Now that Selena’s achieved mega-babe status, it’s getting harder and harder to remember that she got her start as a Disney kid. The Spring Breakers star got to cross paths with a few TV legends growing up too – take a look!
She was named after a pop star
Selena Maria Gomez was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on July 22, 1992. Her look-alike mom named her after the ’90s singer Selena (basically the Madonna of Latin music), pretty much setting baby Selena up for her own run at stardom.
Her first TV role was with Barney
As a kid who grew up on Barney & Friends, I am mega jealous that seven-year-old Selena got to be one of Barney the dinosaur’s pals in 1999. While her real TV breakthrough was yet to come, she got to meet her BFF Demi Lovato on set.
First film!
At 11, Selena made her film debut in the opening scene of 2003′s Spy Kids 3D: Game Over with the least original character name ever: “waterpark girl.” At least she did 3D before 3D movies were cool, right? Way to stay ahead of the curve, Selena!
Thank you, Hollywood, for not keeping Robert Downey Jr’s smolder hidden behind a helmet for the entire Iron Man trilogy. That would definitely be a crime worthy of an Avengers-style beatdown. Let’s celebrate the latest chapter in the blockbuster series with some vintage RDJ cuteness.
He was an N.Y.C. baby
Robert John Downey Jr. was born in Manhattan’s trendy Greenwich Village neighbourhood on April 4, 1965. He got his great looks from his showbiz parents, director Robert Downey Sr. (Lion King-ing RDJ above) and singer Elsie Ford.
His film debut is adorable
Daddy Downey gave RDJ his first film role in his 1970 film Pound. Lil Downey has a very, erm, naughty line for a five-year-old! You’ll see what I mean . . .
He helped his director dad
RDJ moved to L.A. with his dad and kept up acting in his dad’s films. Two years after playing this muddy soccer kid in the 1980 comedy Up The Academy, RDJ got his dad’s blessing to try to make it as an actor back in N.Y.C.
He made bullies lovable
At 20, RDJ got his first break in Weird Science, a 1985 nerd power movie about two high schoolers whose experiments somehow turn a doll into the babe of their dreams. RDJ may be the bully of film, but how could you say no to those eyes?
He was on Saturday Night Live?!
If my parents let me, I would’ve put pink highlights in my hair after watching my first P!nk video. At a time when there was Britney Spears and people trying to be Britney Spears, P!nk brought (and still brings) a welcome rock bite to bubblegum pop. The “Just Give Me A Reason” singer always had a wild streak, and we’ve got the old school pics and clips to show it.
She knew she’d be famous
Alecia Beth Moore was born on September 8, 1979 outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to her dad, she loved singing around the house non-stop. He told Biography that when he’d ask her to be quiet, she said “Dad, I’m practicing. I’m gonna be a star some day!”
She was always tough
Don’t let that innocent smile fool you — by the time P!nk was 13 in 1992, she already started sneaking into clubs, had her first tattoo and her signature tongue piercing! Thanks to her military vet dad, she also knew how to break wrists if she had to.
She got her first gig by herself
When P!nk started writing songs at 14, she knew that wowing the crowd had to come next. She boldly made her own spotlight by walking up to the DJ at Philly’s Club Fever and asking him if she could belt between his set breaks. She blew everyone’s minds (duh) and got a regular gig on Friday nights.
She was in an R&B trio
If Britney Spears can survive 2007, Amanda Bynes can survive today. Can we really blame either star for their behavior with all that paparazzi pressure? Let’s step back from the tabloid haters and remember why we fell in love with Miss Bynes to begin with. The girl was born with the gift of comedy, and these vintage pics and videos prove it.
She could always get into character
Amanda Laura Bynes was born on April 3, 1986 in the greater LA area. This demure bride was one of the comedian-to-be’s first characters on Halloween 1995 when she was nine. ”I dressed up as a bride because I loved pretending to be a housewife,” she told People mag.
She wowed LA comedy clubs
Amanda started taking stand up classes at age seven at LA’s famous Comedy Store. At ten years old, she took the Laugh Factory’s 1996 comedy camp by storm with this literally laugh-out-loud routine about candy, school and…nose zits?
She was All That
James Franco is a wizard. No, I’m not talking about Oz - there’s just no way he can be an actor/director/model/producer/writer/teacher/philanthropist without some supernatural help. With all that he does, how does he even sleep? I just had to dig into James’ baby years to find out how the Spring Breakers star got his own break.
He wanted to do everything (surprise, surprise)
James Edward Franco was born on April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California. Lil James told his mom he wanted to be a “worker man” and dreamed of being a construction worker…then a football player… then a marine zoologist. Given his ever-expanding resume, I’ve got a feeling he’ll still end up with all those jobs.
He was a troublemaker who turned it around
Growing up, James did way more monkeying around than the toddler in this picture suggests. He led family pranks with his little bros, Tom and Dave, and got in trouble in school for graffiti and shoplifting. Luckily, James got out of it by high school and kept busy by watching plays instead.
He started acting for love
I love Leonardo DiCaprio for the same reason I love ice cream: there’s so many flavours! Whether your favorite’s the cute kid, the teen heartthrob, or the blockbuster star, you’ll love these pics and clips from the long-standing A-lister’s early acting days.
Born and raised in Hollywood
L.A. has been Leo’s home for literally his whole life. Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born on November 11, 1974 and grew up in the capital city of acting. The origin of his epic name? Apparently his mom was staring at a Leonardo da Vinci painting when she felt his first kick!
He could sell anything
Leo knew acting was his calling by his early teens. In 1988, 14-year-old Leo started starring in commercials for everything from Matchbox racing cars to Apple Jack’s cereal. His hair in this ad for Bubble Yum gum could easily fight Harry Styles’ flow to the death.
First film!
I was seven when I first saw Beyoncé sing and shake on TV. Even though she shared the stage with the three other members of Destiny’s Child back then, it was clear that Bey was the queen. With her doc Life Is But a Dream finally giving us a glimpse into her personal life, let’s check out the R&B diva’s evolution from talent show to Super Bowl show-stopper.
Destiny’s child
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born in Houston, Texas on September 4, 1981. Even though we’ve been saying Bey’s fabulous name for years, her family only let us in on its origin at the Life Is But a Dream premiere. Turns out it comes from her mom’s maiden name Beyince. Luckily for us, Beyoncé definitely has way more diva-worthy oomph.
She sang everywhere she could
One school play was all it took for little Bey to fall in love with acting, music and dancing. She became a choir and talent show queen, out-singing older kids and getting standing ovations since she was seven. Check out this clip to see eight-year-old Beyoncé werking a talent show in 1989!
First girl group!
Nine-year-old Beyoncé formed the group Girls Tyme with her cousin and future Destiny’s Child BFF, Kelly Rowland in 1990. The R&B gang included original DC members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. The girls perfected their dance moves in Beyoncé’s backyard when they weren’t wowing talent show crowds.
She wasn’t afraid to rock the stage Read more…
After watching Justin Timberlake class up the Grammys last night with his suited-up moves and one-listen-will-make-you-pregnant voice, I’d say JT is once again the hottest Justin the world. As we eagerly await his comeback album, let’s have our own 20/20 Experience into his old school days with these vintage pics and clips of lil Justin.
He’s a country kid
Justin Randall Timberlake was born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 31, 1981. His middle name comes from papa Timberlake, a church choir director who got Justin hooked on country tunes growing up. It didn’t take long for Justin to start belting Memphis saloon songs either…
His cute TV debut!
Before “Suit & Tie,” JT was all about cowboy duds and country twang. He made his TV debut at 11 on Star Search - a 90s American Idol for kids — in 1992. Even with a hat that looks like it could swallow him whole, he wowed the crowd with his take on the country tune “Love’s Got A Hold On You.”
He grew up with tons of celebs Read more…
My Hollywood crush on Jennifer Lawrence isn’t your average let’s-ride-horses-into-the-sunset crush. She’s just so down to Earth that I’d love to grab pizza with her as we dish on life and quote Mean Girls. As JLaw continues to sweep awards season, let’s find out how The Hunger Games star went from Southern kid to easy-going it girl.
She was a tomboy
Jennifer Shrader Lawrence was born on August 15, 1990 in Louisville, Kentucky. Don’t let nine-year-old JLaw’s cute fourth grade yearbook shot fool you. She had the nickname “Nitro” for playing so many sports: hockey, softball, horseback riding and even an all-boys basketball team.
She was discovered in NYC
Even as a middle school cheerleader in 2004, 14-year-old Jennifer didn’t think she’d make a living with her talent and good looks until a model scout spotted her on a NYC family vacation. ‘‘He took my mom’s number, and all of a sudden all these agencies are calling,” Jennifer said. “That’s when it all started.”
Her super sweet break on MTV
At the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night, Jennifer said the best day of her life was when MTV offered her the starring role in this promo for My Super Sweet 16 in 2004, the first step towards her Hollywood career. Sweet Jennifer playing a spoiled debutante? Now that’s good acting.
Justin Timberlake’s secret sister? Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
Smooth-talking, sure-footed Usher has been charming us with his upbeat dance tracks since the release of his first album Usher in 1994 all the way to 2012’s Looking 4 Myself. It’s no wonder the Biebs’ mentor also got his start at a young age. We dug up these cute pics and clips of the “Scream” singer to track his transformation into an R&B megastar.
His name sounds like royalty
Usher Raymond IV was born on Oct. 14, 1978 in Dallas, Texas. He was named after his father and kept the tradition going by naming his own son Usher Raymond V. Man, it must be tough to keep track of who’s calling who in their household.
His family believed in him
Usher was just nine when he joined his first singing group in 1987, a local church choir. His grandmother was so amazed by his voice that she convinced the rest of his fam to move to Atlanta, Georgia to help Usher get discovered.
He was in a boy band before 1D
When he was 11, Usher (the cute kid in white) got into an Atlanta boy band called NuBeginnings in 1990. It was a new beginning for Usher too — he made his very first record with the R&B group in 1991.
He killed it on this singing show Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
The only thing that could be cuter than someone with a guitar is someone with a guitar and an Australian accent (sorry Biebs). Lucky for us, Aussie singing sensation Cody Simpson has BOTH, so go ahead and treat yourself to these swoon-worthy pics and clips of the “Paradise” performer growing up in the land down under.
Brotherly love
Cody Simpson was born on Jan. 11, 1997 in Gold Coast, Australia. He has a younger sister named Alli and a little brother named Tom. Cody and his sister have been especially close ever since they were babies. “He’s always got my back and gives me advice and everything,” Alli said.
He could rock out early
Cody may not have had his trademark guitar when he was around three, but he loved rocking out to his toy one all the same as early as 2000. He graduated to his first real six-string when we was seven and played so well that his guitar teacher had to call his parents to gush about Cody’s skills.
My Little Cody? Read more…
Jill Krajewski
If there’s one thing better than Emma Stone’s down-to-earth personality, it’s her ability to play any part. She’s made us laugh, cry, hang on the edge of our seat, and now, she’ll make you “aww” with these pics and clips of her growing up.
She was born to act
Emma was born Emily Jean Stone on November 6, 1988 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She knew what she wanted to do right from four-years old. Even her trademark voice came early: ” I smoked when I was four,” she joked with NOW Magazine. “No, I screamed myself hoarse every day as an infant. I’ve sounded like this since I was a kid.”
She worked the stage
Emma’s no stranger to the spotlight – she started learning drama in Phoenix, Arizona in 1999 at the Valley Youth Theatre (she took acting classes there with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks!) and got her first role at 11 as the hairy-chested Otter in “The Wind In The Willows.” We love how she’ll do anything for a laugh!
She convinced her family to move to L.A.
When we say Emma’s sights were set on Hollywood after middle school, we mean it. Fourteen-year-old Emma gave a PowerPoint presentation to her family set to Madonna’s song “Hollywood.” to convince them she should move there for acting and it worked!
She survived reality TV Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
On top of being a smash-hit superstar, Taylor Swift is the kindest cutie with a guitar out there. The Red singer is even cuter in these childhood pics and videos! Read on to see your favourite country girl growing up.
She shows fans home movies
Taylor Swift was born on December 13, 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Her parents filmed so many home videos of her and her younger brother Austin that T-Swift made an entire music video with her baby tapes for “The Best Day.”
She was an active kid
Taylor was only nine months old when she rode a horse for the first time. She also started ballet – and striking the perfect pose – when she was just 2 in 1991.
She could belt at 11 Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
Before she fell hard for vampires, Kristen Stewart racked up tons of cute cameos and supporting film roles as a child actor. With The Twilight Saga’s Breaking Dawn Part 2 coming out this Friday, we figured it’s about time to look at K-Stew’s evolution from child actress to Twilight superstar.
She has a showbiz family
Kristen’s no stranger to Hollywood, considering she was raised in L.A. She was born on April 9, 1990 to a TV producing dad and script supervising mom. At first, Kristen wanted to work behind the scenes like her parents, but we’re happy she ended up on screen.
She practiced being famous
With a huge smile and even bigger shades, Kristen couldn’t be more of a diva in this shot from when she was about three. She even rehearsed being a star: “I always practiced my autograph because I loved pens,” Kristen said. “I’d write my name on everything.”
First Hollywood movie
After a year of auditions, nine-year-old K-Stew made her big-budget movie debut in The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas in 2000. Watch out for the the cutie tossing rings in the pink dress! A whole four seconds…
Breakout role Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
There’s no question Drake has made Canada infinitely cooler with his smooth rhymes and slick fashion sense. Turns out, he always had that swagger.
He had a baby fro
Aubrey Drake Graham was born in 1986 in Toronto. His family is just as musical as he is: his dad played drums and both uncles rocked the guitar.
Smiles for miles
Drake has been working the camera with his trademark grin since he was around two. He even used a picture from this sesh on the cover of his Born Successful mixtape in 2009.
Sk8ter Boi
Drake grew up playing right wing for the Weston Red Wings. “I’m a big Leafs fan and Toronto’s a great hockey city,” he told ESPN in 2010.
Best. Yearbook. Ever. Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
Singing, acting, dancing, modelling, general goodwill… is there anything Demi Lovato can’t do? The X-Factor judge and Unbroken singer got her start at an early age, and we have the pictures and videos to prove it.
She rocked this purple frilly dress
Demi Lovato was born in New Mexico in 1992. She grew up in Texas with her country music mom and little sister Dallas. Even as a baby, she could WERK it!
She was a beauty queen
After belting Celine Dion at a kindergarten talent show (say what?), Demi’s mom encouraged her to start doing beauty pageants. When she was eight, she won the crown for Mini Miss South Texas Cinderella in 2000. But really, she’s beautiful inside and out.
Barney predicted she’d play music
Demi’s big break came when she was offered the part of Angela on Barney and Friends in 2002. This clip is amazing because 1. Ten-year-old Demi (n the pink shirt) tells Barney she want to be in a band and 2. You get a bonus look at her BFF Selena Gomez playing patty-cake!
She was in control of her first interview Read more…
By Jill Krajewski
If you thought Katy Perry was cute now, wait till you see pics and videos of the “Wide Awake” singer growing up. Her movie Katy Perry: Part of Me comes out on Blu-ray and DVD Sept. 18 (that’s tomorrow!) so we decided to celebrate with a retrospective look at her rise to fame. Get ready to say awww.
When Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson aka Katy Perry was born in 1984, she had those signature, doe-like eyes we’re obsessed with. She grew up in Santa Barbara, California with her parents, big sister Angela and little brother David.
Katy was always into the spotlight and started doing kiddie beauty pageants in grade school. “I still wear those same outfits… and still have my hair and makeup done like that,” she blogged in 2009.
See her as a gleek after the jump
Jamie Lynn Spears
Jamie is best known as her lead role in Zoey 101 and younger sister of the legendary Miss Britney Spears. In 2007, she announced that she was pregnant with her daughter Maddie. That was probably the last time you heard from her. Spears left the limelight for a few years and moved to a quiet town in Mississippi, with her then boyfriend and first love, Casey Aldridge. Last month, Jamie took the stage at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN where she dedicated a song to her older sister Britney, “I Look Up To You.” Do you want to see an album from her soon?
Dylan and Cole Sprouse
You can’t forget these adorable twins from Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. They actually turn 20-years-old tomorrow (almost fully legal) and are both currently attending NYU. Seems like this group of guys (below) fan-boy hardcore while waiting for Dylan Sprouse to leave class. Not only was Dylan nice enough to chat and take a group photo with the fellas, he’s totally laid back and not so “Disney” anymore. I love how the guys break out into theme song as he continues to walk away.
Jonathan Lipnicki Read more…
