. I love figuring out why people are they way they are and why they do the things they do, so psychology has always fascinated me. I love making people feel pretty so being a makeup artist would be so fun for me, and I love everything about fashion so designing clothes is a real treat!

Do you have any unusual beauty tricks?

Haha no nothing too crazy!! Trying to think….

You have an amazing figure! How do you keep in shape?

Thank you! I try to work out as much as possible, but of course sometimes I get lazy. If I’m on track I will do the treadmill for about an hour and some sit ups and light weights.

How do you feel about girls viewing you as their beauty icon?

I feel really honored! I have had many beauty icon’s growing up so I appreciate anyone viewing me as theirs!! I say being happy and a good person makes you a beauty icon!

Source

When word about Easy A, otherwise known as The Scarlet Letter hits high school, it didn’t sound like the most desirable or charming comedy — a young woman pretends she’s promiscuous to get ahead. (yay) But now … Well, now there’s a killer cast merged with a plot summary that could easily make this a must-see film.

Variety reports that the comedy will, more specifically, follow a high school girl (Emma Stone) who, “after being ostracized by a false rumor she’s loose, uses the rumor mill to her advantage, pitting puritanical students and teachers against their liberal counterparts.” And who will some of these people be? Oh, just Lisa Kudrow, Alyson Michalka, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Penn Badgley, Cam Gigandet, Malcolm McDowell, and Daniel Bird. How’s that for a supporting cast? The fact that this is a teen comedy and not some star-ridden ensemble drama makes the roster all the more impressive.

Production kicks off on June 9, and hopefully that means we’ll get to see how it all turns out sooner rather than later.