Celebrities Who Were Unrecognizable 10 Years Ago
There are some celebrities who we can always rely on to look the same, no matter how many years go by (think Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez). But many celebrities, especially those who have been in the spotlight for a very long time, tend to change up their look and style throughout the years. Sometimes they change so much that they end up looking like a completely different person.
The following stars have changed so much in the last ten years that it's almost hard to believe the old photos of them are real. Some grew up and went through puberty during this time, so the huge differences in their look make a lot of sense. Others went on weight loss journeys, and many of them changed up their style by opting for mature clothing and some hair changes. Whatever they did, one thing is for sure: they all look fantastic. Take a look at some of the celebrities who went through serious transformations since 2008.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is known for a specific look: red lipstick, a subtle cat-eye, and trendy mini-dress. But back in 2008, Swift looked like a completely different person. Take Swift's first MTV Video Music Awards appearance in 2008 as an example: she showed off voluminous curls, a swooping side bang, glossy lips, and a pretty, feminine maxi dress. Ten years ago, that was a standard Swift outfit and beauty look that everyone expected.
Swift's style and brand has changed drastically in the last ten years. The transformation began in 2014, when she made the musical shift from country to pop and showed up at the American Music Awards with a bob. In 2016, she shocked everyone by appearing on the cover of Vogue looking very different in a super short platinum bob, bright red lipstick, and a slinky gold dress. Swift had ditched the curls, the side bangs, and the chaste dresses for a sexier, more grown-up look. And, as Swift sang in "Look What You Made Me Do," the old Taylor won't be coming back.
Jonah Hill
In 2008, Jonah Hill seemed to be at the top of his game with roles in movies like Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall under his belt. He also looked drastically different than he does now. Hill was considerably heavier, and his uniform of choice for events and red carpets seemed to be graphic t-shirts and jeans. In one photo on Us Weekly from a 2008 red carpet, Hill has a much curlier hairstyle going on and looks pretty disheveled.
Fast forward ten years later, and Hill is a new man. He has lost a lot of weight, his style has become more mature and put-together, and he cut his hair — although he still rocks the glasses on a regular basis. Hill's weight has fluctuated a bit in the last few years, but he has always been open about his weight loss journey. In a 2018 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Hill said, "I'm under construction, like we all are. We're all just trying to figure it out."
Chris Pratt
Ten years ago, Chris Pratt was known for his role on Parks and Recreation, where he was seen as the chubby and goofy, but lovable, Andy. Pratt usually arrived at red carpet events with slightly messy curls and suits that never seemed to fit quite right. Old photos from 2008, like these ones on Digital Spy, show off his scruffy facial hair as well.
Since 2008, however, Pratt has gone through a major transformation. In 2013, he lost a lot of weight and seriously toned up his muscles for his role as Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy. That year, Pratt shared a shirtless gym selfie on his Instagram page with quite a different build, writing, "Six months no beer. #GOTG. Kinda douchey to post this but my brother made me." According to an interview with Pratt's trainer, Duffy Gaver, on Muscle and Fitness, Pratt lost about 60 pounds and got shredded. In 2018, Pratt slimmed down, his facial hair is considerably less scruff, and his suits are tailored.
Khloe Kardashian
It's no secret that Khloe Kardashian has changed up her entire look, from her style to her hair to her weight. Back in 2008, Kardashian had dark brown hair, a heavier build, and a very different approach to fashion. A photo of her from a 2008 red carpet event in a leopard print dress and another one of her in a bejeweled caftan in Miami are proof of that.
A lot has changed for Kardashian. Ten years later, she has platinum blonde locks, an edgier and less overtly trendy style, and even a different body. Kardashian has been open about her weight loss journey, chronicling her daily workouts, and talking about how she changed her eating habits. In January 2018, she posted a before and after shot on her Instagram page with a long caption about her weight loss, saying, "I am so proud of myself for being stronger than I've ever been — mind, body, and soul. I am even prouder of myself that I've been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle for so many years."
Seth Rogen
Ten years ago, Seth Rogen was still just getting his start in the entertainment industry, and his style kind of reflected that. In photos from a 2008 comedy event, Rogen is pictured with scruffy facial hair, a curly mop on his head, square black glasses, and he's also noticeably heavier. He's also wearing a plaid shirt to a red carpet event.
Rogen has grown up a lot, and it shows. In 2011, Rogen lost and obviously amount of weight for his role in The Green Hornet. He told The Long Island Press that it was due to "diet and exercise," joking, "Uh, stay fat, people. That's my motto. It's no picnic!" Since then, he's kept the weight off. In December 2018, Rogen shocked fans when he tweeted a photo with almost no beard and a different hairstyle with the caption, "I shaved." Even when he wears his glasses, which he still does often, Rogen still looks like a different, more mature actor.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is one of the world's biggest pop stars producing hit after hit. But about ten years ago, she had a much more innocent image as a Nickelodeon star for shows like Victorious and Sam and Cat. Looking at photos of her back then is like looking at a different person: as seen in photos on ELLE, she used to have dark curls, and then she had bright red hair at various lengths for a while there. Her style was younger, more trendy, and playful as well.
After going through puberty and growing up in front of everyone, Grande totally changed her image. She dyed her hair (the color changes from blonde to brown to red fairly often) and she started wearing very long extensions, which she had to defend in 2014. Grande also opted for a sexier way of dressing, trading in shimmery dresses for her typical "uniform" of thigh high boots, a short mini-skirt, and a crop top — and, of course, her always-present high ponytail.
Miley Cyrus
Ten years ago, Miley Cyrus was still a Disney darling, and her physical appearance matched the part. She had very long dark hair that was often worn in loose curls, and she usually showed up to events in casual outfits of jeans and t-shirts, throwing up the peace sign with her fingers. Cyrus was pretty much the definition of innocent and adorable.
As she grew up, though, Cyrus went through a serious transformation, and if you saw her in 2018, you might not even realize she's the same person as her Hannah Montana days. After leaving Disney behind, Cyrus rebelled by showing off her tattoos, opting for a sexier style, and trying out new music. She shocked everyone by appearing nude in her video for "Wrecking Ball" and by twerking with Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMAs. Today, Cyrus is still changing, and although she still has an edgier style, she looks more mature and put together than ever before, as evidenced on her Instagram.
Zac Efron
In 2008, Zac Efron was still considered to be another Disney Channel teen dreamboat, and he looked the part. In photos of Efron from the High School Musical premieres, he's sporting a swooping side bang haircut, more casual clothing, and a generally younger look, which isn't surprising, considering he was ten years younger.
As Efron grew up, though, he took on a more serious and mature image. In 2010, photos of Efron shirtless at the beach surfaced, showing a more toned physique. In 2017, his trainer told Muscle and Fitness that Efron had reached 5% body fat. In 2018, Efron is even more toned — he had to add on a lot of muscle for his role in The Beach Bum, which his trainer told Men's Health is due to "altering cardio sessions and completing several two-a-day workouts." Efron also looks different thanks to his facial hair, the lack of swooping bangs, and his more grown-up sense of style.