Do you fancy yourself a pop culture junkie? If so, we bet you are pretty good at identifying even the most chameleon-like celebrities, a feat that is MUCH harder than it sounds considering famous folks change up their looks as often as we change our cat’s litter (excuse the weird analogy!).
That said, even some of the most recognizable people on the planet looked a heck of a lot different when they were kids– so different, in fact, even the most celeb-obsessed amongst us have had issues naming them. Don’t believe us? Just check out these 17 photos of stars as kids and you’ll quickly see what we mean!
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Macaulay Culkin
Once this Home Alone cutie hit adulthood he shied away from the spotlight. These days, he spends his time working as a musician in New York City.
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January Jones
Mad Men actress January Jones shows us that even the most unfortunate childhood hair catastrophes don’t have to follow you into adulthood!
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Kylie Jenner
Believe it or not, the above photos were only taken within a few short years of each other. Something tells us this reality megastar took a visit to the plastic surgeon’s office in her late teens!
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Jack Black
These days, Jack Black may LOOK awfully different than his former teenage self, but it’s good to know he’s still making goofy faces.
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John Oliver
He may still be rocking his glasses, but the Last Week Tonight host sure has grown out of his awkward years!
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Bruno Mars
Did you know that Bruno Mars kicked off his career as an Elvis impersonator at the tender age of 4? Here’s a clip. You can thank us later…
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Chris Rock
Even as a kid, Chris Rock had that signature confidence that he stills flaunts on stage to this very day.
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Kelly Osbourne
This rock star spawn broke onto the scene as a pink-haired teenager on her MTV show The Osbournes, but before she gained her star, she looked like your average British school girl.
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Norman Reedus
Is it possible that this Walking Dead tough guy actually dyes his hair dark brown?! Based on his childhood picture, we have reason to believe he takes a monthly visit to the salon—after fighting off zombies, of course!
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Ludacris
If there were an award for cutest future celebrity, we think Ludacris would win. Just look at that smile!
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Scarlett Johansson
At 33, Scarlett Johansson is a verifiable Hollywood legend, but she, like the rest of us, was a teenager once.
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Emma Stone
Emma Stone may be an Oscar winner, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t once a freckled-faced grade schooler!
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Michelle Obama
Looks like our favorite former first lady was just as photogenic when she was an elementary school student as she is now.
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Megan Fox
Yep, even Megan Fox had an “awkward phase.” That makes us feel a heck of a lot better!
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Ariana Grande
Looks like Ariana Grande’s love of wearing animal-inspired headwear started as a child. Who would’ve figured?
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Beyoncé
Before Beyoncé was “Queen Bey,” she was just an adorable tot growing up in the suburbs of Houston.
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Eminem
Bet you never thought you’d see Eminem rocking a preppy sweater, huh?
Now, those are some Oscar-worthy transformations! We’d love to hear your take on these celebs’ childhood pics. Which one surprised you most? Who was the cutest kid? Did you yourself go through a stunning transformation from childhood to adulthood?