While there are some exceptions to the rule, celebrities don't tend to be born famous. Most of our favorite actors, musicians, and athletes were actually normal kids at one point in their lives, pretty much like the rest of us. But we cannot avoid experiencing a heartwarming feeling when we look at some of the utterly cute faces of our favorite superstars.

There's something inexplicably enjoyable about getting to know the rich and famous back when they were clueless, playful toddlers. That's why Dutch artist Ard Gelinck decided to start photoshopping celebrities next to their younger selves. His Instagram account is filled with well-made montages that have been getting a lot of attention from his followers and the media. In this list, we've decided to collect some of his best pictures and tell you all about the inspiring stories that go along with them. From former U.S.A. presidents to hugely popular child actors, let's learn more about the secret past of our favorite celebs, shall we?

Kanye West

While he often compares himself to 'Jesus' and 'God,' Kanye West was once a little boy. The megalomaniac rapper is an eccentric show business figure, but he's probably entitled to it. After all, his avant-garde production style and musical compositions have marked a generation and influenced many creative minds worldwide.

Besides being an artist, West is also a major celebrity, especially since he got married to the sensationally famous Kim Kardashian. The two make one of the world's most fascinating power-couples. Most recently, West has been dedicating his time to religion, gospel music, politics, and philanthropy.

Dwayne Johnson

It's not easy being a goofy kid, but you never know what the future holds for you. Dwayne Johnson used to wear gnarly shirts, have a crazy '70s hairstyle, and smile with a big pair of front teeth. But all the ladies that snubbed him back in middle-school are now probably drooling for him.

Yeah, the goofy kid became sensationally rich and good-looking. It's a widespread success story, but Dwayne took it to a whole other level! He started by making a name for himself as a WWE wrestler and has more recently become a top Hollywood actor. Show'em, kid!

Bruno Mars

Looking at this hilarious before-and-after picture, we can tell right away that Bruno Mars was a young boy who was destined to... groove. As a young child, Mars released his debut record in 1990. It was called Tomorrow's King, and the name couldn't have been any more accurate!

From a rock-and-rolling young musician to a bonafide pop hero, Bruno Mars grew up to become one of the world's top singers, performers, and composers. His 2010 effort Doo-Wops & Hooligans is a hit-filled top-seller, and his latest record, 24K Magic, got him three Grammys and the utmost respect of his peers.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin is one of the few celebs on our list that went from super-famous to not-so-famous. The young and playful Culkin was set to be one of the world's top actors after appearing in the box-office hit Home Alone. But he got so irrevocably connected to the Home Alone saga that he found it hard to make it as a grown-up.

Even though he's more famous for being a "former celeb kid" than for his current acting gigs, Culkin has continued to work in movies and TV series and even founded his own band in 2013. It was called The Pizza Underground, and it was a comedy-rock, pizza-themed satire band inspired by Lou Reed's The Velvet Underground. And yes, we're as confused as you right now!

Eminem

The movie 8 Mile is not officially supposed to be Eminem's biopic. But there are so many parallels between Eminem's childhood and the movie's plot; it's hard to believe it is not deeply personal. Growing up without a father and living in a mostly-black neighborhood, the young Eminem in the picture was forced to endure bullying, loneliness, and his mother's Valium addiction while growing up.

But he found solace in comic books and, later, hip-hop music. And when Eminem was no longer an innocent-eyed young boy living in Detroit, he decided to become one of the world's top rappers. His importance to the genre is not unanimous, but even the Eminem haters have to admit it: this man knows how to rhyme!

Jimmy Fallon

The talk-show host Jimmy Fallon has described his childhood as "idyllic," as you can tell by that little boy's ear-to-ear smile. In fact, Fallon has never stopped being in a good mood, not even as a grown-up. A New York resident, he's the son of a Vietnam war veteran who also used to sing in street-corner doo-wop groups.

Fallon probably learned something about show business from his father because his career has been more than successful. After making a name for himself in Saturday Night Live, he was given his own late-night talk-show and became one of the U.S.'s top entertainers.

Chris Rock

Growing up in a mainly white neighborhood, American comedian Chris Rock was often bullied by his colleagues, to the point of his parents deciding to move him to a different high school. But the outstanding entertainer is now showing the bullies who got it better: after all, he has a $100 million net worth and one of the biggest legacies in show business today.

After working many odd jobs, Rock finally found his place as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. From then on, it was only going up for the outstanding comedian. He became a stand-up comedy legend and worked in superb movies such as Down to Earth and Madagascar. He created the show Everybody Hates Chris in 2005, which is based on the misadventures of that lovely young man you can see in the picture.

Selena Gomez

As you can tell by the picture, the baby-faced Selena Gomez hasn't changed a bit over the years. Sure, she went from being a Disney cutie to becoming a bombshell young woman, but she still looks pretty much like the older sister of her former self.

Named after the Tejano singer Selena, Gomez has made a name for herself as an actress and a world-class singer and performer. At the age of 28, she's still one of the most relevant celebs in the world, and she has a bright future ahead. But above all, she's as hardworking as one gets: despite her young age, she counts with over 100 acting credits to her name.

Daniel Radcliffe

It's Gryffindor! One of the millennial generation's ultimate heroes, actor Daniel Radcliffe is still best known for his role as Harry Potter in the Harry Potter movies. A couple of ups and downs has marked his post-Hogwarts career, but Radcliffe is still beloved by the public, and we can't get enough of his friendly, laidback, and humble personality.

With a beard and a newly-acquired taste for the grittier roles, Radcliffe has recently appeared in the action-comedy movie Guns Akimbo and the thriller about a South African prison escape, called Escape from Pretoria.

Margot Robbie

The Land Down Under is known for its gigantic spiders and breathtaking natural beauty, but actress Margot Robbie is the one Australian product that's been really melting our hearts lately. This beauty from Dalby, Queensland, grew up as a farm girl with some killer bangs and worked many odd jobs as a teenager before making it as an actress.

She moved to the vibrant city of Melbourne at the age of 17 and eventually made it to her final destination: Hollywood. Known for her appearances in I, Tonya, Suicide Squad, and The Wolf of Wall Street, she is set to play the iconic Barbie doll in the upcoming movie Barbie.

Lady Gaga

The daughter of a successful Internet entrepreneur, Lady Gaga attended a private Catholic school as a child and learned to play the piano by the time she was four. But while Gaga's childhood was a near-perfect wealthy girl's dream, her musical career has been all but well-mannered.

Don't get us wrong; she made all the right moves and worked hard to become one of the world's ultimate pop symbols. But her ever-controversial videos, award-show appearances, and fashion choices got her the reputation of a real, disruptive artist. Lately, though, she's been saving on the make-up and meat dresses and has appeared with great success in the box-office hit A Star Is Born.

Mick Jagger

Guess what? Even bonafide rock legend Mick Jagger was a little kid once, and he already boasted the unmistakable swagger of his later self. Jagger was born into a middle-class family in Dartford, Kent, and soon enough found himself singing some catchy lyrics with the British band The Rolling Stones.

From a teenage sensation to an accomplished rock act, The Rolling Stones went on to become one of the world's greatest bands, much due to Jagger's charisma. Considered to be the tougher, grittier alternative to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones did something the Fab Four were not able to pull off: they stayed together to the day, even though 71 years have passed since they were formed in 1949.

Haley Joel Osment

How could we forget that face? The young Haley Joel Osment was perhaps one of the most accomplished child actors of all-time, with life-defining performances in movies as special as The Sixth Sense, Secondhand Lions, and Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence.

As a grown-up, Osment wasn't able to follow on the unprecedented success of his former self. He's still a hardworking actor, though, best known for his comedic appearances and for being great at playing overly nice characters. It's not going to be easy for Osment to go back to his heyday, but at the still-young age of 32, the former child superstar still has some room to improve and go back to being one of the world's most impressive actors.

Ariana Grande

From a beautiful brunette toddler to a long-haired bombshell of a woman, pop star Ariana Grande has never stopped surprising us. As a child, she grew up in Florida and performed at a cruise ship karaoke lounge by the time she was only eight. Not long after, she made it to the Nickelodeon TV series Victorious, where she got her breakthrough.

Ariana dreamed of recording an R&B album ever since she was 14, and she eventually got that chance. She grabbed the opportunity with all she had and started building a notable musical career. Today, she's a chart-topper with six original records to her name, including 2020's Positions.

Conan O'Brien

This little boy had no idea he would later become one of the U.S.'s best-known talk-show hosts. A proud redhead who never misses a chance to be funny, Conan O'Brien spent years making our nights feel a whole less dark with his funny comebacks and characteristic TV moves.

The little Conan in the picture may look like a mischievous young boy, but he was already a hard worker, serving as the managing editor of his school's newspaper. Later, he made it to the writing room of a show called The Simpsons. Since then, he has never stopped making America funnier.

Ed Sheeran

Yet another redhead making it into our list is the ultimate example of what happens when a nice laidback kid ends up becoming one of the most respected singer-songwriters in the game. Today, we all know Ed Sheeran. But we bet little Ed never imagined he'd be this famous one day!

Sheeran grew up in Halifax and may have learned a thing or two from his older brother, who works as a composer. In 2004 he started publishing his own songs, and in 2011, he achieved surprising international success. Since then, he's been one of those musicians you're always expecting to hear when you turn on the radio.

Neil Patrick Harris

Are those faces ever going to stop making us laugh? Whether he's a 16-year-old doctor starring in the comedy series Doogie Howser, M.D., or a full-grown adult getting all the ladies in How I Met Your Mother, Patrick Harris has been responsible for a fair share of our TV happiness in the last few decades.

From a talented child actor with a doctor's coat to Barney Stinson's iconic Playbook, 16 years have passed. But one thing has remained the same: Neil Patrick Harris continues to be one of the best actors you can ever have. And in 2021, this brilliant man will take his career a step further by appearing in the upcoming The Matrix 4.

Justin Bieber

If it weren't for the mustache, we'd be having a hard time telling these two apart. The baby-faced Justin Bieber continues to have a youngish look, mainly because he's still only 26 years old. Despite his age, he's been making headlines for what feels like forever now, all due to his unmatched popularity as a singer and performer.

One of the very first major artists to be discovered on the Internet, Bieber went from YouTube superstar to worldwide fame in the wink of an eye. Fame can tear someone apart, especially if you're very young, but Bieber was always able to hold up to his name and continues to be loved by millions of fans worldwide.

Taylor Swift

As a child, Tayor Swift was always a dreamer. Her goal of becoming a country superstar was backed up by her supportive parents, who moved to Tennessee to have a better shot at succeeding in the music industry. Initially known for being a talented young composer, it didn't take long before Swift could scratch every item on her bucket list.

With a bunch of Grammys, number one hits, and top-selling records to her name, the still-young 30-year-old is now one of America's most influential, polarizing, and successful recording artists. In 2020, two of her albums were listed in Rolling Stone's magazine highly-reputable 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Julia Roberts

Long before becoming Erin Brockovich, American actress Julia Roberts was a young girl living in Smyrna, Georgia. She wanted to become a veterinarian, but she ended up choosing the more exclusive and financially-rewarding profession of a world-class movie star.

Now a 53-years-old woman with a career as perfect as her smile, Roberts has done more than right by her dreamy young self. She has a net worth of $170 million and was named People magazine's most beautiful woman in the world a record five times! Nominated for four Academy Awards, she won Best Actress in 2001 for her iconic role in Erin Brockovich.

Leonardo DiCaprio

While some celebrities go through a huge transformation before becoming the best version of themselves, we're not sure Leonardo DiCaprio was ever not-extremely-good-looking and not-ridiculously-talented. The distinguishable young man in the picture was already making a name for himself in Hollywood by appearing in TV shows such as Roseanne and Outsiders and movies such as Critters 3.

From promising actor to Oscar gold, DiCaprio built an enviable legacy, including masterpieces to the likes of Titanic, Inception, The Departed, and The Wolf of Wall Street. In 2016, after many years without an Oscar, DiCaprio received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his appearance in The Revenant.

Emma Watson

When the first Harry Potter movie premiered, the world was presented to three fabulous young actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. And even though Radcliffe played the main character, Watson truly captured the hearts of fans throughout the following years.

Today, Emma Watson is a beloved young woman with a legion of fans and over 20 acting credits. In 2019, she grabbed the audience by the collars with her appearance in the critically-acclaimed epoch masterpiece Little Women. At the age of 30, Watson has a past she can feel proud of, but she's still an actress for the future.

Amy Winehouse

It's heartbreaking to look at the young Amy Winehouse here dressed as a ballerina and realize that her once-in-a-generation talent is no longer around. She grew up in north London and her maternal uncles, both jazz musicians, introduced her to the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Motown. That's where her music style was born and bred.

Later, Winehouse became a singer and composer, and her old-school soul songs fitted her iconic voice perfectly. Unfortunately, alcohol and drug addiction got in the way of what could've been a successful decades-long career. She died tragically at the age of 27, joining Kurt Cobain, Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin in the dreadful 27 Club.

Miley Cyrus

With country singer Billy Ray Cyrus as her father and country legend Dolly Parton as her godmother, it's no wonder Miley Cyrus has quickly become a best-selling musician. But before making a name for herself as a fearless stage performer, little Miley was putting a wig on and pretending to be Hannah Montana.

In a Disney show that seemed to replicate reality in a strange but entertaining way, Miley went on-and-off being a teen celebrity. In real life, Miley wasn't that lucky, and she spent most of her childhood at the center of a massive pop hurricane. Somehow, she got through without ever losing her unique personality, growing-up to become a highly-influential musician and stunning 27-year-old woman.

Billie Eilish

By the age of 18, Billie Eilish has already become a top-selling artist with five Grammys to her name and a legion of followers that seems neverending. And she did it all without the help of any major recording labels or professional composers.

In fact, she started recording and composing songs at the age of 11, alongside her talented brother Finneas. Not long after, she became an Internet sensation and started topping the charts with the extremely addictive pop tune "Bad Guy." The best part? She never had to use her body to promote her songs, shattering the traditional paradigm of the "steamy female pop artist."

George Clooney

Whenever you feel like you're too old to become a legend, just think of George Clooney. The ultimate definition of a late bloomer, Clooney had to work very hard to go from being a shy and awkward kid to becoming one of Hollywood's steamiest actors.

As a child, he was a fan of the ever-hip bowl cut hairstyle, and we wonder whether he was as popular with the ladies. After years of working in low-budget films and making short TV series appearances, Clooney finally got his big break as ER's Dr. Doug Ross. He was over 30 years old at the time.

Kim Kardashian

The daughter of O.J. Simpson's defense attorney Robert Kardashian and socialite Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian is more than used to being at the center of attention. She excels at staying relevant year after year, much due to her family's reality show and a great influence on social media.

Initially known as Paris Hilton's party BFF, Kardashian went from being a young B-List celebrity to become arguably the most famous socialite/Instagram superstar in the world. Today, at the milestone age of 40, she's a money-making machine with a curvy body that's capable of all, including "breaking" the Internet.

Robert Pattinson

The son of a model agency booker and a vintage car dealer, Robert Pattinson, learned how to play the guitar and the piano by the time he was four. But not many years after, when he was 12, he was expelled from his school for shoplifting explicit magazines. It was a dark point in the life of the English actor, who has always boasted a "bad boy" vibe.

But the young Pattinson would soon turn his life around. By the time he was 15, he was cast to play Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He wowed us with his Hogwarts spell, but things would get even better for the promising actor. In 2008 he made it to the Twilight saga, and two years after, he was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

RuPaul

"Don't get bitter, just get better." RuPaul's motto certainly applies to his own rise to stardom. It wasn't easy for the world's most famous drag queen to get right where he belonged. But once he did, everything changed. Hosting the popular gameshow RuPaul's Drag Race since 2009, RuPaul can be fairly considered the ultimate representative of queer culture in today's world.

As a kid, RuPaul boasted an afro and was raised by his Roman Catholic mom in California. He has three sisters and grew up in a house full of women. The talented San Diego-native worked very hard for many years as an underground musician and filmmaker before making it big time as show business's most fabulous celeb!

Rick Astley

The son of divorced parents, the iconic singer Rick Astley developed his baritone voice ever since he was a ten-year-old singing with the local Lancashire church choir. As a young man, he made many attempts at a successful musical career, including playing the guitar for a soul band oddly called "FBI."

In 1987, Astley decided to go solo and record a little song named "Never Gonna Give You Up." The result was an instant success that turned him into one of the household names of the late '80s pop scene. Most recently, his hit song has been revived all over the Internet, with Astley becoming a popular meme among the younger generations.

Reese Witherspoon

In case you can't tell by the candy necklace, American actress Reese Witherspoon had a happy childhood, which she described as a "definite Southern upbringing." From her home state of Louisiana to Hollywood, a young Witherspoon made her movie debut with 1991's The Man in the Moon, and the critics loved her.

Later, she starred in the 2003 comedy classic Legally Blonde, and she's been on the top of the world ever since. Most recently, Witherspoon has been making the transition from actress to producer, and she's already released two highly-successful TV series: Big Little Lies and The Morning Show.

Harry Styles

Harry Styles once said he had a "great childhood," and we can tell by his young face that he was accustomed to having fun as a kid. That naughty smile is not fooling us: this one was a playful prankster! But after growing up to become an extremely-talented teenager, Styles pulled off his ultimate prank when he joined the British TV contest The X Factor.

There, he was coupled with five other promising young singers to make the boy-band One Direction. After the show, the group sold millions of records and got the undivided attention of countless teenage fans, particularly young women. Now 26, Styles has been enjoying a still new but already successful solo career.

Michael Jackson

A man of many transformations, Michael Jackson, needs no introduction. The late pop idol was one of the world's most famous personalities for decades, all due to his massively successful singing career and brilliance in dancing and delivering a song.

There are many tragedies to his life, making it far from easy despite all of the money, accolades, and popularity. But we will not focus on the bad parts. The "King of Pop" had enough problems of his own, but he never failed to make the rest of the world happy with his never-ending collection of larger-than-life hits, which include songs such as "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal," or "Billie Jean."

Kate Moss

Kate Moss may be the number one reason you should never snub the shy girl in your class. She went from being a rather unnoticeable kid from Croydon, London, to become the ultimate super-model of the '90s and the face of a new type of expressionism in the fashion world.

Introduced as an anti-model due to her ultra-slim figure and punk-like attitude (in clear contrast with Cindy Crawford, for example), Moss has worked for most of the top fashion brands in the world. Despite being accused of substance addiction in the past and promoting an unhealthy type of body image, Moss is still the muse behind some of the fashion world's biggest moments in recent history.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Once a hopeful young child from the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Lisbon at a very young age to join the football (soccer) academy of Sporting Lisbon. At the age of 17, he played his first game for the senior team, and less than a year later, he moved to Manchester United, one of the world's top football clubs.

There, he was given a chance to nurture his talent and develop into a strong, physically adept athlete. In 2008, he won the first of his five Ballon d'Or awards and got rewarded with a then-record transfer to Real Madrid. He currently plays for the Italian side Juventus.

Sylvester Stallone

Back when the iconic action movie star Sylvester Stallone was still living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, he was just a little boy. But you can see it in his face: he already had the determination and the "don't mess with me" attitude that would later characterize his acting career.

Due to complications during labor, the little Sylvester was born with severe nerve damage, which caused the left side of his face to be paralyzed. But that didn't stop him from becoming a top Hollywood actor, with movie sagas as brilliant as Rambo and Rocky to his name.

Rob Lowe

What does being a good-looking man feels like? You should ask Rob Lowe, who's been famously melting hearts ever since he was a teenager. His jaw-dropping jaw-line was first introduced in the 1979 ABC sitcom A New Kind of Family, which starred a 15-year-old Lowe with a rather fresh hairstyle.

In 1983, Lowe appeared in the movie The Outsiders and became an immediate teen sensation. Since then, he's been one of TV's busiest actors, recently lending his name to shows such as Code Black, Wild Bill, Parks and Recreation, and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Janet Jackson

We would love to tell you all about how little Janet Jackson just used to play with her nine siblings in her birth town of Gary, Indiana. But in reality, she was a Jackson; practically born in front of an audience, Janet followed her brothers' footsteps and became a singer/actress at a very young age.

The second most-famous Jackson, right after a certain Michael Jackson, Janet developed into a beautiful, successful, and well-balanced grown-up woman despite her troubled and hardworking childhood. So far, she has a total of 70 acting credits to her name, as well as 13 original solo records.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has been famous for so long it's hard to go back to her days of anonymity. After all, she started when she was still very young. At the age of seven, she played little Gertie in the Steven Spielberg masterpiece E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and her life was never the same again.

While many child prodigies end up losing steam and falling into oblivion, Drew Barrymore has never stopped being one of the world's best-known actresses. Still acting today, she's about to star in the upcoming movie The Stand-In, and we cannot wait to see what her next move will be.

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

These two have been inseparable for so long it only makes sense to talk about both at the same time. After all, Mary-Kate and Ashley, most commonly known as the Olsen sisters, are not the same person, but it's close to impossible to tell the two apart! Over the years, they've grown accustomed to each other, but also their public personality. That's what happens when you start your acting career at nine months old!

They were just babies when they were cast to play a baby Michelle Tanner in the Full House sitcom. The show only concluded in 1995, by the time the twins were already two cute nine-year-olds. In 2020, the Olsen twins continue to be a household name, especially in fashion. Mid-pandemic, they wowed the celebrity media with their stylish Covid-19 leather masks.

Drake

Today's musicians know the drill: if you want a number one hit, just call Drake for a feat. But before becoming one of the most consistently successful musicians in the world, Drake was a nerdy kid with a big smile and some big glasses to go with it.

The son of Jerry Lee Lewis's drummer, Drake grew up in Toronto and spent most of his childhood with his mother. In 2001, he started helping pay the bills after being cast to appear in the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. After recording 100 episodes for the show, Drake was signed by Lil' Wayne's record label and found major success as a musician.

Dua Lipa

Coming from a Kosovar family of Bosnian descent, the English singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has always been surrounded by music. Her father organizes one of Kosovo's most popular music festivals. The young Dua (yep, her real name) grew up watching YouTube clips of her favorite pop artists, including Nelly Furtado and Pink.

Naturally, it didn' take long before Dua tried her luck in show business. Known for her infectious pop tunes and fashionable look, she topped the U.K. charts with the number one hit "One Kiss." In 2020, she released the record Future Nostalgia, which takes a new spin on the '80s retro sound and was received with widespread critical acclaim.

Prince Harry

Our list is filled with celeb kids who never had a chance to enjoy a typical childhood. But Prince Harry takes the notion to a whole another level. Born into the world's most famous family, the little Prince Harry was forced to endure the hardships of being a Royal and a child at the same time.

His childhood got even harder in 1996 when his mother, Diana, died tragically in a car accident. Most recently, Harry's been making headlines for his stepping away from the Royal Family, much due to the influence of his spouse, the former actress Meghan Markle.

Justin Timberlake

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Justin Timberlake was bound to be a star. He went from being a cutie with a big smile to becoming a hunky pop musician in less than two decades, but he was making a name for himself even before joining NSYNC's line-up.

He entered the TV contest Star Search at the young age of 11 and later made it to The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, where he had the company of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Ryan Gosling. Later, he collaborated with bonafide music producer Timbaland to release FutureS**/LoveSounds, which is still deemed one of the best pop records of the '00s.

LeBron James

He's a six-foot-nine, 250-pound beast, but we all know he's more heart than muscle. His name is LeBron James, and he's a four-time NBA champion who has just led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 trophy. He's arguably basketball's most famous athlete who's still competing, but how did it all start for the legendary American forward?

Born in 1984, little James was mostly educated by his mother, who struggled to pay the bills and moved from apartment to apartment. Eventually, she allowed him to spend more time with Frank Walter, his football coach. There, a passion for sports developed, and he eventually became one of the most promising high school basketball players in the U.S.

Adele

Dividing her childhood days between Tottenham and Brighton, little Adele seemed to be a happy kid in the United Kingdom, even when she was missing most of her front teeth! Obsessed with voices while growing up, she became a powerful singer herself, turning into a household name when she was only 19.

As a student, she was hoping to get into A&R (Artists and Repertoire). But destiny wanted Adele to be a superstar and showcase her beautiful ballads and vocal range to the whole world. So, that's precisely what happened. Today, she's considered one of the music industry's top singers, and she's won a whopping 15 Grammys already.

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes's notorious transformation over the years is bound to make every young kid with braces feel bright about the future. The Canadian musician learned how to play the guitar by watching YouTube videos, and his self-taught skills helped to turn him into one of the world's biggest post-Justin Bieber teen sensations.

Initially known for his romantic and innocent songs, Mendes later developed into a hunky young man with a seductive "señorita" by his side. At the ages of 22 and 23, respectively, musicians Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have got to be one of the world's steamiest celebrity couples.

Amy Schumer

A New York girl all the way, American comedian Amy Schumer was destined to make the world laugh. By the time she was in high school, she was voted "Teacher's Worst Nightmare" and "Class Clown" by her colleagues, but she didn't seem to mind it at all. Going against the prejudiced idea that women are not funny, Schumer proved to be one of the most hilarious American comediennes over the years.

Her stand-up routine is amazing, and her TV series and movies never fall behind. The 2015 film, Trainwreck, is a great example of just how talented Amy Schumer is. The favorite topics of this ever-funny Emmy Award winner? Everyday life, self-deprecation, and all sorts of female taboos.

David Beckham

The legendary David Beckham has admitted he never wanted to be anything else but a footballer while growing up. But to the surprise of many, he ended becoming more than just an athlete. He's also a masculine symbol, a husband, a major celebrity, and an ambitious businessman.

After making history playing for the England national football team, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, Beckham surprised everyone by suddenly moving to the U.S. soccer league. He joined L.A. Galaxy. After retiring, he continued to live in the United States. Most recently, he's been busy developing his own American soccer franchise, the Inter Miami.

Henry Thomas

The son of a homemaker and hydraulic machinist out of San Antonio, Texas, American actor Henry Thomas didn't have to wait long before landing the role that would define his acting career forever. In the picture, the young boy starred as Elliott in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, making as big of an impression as his "sister" Drew Barrymore.

Later, he found his place as a horror movie actor, frequently collaborating with the filmmaker Mike Flanagan. Most recently, you can catch up to Thomas by watching the popular Netflix horror series The Haunting of Hill House, which was created by Mike Flanagan.

Jennifer Aniston

Once dubbed as the world's most beautiful woman, the gorgeous Jennifer Aniston cannot complain about her genes. She was stunning even as a child, probably because of her rich Irish, Scottish, English, and Greek heritage. The daughter of the actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, Jennifer grew-up in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, before moving to New York City.

She was a promising young actress when she landed the role of Rachel Green in a sitcom by the name of Friends. In case you haven't heard about it, it has become one of the world's most iconic TV series of all-time!

Britney Spears

From The Mickey Mouse Club to the top of the show business industry, Britney Spears was able to turn herself into one of the most recognizable celebs in the world. Born in McComb, Mississipi, she was a hardworking kid who took singing lessons and constantly entered children's talent.

After making a name for herself with Disney, she decided to launch her music career, and she did so with whopping success. After selling millions of records in the late '90s and early '00s, Spears went through a well-documented spiral of public breakdowns and mental health issues. Fortunately, she was able to get over it all like a true champ. She continues to make music today.

Lionel Messi

In our list of celebs with their former selves, few have endured as little change as Lionel Messi, who's arguably the most talented football player that has ever existed. Hired by Barcelona by the time he was a teenager, Messi has continued to play for the Catalan club, where he won all the awards and became the ultimate idol.

His out-of-this-world stats are impressive to look at, but they still don't encompass Messi's full ability, game vision, and talent to move the ball around. His football career is likely near its end now, so you should probably buy some snacks and start watching some Barcelona games as soon as possible!

Rupert Grint

Representing the redheads, Rupert Grint started in the Harry Potter movies, playing the ever-funny but always friendly Ron Weasley. The least famous of the three Hogwarts friends, Grint's place in pop culture, is still undeniable.

Now a 32-year-old man, Grint, has continued to try to match the success of his former self. So far, he's appeared in many post-Harry Potter TV series and movies, including the Apple TV+ horror series Servant and the mega-production The ABC Crimes, starring John Malkovich. He's also made it to an Ed Sheeran music video and released his own music.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder was just a teenager when she gained international attention after appearing in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. Born in the city of Winona, Minnesota (hence her first name), Ryder was the daughter of two authors, and most of the older family members on her father's side were killed during the Holocaust.

Despite this gruesome heritage, Ryder grew-up to become a beautiful and talented young woman. With an acting career spanning nearly four decades, she's recently appeared in the TV series Stranger Things and The Plot Against America. Curious fact: she was blonde as a young girl, but she loved to dye her hair blue, purple, and brown.

Katy Perry

The daughter of two Pentecostal pastors, the beautiful Katheryn Hudson, spent her childhood in California. Inspired by gospel music and accustomed to struggling financially, the little girl in the picture would end up finding widespread fame after... kissing a girl?

As soon as Katheryn Hudson turned into Katy Perry and started singing the chart-topper hit "I Kissed a Girl," she never really left the spotlight. Working hard album after album, she made it as one of America's favorite pop singers, and she now the author of a collection of popular songs that's as good as it gets.

P!nk

Born to a Pennsylvania Jewish household, Alecia Beth Moore was a positive-minded kid who trained as a competitive gymnast up until she was 12. When she started high school, she found a new passion in life: music. She formed her own band and started writing lyrics that her mother would later describe as "very black" and "almost worrisome."

Fast-forward to the future, and little Alecia is done with sad songs. She is now an accomplished pop superstar with some catchy hooks, an-ever short hairstyle, and a moniker worthy of a legend. She's the one-and-only P!nk.

Zac Efron

How could we ever forget that cheeky face? Zac Efron made a name for himself after appearing in the hit Disney production High School Musical. As a young boy, he became the passion of every teenage girl out there, and the fact hasn't changed much with the years.

Now Efron is more than a pre-teen charmer, and his rock-solid abs have already impressed the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, who made him lift his shirt during a talk-show appearance. Besides being the most hardworking guy at the gym, Efron's also continued to appear in many top movies. In 2019, he made it to Harmony Korine's The Beach Bum.

Sarah Jessica Parker

A 17-year-old Sarah Jessica Parker played a teenage misfit Patty Greene to perfection in the short-lived sitcom Square Pegs. It was a milestone in the young actress's career, which debuted at the age of 11 in the movie The Innocents. But who could've guessed that the awkward teen in Square Pegs would end up becoming a major feminine symbol?

From the unpopular kid in Square Pegs's high-school to the sophisticated young adult woman in S** and the City, Jessica Parker has proved more than once that there's not an acting role she cannot pull off to perfection. In recent years, she's starred in the critically-acclaimed HBO series Divorce.

Aretha Franklin

The daughter of a nationwide-famous Baptist minister by the name of Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, the little Aretha knew what it was like to be surrounded by the most important personalities in her community. As a child, she got a chance to get to know Sam Cooke, James Cleveland, and even Martin Luther King Jr.

Accustomed to public performances and great vocal displays, Aretha went on to become an artist herself. But her talent wasn't about picking the right words; it was about singing with the right spirit. She ended up becoming a household name, and she was so R.E.S.P.E.C.T.E.D. by her peers that she was forever dubbed as the "Queen of Soul." She passed away in 2018, at the age of 76.

Alyssa Milano

Can you imagine being seven years old and getting dragged to an Annie audition by your babysitter? That's exactly what happened to the young Alyssa Milano. But the potentially tragic story turned into a dream-come-true: little Alyssa Milano was selected from more than 1,500 other candidates and spent 18 months touring with the play!

Rightfully feeling like a real actress, Milano would later appear in the musical adaptation of Jane Eyre and the movie Old Enough. Then she landed the role that would end up defining her career, playing Tony Danza's daughter in the Who's the Boss? sitcom. Still acting today, Milano also keeps busy with her work as an author, producer, and political activist.

Carice Van Houten

The sepia filter is probably not the best pick for a Carice Van Houten picture. After all, she's mainly known for having played the Red Woman in HBO's Game of Thrones. But long before Van Houten made headlines as the mysteriously savvy Melissandre, she was busy becoming one of the best Dutch actresses ever.

Passionate for the industry ever since she was that utterly cute little girl, Van Houten achieved international success after appearing in the 2006 thriller Black Book. She later made it to the U.S., where she was cast to play in Repo Men and the 2016 Dutch-English production Brimstone.

John Mayer

While most young boys start playing the guitar to impress the ladies, John Mayer did it out of a genuine interest in the instrument. Inspired by Marty McFly's Back to the Future guitar scene, a 13-year-old Mayer started playing his own songs and turned his passion for the blues into an impressive songwriting career.

Struck by anxiety at the age of 17, Mayer, the composer, was born. And the rest is history. At the age of 43, the Bridgeport, Connecticut singer has released multiple platinum records and continues to be a household name when it comes to beautiful, talented men with a guitar in their arms.

Jodie Foster

From a blue-eyed cutie to The Silence of the Lambs, Jodie Foster went from being a beautiful young girl to become one of America's most respected actresses. Born as Alicia Christian Foster, she received the nickname 'Jodie' early on, and it stuck until today. Her father was an Air Force lieutenant colonel and real estate broker, but she never really developed a relationship with him.

Jodie's parents separated before she was born, and the Panic Room actress was raised by her mother in Los Angeles. During the '70s, she was a teen idol, especially after starring in Disney's 1976 comedy-film Freaky Friday.

Viola Davis

A South Carolina native, American actress Viola Davis was arrested alongside her mother by the time she was two years old. Believe it or not, she was taken to jail for participating in a Civil Rights protest! Those days may be long gone now, but the grown-up Viola Davis has never forgotten her origins, and she's worked hard to make a name for herself despite all the discrimination that still exists in America today.

After starting quite humbly as an actress, she became a Steven Soderbergh favorite and made it to three of his movies. Later, she was cast to play the main role in How to Get Away with Murder and became the first black female to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Joe Jonas

You're going to have a hard time picking your favorite Jonas Brothers member. The three once-inseparable teenage sensations were among the world's most popular rock acts during the mid-'00s, much due to their association with the Disney Channel. While they weren't making it to the list of old-school rockers, the Jonas Brothers' records were a must-have amongst pre-teen boys and girls.

Joe Jonas was always one of the most popular of the three, and he got a big post-Jonas Brothers hit with the American band DNCE in 2015. In 2019, Joe married the Game of Thrones' actress Sophie Turner, with whom he had a daughter.

Nick Jonas

Guess who was also a lovely young boy back in the day? Like his big brother Joe, Nick Jonas was a teenage heart-throb with enough talent to top the charts alongside his equally-talented brothers. But ever since the Jonas Brothers separated, Nick's been working hard in several musical and acting projects.

He released a solo record in 2014 and co-founded his own record label, Safehouse Records, just one year later. In 2017, he added a big entry to his acting record (which already included the movies Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam) by making it to the cast of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Kevin Jonas

They say third time's the charm, and we couldn't mention the other two Jonas Brothers without talking about Kevin. Despite being the least famous of the three, the talented musician/songwriter was vital in the teen rock sensation's success.

After the 2012 Jonas Brothers' hiatus, Kevin went on to star in the reality-show Married to Jonas and appeared in the 2014 edition of The Celebrity Apprentice, where he was "fired" by the then-future President of the United States, Donald Trump. Named one of the world's steamiest men alive by People's magazine in 2008, Kevin is now busy working as the co-CEO of the marketing company The Blu Market and taking care of the two young children he shares with his wife, TV personality Danielle Jonas.

Lewis Hamilton

Remember when we all used to think there was never going to be a better race car pilot than the German legend Michael Schumacher? Well, Lewis Hamilton is the kid that came around to prove us all wrong. Inspired by fast cars ever since he was very young, Hamilton worked very hard to become a Formula One household name.

With the support of his father and former manager Anthony Hamilton, Lewis competed in karting, Formula Renault, Formula Three, and GP2 before joining the big boys in Formula One. Since then, he's collected six championships, 93 first places, 162 podiums, and 3713 career points.

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Is there any answer to the question "who's your favorite The Cosby Show character" other than Rudy Huxtable? Played by the lovely Keshia Knight Pulliam, the little Rudy was one of the main reasons why the sitcom became such an American classic in the '80s.

At the age of six, the talented actress from Newark, New Jersey, became one of the youngest actresses ever nominated for an Emmy award. After The Cosby Show ended in 1992, Pulliam appeared in multiple TV movies, such as Christmas at Water's Edge and Will to Love. In 2006, she made it to the cast of Tyler Perry's sitcom House of Payne.

Matt Lucas

The unmistakable and hilarious Matt Lucas is one of England's funniest and most talented actors. But he had to overcome a lot during his childhood. Struck by alopecia at six, the little Lucas lost all of his hair quite abruptly. To make it even worse, he lost his father to a heart attack when he was only 22.

But life's hardships never got in the way of Lucas's success. He soon started collaborating with funnyman David Williams on the highly-successful BBC sketch comedy series Rock Profile. Since then, he's never left the spotlight, and he's particularly known and beloved in the U.K.

Louis Tomlinson

You'll have to excuse the lazy pun, but we have no doubt Louis Tomlinson's life could've only gone in "one direction." The boy from Doncaster, England, has admitted he was never suited for academic life; fortunately, he doesn't need a college diploma to make it as one of Britain's most successful pop artists.

Tomlinson's adventure of a lifetime started in 2010 when he auditioned for The X Factor. There, he was paired up with other extremely talented young musicians to form the smashingly successful boy band One Direction. In 2015, the band split, and Tomlinson made it a solo musician and a The X Factor judge/mentor.

Ralph Macchio

Few child actors on our list have the swagger of a young Ralph Macchio. The talented young man got his breakthrough on the TV series Eight Is Enough, but Karate Kid was the role that really changed his life forever. Making it to the three original Karate Kid movies, Macchio became a household name in Hollywood.

In 1986, he quit the karate gi outfit to become a young blues musician in the movie Crossroads. Later, his career hit a rough patch. Still, soon enough, he was able to get back to the spotlight by appearing in the critically-acclaimed musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Macchio has recently appeared in the HBO series Entourage as himself and competed in Dancing with the Stars.

James Corden

A blue-eyed cutie ever since he was a little boy, English actor/comedian James Corden has conquered our hearts with his good mood, laidback comedy style, and talk-show hosting skills. Now leading The Late Late Show with James Corden, the London-native comes from a Hillingdon middle-class family and grew up alongside two sisters.

His first stage appearance happened in 1996, with the musical Martin Guerre. Corden was only 18 at the time. Later, he made it to British television with two funny and popular series: Fat Friends and Gavin & Stacey.

Max Verstappen

It's not that hard to picture Max Verstappen's childhood. The son of the Dutch Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, Max was raised among the racing tracks, the fast cars, and the exhilarating speed. Unsurprisingly, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional racing driver.

In 2015, at the Australian Grand Prix, a 17-year-old Max Verstappen became Formula One's youngest-ever competitor. One year later, he became the first Dutch driver to win an F1 Grand Prix. By doing so, he quickly overcame the success of his ultimate idol, daddy Jos Verstappen. He's now 23 years old and is still competing.

Fred Savage

The hardworking Fred Savage started his acting career when he was only nine years old. He first appeared in the TV show Morningstar/Eveningstar and later landed the role of Kevin Arnold in the coming-of-age drama The Wonder Years, which is still the best-known part of his career.

As a grown-up, Savage never quite met the expectations that were perceived of him back when he was just a little kid. Nevertheless, he made it to many TV series and movies, including American Dad (as a voice actor), Deadpool 2, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and Friends from College.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

A fan of the Brazilian striker Ronaldo, the young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, grew up in the Swedish port city of Malmo. As a teenager, he spent his time alternating between his work at the docks and his promising football career. When he was 15, he thought of quitting the sport, but his manager convinced him not to. The result? He became one of the most sensational football players in the world!

Known for his acrobatic goals, megalomaniac attitude, and uncanny versatility, Zlatan made it to clubs like Internazionale Milano, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Juventus, and Ajax throughout his career. Today, at 39, he's still an impressive player, and he's the current center-forward of the Italian side AC Milan.

Lily Collins

Even though she's kept the recognizable surname of her famous dad, the musician Phil Collins, the little Lily was mostly raised by her mother, the socialite Jill Tavelman. After her parents' divorce, a seven-year-old Lily moved with her mom to L.A., a city where it's easy for one to dream of becoming a movie star.

She started her acting career in 1992 and appeared in many horror movies before portraying J.R.R. Tolkien's wife Edith in the 2019 biopic movie Tolkien. In 2020, she was cast to star in the highly-popular Netflix series Emily in Paris, which has been getting a lot of public attention.

Sir Cliff Richard

Before being known as Sir Cliff Richard, a young Cliff was trying to adapt to his new life in the United Kingdom, after spending most of his childhood in the Indian city of Hazratganj, where his father worked as the Indian Railways' catering contractor. It was there he was given his very first guitar, at the age of 16.

Teenage Cliff was a passionate rock and roll fan, and it looked like he had the skills to compose and perform his own rock and roll songs. At the age of 80, he is still working as a musician, and he's the U.K.'s third top-selling artist of all-time, only falling behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Doutzen Kroes

A Dutch model, actress, and philanthropist, Doutzen Kroes is best-known for her association with Victoria's Secret and stunningly statuesque physique. Coming from the Dutch village of Eastermar, Kroes wanted to be a speedskater while growing up.

But eventually, it became clear that Kroes was better at walking beautifully on the runway than she was at doing tricks on wheels. Even as a very young girl, her looks were unmistakable: that's the face of a woman who was destined to become a supermodel! In 2014, Kroes was named Forbes' magazine second top-earning model after making a whopping $8 million in just one year.

Niall Horan

The son of divorced parents, Irish musician Niall Horan taught himself how to play the guitar by watching YouTube tutorials. By the time he was 16 years old, he had decided to showcase his singing talents to the whole country by appearing in The X Factor. There, he was paired up with talented young musicians to form the whoppingly-successful boy band One Direction.

Millions of records sold and thousands of melted hearts later, the hunky Horan was rightfully considered one of the U.K.'s most promising young pop stars. After One Direction's 2016 hiatus, Horan released his debut record, Flicker, which debuted at number one in his home country of Ireland.

Tom Felton

You thought we were going to forget about Draco Malfoy? Never! Despite playing the ever-annoying Slytherin bully, Tom Felton deserves as much credit as any other Harry Potter child actor on our list because he did an amazing job. After all, it's not easy portraying a despicable character as brilliantly as Felton did.

That may help to explain why Felton's career has never been through a rough patch, not even after the last Harry Potter movie was released. Ever since he "left" Hogwarts, Felton has appeared in many outstanding productions, including the Hollywood blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the horror movie The Apparition.

Usher

Credited as the man who discovered Justin Bieber, R&B singer Usher is now having fun with another super-promising music idol. But wait, isn't that little one Usher himself? Yes, he is! Young Usher spent most of his childhood days in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before moving to Atlanta to become a singer.

Like many young boys and girls who end up making it in show business, Usher learned about his unique vocal skills by singing at the local church choir. He joined his first music group, NuBeginnings, at the age of ten. But he only made it as a big-time singer when he released his debut solo album in 1994. He was only 15 at the time.

Debbie Gibson

In 1987, a 17-year-old Debbie Gibson released her debut record, Out of the Blue. And could she have picked a better name? Coming out of nowhere, Debbie became the youngest musician ever to write, perform, and produce a Billboard Hot 100 Number one single.

A nice girl from Brooklyn, New York, the young Debbie was able to keep up to the sudden success without losing herself in the dangerous gears and grinds of fame. Today, she's a beautiful 50-year-old woman who still works as a professional musician. Her latest single, "Girls Night Out," was released in 2019.

Queen Máxima

Ruling in the same country our Dutch photo-wiz Ard Gelinck comes from, Queen Máxima may not be as famous as the women in the British Royal Family, but she's perhaps even more elegant and beautiful. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the little Máxima came from a family of powerful South-American statesmen and politicians.

In 1999, she traveled to Seville, Spain, where she met a nice man who introduced himself as "Alexander." Only later, she realized he was the heir to the Dutch throne. In 2002, Máxima married the Dutch prince William-Alexander and was granted Dutch citizenship. On 30 April 2013, she became the Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

Ard Gelinck

We couldn't end our list without including this marvelous image of the one-and-only Ard Gelinck. The cute little Gelinck was born in 1974 before Photoshop was even invented. But that didn't prevent him from becoming a photo-editing wizard with a liking for celeb pictures.

Now an Instagram superstar, Gelinck counts with over 290K followers, and his edited pictures can be seen all across the Internet. He's not as famous as the men and women he honors every day on his social media page, but he's the man we all have to thank for our incredible collection of celebrities alongside their former selves.