As colleges across the U.S. gear up for a new academic year, sorority rush season is underway — and for some Hollywood stars, their sorority days were more than just fun and games; they were formative experiences that shaped their paths to fame.

Many Southern stars got their start in college sororities, forming lifelong bonds, performing in public for the first time, and even finding the courage to pursue careers that would make them household names. Here’s a look at some of the celebrities whose Greek life roots run deep.

Molly Sims: From Tri Delta to the Spotlight

Before gracing the covers of magazines and runways around the world, Molly Sims was a pre-law student at Vanderbilt University and a proud member of the Tri Delta sorority.

During an April 2024 appearance on the 9 to 5ish with theSkimm podcast, Sims recalled her difficult choice to leave law school and pursue modeling full-time. “It was probably the hardest jump I’ve ever made to be a Tri Delt,” she explained, reflecting on the contrast between her life at Vanderbilt and her sudden move to Germany, where she spoke no German and knew no one.

“I think with school, I didn’t love being in a sorority. I liked it. I had a little bit of every … like a hard thing of everyone doing the same thing, everyone looking alike. That was always a little odd to me. But I loved having girlfriends, and I loved being a part of something,” Sims shared, highlighting the bittersweet balance of camaraderie and individuality.

Carrie Underwood: Sigma Sigma Sigma and American Idol Dreams

Carrie Underwood was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. Her college years were pivotal, but she ultimately left her classes and sorority behind when she auditioned for American Idol, a decision that would launch her into superstardom.

Describing her sorority experience to The Guardian in 2013, Underwood said, “A group of girls on campus did a lot of philanthropy work. Anyone can go to recruitment, and you have to be a fit for them, and they have to be a fit for you. Once you join one, you can never join another. I see my sorority sisters at shows everywhere, which is really cool.”

Her time in Sigma Sigma Sigma instilled community values and lifelong friendships, creating a foundation that supported her through the trials of early fame.

Megan Moroney: Bribed to Sing, Discovered Her Voice

Megan Moroney’s first public performance came courtesy of her sorority. While attending the University of Georgia and a member of Kappa Delta, she was bribed with Chick-fil-A gift cards to participate in a sorority pageant.

“I was a freshman, and they bribed me with Chick-fil-A gift cards to do it. I sang ‘Strawberry Wine’ with my dad … and I ended up winning,” she recounted on The BobbyCast podcast in 2022. This experience cemented her identity as a country singer within her sorority and marked the beginning of her musical career.

Ashley Judd: Greek Life as a Classroom of Life

Ashley Judd, a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Kentucky, found her sorority experience incredibly formative. Speaking at George Washington University’s Greek community Grand Chapter Meeting, Judd revealed that she once lived in the janitor’s closet just to be in the Kappa house.

“Being Greek meant a lot of things. I joined lots of different organizations. I had so much fun. I was a French major with four minors,” she shared. “I learned a lot about life — from calling the state capitol to understanding racism and violence against women. Greek life gave me a real education outside the classroom.”

Sheryl Crow: Music and Sorority Bonds

Before becoming a household name in country and rock music, Sheryl Crow was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in music education. Crow’s sorority experience was an early step toward her career, providing opportunities to perform, build confidence, and hone her craft as both a musician and educator.

Why Sororities Matter in Hollywood

For many Southern stars, sorority life provided more than just parties and social networking; it offered early exposure to leadership, public performance, and teamwork. These skills translated directly to careers in entertainment, helping women like Sims, Underwood, Moroney, Judd, and Crow navigate industries where confidence, visibility, and resilience are crucial.

Whether it was performing in pageants, participating in philanthropic work, or simply learning the power of camaraderie, sorority life left a lasting impact. As rush season kicks off, new college students may not yet realize that their Greek life connections could also set the stage for future achievements — perhaps even Hollywood fame.