They live glamorous lives as chart-topping musicians, actors and businesswomen – but can YOU recognise these celebrities from their childhood photos?

These famous figures – from actors who started on Disney Channel to fashion industry giants – all began as young people with ambitious goals.

Some people began their careers as child actors and later became famous movie stars, but others decided to pursue different careers.

These famous celebrities all share one thing: they’ve each become major forces in the music world, topping the charts with hit songs and winning Grammy Awards.

The Daily Mail revisits the early lives and successful careers of some famous celebrities – see if you can identify them!

A two time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee who got her start on a Nickelodeon show

The 32-year-old actress began her career as a teenager and quickly became famous in 2009 when she played Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious.

At just sixteen years old, she had traded her usual long, flowing ponytail for a fresh look: bright red curls and charming dimples.

Following her work on Nickelodeon, she became a hugely successful singer, achieving six number-one albums, two Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.

However, there have been past reports of demanding behavior, and Page Six claimed her life coach resigned because of her self-centered and difficult personality.

In May 2017, a devastating bombing at her concert in the Manchester Arena killed 22 people, a horrific experience she endured.

Despite everything, she courageously chose to perform at the benefit concert, which raised over £17 million. The event was particularly special because it included many of the same fans who had been at her final concert.

It’s Ariana Grande!

The actress returned to acting with the movie adaptation of Wicked: For Good, which was released in UK cinemas on Friday.

The first movie was a massive hit, earning over $750 million around the world. Ariana was even nominated for an Oscar for her performance as best supporting actress.

A singer and business woman who has made a multi billion dollar fashion and beauty empire

This pop star has become incredibly successful, building a fashion and beauty empire after starting her career as a young singer with a single popular song. She’s now even wealthier than Elton John.

The singer was said by the 2020 Sunday Times Rich List to be worth £468 million.

This put her in third place among the wealthiest musicians, following closely behind Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Paul McCartney, who are both worth £800 million and share the top ranking.

Surprisingly, Rihanna’s incredible achievements in music have been overshadowed by her success in fashion. She’s the first Black woman to lead a luxury fashion brand, Fenty Maison, which is now worth around $2.8 billion.

Her provocative lingerie collection directly competes with Victoria’s Secret, and her clothing brand doesn’t follow the traditional seasonal collections that have long been standard in the fashion industry.

Before becoming wealthy, she caught the attention of a record producer who sent her to New York. There, she auditioned for Jay Z while he was at Def Jam Recordings.

Rihanna signed her first major record deal in 2005, and her breakthrough hit, “Umbrella,” came in 2007. The song topped the charts in the UK for ten weeks and reached number one in a total of thirteen countries.

She recently welcomed her baby girl, Rocki, joining her sons RZA, age three, and Riot, age two. This is her first daughter.

The singer has two children with rapper A$AP Rocky, who is 37. They had been friends for over ten years before beginning a romantic relationship in 2020.

You’ve guessed it, it’s Rihanna!

A musician who skyrocketed to fame for her outlandish outfits and Oscar-worthy acting performances

The singer, 39, is as famous for her wacky fashion sense as she is her chart-topping hits.

One of her most controversial, attention-grabbing outfits was a dress made entirely out of meat.

Her song “Just Dance” was a huge radio success, but people remembered her just as much for her unique and often surprising fashion choices, landing her on both ‘best dressed’ and ‘worst dressed’ lists.

She was known for her revealing leotards, often paired with towering platform heels and eccentric glasses.

Although she used to be known for her unusual style, she’s become a major power in the music world, having earned 14 Grammy Awards.

She first became famous as a singer, releasing her debut album, The Fame, in 2008, before starting her acting career.

It is none other than Born This Way singer Lady Gaga!

Lady Gaga has appeared in several films, including “Machete Kills,” “Muppets Most Wanted,” and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” She’s also been on television, notably in “American Horror Story.”

The actress gained widespread recognition and won her first Academy Award for her starring role in the 2018 film, A Star Is Born. She continued her success with the movie House of Gucci.

A Disney actress turned pop star who has a famous 90s country singer as her father

She became famous in 2006 when she starred as the main character in the hit show Hannah Montana, playing a regular teenager who secretly lived a double life as a pop star.

Miley Cyrus, now 32, starred as Miley Stewart in the popular series, alongside her real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, 64, who played her character’s father, Robby Ray Stewart, on screen.

That performance was her breakthrough moment, launching her to international fame and kickstarting a hugely successful music career with popular songs like “Party In The USA” and “Can’t Be Tamed.”

She began dating actor Liam Hemsworth, 35, after meeting him on the set of the 2009 movie The Last Song. Their relationship lasted for over a decade, with several breaks and reconciliations, and they became engaged in 2012.

But the spotlight was starting to fade until 2013 when she began to completely overhaul her image.

Shortly after the release of her popular song “We Can’t Stop” and a highly debated performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth announced they had broken off their engagement.

Yep, it’s Miley Cyrus!

Soon after Miley Cyrus released her controversial “Wrecking Ball” music video – featuring her swinging on a wrecking ball while wearing minimal clothing and displaying emotional distress – it quickly gained attention.

Miley’s reinvention proved successful, with her album Bangerz reaching number one on the Billboard charts. More recently, in 2024, she won her first Grammy Award for the popular song Flowers.

A British singer known for her gut-wrenching breakup ballads and long career breaks

She’s become incredibly famous very quickly, selling over 100 million records and winning numerous prestigious awards.

The 37-year-old star grew up in Tottenham, London, but moved around the city during her childhood. As her career blossomed, she eventually relocated to Los Angeles.

She often takes significant time off between albums. For example, it had been six years since her last release before she put out ’30’ in 2021.

The singer quickly became popular with her first album, 19, released in 2008, and achieved worldwide fame with her second album, 12, in 2011.

I remember when she really burst onto the world stage – it feels like yesterday! Not long after, in 2011, she met Simon Konecki, and a year later, they welcomed their son, Angelo, who’s now a teenager at 13. It was such a lovely chapter in her life, and I’ve followed it all closely.

You guessed it, it’s Adele!

She began dating Simon in 2011, and court records indicate they got married in May 2018, just before her 30th birthday.

They announced their separation in April 2019, but it had actually happened much earlier. She admitted to only sharing the news ‘much later’ than when they first split.

The Grammy-winning artist announced last year that she’s stepping back from music for a while, following her engagement to Rich Paul, 44.

The famous music executive confirmed her intention to take a break from performing during the last concert of her incredibly successful 10-show run in Munich, Germany.

During her Las Vegas shows in May, Adele mentioned to her audience that she’d like to have a baby after finishing all her current commitments and performances.

An enigmatic songstress who has had multiple stage names and DIDN’T marry a celebrity

The singer wasn’t well-known until 2011, when her song “Video Games” became a huge hit. This success led to a record deal and an invitation to perform on Saturday Night Live.

In 2012, she launched her first album, Born To Die, which quickly reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to become a top seller that year.

Okay, so she’s forty, but honestly, she doesn’t look it. And it’s not just her looks – it’s everything about her. Her music just gets to me, it’s so beautifully sad, like something out of an old movie. But it’s not just sad, it’s… glamorous sadness, you know? Like a classic Hollywood starlet with a heartbreaking story. Everything about her vibe is totally vintage and tragically beautiful, and I’m completely obsessed!

Before becoming famous, the artist tried to launch her music career under the name Lizzie Grant, but wasn’t successful.

Elizabeth Grant, known professionally as a musician, attended boarding school and later moved to New York City at age eighteen to study at Fordham University. She began performing at clubs while experimenting with different stage names.

That’s right, it’s Lana Del Ray!

Lana has had a remarkably successful career, earning 11 Grammy nominations and winning many awards from MTV, Brit, and Billboard.

Lana Del Rey married Jeremy Dufrene, a 50-year-old tour guide who leads boat tours, last year. They first met in 2019 on one of his tours.

Her friends were initially concerned about her relationship with Jeremy, a divorced dad with three kids, and suspected he might have a hidden past.

But they soon realised he treats her well and gives her what she ‘needs’ from a partner.

2025-11-22 17:36