Ashley Greene

For the last couple weeks, The Hollywood Gossip has looked back at 2009 by naming the finalists for our prestigious, 3rd Annual Celebrity of the Year award.

In this section, we've been paying tribute to the unique stars that made the past 12 months so memorable for gossip followers across the nation and globe.

Now, following last edition's selection of Miley Cyrus in the #2 spot, we've finally reached the top. Drumroll please...

For 2009, THG's Celebrity of the Year is... the New Moon cast!

Critics might say we're copping out by choosing more than one star for this honor, but come on. Everyone involved with the Twilight Saga deserves recognition for turning a book series into the most popular, buzzed-about film franchise in years.

This doesn't always happen. Remember The Golden Compass? Probably not. Starring Nicole Kidman, it was meant as the first installment in a trilogy based on Philip Pullman's His Dark Material novels. A second movie was never even made.

So, what enabled New Moon to gross over $660 million worldwide? A cast of young, fresh, gorgeous, talented and seemingly grounded individuals. Below, we note each actor's 2009 accomplishments:

Robert Pattinson: Might as well start at the top. The British actor has grown into a global phenomenon. He can't walk away from a film set without being followed by countless paparazzi members, his every interaction with women is chronicled like it's a Presidential summit and he was named one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People of 2009.

Over the course of a few months, Pattinson covered Entertainment Weekly, Harper's Bazaar, OK! Weekly, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone. He's also dating...

Kristen Stewart: She broods, therefore she is. While Stewart had already appeared in a critically-acclaimed movie (Into the Wild) prior to landing the role of Bella Swan, she took on a cult following after her performance in New Moon. Millions of women around the world both love her and hate her for bagging Pattinson, but one thing is clear: they can't take their eyes off her.

Taylor Lautner: He dated Taylor Swift. He rarely wore a shirt. He was actually able to recruit girls away from Team Edward for Team Jacob, based on his bulked-up role in New Moon. Lautner has already signed on for two new movies and appears to have a huge career ahead of him.

Ashley Greene: The actress almost broke the Internet when naked photos of her were leaked online.

Nikki Reed: Probably the least known main star of the franchise. But she's dating Paris Latsis, Paris Hilton's ex, and has been involved in numerous THG Fashion Face-Offs.

Kellan Lutz: Has the best young body in Hollywood and wants to be the next Jason Bourne. Has been involved with 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord and... did we mention his body?

There you have it. It's been an incredible year and we're grateful that so many readers joined us for the ride. We can't think of a better way to end 2009 than with a photo montage that honors these Celebrities of the Year. Click around, enjoy and come back in 2010 for so much more...

On the surface, Twilight Saga actress Ashley Greene and Real Housewife of Orange County Gretchen Rossi have little in common.

The former is a young actress on the rise. The latter is a spoiled, talentless reality star. But let's look deeper.

Both stars have posed naked, with Rossi's photo still live on the Internet and quite racy. Greene's lawyers have at least forced websites to remove the nude pictures of his client.

Both also share a taste in fashion, as they were each spotted out recently in a gold Gryphon shift dress. The New Moon beauty covered hers with a trench coat and belt, while Rossi let it all hang out... as we all know she enjoys doing. Compare the looks below:

Who wears this dress better?

The stars came out in full force last night for the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes.

The movie features Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic British detective, along with Jude Law as his sidekick Watson, but let's be serious: the attention at these events is always on celebrity fashion.

With that in mind, step right up Ashley Greene and Rachel McAdams!

Both actresses appeared on the red carpet for the premiere, each looking radiant. But only one can come out on top in the poll below. Study the beauties' outfits and then weigh in...

[Photos: Splash News]

Who looks prettiest?

Twilight Saga star Ashley Greene has a lot of knowledge to pass along to young people. For instance:

Never take nude photos of yourself with a digital camera.

The actress also covers the latest issue of TeenPROM and offers advice to all high schoolers about to embark on this rite of passage. Pay close attention, kids...

On planning for the event: “Definitely plan ahead because the actual day can be kind of stressful. Planning everything out helps a lot. When picking out your dress, make sure you’re really comfortable in it because you are going to be dancing around, moving around, sitting, eating and all of that stuff.”

On comfort: “Be yourself and don’t overdo it. People have a lot of anticipation for an event like prom and end up overdoing it or wearing too much makeup. Really make sure you are comfortable because then you’ll feel beautiful, instead of going overboard and asking yourself, ‘Oh my gosh, what did I do?’”

On putting out: "Do it, ladies! It will make your man happy."

Okay. We made the last quote up.

Ashley also takes part in DonateMyDress.org, a charity whose name explains its mission. It's really the most important tip she can give anyone: always help those less fortunate than yourself.

Click on the photos below for more shots of Green...

As part of a campaign urging youth to take aim at poverty and disease, the ONE foundation has released a new ad which aired during last night's Gossip Girl.

Fittingly, that show's stars Leighton Meester, Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick took part in it, along with Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed of the Twilight saga.

Heroes' Hayden Panettiere, Tristan Wilds from 90210, FlashForward cast member John Cho, Tropic Thunder's Brandon Jackson and more rounded out the ad spot:

Coming Together as ONE

Give Ashley Greene credit for this at least:

When asked how she stayed in shape, the actress didn't pull a Kim Kardashian and start to shill for a dangerous weight loss product.

Still, the Twilight Saga star's publicist actually nudged his client after she gave the following response to Us Weekly:

"It was really easy. We were working 12 hours a day, so it didn't leave too much time to eat."

Kids, don't try that diet at home.

Greene added that the (hot!) cast had a personal trainer on set that put each star through four hours of training per day.

To stay in shape these days, she also told the magazine she does Pilates about six days per week.

"I do it early in the morning. It wakes you up, and it's kind of refreshing," she said. "And that is basically it. Sometimes cardio. I am not a big weight person because when I do weights I build muscle mass."

Much to the delight of women everywhere, Taylor Lautner can vouch for that. Can he ever!

It took Ashley Greene one major scandal to realize it, but the Twilight Saga star doesn't need to get naked to look hot.

The actress covers the December issue of Maxim and will likely garner a new fan base as a result of the spread. She looks great in the magazine.

Beauty aside, what's next for Greene professionally? New Moon comes out on November 20; and Eclipse in June, 2010. Other than that?

"I want to hit up James Bond," she said. "That would be awesome.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with MTV, Greene was asked about her favorite scene in the Twilight sequel. She replied:

“[I love] the whole Cullen scene, when Bella gets a paper cut and Jasper goes crazy — you haven’t seen that side of him yet. The performances are great, and the whole dynamic is really great. That was one of my favorite scenes to watch.”

In closing, is Greene anything like the character she plays?

"I have become a lot more like Alice Cullen, because she is probably the most fashionable out of the Cullen clan, and I’ve recently become obsessed with fashion.”

That's a big step for an actress that once chose nudity over clothing. Way to go, Ash!

The director has already promised buckets full of tears.

Now, one of the stars of New Moon tells potential viewers to prepare for heartbreak and sadness. While celebrating Halloween at an event in Las Vegas, Ashley Greene described the plot as:

"Edward [Robert Pattinson] kind of breaks Bella's heart, so you definitely see Jacob [Taylor Lautner] kind of swoop in to rescue her. You get to see their chemistry and dynamic. It kind of keeps you on the edge of your seat a little bit more than the first one."

As for comparisons between Twilight and New Moon, Greene added:

"The first one is very much a love story, and this one is kind of more about heartbreak and healing, and you got the wolves come in and there's that threat, that danger. I actually saw the movie about two months ago, and it's really good."

We're sure it is. Below, we've posted an iconic scene from the novel. Watch Bella celebrate her birthday with the Cullens... until a paper cut creates a major family rift:

Bella's Birthday Party

She may never live down her nude photo debacle, but Ashley Greene has learned a valuable lesson:

One doesn't need to shed one's clothes in order to look sexy.

This point is driven home in a recent photo spread for French Revue de Modes, a random fashion magazine that features Greene in all her clothed, seductive glory.

The Twilight Saga star looks ravishing in each picture, despite the fact she's almost entirely covered up throughout. If only someone had relayed that message to Levi Johnston. Alas, it sounds too late for him.

God help us all.

Sorry, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

But we've uncovered a Twilight Saga photo spread that actually doesn't include either of you!

Self magazine has chosen to focus on a trio of Robsten's New Moon co-stars, as Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Rachelle Lefevre took time away from the Vancouver shoot to pose for a series of candid pics.

This is actually great news for Pattinson and Stewart. While the attention of fans is diverted to other Twilight cuties, Robert and Kristen can do whatever it is they do when the cameras aren't rolling. (Hint: we doubt it involves much clothing!)

Check out the adorable pics below and prepare for a major milestone tomorrow: New Moon opens exactly one month from Tuesday, October 20!!!