As Hollywood evolves, so do the appearances of its brightest stars. Several celebrities have changed so drastically over time, they’re almost unrecognizable compared to their past selves.
From Ariana Grande to Madonna, these women have transformed dramatically. Some admitted they had cosmetic surgeries to achieve their desired looks. Here are the seven stars whose looks have changed since bursting into the limelight.
Ariana Grande: From Broadway to Pop Sensation
Ariana Grande, 30, first captured hearts as a child performer in a Broadway play at the age of 15, which led to her role on TV’s “Victorious.” Her character, Cat Valentine, was a quirky and aspiring singer, laying the groundwork for Grande’s future music career. While she navigated her path from sitcoms to pop stardom, her appearance significantly evolved.
The Transformation of Grande
In September 2023, Grande shared beauty tips with Vogue. She revealed her struggle with breakouts and her extensive use of makeup to mask her natural features, which included bleaching her eyebrows for years.
“Over the years, I used makeup as a disguise or as something to hide behind, and more and more hair. More and more thicker the eyeliner, the whatever,” Grande explained.
However, as Grande grows older, she no longer uses makeup for that intention. “I think of it as self-expression now and accentuating what is here,” Grande noted, marking a shift in how she views beauty.
By 2018, she had stopped using lip fillers and Botox, finding them overwhelming. “For a long time, beauty was about hiding for me. And now I feel like maybe it’s not,” she stated, embracing natural aging signs like cry and smile lines.
The Grammy Award winner further stated, “I think aging can be such a beautiful thing.” Although Grande has accepted how she looks, her physical transformation has been a topic of discussion over the years.
Expert Opinions on Grande’s Appearance
In December 2020, a Holistic Plastic Surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn discussed Grande’s change in appearance over the years. He noted differences in her facial structure as she matured.
Initially, he observed a round baby face when Grande was 18 which later elongated with a more defined nose and fuller lips at 20. Fast forward to years later at age 22, the songwriter’s nose and lips still looked the same.
Ariana Grande arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live on February 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ariana Grande at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards at the Ziggo Dome on October 11, 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. | Source: Getty Images
Ariana Grande at the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
However, her lips did not have the “overdone plumpy pout” that fellow Hollywood female stars have,” said Youn. He added that at this stage, Grande did not have work done on her face.
A year later, at age 23, Youn noticed that Grande’s nose had gotten a little straighter. Her tip may have been lifted up a touch, but he noted it was difficult to tell.
Ariana Grande during NBCUniversal Summer Press Tour on August 2, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Youn asked whether she may have had a nose job between 2015 and 2016, while adding it might not have been possible since she often appeared in public during that time.
According to him, Grande would have had to step away from the limelight for several weeks or months if she did have the surgery. That said, he doubted that she went under the knife.
Ariana Grande at the 2016 American Music Awards on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
He pointed out that her nose may have appeared different because of the angle of the photos and the makeup. As for her plumped lips, they still looked natural to him as well.
Another two years later in 2018, Grande’s nose still looked the same. Youn stated that it looked like she had not done a nose jo up until that point, contrary to what he believed before.
Ariana Grande at the Billboard’s 13th Annual Women in Music event at Pier 36 on December 6, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
But he had a different observation regarding Grande’s lips, saying they looked plumper than before. “They look a bit more outlined. This is a very characteristic sign of lip injections,” Youn explained. Overall, he believed that she had not had plastic surgery up until then.
Ariana Grande seen on August 16, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Two years after Youn observed Grande, another medical professional, Dr. Gary Linkov, assessed the actress’s physical features from when she was 16.
To determine whether or not she had had plastic surgery, Dr. Linkov explained that the tail and head of her eyebrows were on the same horizontal plane. According to him, this is crucial when deciding whether or not to have surgery.
Ariana Grande at Hollywood & Highland Center and One Heartland’s “Holiday of Hope” tree lighting celebration on November 28, 2009 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
“If you look at her nose, she has a very natural shape to it. There’s a slight bulbosity to the nose tip but it’s a very soft natural nose. There’s a heart-shaped aspect to her face. The lips have natural proportions where the lower lip is larger than the lower lip,” said Linkov.
From 17 to 19, Grande still looked pretty much the same according to him. But once she turned, he claimed that she may have had a rhinoplasty.
Ariana Grande during an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on October 1, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Ariana Grande attends the 2012 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Judging by her nose, the bridge was narrower and the tip less bulbous and slightly raised. Another giveaway was the evident nostril exposure, meaning she had the procedure.
At 21, Linkov noticed that the angle of the mandible appeared more defined on Grande’s face. This may have been due to a filler or an implant in that area.
Ariana Grande performs during Y100’s Jingle Ball 2014 at BB&T Center on December 21, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
In addition, he claimed the superstar may have had a brow lift, as it appeared her left eyebrow had been lifted more than the one on the right. At 22, Linkov stated Grande may have had a canthoplasty because the tilt of her lateral canthus seemed more elevated.
Ariana Grande attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
By 23, it became apparent that Grande had had lip and cheek fillers. Between ages 24 and 25, she did not appear much different than the previous years.
However, at 26, Grande seemed to have gotten more lip filler. When she turned 27, her jawline implant became even more visible, convincing Linkov that she had undergone surgery for it.
He further claimed that Grande had a revision rhinoplasty at 28. Linkov explained the tip of her nose looked more refined than her first rhinoplasty. Moreover, the much-loved celebrity also had a revised brow lift as the brow height looked more symmetrical than before.
Lastly, Linkov believes Grande may have had a ponytail endo facelift. He explained that her nasolabial folds looked more effaced. Additionally, the tightness of her face and the way it looked stretched back, including the shape of the eye and the brow repositioning are clues that she had the procedure.
Ariana Grande visits Planet Hollywood on October 30, 2008 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Madonna: The Queen of Pop’s Ever-Changing Face
Pop icon Madonna, 65, became a sensation in the 1980s with hits like “Papa Don’t Preach” and “Like a Prayer.” The megastar has since sold 70 million albums internationally.
The award-winning singer’s career spans decades with her look evolving as frequently as her music. She burst onto the music scene with a strikingly different look, characterized by her natural features and iconic beauty marks.
Back then, the Queen of Pop rocked a more natural appearance. However, recent years have seen more pronounced changes, sparking widespread fan speculation and concern.
Megan Fox: Hollywood’s Transformer
Megan Fox, 37, is best known for her roles in the “Transformers” movie franchise. She has also had stints in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” films. The actress made her film debut as Brianna Wallace in “Holiday in the Sun,” (2001).
Amid her rise to fame, Fox has often been at the center of plastic surgery rumors. Despite her striking looks, she has been open about what she has and has not done to her appearance.
Kelly Osbourne: Natural Changes and Public Perception
Kelly Osbourne, 39, first gained fame through her family’s reality show called “The Osbournes.” Ever since, she has been a versatile figure in entertainment, dabbling in music, fashion, and television. Osbourne even launched her rock-inspired fashion line, Stiletto Killers in 2004.
Known for her distinctive style, which often included vibrant hair colors and a bold fashion sense, Osbourne has also been the subject of speculation regarding her changing looks.
Kylie Jenner: The Evolution of a Beauty Mogul
Kylie Jenner, 26, a member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, has been famous since her childhood on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Jenner, who has had her spin-off show, “Life of Kylie,” (2017), is also part of the family’s new show, “The Kardashians.”
Jenner’s Admissions and Public Speculations
In January 2015, Jenner commented on plastic surgery rumors. “You guys have watched me grow up since I was 9. My face is going to get different. Now, I know how to do my makeup, contour, and everything. I’m not against surgery. I’d never say no, but I don’t desire it right now,” she said.
Kylie Jenner arrives at 102.7 KIIS-FM’s Wango Tango 2009 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on May 9, 2009 in Irvine, California. | Source: Getty Images
Bella Hadid: High Fashion and High Speculation
Bella Hadid, 27, one of today’s most recognizable faces in fashion, began her modeling career in her teens and quickly rose to prominence. She is best known as the face of Dior.
Hadid Confronts Cosmetic Surgery Rumors
At 14, the fashion model had a rhinoplasty but later regretted it, wishing she had kept “the nose of my ancestors.” People have also accused Hadid of getting her eyes lifted, her jaws shaved, and lip fillers.
Bella Hadid walks the runway at the Alberta Ferretti Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2020 fashion show on September 18, 2019 in Milan, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
However, the mother of one has denied further cosmetic enhancements on her face. She credits makeup techniques like face tape for any changes in her appearance.
Yolanda Hadid, David Foster and Bella Hadid arrive at the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education’s 15th Grand Slam for Children benefit concert at the Wynn Las Vegas October 9, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Renée Zellweger: Graceful Aging or Subtle Enhancements?
Renée Zellweger, 54, is an acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like “Jerry Maguire” and “The Whole Wide World.” She has starred alongside Hollywood greats including Jim Carrey and Meryl Streep.
Zellweger and the Public’s Curiosity
Experts have since suggested that Zellweger may have had minor cosmetic enhancements, although she has never confirmed this. Changes in her facial appearance have been attributed to both aging and possible non-surgical treatments.
Renee Zellweger attends Giorgio Armani – One Night Only New York at SuperPier on October 24, 2013 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
