By now, Ariana Grande has made a name for herself as one of the biggest pop stars in the world, though most don’t know that she was born and raised in Florida! The singer was born in Boca Raton, Florida, and grew up performing at her local theater.
Starting her career very early on, she left her home state at age 13 to try and pursue fame in Los Angeles. Though it was a risky move, we’re all well aware it was one that paid off.
Meghan Markle - California
Before she was the Duchess of Sussex and part of the British royal family, Rachel Meghan Markle was a California princess. The Los Angeles native grew up with ambitions of becoming an actress and landed her role as Rachel Zane in "Suits." This was all before she met and married Prince Harry, of course.
The list of stars that were born and raised in Californa is never-ending and includes Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Cher, Clint Eastwood, and many, many more.
Ryan Phillippe - Delaware
Though Ryan Phillippe may be most acknowledged for his roles in the late ’90s and early 2000s, he is still one of the best-looking actors in the business. Phillipe, born in New Castle, is one of the only actors who was born and raised in the state of Delaware.
The actor's father was a chemist, and his mother ran a local daycare. It wasn't Delaware that kick-started Ryan's career, but another state! Phillippe's acting career began when he was signed to Cathy Parker Management in New Jersey.
Jason Momoa - Hawaii
When you think of Hawaii, it's hard to believe that people were born and raised there. Especially when it comes to big Hollywood stars, right? Well, it is the home state for many celebrities, including Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa. The actor was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but after his parents split, he moved to Norwalk, Iowa, where he was raised.
This didn't stop him from returning to Hawaii after college to reconnect with his father. After being spotted by a modeling agency in 1999, he was named Hawaii's Model of the Year, and the rest is history!
Patrick Dempsey - Maine
For many, Patrick Dempsey with always be Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd, but the actor has been around since the '80s...it all started in Maine. Born in Lewiston, Maine, he grew up in the nearby towns of Buckfield and Turner.
After high school, he moved to Houston, Texas, and in 1981 placed second at the International Jugglers Association Championship. Despite leaving Maine to pursue his acting career, he has always kept a home base in the state and visits frequently.