Akasombo
People often look up to celebrities not only for their art but also for all that their life journeys entail. Like the rest of us, famous personalities experience varied journeys that lead them through changes both big and small; however, unlike everyday individuals, they tend to change more visibly in public view than in private. Teen idols such as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift have made history by publicly maturing before their fans’ very eyes; fans eagerly watch as their appearances and emotional growth unfold. According to Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, chief scientist of Sapien Labs, easier access to celebrities has only heightened interest surrounding them among younger audiences in today’s digital environment. Through social media, users can gather constant updates about them, giving the impression that they know them intimately, according to Dr. Thiagarajan.
Celebrities often keep fans updated on their personal lives through social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, sparking interest with before-and-after comparisons, throwback posts, and milestones these celebrities have reached. Many can relate to this, as celebrities have changed greatly in 10 years, both in appearance and public persona. However, fans remain loyal in celebrating every new landmark that defines those they adore.
1. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift seems to have come full circle over one decade. Though her recent releases are no doubt astounding, what may stand out is her return to earlier works that she released earlier. She began recording classic albums like Fearless and Speak Now under Taylor’s Version to gain back agency over their early recordings, which now belong to music executive Scooter Braun. Swift released several albums (even surprise ones!) between 2019 and 2023 that showed her appreciation to fans despite being embroiled in her feud with Braun, delighting fans with her statement, “My bad stuff was significant and damaging, while my good stuff will endure”. As she told Rolling Stone: “The bad stuff will eventually pass.
Swift gradually transitioned from teen idol to contemplative celebrity over time despite constant publicity regarding her romantic life and disputes with fellow artists like Kanye West. One constant was Swift’s iconic red pout. Though her artistry evolved along with adulthood, her signature look with its blonde fringe and figure hugging shorts has not wavered despite changing artistries significantly; country girl curls may have come and gone but in 2020 with “Evermore” and “Folklore”, Swift briefly returned to these roots once more with these visual depictions for her pandemic albums “Evermore” and Folklore”.
2. Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill started his early career primarily in comedy, but by 2013, he had found an ideal balance of humorous and serious films. This included both ensemble comedies like “This Is the End,” alongside fellow Hollywood funnymen; as well as earning critical acclaim with Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street”, for which he received an Oscar nomination – further attesting his impressive acting chops! As Hill told The Guardian in 2014: “I made an active decision not to repeat myself over and over – something people might tire quickly as would I,” as “I made conscious efforts not to repeat myself over and over.”
Hill appeared determined to live up to his claims over time, diversifying into various genres of films from biographical drama “War Dogs” to romantic comedies like “You People”. Additionally, his appearance also underwent a significant transformation. At first, the object of taunts and body-shaming jokes, Hill gradually shed weight with consistent effort over the years. “I don’t remember ever taking off my shirt in public until my mid-30s, even in front of family and friends!” he once revealed on Instagram (via ABC News). Although his weight continued to generate some attention among media members and audience alike, he rarely acknowledged it directly when interviewed or speaking in interviews; instead, he requested that people not discuss his body in media interactions and interviews.
3. Chris Pratt
10 years ago, Chris Pratt wasn’t exactly considered the dreamboat that he is today; that doesn’t mean fans didn’t love him, though! In particular, Andy Dwyer in “Parks and Recreation” became one of his fans’ favorites and certainly his favourite role (when asked by one fan about what gave him joy he mentioned his TV alter ego saying that he “loved everything about it”) As more time passed he gained more and more appeal among audiences through Marvel Cinematic Universe roles like Star-Lord.
Pratt’s career transformation required extensive physical preparation as he sought to recreate the appearance of superheroes from childhood that inspired his acting roles as an adult. “That was important to me in approaching this role – so I tried as hard as possible to look like them,” said Pratt to Pursuitist about this journey that consisted of eating protein-heavy diet and attending gym classes for nearly seven months until Pratt emerged transformed: leaner than before with improved mental wellbeing from fighting off issues of depression through working out regularly. His journey also enabled improved mental wellbeing by combatting issues of depression through helping combat issues from within himself as an actor, as an individual actor as an individual he has since continued working out regularly since making this significant career change!
4. Khloe Kardashian
Khloe Kardashian began rebuilding herself ten years ago after divorcing Lamar Odom, of L.A. Lakers fame. According to reports by TMZ, Khloe initiated their divorce proceedings herself and refused spousal support; additionally, she made no reference to Odom in any official documents she filed during that period. At that point, Kim was still embarking upon her reality television journey – her stepping stone into stardom was still “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” with new spinoff episodes with sister Kourtney being broadcast at this time. “Kourtney and Kim always received more attention in terms of styling, or they didn’t carry my size,” Kardashian lamented to Harper’s Bazaar about the fashion industry’s uneven standards for female sizes.
Fast forward 10 years later and she couldn’t look any more Kardashian. Although Kardashian’s transformation had taken years to achieve, the most dramatic example came at the Met Gala 2022, where she appeared wearing an extravagant figure-hugging golden gown designed by Jeremy Scott (per Daily Mail). Though her absence at the Met Gala 2023 was widely noted, Instagram continues to provide an outlet where she can show off her killer abs and ever-evolving styles.
5. Seth Rogen
Ten years ago, Seth Rogen was on an impressive roll. After making his film directing debut with the 2013 multi-star comedy “This Is the End”, which earned much critical acclaim, Seth ventured further with more ambitious projects such as the 2016 multi-star disaster comedy “No Escape: Part One.” “Much of this movie explores expectations about who we are as individuals,” explained director Sean Young in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. His second directorial effort caused quite an uproar when released earlier this year. North Korea took offense at Rogen’s portrayal of their nation in “The Interview”, issuing threats against both Rogen and Sony Pictures over Rogen’s depiction. A decade later, when reflecting upon this event on the “Hawk vs Wolf” podcast, Rogen noted how this event provided him with fresh perspectives: If someone gets mad over something online, that doesn’t count as controversy.”
In recent years, Rogen has not hesitated to explore new approaches both creatively and physically, such as pottery. He lost several pounds before, in 2021, shaving off his iconic scraggly beard and curly locks to post an unrecognizable selfie online and announce it with “New hair, same smoldering look,” receiving much applause from industry friends. Ironically enough, even before the pandemic hit Hollywood in 2017, bushy-hair Rogen could go about life seemingly unseen; “Before the pandemic struck LA aimlessly without anyone taking pictures,” as told to The New York Times in 2021.
6. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande has experienced a significant transformation during her decade on television – save for that iconic high ponytail! Around 2013, Ariana was making the leap from television starlet to pop icon. After wrapping “Victorious”, Grande released her debut album ‘Yours Truly”, which quickly became an international best seller. Grande told Complex at that time that musical theater is where she first pursued singing; acting was never her thing, so auditions for television became key in landing record contracts and becoming part of Grande’s platform to pursue music career goals. Grande had already ditched her signature red locks in favor of brunette shades when she began crafting the style that became iconic a decade later: co-ord sets and mini dresses quickly became staples among her ever-expanding fanbase.
By 2020, Bloomberg had declared Grande the biggest pop star worldwide; her meteoric rise across platforms earned multiple awards and recognitions, including two Grammys. Her romantic life also attracted much public scrutiny; this peaked when her former flame Mac Miller died of a drug overdose in 2018. This tragic headline was just one of many surrounding her life at that time; other examples being a suicide bombing at her concert in England that claimed several lives; in response to which Grande told Vogue, “I don’t even know what to say myself let alone about any of it to anyone else”. After the 2017 incident, she told Vogue, “I don’t even know what I feel.”
7. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has seen one of the most dramatic transitions in music over the past ten years. By 2013, she had shed her teen pop image for something darker, as evidenced by a drastic departure from Disney-Miley days! After “Bangerz”, which prominently featured her scandal-courting song, “Wrecking Ball”, Cyrus quickly made waves with her adult sensibilities. Scant outfits, cropped hairstyles and controversial moves (recall VMAs finger foam episode!) became Cyrus trademarks; and she reveled in it, rejecting critics and revelling in blocking out critics by making herself feel good by doing things which might otherwise cause others to shrug and shake their head: she told Elle Magazine in 2011 “whenever I do things which might make someone older shrug their shoulders; my fans go wild! And I feel honored to be that girl who gets people out of their comfort zones!”
Cyrus then engaged in an elaborate series of reinventions. She struck an artful balance between rocking out on stage while channeling some rather extravagant personas and devoting sufficient time and resources toward social causes. “Hannah Montana” alumni also addressed their sexuality amid constant media coverage about Liam Hemsworth – their longstanding romance was recently the focus of much press coverage. Fan interest surrounding Hemsworth and Cyrus had long been intense, reaching fever pitch with Cyrus’ release of her modern chart-smashing masterpiece “Flowers,” widely believed to contain references to Hemsworth. According to British Vogue, however, Cyrus prefers “a little fake it till you make it approach which I like a lot, thus distancing herself from speculation regarding their romance.
8. Zac Efron
Since 2013, Zac Efron appears to have experienced a significant change. At that time, he was beginning to emerge from substance addiction using rehabilitation facilities as support services. “I was drinking too much,” he shared with The Hollywood Reporter nearly one year after entering sobriety. “You know, when you’re single in Hollywood, it all just catches up to you and things just pile on top of each other.” Ten years on, Efron is still holding onto sobriety with open arms – and is happier for it. “What I found is structure. That led me to balance: You get out what you put in,” he shared with Elle magazine. Yet 2013 proved difficult due to numerous setbacks he endured, one being his near-death experience.
Efron’s ex-teen icon status had suffered after suffering from a significant fall near his home that year, which resulted in serious facial trauma that required medical care and emergency room intervention for his injuries. Efron explained to ET Online that his injuries “almost led him to death”, while simultaneously dispersing plastic surgery speculation on social media following their altered appearances. Efron nonetheless managed to reinvent himself with films like Neighbors and “The Greatest Showman”, both critically-acclaimed releases; then, as perhaps most drastically, in 2019, Efron transformed himself by taking on Ted Bundy in a biography biography about Ted Bundy that went mainstream – even becoming his biggest change from Troy Bolton personae!
9. Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson has always exuded an effortless charm and relatability that keep her at the top of her game for decades. From comedy films released between 2010 and 2016, to her fan-favorite Fat Amy character from “Pitch Perfect,” Wilson managed Hollywood like no one else with confidence and self-reliance—qualities that audiences have greatly responded to. Although the debate about her use of fat jokes remains prevalent today, Wilson stands by her choices unapologetically; in an interview in 2013, she noted: “As long as I look like this, I’ll make fat jokes!” she stated proudly while honoring diversity within Hollywood production for years.
Wilson underwent an impressive transformation nearly 10 years after her initial remarks regarding fertility by losing approximately 80 pounds, as part of an important milestone decision regarding fertility. “I just tried being healthier,” Wilson explained to People when recalling advice from her doctor that suggested motherhood might be within reach later. Wilson eventually welcomed a daughter via surrogate birth in 2022.
Wilson began her health journey in 2020, prompting fans to react greatly when she made appearances at red carpet events post-weight loss. Although Wilson acknowledged she may have been treated differently since losing weight, Wilson remains undaunted as she advocates body positivity with an emphasis on health, her mantra being: ‘celebrating all body types.
10. Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle has seen much in her short 10-year span; from American soap opera star on “Suits,” to rebel royal infuriating British authorities with her refusal to sign royal decrees and scandalous anti-royalism behavior. Her journey has taken many unexpected twists and turns since. Meghan became well known before 2016 through her episodic roles on some of television’s most enduring series, such as ‘90210’ and “CSI: Miami”. Her relationship with media attention and flashing lights was positive, as was her enthusiasm for public events. Marie Claire interviewed her and discovered her admiration of acting, making an ironic prediction about royally larger things to come: “Part of what makes it fun is being able to play dress up, immersing ourselves into something we normally wouldn’t. That is part of why acting can be such a blast!”
Meghan’s life took an abrupt turn when she married Prince Harry of the British Monarchy in 2016. As soon as they began living together, changes occurred to Meghan’s wardrobe, demeanor, and interactions with the public as a new royal-to-be bound by protocol – gone were bold lips, smokey eyes, and all black outfits which Meghan enjoyed wearing according to Glamour! Her wedding in 2018 brought further revolutionary change – her relationship with British media became difficult while accusations of racism within the royal family became an ongoing source of contention between family members themselves! Within 10 years, Meghan went from a universally liked television star to becoming an ex-royal family member; eventually becoming a globally divisive figure who turned out just how it all started!
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