20 Child Stars Who Made It Through Their Awkward Phases And Got Gorgeous

For one thing, she’s married, so permission to feel old granted. And two, holy cow did this Tomorrow People star get gorgeous.

Before he went on to star in the High School Musical franchise, Efron played Cameron on Summerland.

The Neighbors star is spectacularly hot. But you knew that.

Radcliffe was the young star of what would become one of the world’s biggest film franchises, Harry Potter.

The handsome star broke away from his Harry Potter image and now does indie films like rom-com What If and horror comedy Horns.

The Harry Potter star looked adorable in green on one of her very first red carpets.

Watson went from child star to an ever-classy feminist.

The I Am Sam star was an adorable child star.

The Very Good Girls star is an indie darling. (With amazing hair.)

The former Dream Street member struck it solo with hits like “Beautiful Soul.”

McCartney had a recurring role on ABC Family’s Young & Hungry (he wore glasses!) and currently has a new album out, titled In Technicolor.

Breslin made her film debut with the 2002 sci-fi flick Signs.

The Enders Game star rocks a more grown-up style.

The child star was barely a tween when he starred in August Rush.

Highmore is making us all kinds of uncomfortable on Bates Motel, but it’s okay because look at how great he looks in a suit.

Hutcherson’s first major role was in Little Manhattan as main character Gabe.

Hutcherson has become a teen-lit icon with his role as Peeta in The Hunger Games.

The Harry Potter star played cowardly but loyal Ron Weasley in the franchise.

Post Potter, Grint starred in films like CBGB and Charlie Countryman.

Oh, who are we kidding. This 7th Heaven star never had an awkward phase.

Annnnd it looks like he never will.

The former All That star really enjoyed hats.

The former Mr. Mariah Carey is currently working on Drumline 2. He still really enjoys hats.

The Drake & Josh stars played stepbrothers in their Odd Couple–esque comedy.

Their awkward phases are very far behind them. Bell now plays the teenage Timmy Turner in the live-action Fairly Oddparents films for Nickelodeon, while Peck has done a ton of voice work and guest-starred on shows like The Mindy Project.

The Lizzie McGuire star ruled Disney Channel during the early ’00s.

Duff uses fewer accessories in her hair and just released new music after a seven-year hiatus.

The child actress has grown into more adult roles.

The stylish actress scored a role in the upcoming film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s novel Dark Places and recently played the titular character in the remake of Carrie.

In the early 00s, Woodley had roles in TV movies like Once Upon a Mattress. She played Felicity (yes, like the American Girl doll) in the film An American Girl Adventure.

Woodley stars as Tris in the Divergent franchise and portrayed Hazel in the YA hit The Fault In Our Stars.

Paquin took home an Oscar for her role in The Piano in 1993 when she only 11 years old. In 2000 she starred in X-Men as Rogue.

Paquin’s long-running vampire drama, True Blood, just wrapped on HBO. She recently reprised her role as Rogue in X-Men: Days of Futures Past.

Better known as Jessica’s younger sister, Ashlee Simpson had a recurring role on 7th Heaven from 2002 to 2004 and released a pop album after her arc ended.

Simpson wed Evan Ross in 2014 and has one son, Bronx Mowgli, with her ex-husband, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz.

Underwood sang her way to the top of American Idol’s fourth season in 2005.

She ditched the crimped hair (we all did) and was recently named the top American Idol earner post-show by Forbes. She portrayed Maria in NBC’s Sound of Music: Live!

Lively starred as Bridget in the 2005 friend flick The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Clearly, Lively’s fashion choices have improved tenfold. She is currently expecting a baby with her husband, Ryan Reynolds and recently launched a lifestyle site, The Preserve.