Have you ever looked at old photos of yourself and cringed so hard it hurt? We know that feeling all too well (thanks Facebook). But even celebrities can’t escape these moments. While old prom photos and childhood pictures tend to surface once someone becomes famous, awkward red carpet appearances are a whole different kettle of fish. We can’t even begin to relate.
Celebrities’ first forays into the spotlight are usually well-documented as are their cumbersome poses, terrified smiles, and questionable fashion choices. We often think of celebs as beautiful, poised, and ever-fashionable. However, there are little gems out there from when they first stepped into the limelight.
In fact, making a red carpet debut must feel like the first day of school all over again. Most celebs are probably unsure about what to wear and nervous about all the things that could go wrong. But seeing those stars look awkward, frumpy, and confused is always a little comforting. And it’s a reminder that they are human after all.
Plus, there’s lots of proof out there that everyone finds being in front of the camera uncomfortable at first, even stars like Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift.
We looked at 15 celebrities first red carpet photos and realized that it is actually possible to relate to Beyonce.
Jennifer Lawrence
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The Oscar winner’s first appearance was very humble.
Before she became the star of The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence was gawky and awkward, but she had her pose down pat. Lawrence walked her first red carpet at the 15th Annual Movieguide Faith and Values Awards in February 2007. Wearing an electric blue frock with tulle trim, Lawrence was just 16 years old. And even if she feels slightly embarrassed by this look, we’re just impressed with the attitude.
Destiny’s Child
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Before Beyoncé became Queen Bey, she was one of the favorite members of Destiny’s Child.
Destiny’s Child was originally a quartet. And before Michelle Williams joined the team, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya rounded out the group. Making their first red carpet appearance at the 12th annual Soul Train Music Awards in 1998, the R&B group looked bright and beautiful in slick leather pants, delicate black lace, and plenty of exposed midriffs. Can you believe Beyoncé was just 17 at the time? Neither can we.
Britney Spears
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In 1998, “… Baby One More Time” made Britney Spears an overnight pop sensation.
That very same year, the star appeared at the American Music Awards red carpet for the first time, wearing a long flowing gown and softly curled hair. She looked fresh and ethereal. Indeed, Britney was a sight to behold. She was a sight to behold, and this innocent Britney grew into the Las Vegas veteran we know and love today.
Ariana Grande
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Spoiler: She’s always loved knee-high boots.
During her first appearance on the red carpet in 2008, Ariana Grande stayed true to herself with a pair of knee-grazing boots. At the premiere of the Broadway musical, 13, the “Thank You Next” singer is almost unrecognizable with her shiny black hair, lowkey outfit, and big toothy grin. Ari looks nothing like the diva she’s become. It’s thrilling, though, to see her stripped down.
Natalie Portman
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After scoring her dream role, Natalie Portman strutted the carpet with sheer force.
At just 11 years old, Natalie Portman sent in an audition tape for a role in the movie Leon: The Professional. In the film, Natalie plays the role of 12-year-old Mathilda, who ends up befriending an Italian hitman hoping to avenge the murder of her family. And the star made a splash on the red carpet for the premiere in 1994, with a monochrome faux fur jacket, a gold-trimmed skirt, and black heels.
Zendaya
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The fashion maven looked super cute at her first carpet.
In recent years, Zendaya has become a fashion stalwart. Known for her eye-catching looks and avant-garde style, the Euphoria star is a veteran of the red carpet. But nine years ago, things were a little different. She made her debut at Disney and ABC’s Television Critics Association party in 2010 at 14. Zendaya is bright and bursting with energy, and she chose to wear patterned stockings with an off-white dress.
Miley Cyrus
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Hannah Montanna premiered in 2006, marking Miley Cyrus’s first red carpet appearance.
At the tender age of 13, the star turned up at a press event for the show in a cute cropped cardigan, low slung sneakers, and a bright smile. She looked very excited, and that energy hasn’t changed at all. Miley’s effervescent attitude and contagious energy made her an instant star, and while the artist’s style has changed, her love for the spotlight certainly hasn’t.
Anna Kendrick
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The Pitch Perfect star is still horrified by her first red carpet.
Anna Kendrick walked her first red carpet in 1998 at the 52nd Annual Tony Awards. She was 12. In an interview with British Glamour, though, Kendrick confessed that even though she’s a pro now, she still feels self-conscious. “Every year that goes by, I think that my on-camera smile is going to get easier,” she admitted sheepishly, adding “It’s got worse and worse, to the point where I’m giving that Britney Spears terrified smile, where the lips are upturned, but there’s nothing but fear in the eyes.” Don’t be so hard on yourself, Anna! We think you look like a pro.
Kristen Stewart
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The queen of cool made her debut as a preteen.
At only 12 years old, Kristen Stewart made headlines at Cannes Film Festival when she went barefoot to protest the strict stiletto dress code imposed on female attendees. But before she was being a red carpet rebel, the Twilight star made her first appearance at the premiere of Panic Room in 2002. In 2014, she told Marie Claire, “I look at that and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh… It’s just funny to see like that goofy kid version [because] when I should really be looking at old school photos, I’m looking at a red carpet photo.”
Blake Lively
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Blake Lively scored her first acting role at 10, but it was in 2005 that she made her orange carpet debut.
She got her big break with the release of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and attended the Kids Choice Awards a month before the movie’s release, with her costars, Alexis Bledel and America Ferrera. Wearing a casual look with complimentary baby blue and pastel pink tones, Blake was much more dressed down than we see her these days.
Selena Gomez
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It’s hard to believe this was the Disney star’s first red carpet.
Selena Gomez is a red carpet pro. It seems like she’s always armed with a dazzling aura and a smize. We can hardly imagine her ever looking or feeling flustered. In fact, Gomez had her debut at the premiere of Shrek the Third in Los Angeles, CA, in 2007. At 15, the fresh-faced actor turned up in a pair of stone-washed jeans and ballet flats.
Rihanna
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The Barbados superstar looked charmingly simple at her first appearance.
Rihanna is known for her uncanny ability to create jaw-dropping looks. She played it very safe for her first red carpet, though. At a Teen People Listening Lounge in 2005, Rihanna wore low-slung jeans with a pink bralette, waist beads, and pink sneakers. She looked gorgeous and lowkey at the same time. Plus, the star’s bright smile and wavy hair came together to make this a pretty good look. Let’s be real, though. It’s impossible for Rihanna to ever look bad.
Taylor Swift
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Before she was the bad girl of pop, Taylor Swift was a virtuous country singer.
At just 17 years old, Taylor Swift made her red carpet debut at the CMT Music Awards in 2006. Draped in a flowy white dress with a matching belt and heels, this young woman looks incredibly different from the sharply-dressed, perfectly manicured Swift we grew to love. Baby Taylor’s wild wavy hair and innocent grin make us feel super nostalgic. She’s come so far!
Katy Perry
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The pop singer is known for her animated style, but she kept things uncharacteristically simple at this red carpet.
Five years before the success of “I Kissed A Girl,” Katy Perry posed for the paparazzi at Nicole Miller’s Los Angeles Fashion Week show in 2003. Looking demure with her shoulder-length, tousled black locks, and a khaki off-the-shoulder dress, the singer is barely recognizable. At just 19, Katy still looked great. But she may not have been completely comfortable with the limelight then, something you couldn’t accuse her of today.
Jennifer Aniston
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Before she was Rachel, Jennifer Aniston was just another actress trying to make it in Hollywood.
At her first red carpet appearance at an NBC party in 1990, the youthful-looking star wore a ’70s style maxi skirt, plain black tank top, and a big statement belt. The event took place four years before Friends started. And at the time, Aniston had only starred in a handful of small roles and a low-budget horror movie. Little did anyone know that she was just a few years away from becoming a globally-recognized superstar.
