It’s amazing to think that some of the celebrities that we see and hear about every day, once began their careers in very humble ways. Still, it makes sense. Success doesn’t happen overnight, after all, and it takes a certain something to make it in this world.
Each one of the people on this list certainly that the certain something or other that propelled them from those humble beginnings to the world-renowned celebrities that we know, love, and of course, discuss, today…
Just a Kid-man
This Academy Award-winning actress wasn’t always the superstar we know her as today. She was once a frizzy-haired young girl without a movie role in site.
Practically Magic
In time though, Australian born Nicole Kidman really came into her own and became iconic in her industry. She even ended up marrying fellow Australian superstar, Keith Urban.
Jen is the Law
As a child, Jennifer Lawrence spent much of her leisure time honing her skills in church plays and school musicals. She would eventually cash in that talent in much more lucrative ways when she was found by a talent agent in NYC at age 14.
A Certain Mystique
Lawrence has made an impressive career by playing strong, female characters like Mystique from the X-Men films or the titular Russian assassin in “Red Sparrow”.
Fox Before The Fame
Megan Fox’s acting career began as a teen in 2001. But everything changed in 2007 when she got the lead role opposite Shia LeBeauf in “Transformers”.
Transforming a Career
After leaving the tired Transformers franchise, Fox found herself in a new franchise playing fearless reporter April O’Neil in the reboot of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies”.
The Original Kardashian
In the early ’90s, you’d have never guessed that Kim Kardashian would end up becoming one of the most recognizable celebrity socialites in the world.
Media Phenom
Kardashian first gained media attention from her friendship with Paris Hilton, but found her own fame when her family got their own reality show. Today, she has tens of millions of followers on Twitter and has made more than $52 million.
Compelling Stare
Olivia Wilde wasn’t always the star we know her as today…
Thirteen Chances
Today, the woman known for playing Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley on “House” has risen to be an accomplished actress, model, producer, director, and activist. She’s even performing on Broadway these days.
Barney’s Kids
Many people may not know this, but household name Demi Lovato began her acting career as one of the children on the popular children’s television show “Barney & Friends”
Gaining Strength
Despite some recent emotional troubles, the singer, songwriter, and actress has come out of her depression stronger than ever thanks in part to her legions of supportive fans.
Young Kylie
The youngest of the Kardashian sisters, Kylie Kristen Jenner has come a long way from the little girl first portrayed on the show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
Filling the Kardashian Ranks
Today, Kylie Jenner is, like so many of her siblings, an accomplished model, socialite, social media personality, and even an entrepreneur with her own clothing line at PacSun.
Bella Before
Los Angeles born Bella Hadid may have been voted as Model of the Year in 2016, but she still had to go through her teenage years before her big break.
One of the Best
Today, Bella is one of the most sought after young models in the industry.
Gorgeous Gigi
Jelena (Gigi Hadid) emerged on the modeling scene a few years before her equally famous younger sister, Bella.
A Model, Model
Like Bella, Gigi was also named International Model of the Year a few years into her career by the British Fashion Council.
Washington Before
“Scandal” star Kerry Washington wasn’t always the acting phenom who brought us crisis management expert Olivia Pope. She had to cut her teeth on the industry just like everyone else.
Award-Winning
Today, Washington has been nominated for two Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe, and even a Screen Actor’s Guild award.
Rick Rolled
Rick Ross is currently one of the most talented rappers out there today, but he started in the game as green as anyone else.
The Hottest MC
Ross found fame after making several hip hop hits, soon becoming, as MTV coined him, the “Hottest MC in the Game”.
Simply Paris
The former star of “The Simple Life” wasn’t always the celebrity Renaissance woman she is today.
Many Stylish Hats
Today, the famous hotel heiress has bloomed from a mere socialite to a businesswoman, singer, model, and actress. She’s even dabbled as a disc jockey.
Funny Man Pete
SNL funnyman Pete Davidson started out his career as a comedian and actor on a number of MTV shows but eventually made it onto “Saturday Night Live” in 2014 at the tender age of 20.
Dis-Engaged
Davidson became somewhat of a household name for being one of the best comedians on SNL.
iCarly Alum
Many don’t know that model/actress Emily Ratajkowski first began her career acting on the set of popular Nickelodeon television show “iCarly.”
Blurred Lines
From there, Emily went on to appear in Robin Thicke’s number one single, “Blurred Lines.” This, of course, skyrocketed her career into the stratosphere.
Olivia on the Scene
Olivia Munn didn’t get into the media with dreams of becoming an actress, she actually emerged onto the scene as a television journalist.
Psylocked In
After co-hosting “Attack of the Show” in 2006, Munn found herself receiving all sorts of offers including working on the “Daily Show” and playing Psylocke in “X-Men Apocalypse.”
Early Ellen
Ellen started her stand-up career in the early 1980s.
Still Dancing
Today, Ellen’s talk show is one of the most watched in the world.
Degrassi
The singer known as Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, actually began his career on the teen drama TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”
Hotline Bling
These days, the Canadian born rapper has one of the most recognizable sounds in the business and has a net worth of over $100 million.
Tekashi69
Daniel Hernandez, otherwise known as 6ix9ine, Tekashi69, or Tekashi 6ix9ine wasn’t always the successful rapper he is today.
Rainbow Hair
Known for his distinctive rainbow-themed look and tattoos, Tekashi 6ix9ine has recently emerged as one of the most unique voices and appearances in the industry.
Another Kardashian?
Like her siblings, Kendall Jenner emerged on the scene from the TV show: Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
Original Instagirl
Kendall quickly became a world-famous model and one of the first true members of the Instagirl era.
Storming the Industry
Cara Delevingne left school in 2009 at the age of 17 in order to become a model for Storm Model Management. Four years later, she became one of the most recognizable faces in the industry.
Enchanting Actress
Since leaving modeling, Cara has become an actress and singer in her own right, starring in movies like “Suicide Squad” and Luc Besson’s “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.”
Klosing out Kardashians
The last Kardashian on our list is by no means the lesser of five Kardashians. She turned her role on her family’s show into a full-fledged career.
Successful Sisters
Khloe and her sisters have emerged onto the scene as true stars, socialites, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs.
Suitcase Gal
Meghan Markle started out holding suitcases on Howie Mandel’s “Deal or No Deal” game show, but the would-be duchess soon took to new heights.
A Remarkable Duchess
Today, Meghan is an official member of the British Royal Family and is touring the world with her prince husband.
Marshall Mathers
Born Marshall Mathers III, the rapper known as Eminem showed up on MTV in the late 90s and shocked everyone with his honest, clever lyrics and singular style.
Slim Shady
Today, the songwriter, actor, and record executive is as world-renowned as ever, proving once again that there truly is only one “Slim Shady.”
Underwhelmed
When she first tiptoed her way onto the stage of American Idol season 4, nobody ever believed that the Oklahoma teen would become the verifiable Queen of Country Music that she is today.
Country Queen
The 35-year-old, Grammy-winning singer is still going strong all these years later, entertaining audiences all over the world with her impassioned lyrics and stunning performances.
Mr. West
Raised in Chicago, Kanye West knew from the start that he’d have a great career ahead of him.
Ye’ For President
Now married to Kim Kardashian, West has remained as outspoken as ever and even has plans to run for president in the 2020 election.
Bella Panics
Kristen Stewart broke onto the scene as a child actor starring as Jodie Foster’s daughter in the thriller “Panic Room” but soon built her own career as Bella in the famed “Twilight” series.
Twilight
Stewart’s work in the Twilight Saga established her as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world and opened many doors to her in the industry.
Okurrr
Born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, the rapper and television personality who would become Cardi B actually began her career as a cashier in Manhattan.
Eowwww
After appearing on the VH1 television show “Love and Hip Hop: New York,” Cardi B emerged on the scene as one of the most entertaining celebrities of 2018.
Oxford Actress
Gorgeous superstar Kate Beckinsale actually started her professional acting career whilst attending the University of Oxford.
Selene Triumphant
In the late ’90s, Beckinsale came to the US and soon became a sought after celebrity starring in the “Underworld” series of films and a number of different films.
Baby Bieber
Believe it or not, Justin Bieber actually emerged on the scene in 2008 when he began covering songs on YouTube.
Bieber Fever
Today, Bieber is one of the most recognizable acts in the world.
7th Heaven
Jessica Biel started out as a vocalist who performed in musical productions until she was cast as Mary Camden, the eldest daughter in family drama series “7th Heaven.”
Emmy-Winning
After making an impressive career for herself and marrying fellow actor/singer Justin Timberlake, Biel recently won a Primetime Emmy for Best Lead Actress.
Upton Girl
In 2011, famous model Kate Upton was named “Rookie of the Year” when she emerged on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Moving on Upton
Today, Kate’s modeling career is still going strong, but her acting career has taken off a bit more these days.
A Model Daughter
When she was younger, Ivanka Trump actually began her illustrious career as a model, working for a number of different agencies and magazines.
Presidential Advisor
Today, the former entrepreneur has come a long way. She works in Washington D.C. beside her husband Jared Kushner as an advisor to her father, President Donald Trump.
Harry Potter Fame
Best known for her breakout role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson’s early success only increased as she got older.
Belle of the UN
After graduating from Brown with a degree in English literature, Watson continues to act, model, and create while also fighting for women’s rights at the United Nations.
Baldwin Before
Hailey Baldwin, daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, wanted to be a ballet dancer until she injured her foot.
Justin’s Gal
After cultivating an impressive modeling career, Baldwin got engaged to fellow teen celebrity Justin Bieber.
Fly Girl
Jennifer Lopez began her career as a “fly girl” dancer on the popular television series, “In Living Color,” in the early ’90s, but branched out on her own to pursue acting in 1993.
Jenny from the Block
Even at 49, the singer, dancer, and producer continues to reach new heights in her already stunningly successful career.
Laguna Beach
Kristin Cavallari is most popular for her tenure on the “Laguna Beach” reality television series in 2004, a show that documented the lives of her and her friends.
Cavallari to Cutler
Kristin still pursues an acting career and helps with a number of charities along side her husband, Chicago Bears player Jay Cutler.
Ariana Victorious
Ariana Grande-Butera’s first role was on Broadway, but she gained worldwide popularity on the Nickelodeon TV shows “Victorious” and its spinoff series “Sam and Cat.”
Thank You, Next
Grande’s recording career, and recent relationship with SNL actor Pete Davidson, has seen her appearing on nearly every radio and TV station the world over with increasing regularity.
Riri on Replay
The phenom was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Saint Michael, Barbados. She was discovered in her home country in 2003 and began recording soon after.
Prolific Singles
Today, Rihanna is one of the most recognizable singers in the world and had countless number-1 singles attached to her iconic name.
Little Miss Stone
Emily Jean “Emma” Stone acted in a number of theater productions as a child, but a role in Wind in the Willows in 2000 made it clear to her parents that she had to go to Hollywood.
La La Land
Today, the award-winning actress has become a household name starring in such noteworthy hits as “Lala Land,” “Easy A,” and “The Help.”
A Model Slovenian
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former fashion model who grew up in Sevnica, in the Yugoslav republic of Slovenia.
First Lady
After moving to the US and marrying billionaire Donald Trump, Melania is currently serving as First Lady to her husband and is one of the most recognizable faces on Earth.
