Entertainment
Iconic TV & Film Actresses of the '00s — Then & Now Photos That Prove We're All Getting Old
If you were a kid growing up around the turn of the new millennium, then you probably obsessed over the same films and TV shows that I did. And luckily for us young women growing up in that time period, we had plenty of leading ladies to watch on our screens. Of course, our favorite young actresses didn't stay the kids or tweens that we spent years watching. Just like us, they grew up — though it might be hard to imagine just how much! Click through to see then and now photos of your favorite female stars of the early '00s because everyone gets better with age.
Image: NBC
Then: Tatyana Ali
Fans watched little Ashley Banks go from a kid to a rebellious teen on the NBC sitcom.
Image: NBC
Now: Tatyana Ali
She’s 35 and currently stars on BET series Second Generation Wayans.
Then: Larisa Oleynik
The young actress delighted us as the girl who could melt into a silver puddle of goo on The Secret Life of Alex Mack.
Image: Nickelodeon
Larisa Oleynik
The actress is 33 and recently starred in the (awesome!) indie film BFFs.
Image: ABC Family
Then: Jodie Sweetin
Sweetin made “how rude” a catchphrase with her portrayal of Full House’s Stephanie Tanner.
Now: Jodie Sweetin
The former actress is 33 and as of 2013 worked as a logistical coordinator for a rehab center.
Then: Alexa Vega
She played badass kid Carmen in the Spy Kids franchise.
Now: Alexa Vega
She’s currently 26 and still kicking ass with films like Repo! The Genetic Opera and Machete Kills.
Then: Mackenzie Rosman
She played curly-haired cutie Ruthie on full-family drama 7th Heaven.
Now: Mackenzie Rosman
The actress is now 25 whose recent credits include a role on Secret Life of the American Teenager and the TV movie Ghost Shark.
Then: Kirsten Storms
Storms played intergalactic tween Zenon in Disney Channel’s Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century trilogy.
Image: Disney Channel
Then: Brenda Song
The actress spoofed Paris Hilton with her character London Tipton (get it?!) on Disney Channel’s the Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Image: Disney Channel
Now: Brenda Song
The 26-year-old recently starred on the now-cancelled Fox sitcom Dads.
Then: Abigail Breslin
The actress was nominated for an Oscar in 2007 for her performance in Little Miss Sunshine.
Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Now: Abigail Breslin
She’s only 18, but the actress has had a pretty consistent career since her first feature film with movies like Valentine’s Day and Perfect Sisters. Surprisingly, she also recently released this catchy breakup tune “You Suck.”
Then: Emily Osment
Miley Cyrus may get all the attention for Hannah Montana, but who wouldn’t want Emily Osment’s character Lily for a best friend?
Image: Disney Channel
Now: Emily Osment
She’s a proven sitcom queen with her ABC Family series Young & Hungry, in which she plays a private cook/perpetual hot mess.
Then: Mara Wilson
Wilson was the precocious little girl in many of your favorite ’90s flicks, from Mrs. Doubtfire to Matilda (pictured here.)
Image: TriStar Pictures
Now: Mara Wilson
Wilson is no longer an actress — she’s channeled her creativity into writing with her blog, Mara Wilson Writes Stuff. Many posts have been syndicated throughout the internet.
Image: Instagram/marawritesstuff
Then: JoJo
JoJo was barely a teenager when she sang ultimate breakup ballad “Get Out (Leave).”
Now: JoJo
24-year-old JoJo, who makes subtle ombre look so good in the above photo, recently had a role in high school flick G.B.F.
Then: Kay Panabaker
The actress was all over Disney Channel in the ’00s, from Phil of the Future to original movies like Read It and Weep.
Now: Kay Panabaker
Like JoJo, the actress is now 24, and most recently starred in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 in 2012.
Then: Linda Cardellini
Cardellini played high schooler Lindsay Weir on Freaks & Geeks and connected to everyone who didn’t quite find their place in high school.
Image: NBC
Now: Linda Cardellini
It’s crazy to think that the former TV high schooler is now 39! She’s had roles on Mad Men (as Don’s mistress!) and New Girl, and currently voices characters on The Regular Show and Gravity Falls.
Then: Gabrielle Union
Union starred in teen flicks like Bring It On and 10 Things I Hate About You. Later, she played Will Smith’s girlfriend in the sequel to Bad Boys.
Then: Gabrielle Union
Nope, this isn’t an old picture of Union — she virtually does not age. The 42-year-old actress currently stars on BET’s Being Mary Jane.
Then: Melissa Joan Hart
Hart was a TV star in the ’90s and early ’00s — she played the titular character in Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Now: Melissa Joan Hart
The 38-year-old actress is still a sitcom star! She’s currently starring on her own ABC Family show which, obviously, features her own name in the title. Melissa and Joey is currently in its fourth season.
Then: Christina Vidal
Vidal starred on the short-lived (but oh-so-awesome) Nickelodeon show Taina, about a girl looking to become a star at a performing arts high school.
Now: Christina Vidal
No longer in high school! The 33-year-old recently guest starred on an episode of CBS series Stalker.
Then: Raven-Symone
The Disney Channel darling played a psychic teen/fashion icon on That’s So Raven.
Now: Raven-Symone
This former teen star is almost 30! Since her ABC Family series State of Georgia ended in 2011, the actress has mostly been doing voice work. She was recently interviewed by Oprah Winfrey.
