If you still don’t already know, there’s a fun viral trend making its way around the Twitterverse, and it has everyone talking. The “how it started vs. how it’s going” challenge is meant to show followers how far someone has come by comparing photos from the start of their journey to where they are today. The whole world is taking part in this trend, including our favorite celebrities.
It’s fun to look at their posts, especially since there’s such a huge difference between where they started and where they are now. It also makes these celebrities a bit more relatable. For some of them, it wasn’t that long ago when they were just ordinary people with big dreams.
Thomas Pesquet Lived Out His Childhood Fantasy
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet always knew he was going to reach the stars, but for real. According to Presquet, he spent most of his youth kite surfing, skiing, sailing, biking, and mountaineering. He sure sounds like quite the adventurer!
The astronaut spent his young adult life training for his pilot’s license before joining the European Space Agency in his early 30s. Pesquet’s first trip to space was in 2010 when he spent six months in the great, dark abyss. Expect to see him returning to space in 2021 when he’ll be back amongst the stars for another half a year. Yeah, it’s going pretty, pretty well for Pesquet. We can’t wait to see what else he’ll accomplish.
Gordon Ramsay Started as a Dishwasher
It may come as a surprise, but cooking wasn’t Gordon Ramsay’s first passion. In fact, he actually wanted to become a professional soccer player in his early years. He had, after all, some very serious skills. But unfortunately, his luck ran out after a knee injury ruined any chances of making it as a sports star.
Luckily, he discovered his passion for cooking at 19 years old. He pursued his love for food and quickly moved up the ranks. His first job was actually as a dishwasher at an Indian restaurant. Can you imagine THE Gordon Ramsey being told to wash dishes? Well, Ramsay stuck with it, and now he’s a celebrity chef with 16 Michelin stars, an award-winning restaurant, and a reality TV presence.
Ellie Goulding Failed Music in High School
Rockstar Ellie Goulding didn’t always draw in a big audience. As we can see from the picture on the left, she began her career as an ordinary teenager with a guitar who was scared to sing in front of people. Goulding even failed her high school music class! So, what’s happened since?
Oh, nothing much. She’s just one of the biggest names in pop music, no big deal. Now worth over $30 million dollars, Goulding is a Grammy Award-nominated artist who puts out hit after hit. The singer even sang at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reception back in 2011. Talk about hitting it big! We bet her high school teachers are kicking themselves right about now.
Simone Biles Knows How Much She’s Achieved
In October 2020, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles uploaded her very own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post. She released these photographs on her Twitter account so we can see just how far she’s come during her short time here on Earth. Come to think of it, Biles was once just a little girl who went to a gymnastics class after school.
Now, at only 23 years old, Simone has a whopping 30 World Championships and Olympic medals to her name. How cool is that? To top it off, she currently holds more World medals than any gymnast internationals. She was also the first American female gymnast to win a medal in every World and Olympic event in 2018. You go, girl!
Rebecca Black Is Now a TikTok Star
Do you guys remember Rebecca Black? If you don’t, then allow us to refresh your memory. She was an internet sensation after her (horrible) song Friday became a viral sensation and generated a lot of press coverage. Her song was called “the worst song ever” for its cringe-worthy vocals.
Well, a lot has changed since 2011. Fast forward to today, and she’s getting a lot of support and positive comments for her TikToks. “Who I am has been changing a lot over the last few years,” Black said in a recent interview with Buzzfeed.
Jeremy Meeks Went From Felon to Famous Model
Think that photo on the left is a head shot for a modeling portfolio? Well, think again. That photo is actually a mug shot. Say hello to Jeremy Meeks. If you aren’t familiar with him already, Meeks is a felon turned runway model whose mugshot went viral because he’s, well, how do we put this?
The most beautiful creature on the face of this Earth? Upon his release from prison in 2016, Meeks not only began his modeling career, but he dated billionaire Chloe Green. The two are no longer together, meaning that he’s back on the market!
LeBron James Is Still Winning
Professional NBA player LeBron James couldn’t help but celebrate his FOURTH NBA championship by sharing his own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post. In October 2020, the basketball player shared these two photos, proving just how far he’s come during his 17-year career as a professional basketball player.
And, yep, he’s still got it. The photo on the left shows James holding up a trophy after winning a state championship when he played for the St. Vincent-St. Mary varsity basketball team. Well, James is still winning, just bigger and better trophies. The photo on the right was taken after beating the Miami Heat.
Taylor Momsen Revealed Her Darker Side
Everyone remembers actress Taylor Momsen as the sweet little girl who played Cindy Lou Who alongside Jim Carrey in the How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The part solidified her reputation as a cute, sweet, and innocent girl.
Momsen also had a supporting role in the teen drama series Gossip Girl before she abruptly quit acting. During her time in Gossip Girl, Momsen joined a grunge rock band called The Pretty Reckless. The band was signed in 2009 and Momsen’s transformation scared a few people off. However, Momsen is confident and happy with her new look, and that’s all that matters.
Meghan Markle Is Now an Aristocrat
Former actress Meghan Markle sure has climbed up the social ladder. She went from being a child of a broken home to landing a part on Suits, to living every little girl’s dream of marrying a real-life prince!
But while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer part of the Royal family, there’s no denying that Markle has made a name for herself. These side-by-side photographs really show how drastic this change has been. Besides all of the bad press she’s gotten in recent years, we’d be lying if we said that we weren’t just a tad bit jealous.
A Bumpy Road for Honey Boo Boo
Alana Thompson, also known as Honey Boo Boo, rose to fame on the hit TLV series Toddlers & Tiaras. People just couldn’t get enough of the pageant star and her problematic family, who ended up starring in their very own show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.
But when her mother, Mama June, found herself in the middle of a drug scandal, the show was canceled. So what’s happened since for the former pageant queen? Well, let’s just say that it’s been a bit bumpy. Mama June has since abandoned Alana and her sisters, so they’re taking care of one another.
Lewis Hamilton’s Making It Big
How adorable was Lewis Hamilton was he was little? For most of us in America, race car driving isn’t the easiest sport to get into. And for Lewis, who grew up in a blue-collar family, the odds were against him.
Lewis may be known as one of the best race car drivers in history, but he still remembers his roots. “If my dad hadn’t done the work he did, and if I didn’t get signed when I was 13 by Ron Dennis, then I wouldn’t be sitting in front of you today,” he told reporters, “I’d be doing something different.”
Jessica Alba Has Moved On
Jessica Alba has been an A-list Hollywood actress since the mid-2000s. She’s known for natural beauty—something that rings true even today! But in the past few years, Alba has moved on from acting and begun working in a career that has come as a surprise to many.
Alba is a co-founder of The Honest Company, which specializes in chemical-free household products! That’s right. This former actress is now your go-to for botanically infused household sprays and chemical-free baby products, and beauty supplies! As the chairperson for the brand, it’s taken over her life.
Steve Kerr Champions as Both a Player and a Coach
One of the California-based basketball teams, the Golden State Warriors, uploaded their own post for the “how it started vs. how it’s going” challenge. But instead of uploading just any player, the team decided to honor their head coach, Steve Kerr. The caption for the post read, “Leading the way.”
Well, they’re right. Kerr really is leading the way. The picture on the left is from his younger days as an NBA player, and the one on the right is from his head coaching days. Clearly, things are going very well for Kerr, and it’s cool to see how far he’s come.
Katy Perry’s Religious Roots
Katy Perry is an international superstar who is currently making headlines for being a new mom to daughter Daisy, with Orlando Bloom. We know Perry as a pop music singer with several pop singles to her name. However, pop music isn’t where she began her career.
Nor was she born into the lavish lifestyle that she’s become accustomed to. Perry began her career as a gospel, country, and Christian rock singer. This is a complete 180 from one of her early singles, I Kissed a Girl. Perry also says that she’s actually a tomboy and not a girly girl, as her persona leads us to believe.
Ricky Gervais Was Into Pop?
We all know Ricky Gervais as the controversial Golden Globes host who has an impressive resume. Not only is he a comedian, but he also directs and writes! But did you know that Gervais started his career in show business as an aspiring pop star?
Surprised? Yeah, so are we! Gervais used to be into fashion, and by looking at this photograph, he nailed the classic ’80s look. We wonder if Gervais wishes he could have made it big as a rock star instead of as a comedian. Hmm, I guess we’ll never know.
Danielle Colby’s Past Life
Fans of the reality show American Pickers know who Danielle Colby is. But for those who are unfamiliar with the show, don’t worry—we’ll fill you in. Colby is an antique shop worker who is known for her love of all things vintage.
However, before her participation in American Pickers, Colby had a pretty racy lifestyle. Besides collecting antiques, Colby also worked as an erotic dancer and burlesque entertainer. “I think the costuming is what first struck me,” she told reporters in 2019. “I eventually was like, ‘Oh dammit, I have to figure out how to dance if I wear this stuff.'”
Rafael Nadal Is on a Roll
Spanish tennis pro, Rafael Nadal, is currently ranked as number two in the world for men’s singles tennis. That’s quite the accomplishment. Luckily for us, the French Open Twitter account couldn’t help but share their own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post in honor of the Olympic gold medalist.
The photo on the left is of Nadal right after his French Open win in 2005, while the photo on the right shows him holding the Roland-Garros trophy in 2020. A lot has happened in Nadal’s tennis career since 2005, and there’s no denying that he’s still at the top of his game.
Jim Carrey Turned His Childhood Obsession Into His Job
Actor and comedian Jim Carrey has very humble beginnings. His mother suffered from severe depression, and, at one point, his family lived out of a van. But Carrey took his hurt and used it as motivation for his comedy.
As a child, the actor was obsessed with making funny faces in the mirror, partially to cheer his mother up and partially because he was an outsider at school. Well, look at Carrey now! Those years of practicing in front of the mirror bought him a ticket to Hollywood, where he is one of the best at facial expressions in the business!
Selena Gomez’s Surprising TV Past
One of Selena Gomez’s fans, also called a Selenator, just had to share her own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post in honor of her favorite star. On the left, there’s a photo of Gomez when she used to hang out with a giant purple dinosaur on the hit children’s TV show, Barney & Friends.
Gomez has grown so much since then. She may still have the same babyface, but she’s now a huge pop star who’s sold millions of albums worldwide. In the photo on the right, Gomez poses next to her 2x platinum (meaning she sold 2 million copies) single, Lose You to Love Me.
Rihanna’s Now a Makeup Mogul
Barbadian singer Rihanna has sold over 250 million records worldwide! Not only is that a huge accomplishment, but that makes her one of the best-selling artists of all time! But Riri didn’t come from fame, nor was she used to having lavish things.
The star grew up working as a street vendor selling clothes with her father. At 15 years old, Riri won a beauty pageant and could very easily have picked up modeling. But today, music is also taking a backseat. Rihanna launched her own beauty brand, Fenty Beauty, in 2017, and she is now one of the most prominent people in the makeup industry.
Tony Danza Made a Surprise Career Change
Actor Tony Danza rose to stardom after starring as Tony Banta in the ’70s TV show Taxi. The photograph on the left shows him in his prime, ready for the Hollywood success that was coming his way. Before making it in show business, Danza was actually a professional boxer!
Well, you would think that one major career change would be enough for Danza, but he had other plans in store. After Taxi came to an end, he went on to become a sophomore English teacher at Northeast High School, Pennsylvania. How surprising is that?
Serena Williams Worked Her Way Up
Tennis powerhouse Serena Williams is one of the best role models out there. She has been ranked as number one in women’s single tennis SIX times and also holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles today.
But Williams didn’t just wake up one morning and decide that she wanted to be the best female tennis player in the world. No, it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Williams worked for years to stay at the top of her game. Today, Williams isn’t just one of the best athletes in the world, she’s also happily married with a three-year-old.
Melissa Joan Hart Is Grown Up!
Attention, ’90s kids! Do you remember that show you used to watch, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch? Well, for those who don’t remember, Melissa Joan Hart played Sabrina, a young witch who lived with her two aunts and had a talking black cat.
Well, if you ever wondered what happened to your teen idol, take a look! Hart has swapped her cat Salem for her very own brood of kids (three boys), and she loves life as a mother. While she’s made a few TV or film appearances, Hart has more satisfaction in swapping her spellbook for a storybook.
The Jonas Brothers’ Journey
Every tween’s favorite pop band, the Jonas Brothers, couldn’t help but make their own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post. They uploaded these photos to Twitter to show just how much has changed in just a few short years.
On the left, the three brothers were performing at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Fast forward to 2020, and they are winners at the same award show. The band took home the top radio song artist, top radio song titles, and the top duo/group. It’s crazy how much can change in just one year!
Quavo’s Research Led to a Life-Changing Discovery
Rapper Quavo just had to post his own “how it started vs. how it’s going post.” Let’s be honest here. This is one of the cutest posts we’ve seen so far. On the left is a screenshot of him sliding into rapper Saweetie’s DMs in 2018.
Luckily his line worked because we’ve never heard of that one before. Fast forward to today and the two are happily dating. “I seen her on my Explore page,” Quavo later told reporters. “I was like, ‘Damn! Who is this?’ So I did my research and I DM her.”
Kyle Kuzma Keeps on Winning
Pro NBA player Kyle Kuzma shared his own side-by-side comparison. But the cool thing about this post is that the two photos are just three years apart! The first photograph on the left shows Kuzma just after he won the NBA summer league in 2017 when he was just 22 years old.
The picture on the right shows Kuzma posing with the championship trophy on the court after winning the NBA finals in 2020. What a difference three years makes! At just 25 years old, Kuzma is proving what an amazing player he is. We can’t wait to see what the next three years will bring.
Jimmy Fallon’s Picture-Perfect Life
The host of The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon, posted his own take for the “how it started” Twitter challenge. On the left, we can see Fallon in his younger days back when he was trying to make a name for himself in the comedy world.
This picture is from his days on Saturday Night Live. Interestingly enough, Fallon didn’t choose a photo of him hosting The Tonight Show for his “how it’s going” photo. Instead, he decided to show off his beautiful family. However, on the kitchen table, there is a handwritten sign that reads “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Mindy Kaling Is Winning at Life
Comedian, actress and writer Mindy Kaling shared her own “how it’s going” post to her over five million followers on Instagram. The photo on the left is a throwback to her days on The Office, where she played customer service representative Kelly Kapoor.
Can you believe that was back in 2005? Take a look at her today, and she is just absolutely glowing. Not only is she an accomplished actress, but she’s an award-winning comedienne. Her caption for this photo is, “So yeah, it’s going pretty well. How about you?” Mindy, we couldn’t agree more.
Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods 20 Years Later
Actress turned producer Reese Witherspoon shot to fame after starring as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. The 2001 film instantly became a huge hit with audiences and, according to some fans, Legally Blonde has reached a cult-classic level.
And who could forget Elle’s iconic outfits, like this bunny costume that she wore? For those who don’t remember, she was tricked into dressing up for a Halloween party. But she looked amazing! And better yet, Witherspoon tried on this same outfit 20 years later and looks even better than she did years ago.
Christina Ricci Is All Grown Up
Actress Christina Ricci became famous at a young age after appearing as Wednesday Addams in 1991. And how could we forget her spooky little girl appearance? Her classic jet black pigtails, pale skin, and black dress has become a staple Halloween costume.
Well, take a look at her today! In this picture, Ricci is recreating her onscreen mother’s look—Morticia Addams. Besides dressing up in spooky costumes, Ricci is famous for taking on darker roles. Today, the actress has won a Golden Globe and an Emmy, among others. It’s cool to think that her role as Wednesday most likely inspired her future unconventional roles.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Dream Comes True
Pro soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most famous (and most loved) athletes in the world. Today, he is worth more than $450 million, making him one of the highest-paid athletes ever. Well, according to Ronaldo, his father never believed that he would make much money.
“When I was young, I told my Dad that we are going to be rich and we are going to have a big house like Michael Jackson’s one,” the soccer player told reporters. That’s when his father said, “Son, that’s impossible.” Well, take a look at him today.
America Ferrera Says Goodbye
Actress, director, and producer America Ferrera also got in on the “how it started vs. how it’s going” challenge and uploaded her own post to Instagram. The photo on the left is from her first day filming the pilot episode of the NBS series, Superstore.
The picture on the right is from one of her last days of filming. “I can’t believe it’s almost time for my last 2 episodes to air!” Ferrera wrote. The actress was definitely feeling nostalgic, and we don’t blame her. All of those Superstore fans are feeling the same way!
Giancarlo Esposito Has Been on TV for Decades
Actor Giancarlo Esposito has been in the business for a while, but he’s most famous for his role of Gus Fring in AMC’s hit series Breaking Bad, as well as in the prequel series Better Call Saul. Esposito was such a great actor that he’s been nominated for an Emmy Award three times for his role!
In this throwback photo, Esposito is working on the NBC police drama, Homicide: Life on the Street. The photo on the right is from his current series, The Boys. It’s always cool to see how far these actors have come since their younger days.
Martha Stewart’s Modeling Days
Martha Stewart is one of the most business-savvy people out there. She’s a businesswoman, a writer, and a TV personality. She also has her own magazine and TV show, Marth Stewart Living, as well as her hit cooking show with Snoop Dog. But surprisingly enough, Stewart had a completely different job when she was younger.
She actually used to work as a fashion model! Who would have thought that Stewart used to work as a model? Not because of her looks (she’s gorgeous, by the way), but because her name has become synonymous with cooking and nice dishes.
Nicki Minaj Used to Share a Stage
One of rapper Nicki Minaj’s fans posted this for the viral “how it started vs. how it’s going” trend. The photo shows Minaj on the cover of her first demo next to a photo of her featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine. How crazy is that?
Minaj started her career in 2004 in New York. Back in those days, she was in a rap group called the Hoodstars. Well, she’s come a long way since. Today, Minaj is a solo artist who doesn’t have to share the stage (or the cover of her albums) with anyone.
Miley Cyrus Went From Child Star to Rated R
Miley Cyrus is such a huge star that people most likely forgot how she started out. But before she was a racy pop star basking in the spotlight, she was famous for her role on the Disney Channel original series, Hannah Montana.
During her days as a Disney channel star, Cyrus also released hits, but they were a bit more family-friendly than her current material. But like every child star, Cyrus felt like she had to break away from her innocent image and go in the opposite direction. But, hey, whatever works for her, right?
Alyson Stoner Is Still Finding Herself
Alyson Stoner was everyone’s favorite tomboy in Cheaper by the Dozen, as well as its sequel, Cheaper by the Dozen 2. She began her career co-hosting Mike’s Super Short Show on the Disney Channel and then stole everyone’s hearts as the seven-year-old dancer in Missy Elliot’s video, Work It.
Not only is Stoner an actress and a dancer, but the girl can also sing too! In 2018, Stoner made headlines when she came out in an article for Teen Vogue. The entertainer said that she was “attracted to men, women, and people who identify in other ways.”
Kendall Jenner’s Quick Turnaround
As everyone knows, international supermodel Kendall Jenner first started her career as a reality star thanks to her mega-famous family, the Kardashians. But just because she was basically born into royalty, it doesn’t mean that she was born a supermodel.
While Jenner was always drop-dead gorgeous, she was just your average high schooler trying to get through her teen years. She was (and is still) a huge tomboy and was even a cheerleader. Fast forward to today, and Jenner is one of the most in-demand models in the world. And she’s only 25-years-old!
Dylan Sprouse’s Other Career
Actor Dylan Sprouse rose to fame after starring in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, alongside his twin brother, Cole. The two have actually been acting since before their first birthday and even starred in the 1999 film Big Daddy with Adam Sandler.
But now, at the age of 28, things are going a bit differently for Dylan. After his stint on the Disney Channel, he took a break from Hollywood to study video game design. But it turns out that his real passion is beer-making! He now owns a brewery called All-Wise Meadery. Very cool!
Jake Paul Pokes Fun at What He’s Lost
YouTube vlogger Jake Paul also shared his own “how it started vs. how it’s going” post to his whopping 3.8 million Twitter followers. On the left is a photo of a human pyramid that he made with his former social media collective, Team 10.
But as soon as the team started, it fell apart. Several influencers moved out of the house, citing Paul’s toxic behavior as the reason why they left. Well, Paul poked fun at this situation with the picture on the right, where he poses for a pyramid, but by himself.