THEN AND NOW: The biggest celebrity transformations of the past decade

Gabbi ShawSep 18, 2020, 20:01 IST

Meghan Markle's life is completely different.Chris Gallay, Samir Hussein/Getty Images

A lot can change in a decade. Some of today's most famous figures were just barely starting out in their careers in 2010.
In 2010, Meghan Markle had yet to begin starring in "Suits," which would eventually lead her to her husband, Prince Harry.
Major music stars had very different images 10 years ago, such as Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Nicki Minaj.

Do you remember what you were doing in 2010? The most popular song of the year was "TiK ToK" by Kesha (who still had a dollar-sign in her name), the highest-grossing movie was "Toy Story 3," and shows like "Lost" and "24" had just come to an end.

Plus, some of our favorite celebrities of 2020 were just starting out in their careers, like Ariana Grande and Harry Styles, while others were already famous, but not as famous as they are today.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the 20 biggest celebrity transformations over the past decade.

THEN: In 2010, Meghan Markle was still a year away from her most famous role to date, Rachel on "Suits."

Actress Meghan Markle on August 26, 2010. Charley Gallay/Getty Images For Benefit Cosmetics

NOW: She became royalty when she married Prince Harry in 2018, although she stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

Meghan in November 2019. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

THEN: Justin Bieber released "Baby" in 2010, which quickly became the most-disliked video on YouTube.

Justin Bieber in December 2010. Kevin Winter/DCNYRE2010/Getty Images for DCP

NOW: He has fully left behind his teeny-bopper status and released his first album since 2015. He also got married to model Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin).

Justin Bieber in February 2019. Gotham/GC Images

THEN: Ariana Grande was best known as the quirky Cat on Nickelodeon's "Victorious."

Ariana Grande in June 2010. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

NOW: Grande was the most-streamed female artist of the decade on Spotify, and won her first Grammy in 2019.

Ariana Grande in January 2020. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

THEN: Miley Cyrus was still starring in her Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana," in 2010, though she was starting to branch out. She starred in "The Last Song" that year.

Miley Cyrus in January 2010. Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images

THEN: Miley Cyrus was still starring in her Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana," in 2010, though she was starting to branch out. She starred in "The Last Song" that year.

NOW: She's tried out many personas, including hip hop ("Bangerz"), stoner ("Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz"), and country ("Younger Now").

Miley Cyrus in February 2020. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

THEN: Kumail Nanjiani had his big break in 2014 with "Silicon Valley," but he had been working for years prior.

Kumail Nanjiani in September 2011. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

NOW: He's about to become a Marvel superhero, and he's an Oscar-nominated screenwriter.

Kumail Nanjiani in August 2019. razer Harrison/Getty Images

THEN: Harry Styles was just one of five members of British boy band One Direction.

Harry Styles in Covent Garden, London, on November 17, 2010. Jack/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: He's a rock star in every sense of the word, in addition to a fashion icon and budding actor.

Harry Styles in December 2019. Rich Fury/Getty Images for Spotify

THEN: Zendaya began starring in her first Disney show, "Shake It Up," in 2010.

Zendaya in December 2010. Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage/Getty Images

NOW: She's a style icon, Emmy-nominated actress, and has starred in multiple huge films.

Zendaya in 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

THEN: Shia LaBeouf had already starred in two "Transformers" films, plus "Indiana Jones" by 2010. He looked like he was poised to become the next big action star.

Shia LaBeouf in September 2010. Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage/Getty Images

NOW: He received Oscar buzz for his semi-autobiographical film "Honey Boy," after a confusing few years.

Shia LaBeouf in November 2019. Rich Fury/Getty Images

THEN: Kim Kardashian released her single "Jam (Turn It Up)" in 2010, and she was on her fifth season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

Kim Kardashian in March 2010. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

NOW: Besides becoming a complete superstar, she's studying for the bar exam and dabbling in prison reform, and her long-running reality show is coming to a close.

Kim Kardashian in February 2020. Jackson Lee/GC Images/Getty Images

THEN: Khloé Kardashian was the sassy younger sister of Kim who frequently got into trouble.

Khloé Kardashian in November 2010. Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: She's a mom to an adorable daughter, True, and hosts a show called "Revenge Body."

Khloé Kardashian in February 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

THEN: Kylie Jenner was just 13.

Kylie Jenner in May 2010. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: She's all grown up with a kid of her own and a successful cosmetics company.

Kylie Jenner in August 2019. David Livingston/WireImage/Getty Images

THEN: Lady Gaga was mainly known for her off-the-wall fashion and her brand of pop music unlike anything we'd heard before.

Lady Gaga in September 2010. Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

NOW: Gaga was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Ally in "A Star Is Born," and released the instantly iconic "Chromatica."

Lady Gaga in February 2020. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for AT&T

THEN: Nicki Minaj was one of very few, if not the only, mega successful female rappers at the time.

Nicki Minaj in November 2010. Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: She's still rapping, but her position as Queen of Rap may have slipped a little, and she's going to be a mom!

Nicki Minaj in December 2019. Rich Fury/Getty Images for Billboard

THEN: Steve Carell was primarily known for his role as Michael Scott on "The Office" ... not exactly a sex symbol.

Steve Carell in January 2010. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for PCA

NOW: He's a silver fox who focuses on dramatic roles, like those in "Foxcatcher," "Beautiful Boy," and "Welcome to Marwen."

Steve Carell in June 2019. Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

THEN: Rihanna released her fifth album, "Louder," in 2010 and was a bona fide pop star.

Rihanna in November 2010. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: Rihanna has become, for lack of a better word, a boss. Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty have brought her huge success in the business world.

Rihanna in October 2019. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Rihanna

THEN: Chris Pratt was best known for his role as the chubby, lovable goof Andy Dwyer on "Parks and Recreation."

Chris Pratt in December 2012. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

NOW: He's helmed not one but two gigantic franchises ("Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World") ... and gotten extremely ripped.

Chris Pratt in March 2019. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

THEN: Taylor Swift was a sugary sweet country singer who sang about ex-boyfriends dumping her on the phone.

Taylor Swift in April 2010. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

NOW: She shocked us all with a surprise album drop, and has taken on the music industry by speaking out about streaming, contracts, and owning her own music.

Taylor Swift in December 2019. Isabel Infantes/PA Images/Getty Images

THEN: Beyoncé was still, of course, one of the biggest musicians on the planet, but announced a hiatus from music in January 2010.

Beyoncé in November 2010. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

NOW: It's hard to overstate how important Beyoncé has become in culture, from releasing two of the most political and empowering albums of the decade, to creating a full-blown experience at Coachella.

Beyoncé in April 2018. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

NOW: It's hard to overstate how important Beyoncé has become in culture, from releasing two of the most political and empowering albums of the decade, to creating a full-blown experience at Coachella.

THEN: Kristen Stewart was best known as the star of the "Twilight" franchise and for dating her co-star Robert Pattinson.

Kristen Stewart in May 2012. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

NOW: She's fully embraced her queer identity, and she has picked interesting indie films over the last 10 years.

Kristen Stewart in January 2020. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

THEN: Jonah Hill's biggest film to date was "Superbad," and he had appeared in supporting roles in films like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Knocked Up."

Jonah Hill in January 2010. George Pimentel/Getty Images

NOW: He's a fashion icon, hype-beast, director, and dramatic actor.

Jonah Hill in February 2019. Kurt Krieger/Corbis/Getty Images

5 Disney references you might have missed in 'Frozen 2'

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

THEN AND NOW: The biggest celebrity transformations of the past decade

THEN: In 2010, Meghan Markle was still a year away from her most famous role to date, Rachel on "Suits."

NOW: She became royalty when she married Prince Harry in 2018, although she stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

THEN: Justin Bieber released "Baby" in 2010, which quickly became the most-disliked video on YouTube.

NOW: He has fully left behind his teeny-bopper status and released his first album since 2015. He also got married to model Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin).

THEN: Ariana Grande was best known as the quirky Cat on Nickelodeon's "Victorious."

NOW: Grande was the most-streamed female artist of the decade on Spotify, and won her first Grammy in 2019.

THEN: Miley Cyrus was still starring in her Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana," in 2010, though she was starting to branch out. She starred in "The Last Song" that year.

NOW: She's tried out many personas, including hip hop ("Bangerz"), stoner ("Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz"), and country ("Younger Now").

THEN: Kumail Nanjiani had his big break in 2014 with "Silicon Valley," but he had been working for years prior.

NOW: He's about to become a Marvel superhero, and he's an Oscar-nominated screenwriter.

THEN: Harry Styles was just one of five members of British boy band One Direction.

NOW: He's a rock star in every sense of the word, in addition to a fashion icon and budding actor.

THEN: Zendaya began starring in her first Disney show, "Shake It Up," in 2010.

NOW: She's a style icon, Emmy-nominated actress, and has starred in multiple huge films.

THEN: Shia LaBeouf had already starred in two "Transformers" films, plus "Indiana Jones" by 2010. He looked like he was poised to become the next big action star.

NOW: He received Oscar buzz for his semi-autobiographical film "Honey Boy," after a confusing few years.

THEN: Kim Kardashian released her single "Jam (Turn It Up)" in 2010, and she was on her fifth season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

NOW: Besides becoming a complete superstar, she's studying for the bar exam and dabbling in prison reform, and her long-running reality show is coming to a close.

THEN: Khloé Kardashian was the sassy younger sister of Kim who frequently got into trouble.

NOW: She's a mom to an adorable daughter, True, and hosts a show called "Revenge Body."

THEN: Kylie Jenner was just 13.

NOW: She's all grown up with a kid of her own and a successful cosmetics company.

THEN: Lady Gaga was mainly known for her off-the-wall fashion and her brand of pop music unlike anything we'd heard before.

NOW: Gaga was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Ally in "A Star Is Born," and released the instantly iconic "Chromatica."

THEN: Nicki Minaj was one of very few, if not the only, mega successful female rappers at the time.

NOW: She's still rapping, but her position as Queen of Rap may have slipped a little, and she's going to be a mom!

THEN: Steve Carell was primarily known for his role as Michael Scott on "The Office" ... not exactly a sex symbol.

NOW: He's a silver fox who focuses on dramatic roles, like those in "Foxcatcher," "Beautiful Boy," and "Welcome to Marwen."

THEN: Rihanna released her fifth album, "Louder," in 2010 and was a bona fide pop star.

NOW: Rihanna has become, for lack of a better word, a boss. Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty have brought her huge success in the business world.

THEN: Chris Pratt was best known for his role as the chubby, lovable goof Andy Dwyer on "Parks and Recreation."

NOW: He's helmed not one but two gigantic franchises ("Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World") ... and gotten extremely ripped.

THEN: Taylor Swift was a sugary sweet country singer who sang about ex-boyfriends dumping her on the phone.

NOW: She shocked us all with a surprise album drop, and has taken on the music industry by speaking out about streaming, contracts, and owning her own music.

THEN: Beyoncé was still, of course, one of the biggest musicians on the planet, but announced a hiatus from music in January 2010.

NOW: It's hard to overstate how important Beyoncé has become in culture, from releasing two of the most political and empowering albums of the decade, to creating a full-blown experience at Coachella.

THEN: Kristen Stewart was best known as the star of the "Twilight" franchise and for dating her co-star Robert Pattinson.

NOW: She's fully embraced her queer identity, and she has picked interesting indie films over the last 10 years.

THEN: Jonah Hill's biggest film to date was "Superbad," and he had appeared in supporting roles in films like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Knocked Up."

NOW: He's a fashion icon, hype-beast, director, and dramatic actor.