Often times, when we think of Iran, we tend to think of many not-so-nice things. The truth is, when it comes to Iran, the country offers more than just scary news headlines. Iran and its people have a deep and rich culture with many things that people in the West will definitely relate to. how many of you forgot that Iran threw one of the most exclusive and extravagant party in 1971 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the Persian Empire; a party that cost them millions of dollars. In reality, Iran is a country where east and west meet to create something exceptional. So prepare to have your preconceived notions of Iran turned completely upside down as you read on to discover the amazing country of Iran.
1. Weddings Are On The House
We all know that, no matter where you are in the world, weddings can cost a lot of money and it is no different in Iran. Since weddings were so expensive in Iran, some were choosing not to marry at all. Sad life!
So, the Iranian government decided to set up an annual fund of $720 million in an attempt to cover the cost of the wedding if someone chooses to have a traditional Iranian wedding. Such a caring government! What about yours?
2. The Most Public Holidays
Compared to the rest of the world, Iran has the highest number of public holidays. However, the 25 official celebration days change on a year to year basis. It may sound confusing to you but the Iranian people are pretty used to it. The country uses three official calendars, while Muslim clerics calculate the dates of religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
There are secular holidays as well, such as Islamic Republic Day, Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, and Oil Nationalization Day. Next time your boss doesn’t want to give you a vacation day, you can let them know this little tidbit.
3. Who Holds The Power? Young People!
Iran’s population is over 82 million and half of them are under the age of 35 – which means that the country has one of the youngest populations in the world. This means that when the country goes to the ballot box (yes, people vote in Iran) the young people get to have a big say.
In Iran, the legal age for voting starts at the age of 15. However, Iran’s interior minister announced that there was a historically low voter turnout (since the revolution) in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
4. They Dine While Sitting On The Floor
It is common within Iranian families to dine while sitting on the floor and it becomes ever more common during dinner time in large families. Iranians don’t commonly use a fork and knife either, and eat using their right hand.
There are also different samples for different plates and it is customary to try a little of everything which the host serves you. Our only tip for you before eating an Iranian meal is that don’t ever underestimate it. The whole experience will be a memorable one.
5. Is It Iran or Persia?
The ruler Reza Shah Pahlavi asked foreign delegates, on the Iranian New Year of 1935, to use the term Iran in all formal correspondences. After that, the world started to use Iran more commonly, especially the Western World.
The name “Iran” means “land of the Aryans” in ancient Persian. It was the outsiders that used the term “Persian.” After the Islamic Iranian Revolution of 1979, the country’s name became the Islamic Republic of Iran by referendum.
6. The Nose Job Capital Of The World
Here’s an interesting fact, did you know Iran is considered to be “the nose job capital of the world”? But is it true or there is some other reason behind it? Well, it is because of the increasing desire for trying to achieve non-local beauty standards.
Many young Iranian women absolutely love the “typical” Western nose shape and they want it so badly that they pay top dollar for it. For now, it is too soon to say if it is just a trend or will it become a norm in the future. One of the biggest reasons behind this trend is Instagram.
7. Their Language is Not Arabic
Many people have a perception that people in Iran speak Arabic. In fact, their official language is what we would call Persian but what the locals call Farsi. Farsi is not just spoken in Iran, over 110 million people worldwide speak it. In fact, most of them are in central Asia.
Besides Farsi, there are many other languages as well, including Kurdish, Azerbaijani, Arabic, Gilaki, Mazandarani, Balochi, Lurish, Turkmen, Tatii, Talysh, and more.
8. Yes, There Is Skiing In Iran
What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of Iran? We can say with quite a bit of certainty that it likely wasn’t skiing.
Believe it or not, there are skiing places in the country. In the past, men and women were made to ski separately, but now it has changed.
9. There Are Allowed Temporary “Marriages”
“Temporary Marriages,” sounds a bit strange right? Well, the government of Iran allows short-term marriages which are called Sigheh and the duration of the marriage and the amount (mahr) is always agreed upon in advance.
It is because of the Twelver Shia Islam that the marriages are temporary and, to be honest, it is like having a concubine. In fact, this is one of Shi’ism’s most controversial regulations because marriage can last from a few hours to many years. This is unbelievable and yet it is true. Despite this, there are still no Tinder services offered in the country.
10. One Suit, Hold The Tie
This might make you feel jealous if you don’t like wearing a tie. The Iranian people started to frown upon western symbols after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and, as a result, you won’t see the people wearing a tie, even when they go for a job interview.
But this doesn’t mean that Iranian people don’t know how to dress up. If you go to the market, you can easily find European watches and button-up shirts right next to much more traditional Iranian clothing. So, in a way, you actually have more options.
11. Get Your Bookmarks Ready
According to UNESCO, the literacy rate of Iran in the 1970s was a mere 37%. With such a low literacy rate, a functional democracy sounds a bit like a pipe dream. But it all changed after the 1979 revolution as they overhauled the existing schooling system and began the Islamization of the education system.
They also made a change of segregation by sex and the textbooks were created to teach Islamic views. Interestingly, the literacy rate surged to 93% by 2015. That’s an impressive turnaround, isn’t it?
12. Tehran, AKA “The Hottest”
According to Ahmad Kasravi, Iranian historian and linguist, the word “Tehran” was derived from Indo-European language and meant “the hot place”. Tehran is also the capital city of Iran and has a population of 8.4 million in the city and over 15 million in the metropolitan area.
This picture is of Tehran’s Ab-o-Atash (“water and fire”) Park, also happens to be one of the largest skateparks in the Middle East. This photo may be surprising, as many assume that this trend doesn’t even exist in that part of the world.
13. The Rich Kids Of Tehran
There is one hashtag that is quite popular in the country. #RKOT, which means Rich Kids of Tehran, is one of the most popular Instagram accounts. If you look at it, you will understand why it is so popular. But the big question here is if it’s all legal?
Nope! However, given the wealth and status of their families, these kids can get away with a lot more than most. Believe it or not, Instagram is banned in the country and yet many Iranian millionaires and billionaires use secret VPN apps to show their wealth and lifestyle.
14. They Love to Drink “Doogh”
In Iran, “Doogh” is a savory yogurt-based beverage that is quite popular among people of all ages and genders. It is mixed with salt and is quite delicious. So, what exactly is Doogh? Well, it is widely used in Persian traditional medicine because of the health benefits of yogurt and also because it helps in treating colds, coughs, sunburns, and even ulcers with it.
There are rumors that it helps in prolonging youth, but they don’t seem to be true. Nevertheless, the beverage helps in moderating dryness and body temperature. And even Iranian women use it as a facemask in beauty therapy. It is a refreshing beverage, especially when you are out on a hot day. In Iran, you can find plenty of hot days.
15. Perhaps A Spot Of Tea?
When it comes to Iranian food flavorings, it is so interesting. There is saffron (the world’s most costly spice by weight), dried lime, cinnamon, parsley, and turmeric. They mix them in different dishes and the food is fantastic.
But there is a crucial pre-meal drink that Iranian people love to consume, Iranian tea. Yes, they love tea, which explains why the country is the 7th biggest producer of tea in the world. And the ample availability of local tea makes it even more popular. By the way, Iranians traditionally serve tea to guests with a lump of sugar and some rock candies (mostly flavored with saffron).
16. Not Easy To Be An Iranian Woman
According to the Human Rights Watch of 2015, women’s rights are severely restricted in Iran and they are quite limited compared to most developed nations. Even Iranian officials recognize that there is discrimination against women in the country, especially in the Job market.
Even though Iran is still miles ahead of some Middle Eastern countries (looking at you Saudi Arabia) women still need special permission from the male head of the household to get outside of the house.
17. A Mystical Faith Still Exists There
In ancient societies, there are references to a mystical faith called Zoroastrianism. As there used to be other religions as well, it seems like this one vanished into thin air. Well, that’s not entirely the case in Iran. It turns out that there is still a small number of people in Iran that follow it.
Zoroastrianism is a fusion of ideas that are somewhat familiar from Gnosticism, Greek philosophy, Islam, Christianity, and polytheism. It sounds complex, right? Well, there are still some people that are interested in this religion which is considered one of the oldest practiced religions in the world.
18. Check Out This Collection Of Prized Jewels!
Did you know that the Treasury of National Jewels in Tehran has some of the most expensive and rarest jewelry found in the world? For instance, the imperial crown jewels include numerous crowns, aigrettes, thirty tiaras, precious gems, a dozen of bejeweled swords and shields, and numerous plates cast in precious metals and encrusted with gems.
You can get an idea of the worth of the jewels from the fact that they are still used as a reserve to back the Iranian currency.
19. A Country With Lip-Smacking Flavors
The Iranian cuisine is delicious and their culinary culture has an abundance of flavors because it has interacted with food cultures of neighbors over the centuries.
Typical dishes mostly include combinations of vegetables, nuts, and rice with meat. They also use a lot of spices and herbs in their cuisine.
20. A Gorgeous Cheetah Lives There
The Asiatic Cheetah, commonly referred to as the Iranian Cheetah, is native to Iran and, unfortunately, this species faces an extremely high risk of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has already classified the Iranian Cheetah as a critically endangered species.
Currently, only 50 remain alive. However, there are high hopes for the species as it lives in a protected area in the eastern-central arid region of Iran. It doesn’t live close to humans, so hopefully, its population will grow in the coming years.
21. The Baloch In Iran
You can find Baloch people in Iran and they also live in the Balochistan region in the southeast of the country. Baloch people live mostly in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
But did you know that they had to band together to form a political movement? It is because of the violent inter-tribal conflict and also due to rebellions that seem to be loyal to different tribal leaders.
22. A Country With Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Thanks to the rich and storied history of Iran, the country has 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites and experts believe that there are many more. After all, Persia is one of the of world’s oldest civilizations. In the years 550-330 BCE, the Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire.
Darius I, also known as Darius The Great, had it all build under his supervision. He was the third king of the empire and ruled for 36 years. During his reign, he guided the Persian Empire to it’s historic peak.
23. A Flag With Many Meanings
The Iranian government adopted the current flat in 1980 and it has three equal horizontal bands of green, white, and red. But what do the colors symbolize? Green is the color of Islam, and it also represents growth. The white represents peace and honesty, while a red represents bravery and martyrdom.
And now you’re wondering what the centered styled representation means. Well, it is the word “Allah” and the phrase is “La ilaha illa Allah” (“None is worthy of worship but Allah”) in the shape of a tulip. If you look closely at the inner edges of the green and red bands, you will notice copies of the phrase Allahu Akbar (“God is great”).
24. Everyone Wants A Persian Rug
Iran’s woven carpets are one of the country’s oldest industries. Iranian women have woven carpets for over 2,500 years and, after oil, it is Iran’s most significant export commodity. For many, perfection means everything and they are willing to pay top dollar for perfection. But it is a bit different in the case of Persian rugs.
Not many people know the fact that Persian rugs are never perfect and all of them will purposefully have one mistake. This practice stems from a popular belief of Muslims that only Allah can be perfect. Surprisingly, local buyers never argue about that one mistake and there isn’t much to complain about because the quality of Persian rugs is sublime. In fact, their industry keeps on booming even with all the competition of cheap rug factories. You can’t replace the real thing though.
25. Careful What You Say
In the country, you should never badmouth Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. If someone insults the leader, their punishment can include imprisonment, torture, and even execution.
The county offers a lot of beauty, but unfortunately, it doesn’t give room for conscience and freedom. That’s why the imprisonment rates have increased a lot in recent years for speech and criticism violations. By the way, the country also has the second largest prison population among Islamic countries. Let’s hope that changes.
26. Meet The Iranian Kurds
Iranian Kurds make up for 10% of the national population. They are a smaller ethnicity and speak Kurdish as their mother tongue. They exist in other countries as well and they dream of having a separate state.
In Iran, some consider that their region is going to be one of the four parts of a future Kurdistan. However, the separatism of Kurdish has very little support in Iran. Do you think it will happen?
27. Sitting On An Ocean Of Oil
Iran is sitting on black gold and holds 10% of the entire world’s oil reserves. The nation produces about 4 million crude oil barrels daily and 1.5 billion crude barrels annually.
Iran has one of most oil reserves of the Persian Gulf, while the other countries are Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
28. Getting Married Way Too Soon
While this may seem disturbing to us, it has been a part of Iranian culture for centuries. The girls in Iran can get married from the age of 13. Yes, you’re read it correctly. For boys, the legal age is 15. And you thought getting hitched at the age of 18 is too soon.
By the way, 3% are married before the age of 15 and 17% of girls in Iran are married before the age of 18. However, a member of the Judicial and Legal Commission of the Iranian Parliament highlighted that thousands of children in Iran get married unofficially and there’s no registration as well.
29. The Largest Hand-Woven Carpet
The Iran Carpet Company manufactured the largest hand-woven carpet in the world, which measures 5,630 m² (60,600.81 ft²). The company created it for the Abu Dhabi mosque in 2007.
It is as big as a soccer field and was constructed from nine pieces. It was so big that a part of it actually had to be removed so that it would fit in the mosque.
30. A Land Of Poets
Did you know that the English word “paradise” ultimately comes from the Persian word “paridayda”? Even the Persian word indicates the expansive walled gardens of the First Persian Empire.
Unsurprisingly, the Persian Empire has impressed and inspired poets for ages and even the Iranian people of today recite lines from some of the most renowned Persian poems. One of the most famous Persian poems is the “Shahnameh”, translated as “The Book of Kings” and is recognized as the national epic of Greater Iran.
31. A Middle Eastern Powerhouse
Iran poses a major threat to many opposing forces in the region as it has a powerful army which gives the country a lot of strength.
The military of Iran is formed by two sides of the armed forces: The Army, Navy, and Air Force and, on the other side, the Revolutionary Guards. As of now, there are about 545,000 active personnel in the military and 350,000 reserve soldiers.
32. Big Time Internet Restriction
Iran started to implement its own national state-controlled intranet network at the start of 2012, and that’s not all…
They have also blocked over 50% of the top 500 websites in the world. Some of those blocked websites include YouTube, Facebook, GooglePlus, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram. Twitter and Telegram are heavily restricted by the government. It is important to notice here that most of the blocked sites cover topics such as science, health, and political news.
33. Mount Damāvand: Iran’s Tallest Mountain
The Mount Damāvand is like a mountain of hope for the Iranians as it is a symbol of Iranian resistance against despotism and foreign rule in Persian literature and poetry.
If we take a look at the Zoroastrian texts, we will see three-headed dragon named Aži Dahāka. Well, Aži Dahāka is said to be chained within the mountain and only at the end of the world it will escape.
34. There are Three Calendars
In Iran, there are three calendars. First, there is the Islamic lunar calendar for Muslim holidays, the second is the Solar Hijri calendar which is used as the main national calendar, and then there is the solar Gregorian calendar for international events and Christian holidays.
No wonder there are so many holidays when you’re measuring your days off of three different calendars.
35. The Popular Persian Cat
Persian Cat, aka Gorbe Irâni, has a round face and short muzzle. While some of these long-haired cats were seen in hieroglyphics, the breed has evolved over the years.
Around 1620, Pietro della Valle imported the cat into Italy from Khorasan and it was the first documented import of the ancestors of the breed.
36. The Hidden Star Of David
There was a Jewish Star of David on the roof of the Tehran International airport’s main terminal and it remained undetected for 30 years. It wasn’t until when Google Earth hit the internet in 2001, that someone finally noticed it.
Given that it happened after the 1979 revolution, the government swiftly ordered to completely remove the symbol. The Jewish Star of David was there because of the Israeli engineers that had built the airport, a reminder that Israel and Iran had close ties before the revolution.
37. Limited Use Of Social Media
Instagram remains one of those few apps that Iranian youth use and some people are of the opinion that soon the government will completely block it. After all, the government arrests those individuals who post not-so-conservative content on the platform.
Take an example of Maedeh Hojabri. She posted a video of her dancing to Western songs without wearing a hijab. As a consequence of the video, the police arrested her and even threatened her with a strong possibility of a long prison sentence. She had to upload a video in which she apologized for her behavior.
38. Takht-e Soleymān (The Fire Of The Warriors)
This picture is of the Takht-e Soleymān (“Throne of Solomon”). There are folk legends about King Solomon imprisoning monsters inside a 100-meter deep crater called Zendan-e Soleyman (“Prison of Solomon”).
We told you about UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran, well many holy places of worship, ancient places, and bazaars are included in them.
39. Islam is Iran’s Predominant Religion
Islam dominates all the other religions with a 98% population that practices some form of it.
The majority are Shia Muslims with 89% of the population, and Sunni Muslims with 9%. Whereas, other religions are Mandeans, Jews, Yarasanis, Christians, Bahá’ís, and Zoroastrians.
40. A Place Of Art And Music
In the capital of Iran, there are some notable art scenes, such as The Tehran Symphony Orchestra. This group is known for performing in front of a dedicated audience nationally and internationally. When it comes to theater, the Fajr International Theater Festival is held in the capital every year.
Moreover, there are museums as well. There is the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, which shows the work of renowned international artists. There is also the National Museum of Iran, which portrays Persian heritage, and then there is of course the Carpet Museum of Iran as well.
41. The Confusing Behavior Of Taarof
The social type of behavior that dictates the way people treat each other is Taarof. It can be confusing to non-locals as the true meaning of it is not in the words but actions.
For instance, people may refuse an offer even if they want to accept it or they may invite someone to come without intending to follow through. Hey, we get it if you’re confused, we’re right there with you.
42. Iranians Value Politeness
It is important to understand that kind words mean a lot to Iranians. And they have the customary back and forth insistences in almost every interaction. For instance, one will insist on paying for the other person and vice versa.
So, this behavior has helped create social stability among classes because both persons want to do it. Moreover, Iranians also have a distinctive style of negotiation where it is extremely crucial to read between the lines.
43. Ethnic Groups in Iran
In the country, 6 in 10 people are Persian. What you see in the photo are the nomadic Qashqai and Bakhtiari tribes. They travel with seasons in search of water and green meadows for their herds of sheep and goats.
The country’s population is made up of 61% Persians, 16% Azerbaijanis, 10% Kurds, %6 Lurs, 2% Arabs, 2% Turkmens, 2% Baloch, and 1% Others.
44. The Lurs of Iran
One of the ethnic groups in Iran is the Lurs. They live mostly in western and southwestern Iran and have a population of about five million.
They still live a nomadic lifestyle and tribal elders still hold strong authority amongst the Lurs. Most of them are small-time farmers and shepherds, but some do live in the city as well. Throughout Iran, the Lurs are known as amazing traveling musicians. Moreover, their weaving techniques are some of the most beautiful ones out there.
45. Opium is Available and Legal
In Iran, alcohol is illegal but millions of Iranians can easily buy opium as it is super cheap to purchase in the country. You can easily get up to 3 grams for $1.
That explains why the country sadly has one of the highest per-capita numbers of opiate addicts in the world. In numbers, there are over 2 million Iranians over 15 who are addicted to Opium.
46. Iranians Love Their Literature
The rich Persian literature spans two and a half millennia. Many famous Persian poets come from this place such as Hafiz, Sa’di, Ferdowsi, Nezami, Omar Khayyam, and of course, Rumi. The West remembers these poets as they have influenced literature in many countries.
There is a literary institute in Shiraz which has a reputation as a city of great poets and poems. In this institute, anyone can write verses and hang them on the wall.
47. It’s So Darn Hot
The capital of Iran is pretty seasonal. It has a hot, arid climate with a long summer season. But don’t think that winter makes things any easier.
Thanks to the Elburz Mountains, reduced levels of humidity of the Caspian Sea reach the urban area. In the summer, temperatures have already reached 109 °F and the humidity makes it quite unbearable. In the winter, the temperature of 5 °F is common.
48. Asia’s Highest Volcanic Mountain
In Iran, there is the volcanic Mount Damāvand which is located 41 miles northeast of Tehran. The mountain stands at 4,667 m (15,312 ft.), which makes it the 12th highest mountain the world, and it comes second on the list of Asia’s highest mountains only after Mount Everest.
Even though it is a volcano, there hasn’t been an eruption since 5300 BCE. So anyone who wants to pay it a visit shouldn’t have much to worry about.
49. Tehran Is The Jewel Of The Middle East
We can understand that Tehran may sound like an old city, but people need to know that it is actually quite a modern and vibrant city. There are tall buildings like Milad Tower, which measures at 1,427 feet above the ground.
The lifestyle there is fast and people are welcoming. But the best thing about Tehran is none other than the views. The city offers fantastic views of snowcapped mountains in the background.
50. Iranian Jews
Although the majority of the population in Iran are Muslims, there are other religious groups in the country as well. We mentioned earlier how they make up the country’s population. Well, Jews are part of the remaining 1 percent of the population.
It is because Iran is the burial ground of many of history’s biblical figures such as Queen Esther, Cyrus the Great, the Prophet Daniel, and Darius the Great.
51. Quality Provider of Caviar
Iran not only supplies oil to the world, but it also exports other rare commodities such as pistachios, saffron, and caviar. In fact, Iran controls 50% of the Caspian Sea caviar market.
The price of caviar (which is eggs of the Beluga) is priced at $160 per ounce. The Beluga (sturgeon) usually lives to be over 100-years-old, but the fish population is declining due to overfishing and water pollution.
52. The Qashqaees in Iran
There is a pretty big tribe in Iran called The Qashqaee. Most of them live in the Fars province, but they do travel back and forth to their seasonal homes in summer and winter. The Qashqaees are actually Turk people and religiously they are Shia Muslims.
They are known for investing their time and efforts to keep their traditions and rituals alive. They have their separate language, but they can fluently speak Persian as well.
53. A Very Neighborly Country
If you look at Iran’s map, you immediately notice that it is a quite big country. Interestingly, it shares it borders with 10 countries.
The countries with which Iran shares its borders are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, and Turkey.
54. The Issue of Air Pollution
It is not just the humidity that makes breathing difficult in Tehran, but it is air pollution as well.
In Iran’s capital alone, about 27 people tragically lose their lives in a day due to air pollution-related diseases.
55. Divorces Are Different for Women
In Iran, if a man and woman divorce, it is the woman that loses all custody of her children.
As if life for women wasn’t already difficult, this has made more complications for them. Additionally, polygamy is something that is allowed, but only for men.
56. Supreme Leader of Iran
There is no need for a president when your country already has a supreme leader, right? In Iran, Ali Khamenei is the supreme leader and most powerful person in the country. To add to his power, he also holds the position as the commander-in-chief of the military. And that’s not it.
He directly appoints the heads of the judiciary, television networks, the state radio, and also the commanders of the military forces and the police. He decides everything for the country.
57. Allies of Iran
Although Iran is not directly involved in the Middle-East conflicts, it certainly has a role in them. The country’s military allies are currently in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
Iran has been known to offer a lot to it’s allies, doing everything from giving them financial support, to sending its own professionals to train them as well.
58. Iranians Love Soccer
You might already know that Iranians love soccer because their national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup five times in the past: In 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2018. Their team has also won three Asian Cup championships; in 1968, 1972, and 1976.
It won’t be wrong to say that they have one of Asia’s most successful national teams. Do you know the soccer star who is the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international matches? Well, it is former Iranian player Ali Daei.
59. Iran’s Unique Location
Iran isn’t only a part of the Middle East, did you know that country also have an official continent designation in Asia? Moreover, Iran’s borders can be defined by both land and sea. By the way, only seven countries stand between Iran and the rest of the map.
If you want to know how big it is, then geographically, it is a bit smaller than Alaska at 1,648,195 sq km.
Rare Photos Of A-Listers That Offer A Look At Who They Were Before Hollywood
Ashley Lez
This article was originally published on JustStarz
While we think we know celebrities inside and out, there is a good portion of their lives that we have never seen before. Here’s something you’ve probably wondered about – what were they like as kids? Did they show signs of one day becoming the world-renowned stars that they are today? What was life like for them growing up? In order to give us an idea of what these beloved Hollywood figures were like, we found these rare photos of your favorite celebs before they were famous. You will be surprised to see that they were once ordinary people just like us.
Robin Williams In His Senior Year Of High School In 1969
When Robin Williams was a senior in college, he decided to go to college and study political science. However, he quickly realized it wasn’t the field for him and dropped out to pursue acting. He studied theater for three years at the College of Marin in California.
One of his professors realized how talented Williams was and cast him in the musical Oliver!. He later attended Julliard, and during the summers he worked as a busboy. After graduating, Williams worked odd jobs until he got his big break on Mork & Mindy.
Adele Was A Huge Spice Girls Fan
In case you missed it, Adele was and probably still is the biggest Spice Girls fan in the world. The British singer grew up with their music and had their posters plastered all over her bedroom walls. As a child, Adele was already interested in singing, and she became obsessed with voices.
Adele spent much of her youth in Brockwell Park, playing the guitar and singing to friends. Years later, she drove by and started crying because she really missed the memories she made in that special place.
Keanu Reeves Circa 1984
In high school, Keanu Reeves was a successful ice hockey goalkeeper and considered going pro but decided to pursue acting when he was 15 instead. He made his debut in 1984 on an episode of the series Hangin’ In, which allowed him to get more roles on teen dramas.
Reeves was also interested in music and formed an alternative band in 1991. Surprisingly, it was moderately successful, and they were active until the early 2000s. His big break was in Point Break, and this helped him shoot to stardom.
Catherine Zeta-Jones In Her Grade School Photo
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ school uniform made her look like she belongs to the Gryffindor house. She must have been in first or second grade at the time, and she couldn’t be cuter. The actress was born in Wales, and in school, she would participate in stage shows.
At a young age, she gained local media attention when her rendition of a Shirley Bassey song won a Junior Star Trail talent competition. Zeta-Jones would take trips to London with her dance troupe, where she also auditioned for shows.
Morgan Freeman In The Air Force
When Morgan Freeman was just nine years old, he starred in his school play and later won a statewide drama competition. He performed in the radio show in high school, and it earned him a drama scholarship from Jackson State University.
However, instead of taking the scholarship, he enlisted in the Air Force and served between 1955 to 1959. After his service, Freeman worked as a transcript clerk for Los Angeles City College and studied arts there. He was also a dancer until he started getting steady acting jobs.
Anne Hathaway As A Clown Witch
It seems that Anne Hathaway was practicing for The Witches before she was even famous. Besides looking exactly the same, she seems to have confused a witch and a clown in this mashup of a costume. Surprisingly, Hathaway’s parents didn’t want her to pursue acting.
Hathaway wanted to become a nun during childhood because she was raised with really strong Roman Catholic values. However, acting was always in the back of her mind, and we’re grateful she chose to entertain us on the big screen.
Joe Biden When He Was 26
Unsurprisingly, Joe Biden was the class president in school and played on the basketball team. He also briefly played football in college but decided to focus on his studies instead. When he graduated from the University of Delaware, he worked as a clerk at a law firm.
Biden eventually took the bar exam and began practicing law. This helped propel his career, and he served in the US Senate for 36 years before serving as vice president with Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Say what you will about his politics but it’s undeniable that he was so handsome back in his day.
Madonna’s Childhood Close-Up
Little Madonna was bright-eyed and looking towards the stars as a child. The singer grew up in the Detroit suburbs with her five siblings, and her family would call her “Little Nonnie” because her mom was also named Madonna.
Madonna was known for rebelling at school after her mother passed away, and her dad decided to sign her up for piano lessons and ballet classes. Her dance teacher was the one who encouraged her to pursue a career in dance.
Jim Carrey In The ’80s
As teenagers, Jim Carrey’s family struggled financially. Therefore, he and his brother John took up jobs as a janitor and security guard at a tire factory. While working at the factory, Carrey dropped out of school to perform comedy in downtown Toronto.
He steadily increased his local popularity as an impressionist and stand-up comic going on tour and appearing on television. His shows made him more popular and landed him the roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, which helped him become the actor he is today.
Taylor Swift Made Tie-Dye Trendy Before Everyone
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Taylor Swift became interested in musical theater and started performing in the local youth theater. She also traveled regularly to New York for vocal and acting lessons. She was inspired by Shania Twain and shifted her focus to country music.
At age 11, Swift traveled with her mom to Nashville to pursue her music career dreams. Swift submitted demos to record labels but was rejected. However, she kept trying until someone finally took her seriously when she was a bit older.
Susan Sarandon When She Was 17
Not only was Susan Sarandon gorgeous as a teenager, but she was also very talented. In her college years, she studied drama and supported herself by cutting hair, cleaning houses, and working as a switchboard operator.
Not long after she graduated, Sarandon landed a role in the film Joe, which propelled her to get more parts in movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It turned into a cult classic, and people knew her name wherever she went.
Selena Gomez’s Face Has Not Changed
Selena Gomez has always been the most adorable human ever since she was a little girl. Born and raised in Texas, Gomez first became interested in entertainment when she saw her mom preparing for stage productions. Gomez then began to audition for many roles.
While auditioning for Barney and Friends, Gomez met Demi Lovato and the two both landed roles on the show. She said she learned everything about acting and stage production while working on Barney, and she was released when she got too old for the show.
Peter Dinklage In The 1980s
We could never imagine Peter Dinklage with a mullet until now. Dinklage realized he wanted to start acting when he was just a teenager after he saw the production of True West by Sam Shepard. That play ended up determining the direction of his life.
After studying drama in college, Dinklage struggled to get well-paying roles, so he worked at a data processing company to make ends meet. He wasn’t getting any parts because he refused to play characters that focused on his achondroplasia. Finally, in 2003, he got his big break in The Station Agent and was nominated for a SAG Award for it.
Little Baby Beyonce
You might not recognize her as a baby, but this tiny tot grew up to be Queen Bey herself. As a child, Beyonce enrolled in dance classes, and the teacher discovered she was also a talented singer when she heard her humming a song.
Beyonce’s interest in performing continued after she won her school talent show when she was seven. Her parents enrolled her in a music school after that to develop her talents, and Beyonce continued onto an arts high school as well.
Tom Hanks In His High School Yearbook
After reading Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh and watching the performance, Tom Hanks decided he wanted to become an actor. He enrolled in the theater program at California State University Sacremento and would work in the theater when he wasn’t studying.
Eventually, Hanks decided to drop out and went on to audition for any small role he could find. After the success of Splash, he became a recognizable face and landed the role in Big. It was that movie that made him an established actor in Hollywood.
Jennifer Garner Hanging Out On The Swings
When Jennifer Garner was little, her mother used to call her “ragamuffin,” and we can see why now. The actress had an interesting upbringing that she joked was practically Amish because her parents were so strict about what she and her sisters did.
Initially, Garner went to college to study chemistry but quickly changed her major to theater. She would spend her summers working stock theater and found a passion for acting through this job. She also moved from South Carolina to LA once she graduated.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Looking Ripped At 15
Is anyone really surprised that The Rock was already a muscle man by the time he was a teenager? Before starting his acting career, he was succeeding in sports and started playing professional football not long after he graduated from college.
His nickname “The Rock” came from his days in the wrestling ring, and by the late 1990s, he was already a star being offered roles in movies. The movie that really changed his career was The Mummy Returns in 2001.
Nirvana In 1990
Three years before Nirvana was formed, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic met at school. They had a few drummers before being introduced to Dave Grohl in 1990. Their first album, Bleach, was released in 1989 and became a favorite for college radio stations.
Nirvana found mainstream success with their single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991 from the album Nevermind. The album sold 400,000 copies in just a week and 30 million worldwide.
Sean Connery During His Time With The Royal Navy
Mr. 007 wasn’t always an action-fighting international man of mystery. Sean Connery used to be a milkman in Edinburgh before joining the Royal Navy when he was 16. After three years, he was discharged on medical grounds and returned to his hometown.
After the navy, Connery carried a few jobs like a lorry driver, a lifeguard, a laborer, and an artist’s model for Edinburgh College of Art. In the 1950s, he finally started getting roles and an extra, but it wasn’t enough to make ends meet. He had to work as a babysitter until he got more significant parts.
Angelina Jolie Has Always Been Gorgeous
When we were 16, we certainly didn’t look like this, but Angelina Jolie has always been stunning. As a child, she enjoyed watching movies with her mother, which inspired her to start acting. Jolie attended the Lee Staberg Theater Institute for two years and appeared in a few productions.
Jolie later studied drama at NYU and starred in her brother’s student films. However, her first leading role as a professional actress wasn’t until 1992 in Cyborg 2, but she didn’t like the outcome and didn’t audition for anything else for a year.
Millie Bobby Brown Looks Like She Is Up To Something
While it hasn’t been that long since Millie Bobby Brown was a child, the 17-year-old actress has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. Born in Spain to English parents, she found a love for acting early on in life and made her acting debut when she was nine in Once Upon A Time.
After just a few performances, Brown landed her breakthrough role in Stranger Things as Eleven. Her performance earned her many nominations at such a young age. Today she is a little older but just as sassy as she was in this photo.
Christoph Waltz In 1975
You might know Christopher Waltz from Inglorious Basterds or Django Unchained, but before he was a huge star, he was just a boy with a dream. Waltz was interested in theater early on since he went to the opera for the first time when he was 10. After that, he would go twice a week.
When Waltz attended University, he studied acting, but his true passion was singing and opera. Eventually, he realized his voice wasn’t meant for singing, and he started working as a stage actor and director on a German television show called Wenn Man Sich Traut before his breakthrough role in 2009.
Eminem In The ’80s Before He Was Rap God
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up. The first rap song Eminem ever heard was “Reckless” by Ice-T, Chris “The Glove” Taylor, and David Storrs in 1984. It inspired him to start rapping himself when he was 14. About ten years later, he released his first album, which was a commercial failure.
Everything in Eminem’s career changed when he adopted the name Slim Shady and released a new album in 1997, Slim Shady EP. The album caught the attention of Dr. Dre and he invited Eminem to work together to release another EP two years later.
Lady Gaga In The 2000s
Since she was a child, music has been a part of Lady Gaga’s life, when she started learning the piano at age four. Her passion only grew over the years, and she started performing at open mic nights when she was a teenager.
Gaga also studied method acting for ten years but didn’t get any significant roles in her auditions. While studying in New York, she was performing when a talent scout helped her find her way to superstardom.
Bob Marley Without His Dreadlocks
If you are like us, you have probably never seen Bob Marley without his dreadlocks, but there was a time when he didn’t have them. In 1964 when he released his song “Rude Boy,” he had a buzz cut and dressed much differently.
Marley started playing music in primary school with his friends before moving to Kingston and starting a vocal duo. However, the group didn’t rise to fame until the ’70s when they signed a contract with Island Records.
Christian Bale As A Dashing Teenager
As a teenager, Christian Bale was inspired to become an actor after he studied the work of Gary Oldman. The first time he appeared on television was in a commercial for the fabric softener Lenor in 1982. However, Bale’s first stage debut wasn’t until 1984 in The Nerd with Rowan Atkinson.
Two years later, Bale appeared in his first movie Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna. He then gained attention and more roles, which made him question his career choice. However, Kenneth Branagh talked him out of giving up on his career.
Jennifer Aniston Dressed As A Witch For Halloween In 1986
Jennifer Aniston discovered her love of acting when she was attending a Waldorf school at age 11. Her first job was in an off-Broadway production, but she had to take jobs on the side to support herself. She was a telemarketer, waitress, and bike messenger.
Anniston’s first regular TV role was on a show called Molloy in 1990 before she got her big break as Rachel Green in Friends. She was just 17 when she took this picture, and we wonder if she knew how famous she would be back then.
Tommy Lee Jones While Playing As An Offensive Guard At St. Mark’s School Of Texas
As a teenager, Tommy Lee Jones got a football scholarship that allowed him to attend a boarding school in Dallas, where he took an interest in theater and played in some student productions. He then graduated and attended Harvard University, where he continued to play football and appear in theater productions.
After graduating, Jones decided to move to New York to pursue acting, and he got his first movie role in 1970, playing a Harvard student in Love Story. It must not have been hard for him to play this role, considering he had just graduated from Harvard.
Quentin Tarantino In 1983
Quentin Tarantino started showing an interest in films when he was just a young boy. At age 15, he worked as an usher for an adult movie theater and worked in a video store for five years. By watching movies at the store, Tarantino learned a lot about movie-making.
Tarantino was later paid to watch movies (how do we get that job?) and got his first job in Hollywood in 1986 as a PA. A few years later, he wrote his first movie, launching the career of one of the most admired film directors in Hollywood today.
Clint Eastwood As A High School Senior
Clint Eastwood looks much different than we know him today with his dapper hair and babyface. After graduating from Oakland Technical High School, he held various jobs, including hay baler, logger, and truck driver, before being drafted into the Army during the Korean War.
Eastwood was stationed in California, where he served as a swimming instructor. After the army, he appeared in a few TV series before he got his big break in 1959 in Rawhide. Eastwood gained international fame and is still acting today at 90-years-old.
Vin Diesel When He Had Hair
We had no idea what color hair Vin Diesel had before seeing this picture. The famously bald actor started performing on stage when he was just seven years old in the children’s play Dinosaur Door in New York. Theater continued to be a big part of his life when he was a teenager as well.
Vin Diesel started college but dropped out to begin screenwriting. Diesel’s first role was in 1990 in an uncredited role, but Steven Spielberg later cast him in Saving Private Ryan, which helped him get his foot in the door for more parts.
Katy Perry In 2001
You might not recognize Katy Perry without her signature black locks, but her hair is naturally dirty blond. The pop star began vocal lessons at age nine while singing in church. For her 13th birthday, Perry received a guitar and started playing songs she wrote.
Perry took dance lessons to learn swing, Lindy Hop, and jitterbug, all popular dance styles in the ’50s. Also, her first album was released under the name Katy Hudson, and it had a lot of Christian music before she changed up her style.
David Harbour In 1994
David Harbour hasn’t changed much over the years besides his hairstyle. Harbour began acting in the 1990s, and his first professional job was on Broadway in the revival of The Rainmaker. He also had minor roles in Law & Order: SVU.
As he gained notoriety in Hollywood, Harbour became a more recognizable face. However, it wasn’t until he was cast in Stranger Things that a role really changed his life. This role actually helped him land other parts.
Mark Zuckerberg At Harvard Where He Created Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg looked less like a robot back in his college days, but someone should have told him to clean up his room. The Facebook founder began writing software when he was in middle school, and his father hired him a private tutor to help his son’s interests.
Zuckerberg would create video games, and his artistic friend would draw the graphics. In college, he became a programming prodigy and created a few new programs before Facebook. It’s funny that this teenager is now one of the richest men in the world.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson In His Childhood Class Picture
Before he was a buff action star, The Rock was just a cute little buck-toothed child. He grew up in New Zealand and across the US as his family moved around often. As a child, he was always into sports and looked up to his dad, who was a former professional wrestler.
Because of his connections with the wrestling world, The Rock secured a contract with WWF for eight years before pursuing an acting career. Today he is one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
Rihanna Looks Exactly The Same (Sort Of)
Little baby Rihanna before she was the CEO of Fenty and Savage X Fenty. The Barbados native grew up listening to reggae music, which later inspired her own sound. However, she didn’t get into singing right away as she was an army cadet at a sub-military program.
While in the program, Rihanna met a singer-songwriter who inspired her to pursue a music career. Although we aren’t getting new music any time soon, we have to appreciate how far this baby came from a small island to worldwide fame.
Usher Was Probably Flirting With The Camera
Usher is known for his smooth RnB jams that make women everywhere swoon, and we can imagine he was a very flirty baby too. At his young age, he was already showing off his smolder for the camera.
As a child, his mother told him to join the church choir because he was so talented. Then his grandmother considered he could sing professionally once she heard him. The family decided to move to Atlanta to give him a better opportunity to become something.
Heidi Klum Collecting Easter Eggs
As a child growing up in Germany, Heidi Klum was known for her beauty. A friend convinced her to join a modeling contest, and she won out of 25,000 contestants, and she was offered a modeling contract. After graduating from high school, she accepted the contract.
She was going to try for an apprentice position at a fashion design school, but the modeling contract was more promising. Klum proved herself quickly and landed on the cover of French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish Vogue.
Julia Roberts Practicing Her Vocals
We can’t tell if Julia Roberts was in shock, singing, or yelling in this picture, but we would like to think she is singing. She looks a lot like her niece Emma Roberts here, and we can see the resemblance in their family.
As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian, but once she made it to college, she decided to drop out, move to New York and pursue acting. Once there, she signed with a modeling agency and enrolled in acting classes.
Amanda Seyfried Was Beautiful Even As A Baby
It’s no surprise that Amanda Seyfried was a gorgeous baby because she is such a beautiful adult. As a child, she began modeling when she was ten in print ads for Limited Too with Leighton Meester. She was also featured on the cover of three Sweet Valley High novels.
At 17, Seyfried decided to stop modeling and started working as a waitress in a retirement community. During that time, she took vocal lessons, studied opera, and trained with a Broadway coach. From here, she slowly got roles on TV as she continued to audition.
Britney Spears In Her Original Diva State
Oops, she did it again! Britney Spears always had that star power, and you can see it here in her childhood photo. From a young age, she already had an interest in singing, dancing, and entertaining people with her vibrant personality.
While her adult life hasn’t been so easy, one thing is for sure; that little girl grew up to be one of the best performers. If only people would let her make her music and live her life the way she wants to, she would be so much happier.
Christina Aguilera Halloween Circa 1985
This looks nothing like the Christina Aguilera we know and love today, but she was an adorable little girl. As a child, she moved around a lot because of her father’s military service. However, when her parents divorced, she used music as a way to escape.
As a child, Aguilera was drawn to soul and blues music because of her grandmother’s records, and she would practice singing to them. She won her first talent show at age eight for her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Gigi Hadid With Her Grandma
Gigi Hadid was ready to be a model since the day she was born. As a child, she considered herself a tomboy because she was always into sports, especially basketball, but that changed as she got older, and her mom saw the potential she had as a model.
Hadid comes from a family of models, and you can see she gets her beauty from her mother’s side. She is pictured here with her late grandmother, who she would visit in Holland, where her mom grew up.
Katy Perry And The Easter Bunny
Have you ever noticed how creepy the Easter bunnies at the mall used to be (and still are)? Although it is hard to recognize her, that is a little Katy Perry posing in her pastel Sunday best with the Easter bunny.
Perry grew up in a religious household, so the holidays were very important to celebrate for her family. Her family didn’t have a lot of money, and they sometimes had to get food from the church’s food bank, but Perry enjoyed everything her parents were able to provide.
Miley Cyrus And Her Newborn Sister
When Miley Cyrus was first born, her parents named her Destiny; however, she was such a smiley baby, and they started calling her “smiley Miley” before legally changing her name. While missing one of her front teeth, she still has a huge grin on her face because she is holding her baby sister.
Miley and her younger sister Noah may have a seven-year age gap between them, but they are the closest sisters we have ever seen. Miley even said that Noah sometimes takes care of her even though she is the little sister.
Justin Timberlake Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
It seems that Justin Timberlake was always destined to be a musician. As a child growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, he was always surrounded by music. His grandpa introduced him to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and Timberlake would perform the songs for his family.
When Timberlake was 11, he appeared on the show Star Search performing country music. However, it was around that time that he started to get into RnB music like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He was so talented that he landed a spot on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Margot Robbie And Her Big Brother
Margot Robbie and her big brother were adorable as children. Robbie grew up in Dalby, Queensland, where she was raised by a single mom after her parents divorced. She lived on a farm and was always an energetic child putting on shows around her house.
In an interview, Robbie once said that she was really dramatic and loved performing. She would watch any movie she could find on TV and re-enact it for her mom. She would even make her family pay to watch her shows, especially her magic shows.
Ariana Grande’s School Photo
If anything, we can thank Ariana Grande for her consistency with her high ponytail. As a child, Grande was already a natural performer and would participate with the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater, playing her first title character in their version of Annie.
Grande also performed in The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. When she was eight, she also performed on cruise ships, with South Florida Philharmonic. Everyone knew she would be a star with her vocal range, and she was just waiting to be discovered.
Sarah Jessica Parker Reading With Her Mom
As a child, Sarah Jessica Parker was one of eight children, and although her mom barely had time, she still found a moment to read to all of her children. Growing up in Nelsonville, Ohio, her parents tried to provide a lifestyle they couldn’t afford.
Parker remembers that the electricity would be shut off, or they would have to forgo Christmases and birthdays because her parents couldn’t afford the holidays. However, her mother found any free extracurricular activity to sign them up for so they would have “full, rich lives.”
Hilary Duff’s First Headshot Session
Although we know Hilary Duff as the bubbly Disney channel child, she looks pretty angry in her first headshot. When Duff posted this picture, she said she couldn’t believe how many auditions she took this picture to, and we wonder how many of those roles she actually got.
Duff wanted to be an actress from an early age, and her mom even relocated her family from Texas so her children would have more opportunities. Because of her acting career, she was homeschooled from age 8, and she got many minor roles until she landed Lizzie McGuire.
Celebrities Who Spent A Fortune Changing Their Looks
John Travis
This article was originally published on 24/7Mirror
One of the Hollywood taboos is also a “hobby” for many, going under the knife. Although not many celebrities admit to having plastic surgery, it all becomes quite evident sooner or later. As some celebrities openly admit it – like the Kardashians – others hide it. So, here are some of the most expensive celebrity plastic surgeries.
Heidi Montag – $1,000,000
As Heidi Montag appeared with her boyfriend (now husband), Spencer Pratt, in the TV show The Hills, the couple received a lot of love and hate.
She was insecure about her looks and had a lot of grief for her plastic surgery decisions that have cost her a lot of money. She was so addicted to it that she even had ten procedures in one day.
Jennifer Aniston – $30,500
Ah, the beautiful Rachel Green from famous American sitcom still looks younger, and we absolutely love her. She hasn’t admitted to going under the knife, but experts suggest that she has had at least two nose jobs and a facelift in the past two decades. However, she has admitted to treatments such as famous laser and ultrasound ‘no-scalpel’ facials, which she has at least once a month.
On the other hand, many people believe that she still looks younger because of her extensive skincare and beauty regimen. It is rumored that her eyebrows alone cost around $900 per year.
Kourtney Kardashian – $25,000
As expected, the Kardashians will take up a fair share of our list. Kourtney Kardashian was in college when she decided to have breast augmentation, and she was not happy with the results. According to her, she wishes she hadn’t had it done.
Kourtney believes that surgery is an extreme first step, and that’s why she might even consider lasers as an alternative method if she decides to make any future changes to her face or body.
Nicki Minaj – $11,500
Nicki Minaj is a huge celebrity and a role model for many young black women. However, it is worth mentioning that her signature look is not natural.
It took over $11,000 to give her the look that she has today. The procedures include buttock implants, skin bleaching, and a nose job.
Victoria Beckham – $12,956
Victoria, the wife of David Beckham, has a love-hate relationship with plastic surgery. It is because she had bits and pieces done on her body and then removed as well.
She has openly admitted about her breast augmentation and regrets her decision to get them done. She is quite outspoken about it and says that she did it due to insecurity. “Don’t mess with your boobs, just celebrate what you’ve got,” she said.
Pete Burns – $38,000
The late English musician was known for his ever-changing and sometimes androgynous appearance, and he did not shy away from admitting that they were possible because of a lot of cosmetic surgeries.
Although he had many other procedures, the common ones he had were lip fillers, cheek implants, and nose jobs.
Kylie Jenner – $2,000,000
It was reported by “OK! Magazine” that the entire sum of Kylie Jenner’s surgeries might be about two million dollars. Yes, you’ve read it right.
However, she has publically admitted only to lip fillers because (allegedly) her date said to her that he didn’t think she would be any good at kissing. There are rumors that she’s had Botox, breast implants along with other procedures.
Jocelyn Wildenstein – $6.500,000
These pictures are not photoshopped. Jocelyn is known as the Catwoman. there is speculation that she did all the extensive surgeries because her late husband liked cats.
She has no plans to stop. She even said that if she ever wanted work done, she would continue to have a plastic surgery into her nineties
Angelina Jolie – Unknown
Although some celebrities get plastic surgery in an attempt to look younger, this wasn’t exactly the case with Angelina Jolie. She had a double mastectomy and was at serious risk for breast cancer. Therefore, she got implants after the removal of her breasts.
However, some experts firmly believe that she’s had a facelift and nose job at some point. Look at her comparison photo and decide for yourself.
Caitlyn Jenner – $60,000
After many years of battling with her gender identity, Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) had gender reassignment surgery to fully transition into a woman. Caitlyn was empowered when she finally got to express her true self.
Caitlyn also had breast implants and facial surgery to give her a more feminine look. She is and will always be an icon.
La Toya Jackson – $21,500
La Toya Jackson is also a plastic surgery enthusiast, just like her famous brother. It resulted in giving her an unrecognizable look just like Michael Jackson.
It is reported that she has had an eyebrow lift, at least one rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation as well.
Kim Kardashian – $16,500
It has been up for debate if Kim Kardashian has or has not had plastic surgery. She started in her early days working for Paris Hilton before she made a name for herself.
It is no secret that the TV personality, model, and reality TV star Kim has made some changes to her appearance. She has spent money on nose jobs, liposuction, and both breast and buttock implants.
Mickey Rourke – $36,000
So far, you have seen that most of the big spenders on our list are women, but Mickey Rourke is undoubtedly one of those male actors who wanted to give them fierce competition.
It is rumored that he has had six facelifts and a nose alteration at some point in his career. Decide for yourself.
Michael Jackson – $1,000,000
The “King of Pop” is one of the most famous people who entirely changed themselves with the help of plastic surgery. He started having work done at a young age and he never really stopped.
Even though he is known for changing his skin to completely white, he also had rhinoplasty along with many other procedures.
Nadya Suleman – $12,180
Remember Octomom? Well, if you don’t then you’ll be a bit surprised to know that she is popular because she gave birth to eight babies at once. She was heavily criticized by some people as they thought she did it for fame and money.
She has gone through surgeries that include nose jobs, lip injections, and yes you’ve guessed it right, vaginal rejuvenation. Some people believe that she went under the knife several times because she wanted to look like Angelina Jolie.
Tori Spelling – $13,000
This actress is widely known for her roles in television shows like “Beverley Hills” as well as in movies like the blockbuster hit “Scary Movie.”
Unlike many celebrities, she did not hesitate in admitting to having some work done. She has some regrets about her breast augmentation because it caused problems with breastfeeding her children. The actress wanted to create awareness about the drawback of breast augmentation and admits that she would have never done it if she had known about it.
Pamela Anderson – $10,500
The Canadian-American actress and model is known for her appearances in Playboy magazine and TV series such as V.I.P. and Baywatch.
As she grew older, she found it hard to remain in the public eye. Therefore, she decided to go for breast implants and facial tightening procedures in a quest to remain young. She certainly succeeded in doing it and now her boob jobs are one of the most standout things about her.
Denise Richards – $13,000
You may have recognized this American actress, television personality, author, philanthropist and former fashion model from the currently running reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She is best known for her work in TV shows such as Blue Mountain Slate, Twisted, and The Bold and The Beautiful.
She was only 19 when she decided to have a breast augmentation. However, her breast was too large for her frame and she had to go through the procedure two times before she got the results she wanted.
Kelly Rowland – $22,000
She became immensely popular in the late 1990s as a member of one of the world’s best-selling girls group, Destiny’s Child.
She once told the media that she wanted to get her breasts enlarged when she was 18 years old. However, her mom and Beyoncé advised her to give it some time. She finally got them a decade later.
David Gest – $20,000
This transformation won’t surprise you once you learn that this American producer and television personality was a great friend of Michael Jackson, a plastic surgery enthusiast.
Many believe that there was a time in his life when he became addicted to plastic surgery. That explains why he has had many facelifts, an eyebrow lift, and Botox, as well as surgery to his chin to give him a stronger jaw. He regrets that he went to great lengths and it even cost him way more than what he could afford.
Lil’ Kim – $19,625
Well, this is definitely one of the most shocking transformations on our list. Lil’ Kim did it all when she was on a break from her music career.
She has had liposuction, lip implants, a rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation. She has also bleached her skin a few shades lighter. The public opinion hasn’t been so kind to her after this dramatic transformation.
Donatella Versace – $25,000
The Italian fashion designer like many others wanted to look her best all the time, but her cosmetic surgeries did not deliver results as expected.
Her facelift did not go as planned and even the injections took away any sign of movement in much of her face. She is often called as the human waxwork and she replied to it in this way: “I am not a fan of the natural look.”
Amanda Bynes – $18,000
Once an adorable child star and a teenage actress, Amanda Bynes has certainly made such a transformation that she might be overdoing it in later life.
However, she is quite open about her love for plastic surgery. As she has also had a boob job, she isn’t planning on stopping. She said on Twitter, “I plan on having surgery on my whole face, straight up.”
Holly Madison – $32,000
It is hard to understand how a Playmate can feel insecure about her looks, but that’s how Holly Madison felt. Living in the Playboy Mansion created some serious self-esteem issues.
“I was comparing myself to the other girls … You have to look a certain way at the mansion. Plastic surgery made it easier for me to get things I wanted in my career. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.
Kris Jenner – $71,000
Kris spent over $70,000 on plastic surgery before airing it on the episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
Kris has gone with procedures such as nose jobs, breast enhancements, laser surgery, facial fillers, and more. How much has she changed her appearance? You decide.
Cher – $750,000
You can either love her or hate her, but you cannot deny the fact that she has been in the spotlight her entire life.
The singer, actress, and a model have a lot of enhancements procedures done which include eyelid alterations, nose jobs and chest augmentations. She has relied a lot on Botox injections to keep her skin looking smooth.
Kaley Cuoco – Unknown
The star of famous American sitcom The Big Bang Theory openly admits that she has had cosmetic surgeries.
She had a breast implant in 2004 and she believes it to be one of the best things she has ever done. She also had a nose job and we love that she is quite open about her procedures.
Joan Rivers – $99,000
The late Joan Rivers is considered among some of the best comedians of all time. Apart from comedy, she was also known for her plastic surgery.
It is because she had a startling 739 procedures in her lifetime. It can be said that this high number of procedures might be a record amongst celebrities.
Kathy Griffin – $30,000
Here is a famous comedian and an actress who is creating laugh lines on others while making her wrinkles less visible.
She has had a number of procedures on her eyebrows, breasts, nose, and eyes, as well as Botox, and chemical peels. We think she hasn’t overdone it and she looks beautiful.
NeNe Leakes – $20,500
Best known as Linnethia Leakes, the reality TV star became famous from the Real Housewives of Atlanta. She has since worked in TV shows such as Glee and also became a judge on the show Fashion Police.
She isn’t too shy to admit that she has had a fair share of plastic surgery that includes one nose job, a breast lift and a breast reduction along with some liposuction. Well, she looks super gorgeous as always.
Tara Reid – $9,500
Tara captivated everyone with her innocent looking face in the hit comedy series American Pie. It won’t be wrong to say that she is a good reminder that plastic surgery doesn’t always deliver results as expected. The damages were caused by her breast augmentation and tummy tuck.
She featured in a Playboy magazine of 2009 and said that the damage caused by surgeries to her skin and torso have been corrected.
Courtney Love – $9,800
The American singer and actress have a career that spanned over four decades and she has changed many looks over the years.
Although the wife of late rock star Kurt Kobain has had experimented with long flowing blonde locks and short messy hair with punk clothes, it didn’t stop people from noticing that she had made changes to her face and body as well e.g. nose job, lip fillers, and breast augmentation.
Meg Ryan – $11,750
Although it isn’t the most expensive transformation on our list, it looks like Meg went a bit overboard with her procedures.
She has had quite a few procedures, including neck lifts and many facial fillings. Once known as the “fresh-faced” actress, she has definitely shocked everyone with her look.
Lindsay Lohan – Unknown
This Mean Girls star has never confirmed any rumors regarding her cosmetic surgeries, but there are a lot of speculations that she has a lot of experience of going under the knife. Supposedly, she had it all from boob jobs, facial implants, to nose jobs.
Lindsay even denies having Botox to keep her looks younger. However, she has admitted to trying a treatment called Caci in which electrical current is used to keep the skin muscles smooth.
Heather Locklear – $18,500
She has made a name for herself with her role as Amanda Woodward on “Melrose Place” and as Sammy Jo Carrington on “Dynasty.” And she is also known for being associated with famous men such as Tommy Lee Jones and Richie Samborra.
Although she has had many surgeries over the years (a nose job, a boob job, a cheek implants procedure, and a facelift along with Botox injections), it is amazing that she doesn’t look dramatically different and even her overall bill of treatments isn’t too high as well.
Janice Dickinson – $20,000
It can be said that Janice is not one of the cosmetic surgery’s success stories. Even her son, Nathan Fields, begged her to not do any more plastic surgery but it seems like she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Her dramatic transformation has taken place slowly over the years. It is unfortunate that her name is quite often used on lists of nightmare plastic surgery gone wrong.
Barbie Girl – Unknown
Valeria Lukyanova wanted to look like Barbie since high school and says that she has had only breasts changed to achieve the look. But we find it hard to believe.
From her face to her wrists to her overall image, everything looks transformed. She hopes to inspire others as she believes that there is always room for improvement.
Renee Zellweger – Unknown
Although the actress is known for making changes to her body for her roles in movies (she bulked up for her role as Bridget Jones), she was totally unrecognizable when she stepped out on the red carpet in 2014.
She totally denies the rumors and says that she was just preoccupied that day. She says that “a woman only gets more interesting as she gets older”.
Brad Pitt – Unknown
This inclusion in our list proves that celebrities are humans as well and even they have insecurities. It is rumored that Brad was conscious of his ears and decided to have surgery to pin them back.
However, he isn’t much interested in other treatments to make him look younger. He is getting old gracefully and he is looking hotter than ever.
Diana Agron – $15,000
It won’t be wrong to say that Diana is like a role model for many teenagers. It is mainly because of her role of Quinn Fabray in hit TV show Glee. She did not shy away from admitting that she had a nose job.
Although she admitted to having the desire to make a change, she had no option but to get her nose fixed after a collision with her friend when they were out dancing in a party. By the way, she looks as gorgeous as ever.
Tom Cruise – Unknown
The Bafta award of 2016 went into a shock when Tom Cruise made an entrance. It exploded into rumors that Tom has done something really drastic to his face.
One Twitter user even went on to say that “Looks like Tom Cruise has just been on a Mission Impossible type mission to steal all the world’s Botox supply for his face.” Some even compared his puffy face to a bee sting. Ouch!
Barry Manilow – $70,000
Although many of Barry Manilow’s surgeries are because of his 2003 accident when he walked into a wall and needed dental work and facial reconfiguration, he went under the knife for other reasons as well.
Many plastic surgeons suggest that he also had a nose job and Botox injections. He also had a medical plastic surgery to remove tumors or cysts.
Megan Fox – $8,000
She is considered a sex symbol and everyone is captivated by her attractive looks. Her role in the Transformer was her first shot at fame and since then she has never looked back.
There are rumors that she has had two nose jobs, as well as cheek implants, breast augmentation surgery, and both Botox and lip fillers. However, it is surprising that she was already one of the world’s sexiest women before she decided to make the changes.
Rumer Willis – $100,000
It can be said that Rumer Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, is the offspring of one of the famous celebrity couples of all time.
Although she is beautiful, she followed her mother’s footstep and chalked up to $100,000 on cosmetic surgeries that include jawline reconstructive surgery and a rhinoplasty along with lip injections and Botox.
John Travolta – Unknown
The famous Hollywood actor has been in the public eyes for decades and it was no surprise when fans started to call out his clear hair transplant and so-called ‘frozen face.’
Although the actor has denied the rumors of him getting a Botox and facelift, we are going to let you decide after looking at these two pictures of past and present.
Dwayne Johnson – Unknown
It is really commendable that Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock has made a huge transition from his wrestling career to Hollywood. But did you know that he had to receive plastic surgery to reduce the size of his chest?
Dwayne is never shy to admit that he has been under the knife several times. He is quite open about it because he does not want to raise the bar of “unattainable perfection.”
Courtney Cox – Unknown
Who isn’t still in love with Monica Geller, right? Well, the Friends star looks beautiful and it is hard to tell that she is 55 years old.
Although she has never admitted to having a nose job or any work done on her face, she has spoken about getting facial fillers and Botox injections.
Roseanne Barr – $45,000
The American actress, comedian, writer, and television producer rose to popularity with her role in the hit TV sitcom, Roseanne.
Unlike many other celebrities, her surgeries (tummy tucks and gastric band surgery) were focused on weight loss. It is most probably because she knew she was working in an image-conscious world.
Adele – Unknown
The beautiful and powerful Adele lost a lot of weight in a small time and that helped create some rumors.
Although she claims that she had throat surgery and it prevented her from eating for some time, many believe that she had liposuction and a nose job. We love her and even if she had liposuction then it still won’t change how we see her.
Demi Moore – $500,000
Demi is a natural beauty, but even she had to go under the knife in an attempt to prevent the inevitable aging.
She has admitted to having facelifts, breast implants, liposuction, and at least one nose job. we must say that it all seems to work because she does not look like a woman in her fifties.
Kenny Rogers – Unknown
If you love country song then you must be a fan of Kenny Rogers. Apart from singing, he has also acted in several movies and TV shows.
He had a botched plastic surgery that includes an eyelid lift which did not turn out as planned. Hence, it didn’t take him much time to come out against plastic surgery. “I’m not happy about it” he said, “it drives me crazy!”
Britney Spears – $2,000
It is really surprising that there are not many rumors about Britney having plastic surgery. After all, she has been in the limelight for over two decades. She has always said that she will never get cosmetic surgery.
It is fair to say that she is doing a wonderful job at naturally aging. She has admitted to getting lip fillers and facials and we must say that her lips look quite natural (it is not the case with many celebrities).
Stephanie March – Unknown
Stephanie’s experience with plastic surgery did not go as planned and it was like a never-ending nightmare for her.
In an interview with Refinery29, she revealed that she wanted to fix her falling apart life and got herself a breast augmentation. However, the surgery was a complete failure as one of her breasts became infected at the cut. As a result of it, she had to go to the emergency room to clear up the infection and she ended up removing all of the work she had done.
Sharon Osbourne – $200,000
As she is married to Ozzy Osbourne, it means that her life is always under media scrutiny. That’s why she was always extra careful about her looks before going out.
She has now admitted that she was really worried about her looks and had to go under the knife. According to her, she will never do it again. She said: “There’s not much I haven’t had tweaked, stretched, peeled, lasered, veneered, enhanced or removed altogether.”
Clare Danes – Unknown
This pretty actress has said that she is quite open to plastic surgery and it doesn’t come off as a big surprise. After all, staying young and hiding the signs of aging can put immense pressure on anyone and here we are talking about one of Hollywood’s famous actresses.
Many experts believe that she has undergone treatments such as lip fillers, an eye lift, and even facial implants. She still looks super beautiful and way younger than her 40 years.
Lara Flynn Boyle – $28,000
Fans of TV show Twin Peaks will recognize her in an instant, others may not. It is reported that she was worried about acting roles going to younger women and decided to do something about it.
That explains her drastic plastic surgery. It is unfortunate that she didn’t get the results she expected.
Kim Novak – $9,200
Known for movies such as “The Man with the Golden Arm” and “Vertigo,” Novak was quite famous in the 50s and 60s. She worked with some of the prominent leading men of the era, but work started to dry up in the late 60s and she announced her retirement in 1991.
She was totally unrecognizable when she attended 2014 Oscars after having cheek implants, a brow lift, and some Botox injections too.
Nicole Kidman – $1,400
Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress and although she hasn’t admitted to getting any work done, she did admit about extensive Botox injections. And she didn’t like the result as well.
She said, “sometimes you have to find out if the grass is greener on the other side for yourself.” However, there are rumors about her getting facial fillers and rhinoplasty.