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6 celebrities who failed their exams

Exam results didn't matter for these famous faces

Feeling a bit dis-heartened if you didn’t get the exam results you wanted?

You're not alone; there are plenty of famous people who didn't do well in their exams, but went on to be successful.

You can be successful too – you might just need to take an alternative path to get there.   

Remember: everything happens for a reason!  

Sir Richard Branson    

After having a turbulent ride studying for his exams, Richard Branson left school at 16.

A few years later, he launched his first business, a magazine named 'Student'. Presently, he owns Virgin Atlantic, one of the largest airlines globally.  

A white airplane with red wing tips flying above the clouds.

Ryan Gosling

After turning 17, Ryan Gosling decided to drop out of High School and moved from Canada to LA to pursue his acting career.

When Gosling turned 12, he tasted some fame in Hollywood when he joined Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club as a cast member.

However, his big break came from The Notebook.    

Holly Willoughby  

TV presenter Holly Willoughby was privately educated and struggled with dyslexia. While she’s never disclosed her exact grades, she didn’t do well enough in her exams to study psychology at university.  

However, as life unfolded, a new path pushed her towards a television career, landing her a role hosting the ITV Saturday morning kids' show Ministry of Mayhem’.

This led to her most notable show as host ofThis Morning’.   

Adele  

Adele is one of the biggest recording stars in the world.

She attended the prestigious BRIT school in London and did not get any A-Levels.

Adele has gone on to release 4 studio albums and won many awards worldwide including 16 Grammy's.    

A large crowd cheering, looking towards the stage at a concert where there are bright lights.

Simon Cowell  

Simon Cowell left school with just two O-Levels - the equivalent of two GCSEs - and dropped out at 16.

He began his career working in the mailroom at his father's company, EMI Music Publishing.  

Now, Simon Cowell is known for the hit talent shows X-Factor and Britain Got Talent, which have been franchised worldwide.  

Cameron Diaz  

Cameron Diaz dropped out of secondary school at age 16 to pursue modelling full-time.

She soon landed her first acting gig in The Mask and is now renowned for her roles in Shrek, There’s Something About Mary and Charlie’s Angels.  

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