This article was originally published on VisualChase
Although it might come as a surprise, there was a time when some of our favorite celebrities weren't famous (what?? That's right, it's true!). With the exception of some childhood actors like Drew Barrymore and the Olsen twins, famous people had ordinary childhoods like the rest of us. After going through the goofy family photo albums, graphic designer Ard Gelick made it look like these stars were magically hanging out with their younger selves. If these celebs could really see themselves as children, they would probably have a lot of advice to share. Continue reading to see those adorable little faces next to the Hollywood superstars that you know today!
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Based on how The Rock looked as a child, not many people would have guessed that he would turn into a powerhouse of a man and an actor. Born in California, Dwayne Johnson was a tough kid, and he got arrested multiple times for fighting, theft, and check fraud, all before he was 17.
If The Rock could talk to his younger self, he would probably advise himself to do better and not get into trouble, at least we hope so. It is incredible how much hair he had as a kid and how bald he is today. There is no denying that his troubled path turned out just fine, and we have films like The Fast and Furious series and Moana to attest to that.
Emma Watson
She is a beauty, she is grace - she is Emma Watson. At just 11-years-old she shot to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. We came to know and love Watson as the brilliant wizard who never forgot a homework assignment, and she was always there to get Harry and Ron out of trouble.
While being a hugely successful actress, Watson got her Bachelor's degree from Brown University. Is there anything she can't do? Watson will forever be remembered for her role at Hogwarts, but she has plenty of new projects in the works.
Leonardo DiCaprio
"Never let go, little Leo, never let go!" Leonardo DiCaprio got into acting early when he was just fifteen years old. Many people remember his roles in Romeo and Juliet and Titanic, but he had a few other film roles prior to those.
Over time, Leo became one of Hollywood's biggest names, and his movies have earned $7.2 billion as of 2019 worldwide. As an ambitious child, this is probably what he hoped his career would look like, and he is living his ultimate dream.
Macaulay Culkin
After Macaulay Culkin uttered the words, "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!" the world fell in love with him and his career as a childhood actor took off. To this day Home Alone is watched traditionally around the holidays. However, unlike other stars on this list, he hasn't done anything as iconic since.
Although his acting career plateaued after Home Alone, he has taken on other successful ventures like his comedy website and a podcast called Bunny Ears, which parodies celebrity websites such as Gwyneth Paltrow's, Goop. Culkin is one of the few people that truly owns his childhood fame and wears it as a badge of honor.
Jennifer Aniston
When people think of a younger Jennifer Aniston, they might think back to her years on Friends, but we are going back further to a time before she was famous. The adorable little Jennifer enjoyed life in sunny California before moving to New York when she was about six-years-old.
In New York, Aniston discovered her passion for acting and decided to attend a performing arts high school. It's rare to see photos of Aniston so young, and we hope she shares more. Present-day Aniston would probably tell her childhood self, "No one will tell you how life is going to go, but someone will always be there for you."
Barak Obama
The 44th President of the United States of America, Barak Obama, served from 2009 to 2017. This Hawaiin native was the first African American president. Since his presidency, he has dedicated time to his wife, two daughters, and lots of golf.
Although he is no longer in office, many people still look at Obama as a leader. He probably would have told his younger self that things will get hard while living with his grandparents, but he has to keep pushing because he is destined for great things.
Jimmy Fallon
Although today we know JImmy Fallon as the hilarious late-night talk show host, there was a time when he was just a normal child dressed as a sailor. While growing up in New York with two very protective parents, Fallon attended a catholic school, which explains the uniform.
While his chubby cheeks deflated and he got his adult teeth, Fallon still has a childlike sense of humor. Fallon actually thought about becoming a priest after spending his youth as an altar boy, but it's a good thing he decided against that. Where would the world be without his iconic "Ew" sketches?
George Clooney
From adorably dorky boy to silver fox stud, George Clooney is one of those people who age like fine wine. As a teen, Clooney developed Bell's Palsey, and half his face was paralyzed for most of the first year of high school. He found ways to laugh at himself, which helped him prepare for fame in the future.
Between Ocean's Eleven and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, we don't know if Clooney would want to change anything about his career. He would probably tell his younger self that everything is going to get much better. It's a good thing that he grew into his looks.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts always seems to remain in the spotlight because her career is everlasting. It all started when Roberts was a child, and her parents co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop, which sparked her love for acting. She was quite the southern belle as a child.
Since Roberts grew up, she has been named the most beautiful woman by People magazine seven times! Her iconic look and many major roles have made her a beloved household name. In 2018, she had a recurring role in the series Homecoming, and Roberts has a few upcoming projects.
Reese Witherspoon
Originally born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, she grew up in New Orleans, Louisianna, and had a vibrant childhood. As a child, Witherspoon loved candy necklaces, reading, and cheerleading. Her love of acting began when she was selected to be in a local TV commercial, so she took acting lessons.
As she has grown up, Reese Witherspoon has achieved many great things throughout her career, from Legally Blonde to Big Little Lies. She still holds onto her southern roots, and even though she has grown up, Witherspoon still looks pretty much the same as her childhood self.
Selena Gomez
From Barney and Friends to topping the Billboard charts, Selena Gomez inspires and shows how amazing of an artist she is. At 10-years-old, she got her first acting role alongside Demi Lovato, which lead her on a path towards her big Disney break. Gomez was inspired to act when she saw her mother getting ready for stage shows as a child.
In a recent interview, Gomez said she would tell her younger self, "Go ahead and do it." Although she has already achieved so much in her acting and singing career, she is always looking for her next venture. Gomez recently released her makeup line called Rare Beauty, and it is already a huge success.
Lady Gaga
Gaga oh la la! It's almost as if Lady Gaga has barely aged since she was a child. Originally born Stefanie Germanotta, Lady Gaga grew up in New York and started practicing music at just four years old. She always felt like a misfit, and her classmates made fun of her for being too eccentric and provocative.
Gaga took those insecurities and made a career out of them - so who is laughing now? Through her incredible music and wild sense of style, she has embraced her unique personality. Her younger self would be proud of the person she is today and hopeful for the incredible future.
Usher
If you needed a reason to smile today, then here it is; Big Usher holding little Usher is simultaneously adorable and strange. Usher Raymond IV grew up in Tennessee and started singing by the time he was ten. From his first R&B group, he got discovered by LA Reid and was offered a recording contract.
After over three decades in the music industry, Usher has topped the Billboard charts more times than we can count, and he grew into a handsome man. Baby Usher would probably be so inspired by the life he created and the accomplishments he achieved in life.
Neil Patrick Harris
In the late '80s to mid-'90s, Neil Patrick Harris starred as Dr. Doogie Howser, the teenage doctor who balances practicing medicine and his everyday adolescent problems. In this role, NPH was nominated for his first Golden Globe. It was a role that would help him make it big in Hollywood.
NPH then went on to play another prominent role as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother. His dynamic range of talents has allowed him to work on various projects, from Broadway shows to the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events. He is like a chameleon when it comes to acting.
Bruno Mars
Originally born Peter Gene Hernandez, his father nicknamed him Bruno at a young age. Since he was a child, Bruno Mars has always had swag, and that continued into adulthood. While growing up in Hawaii with his musical family, Mars was exposed to many music genres, which influenced his style.
Mars would impersonate celebrities for shows in Hawaii, and he clearly loved Elvis. After graduating from high school, Mars moved to LA to pursue a serious music career. While he hasn't released an album in a while, Bruno Mars must pinch himself every day because he lives his childhood dream.
Amy Winehouse
Who knew that adorable ballerina would turn into a bold singer with powerhouse vocals? Although her story didn't have a happy ending, it didn't start so tragic. Amy Winehouse was born in London, where a family of musicians surrounded her. She started playing with her brother's guitar and bought her own when she was 14.
It didn't take long for Winehouse to start writing her music and performing with local groups. After being discovered, Winehouse quickly became an international success with her unique sound and soulful vocals. Sadly her career ended too soon when she passed away due to an alcohol overdose.
Michelle Obama
The former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is an American lawyer, best-selling author, and mother, among other things. During her eight years as the first lady, she created an initiative for fitness and nutrition across the United States. She has also become a fashion icon.
Michelle is still a role model for many women because of her ambition and the message she carries. She has been an advocate against injustice, and a proud supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. She has also voiced her opinions against the current political state in America.
Mick Jagger
As the lead singer and founder of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger found international success in his early twenties. However, before his rocker days, he was just a regular child. While growing up in England, he was always singing as a child, even though his father wanted him to become a teacher.
Instead of teaching, Jagger followed his dreams, and it paid off grandly. While he doesn't look like his younger self anymore, he is grateful for his upbringing and the childhood his parents provided. No one imagined that the adorable little boy would become an international rock legend.
Margot Robbie
Little Margot Robbie, with her bowl cut, makes us want to pinch her adorable cheeks. The Australian-born actress grew up on a farm, and had to work three jobs by the time she was 16 to make ends meet. Robbie found her love for acting while taking drama classes in high school.
Determined to have a brighter future, Robbie worked hard and took whatever roles she could get until her international break-through in Wolf of Wall Street. That little girl with the ear-to-ear smile would be so proud of the woman she has become today, and the successful career she built.
Haley Joel Osment
"I see young people." While that might not be the exact quote he originally uttered, the present-day version of Haley Joel Osment would say that if he saw this photo. As a child, he signed up with a talent scout and started auditioning for small roles. His big break and most iconic role was in The Sixth Sense, co-starring Bruce Willis.
After this role, Osment decided to take a break from acting to study. After graduating from college, he got back in the acting game, and it has been slow going. When you earn an Oscar nomination at age 12, it probably feels like he already peeked. Besides his career, the only thing that has changed about Osment is his hairstyle and facial hair. Underneath it all, he is still that baby-faced kid.
Sylvester Stallone
It's funny to see tough-guy Sylvester Stallone as a baby-faced boy. During birth, the doctor severed a nerve, which caused part of Stallone's face to become paralyzed, but that didn't keep him down. It actually created a persona for him because he has a permanent snarl and slurred speech.
Although it was tough to grow up with his facial problem, Stallone never gave up. It took him a while to really break into the acting scene, but he eventually made it, and now he is one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood. If he could go back in time, Stallone would probably give his Rocky "Believe in yourself" motivational speech to his childhood self.
Rupert Grint
"Red hair and a hand-me-down robe; you must be a Weasley." Rupert Grint made his acting debut in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as little Ron Weasley, and the world fell in love with him. The movie became one of the highest-earning series of all time, and since the wrap of the final film, Grint hasn't done much.
While he has worked on different shows and stage work, nothing has been as successful as Harry Potter. However, Grint has something more meaningful in his life now. In mid-2020, Grint welcomed his first daughter, and he recently made his Instagram debut. No matter what, that little red-headed boy will always have a special place in the hearts of Harry Potter fans.
Harry Styles
If you love Harry Styles as an adult, you are going to love him even more now that you have seen how adorable he was as a child. The world first got to know Styles when he auditioned for X-Factor UK, and Simon Cowell put him in a group that would become One Direction.
Although the band members recently went their separate ways, Harry Styles has been having a highly successful solo career. Fans can't get enough of his beautiful voice and unique style. Thankfully he still has those adorable dimples, but his hair got a lot better since his childhood.
Janet Jackson
As the youngest of the ten Jackson children, Janet Jackson grew up surrounded by famous people. While she was still young, five of her brothers started The Jackson 5, and they quickly became widely successful. Although she was more interested in acting, her father wanted her to sing.
Although she terminated business affairs with her family after her second album, that didn't hinder her success, and Jackson would be proud of the woman she turned out to be. Just like her late brother, she's changed drastically since childhood.
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner has been a household name for decades now, starring in some of the most noteworthy films of the 1980s and 1990s, like "Field of Dreams", "Dances with Wolves", amnd "JFK". In fact, he won both the academy award for best director and for best picture for "Dances with Wolves", his directorial debut from 1991. His more current work includes the hit TV series "Yellowstone" which has multiple seasons starring the veteran actor.
Anyone who has been in Hollywood going on five decades has to have some special about them, and Kevin Costner is certainly no exception. There's a reason his face from 40 years ago is just as recognizable as it is now.
Conan O'Brien
Although he didn't adapt his signature hair swoosh until later in life, little Conan O'Brien was rocking his red locks since the day he was born. Growing up in Massachusetts, O'Brien served as the editor for his school newspaper, and throughout high school, he showed his writing talents in many ways.
O'Brien joined the writing team at HBO after graduating from Harvard University. From there is career blossomed into what it is today. Although O'Brien just announced he would be leaving his late-night talk show for an HBO Max show, it is thankfully not the last we will be seeing of this red-headed comedian.
LeBron James
LeBron James, with his turtleneck and elephant stuffed animal, is too adorable for words. As a child, LeBron grew up in Ohio, and he did not have the easiest time because he and his mother moved around a lot as his mom tried to find steady work. He found solace in basketball in fifth grade.
From his early days of playing, LeBron grabbed the attention of people everywhere. Today he is one of the best players in NBA history, and his career has been crazy successful. As someone who had a rough childhood without a lot of money, LeBron is grateful for where life has taken him and how he can help his mom.
Eminem
Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, grew up between Missouri and Michigan because he and his mother never stayed in one house for more than a year. Eminem's childhood was rough because his mom had addiction problems, and kids in his neighborhood would beat him up.
Many people know Eminem's story because of the movie 8 Mile; however, not many people believed he would become so successful. As one of the most recognized rappers globally, Eminem could retire now, but we hope he releases some more music first.
Justin Timberlake
We have never seen a picture of little Justin Timberlake until now, and he was the most adorable child ever. Timberlake grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was exposed to many different genres of music. From The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, to NSYNC, to his successful solo career, the world watched him grow up and mature into the person he is today.
Although Timberlake hasn't released new music recently, everyone hopes he has a new album in the works. Lately, he has been focusing on his family with his wife, Jessica Biel. Timberlake also has a new movie called Palmer, which is different from anything he has done before.
Drake
He might be running through the six with his "woes" now but as a child Aubrey Graham, aka Drake, was a bit of a nerd. The sweater vest-wearing boy attended a Jewish day school in Toronto, where he was raised, and fell in love with acting. Drake got his first acting debut on Degrassi: Next Generation.
It seems like Drake's TV money paid for his dental work. After Degrassi, Drake was inspired by Jay-Z, so he released a mix-tape. Quickly his career took off, and the rest is history. We are sure little Aubrey Graham would look up to the person Drake has evolved into because of his success and fortune.
Pink
Pink has had many chart-topping hits since the mid-'90s, but she wasn't always in the spotlight. As a child, Pink trained to be a gymnast until she was 12. Around the time that she stopped gymnastics, she developed a passion for singing. When she started performing locally, "Pink" was something people would call her as an insult, but she adapted it to be her stage name.
That sweet little girl grew up to be a powerhouse musician, and those who made fun of Pink are biting their tongues now. Although she quit gymnastics early on, she still incorporates acrobatics into many of her performances. This year she decided to take a break from music to focus on her family.
Daniel Radcliff
"You're a wizard Harry." Starring as Harry in the film series Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe has made a successful name for himself. Look at how much he has grown over the years. From his adorable days at Hogwarts to today, he continues to be an amazing actor.
While we keep hoping and praying there will be another Harry Potter movie in the future, those chances are slim to none. Today, Radcliffe mainly works on independent projects and in the theater. We can't wait to see if he will do another Blockbuster movie again.
Tom Felton
Although he played the character everyone loved to hate, Tom Felton became a fan favorite in the Harry Potter universe. Felton had a few small roles before Draco Malfoy, but this role shot him to international fame. Surprisingly, he only had about 31 minutes of screen time throughout the entire movie series.
After Harry Potter, Felton acted in many TV and film roles. While nothing will likely ever compare to the success of Harry Potter, we can't deny Felton's talents outside the walls of Hogwarts. He definitely looks less like a prick than he did as a child with his pasty skin and slicked-back hair.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore first rose to fame for her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when she was just 7-years-old. Since she outgrew her pigtails, Barrymore has gone on to create a successful career and has her own cosmetics company called Flower Beauty.
Barrymore also starred in Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet as a woman who was turned into a zombie. If you haven't seen it, we highly recommend it. As a young child, she probably never assumed how big her career would be, but she is still a household name many decades later.
Taylor Swift
As a child, Taylor Swift grew up in Pennsylvania, where she had an average childhood. Although she writes that she was bullied in many of her songs, classmates remember her hanging out with the popular kids and being well-liked by everyone. After her family moved to Tennessee to help her singing career, Swift began writing music with country pros, and her career quickly took off.
While she might have grown away from her country roots, she continues to impress fans with her new music. With everything she has been through in the past few years with Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and her former manager, Scooter Braun, Swift would have a lot of advice for her younger self.
Prince Harry
As a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Harry has been in the spotlight since the day he was born. Every significant moment of his life has been well documented, but it is sweet to see how much he has changed throughout the years. Everything was much simpler when he was just a baby and couldn't be judged for his every move.
We have all seen Prince Harry in the news recently because he departed from the Royal Family with his wife, Meghan Markle. If he could go back in time, do you think he would tell himself to avoid this situation? From his experience, we would not want to be on the Queen's bad side.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis has made history for her acting achievements, but she was also part of history before she could remember. As a child, Davis's mother was part of the Civil Rights Movement, and she was arrested during a protest, so she and Viola were taken to jail. Her childhood was anything but easy, but she came out on top.
Davis was the first African-American actress to earn the "Triple Crown of Acting," winning an Academy Award, Tony, and an Emmy. As a child, she loved acting in school plays, but she probably never imagined where life would take her. Once she found her happiness, it just continued to grow.
Cristiano Ronaldo
As one of the most well-known footballers globally, Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a level of success that no one could have predicted. Growing up in Sao Pedro, he began playing football early and quickly caught the eye of many teams. Shockingly, his mom revealed that when she got pregnant, she wasn't sure she wanted to have him - and we can't imagine a world without Ronaldo.
As Ronaldo rose in the ranks, people started to believe he could make it in the pro leagues. Today he is compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Pele. That sweet little boy grew into one of the most gorgeous men in the world, and we are glad his mom decided to raise him.
James Corden
Who would have thought that the sweet little English boy would grow up to be rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in Hollywood? James Corden was born in London, and he didn't get into TV hosting until he graduated high school. Corden began his career on a BBC morning show and worked his way up to having his own show.
Today he has revolutionized late-night talk shows with his Carpool Karaoke and the Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts segments. His charismatic personality and loveable British accent make him the perfect combination for a talk-show host, and he is just as cute as he was as a child.
RuPaul Charles
While RuPaul Charles is best known for his drag persona, he wasn't always a fabulous queen. It wasn't until he was 15 that he started performing in drag in Atlanta. Although he struggled to breakthrough in the music and film industry, he started to find success performing in the club scene.
On every final runway episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, he shows finalists a picture of themselves as children and asks what advice they would give themselves as children. If RuPaul had to answer the same question, he would probably tell himself that life will be challenging, but he will come out on the other side stronger.
Jodie Foster
Little Jodie Foster looks adorable in her dress and matching bow. Foster grew up in California, where she had a privileged childhood, and started her acting career early. Her mother left her job to manage Jodie's career, and success came quickly for the young actress.
While Foster's career began as the Coppertone girl, she took on more serious roles and has become a Hollywood legend over time. Since 2014, Foster took a step back from TV roles to focus on her film career, and she has a few projects in the works.
Billie Eilish
Although only a few years have passed between these pictures, Billie Eilish has changed her look drastically. At just 18-years-old, Eilish is selling out stadiums and having her albums go double platinum. After releasing "Ocean Eyes" in 2016, Eilish's career took off, and she grew to superstardom within four years.
Eilish is known for her unique sense of style that many fans have tried to emulate. While her career is only just beginning, we can't wait to see how she continues to change and evolve. Her voice is so powerful, and she is such an incredible young artist.
Ed Sheeran
No one probably believed that this little red-headed boy would grow up to become the artist of the decade. While growing up in England, Ed Sheeran sang at his local church and learned to play guitar by the time he was eleven. Everyone who knew him said he was a natural performer right from the start.
Today, Sheeran has sold 58.3 million singles and continues to create chart-topping music. We can't get over this transformation. While he is still rocking his bright red locks, he has definitely grown into his looks. Although he is taking a break from music, we can't wait for him to return and release a new album.
Sean Astin
Most of us know Sean Astin as Mikey Walsh from The Goonies, but he has done so much more in his career. Astin grew up in California, where he had a confusing childhood. Since he gained fame early on, he was able to find out who his biological father was.
After the success of The Goonies, Astin went on to have many huge film and TV roles. He was recently in Stranger Things, and he has a few more projects in the works. As a young kid, he probably welcomed this film's success and hoped to continue down the acting path.
Amy Schumer
While Amy Schumer may look like a sweet and innocent child, she grew up to say some pretty vulgar things. Schumer grew up in New York, and people always thought of her as the funny girl. In high school, she was voted "Class Clown" and "Teacher's Worst Nightmare."
While it took her some time to come up in the world of comedy, once she got discovered, it didn't take long for her to become a household name. Schumer has been so successful because she is different than most Hollywood actresses; she is real, honest, and not afraid to be herself.
Miley Cyrus
As the daughter of Billie Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus was exposed to fame at a young age. Her father inspired her to pursue an acting career, and she began auditioning for Disney shows. Once she landed the role of Hannah Montana, her life changed forever.
Although Cyrus has greatly departed from her Hannah Montana days, you can still see that sweet and innocent child behind all the weird hairstyles and marijuana smoke. While we wish she would break out her blonde wig and sing a few bars of "The Best of Both Worlds," that probably won't happen.