What 20 famous musicians looked like at the beginning of their careers

Melina GlusacJul 18, 2020, 20:28 IST

Lady Gaga in 2007 and at ELLE's 25th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration in 2018.Twitter/Lady Gaga and Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for ELLE Magazine

Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, and Alanis Morissette have come a long way since "Star Search."
Justin Bieber's mom began uploading YouTube videos of her son singing in 2007, while Post Malone got his start on SoundCloud.
Katy Perry started off as a gospel singer.

Everyone's gotta start somewhere.

From a young Justin Bieber singing his heart out on YouTube, to Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera honing their talents on "The Mickey Mouse Club," the world's most famous musicians were once just like everyone else in the business: trying to make it big.

We took a look back at 20 famous musicians at the dawn of their careers, and compared their humble beginnings to where they are now.

Keep scrolling to see your favorite artists before they climbed the charts.

Before she was a certified diva, Mariah Carey was just trying to promote her new record.

Mariah Carey on the show "Video Soul" in 1990 and at the 2018 American Music Awards. BET and Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Britney Spears was on "Star Search" in 1984, before becoming the Princess of Pop.

An 11-year-old Britney Spears on "Star Search" in 1984, and Spears performing in 2018. CBS and C Flanigan/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Like Spears, Christina Aguilera got her start on "Star Search."

Christina Aguilera on "Star Search" in 1989, and performing at the 2017 American Music Awards. CBS and Michael Tran/FilmMagic via Getty Images

A young Whitney Houston debuted on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1983, and Griffin called her "simply breathtaking."

Whitney Houston on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1983, and at the 2004 World Music Awards. NBC and Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Alanis Morissette was big-haired and upbeat on her 1990 "Star Search" appearance.

Alanis Morisette on "Star Search" in 1990 and performing in 2018. CBS and Don Arnold/WireImage

Justin Bieber was discovered on YouTube.

A young Justin Bieber performing "With You" on his YouTube channel, and Bieber performing in 2017. Youtube/Justin Bieber and Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/Redferns

Taylor Swift got her foot in the door writing and singing country songs before her pivot to pop.

Taylor Swift in 2006 and at the American Music Awards in 2018. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc via Getty Images and Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images

Sir Elton John came up in the '70s.

John's first US television appearance on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1970, and playing a concert in Detroit in 2018. NBC and Scott Legato/Getty Images

In 2007, Lady Gaga was excited about the launch of a single that kick-started her career.

Lady Gaga in 2007 and at ELLE's 25th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration in 2018. Twitter/Lady Gaga and Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for ELLE Magazine

Before Beyoncé achieved success with Destiny's Child, she was in another group called Girls Tyme.

Beyoncé performing on "Star Search" with Girls Tyme in 1993, and Beyoncé onstage during the On The Run II Tour in 2018. CBS and Larry Busacca/PW18/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment

When rapper B.o.B. released "Nothin' On You" in 2010, everyone obsessed over Bruno Mars' feature.

Bruno Mars at the 2010 Jingle Ball and the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. Mike Coppola/FilmMagic via Getty Images and Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Eminem was discovered by producer Dr. Dre in the late 1990s.

Eminem at the Source Hip-Hop Music Awards in 1999 and at the rag & bone X Eminem London Pop-Up in 2018. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images and David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Rag & Bone via Getty Images

Drake used to be an actor on "Degrassi: The Next Generation."

Drake on "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and in May 2018. CTV Television Network and Prince Williams/WireImage via Getty Images

Madonna got her start as a backup dancer and New York "scenester."

Madonna in a publicity photo for 1985's "Desperately Seeking Susan" and performing in 2017. Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images and Venturelli/Getty Images for LDC Foundation

Lil Wayne got his start at Cash Money Records at the ripe age of 16.

Lil Wayne in 2000 and 2018. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images and Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET

During her "19" era, Adele used to sport a beehive hairdo like Amy Winehouse.

Adele in 2008 and at the Grammys in 2017. Jay Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Contour by Getty Images and Dan MacMedan/WireImage via Getty Images

Like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake was a member of the "Mickey Mouse Club."

Timberlake on "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the early '90s and at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival. CBS and JB Lacroix/WireImage via Getty Images

At age 15, Rihanna sang Mariah Carey's "Hero" — and was signed to a label a year later.

Rihanna performing in 2003 and at the anniversary event for her makeup line, Fenty Beauty, in 2018. Youtube and Caroline McCredie/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Raised in a strict Christian household, Katy Perry started off as a gospel singer.

Katy Perry on her tour bus in 2001 and at a gala in 2018. Youtube and Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images

Like many popular rappers today, Post Malone got his start on SoundCloud.

Post Malone in 2016 and 2018. Raymond Hall/GC Images and Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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