Entertainment
How Celebrities Looked On 'TRL' Vs. How They Look Now
Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Kids these days will never know the joy of coming home from school and turning on the TV to tune into MTV's Total Request Live, aka TRL. It first debuted in 1999 and it was the greatest thing to have ever happened to the music channel. What more could teenagers ask for than a music countdown show that also featured some of the biggest stars of the time? If you're feeling nostalgic, let's take a moment to look at how celebrities looked on TRL vs. how they look now.
As it goes with most decades, at the time you probably thought what the following actors and musicians wore was so on point that you tried to recreate their looks in the most affordable way possible. Well, once you take a scroll through these slides, you're going to question your style choices in the late '90s and '00s.
Even though many years have passed since these TRL appearances, many of these celebrities actually look the same. You know, save for some really bad hair and style choices. Plus, some of the celebs were super young back then.
Times have truly changed. With that, act like you just ran off the school bus straight into your house so you don't miss one second of TRL and scroll through these then vs. now slides.
Britney Spears — Now
She still pretty much looks the same, but definitely more grown up and vibrant in her clothing choices — especially when it comes to her performance outfits.
Christina Aguilera — Then
Wow. Those purple streaks would actually still work in 2017.
Christina Aguilera — Now
One of the things that hasn't changed with Xtina over the years is her iconic blonde hair.
Gwen Stefani — Then
Gwen Stefani never failed in making a statement. Between whatever is happening over her shoes, those rolled up jeans, and the vest, this is one unique look.
Gwen Stefani — Now
Stefani still has her own individual style, but there's no doubt she classes it up every now and again.
Rihanna — Then
Rihanna is so happy here it's hard not to smile while looking at this photo. Anyone else still love that haircut?
Rihanna — Now
Yeah, Rihanna still resembles TRL RiRi.
Hilary Duff — Then
Yes, that is Hilary Duff with dark hair. It was a big deal when she dyed her famous golden locks, but she totally pulled it off.
Hilary Duff — Now
Duff is back to blonde and rocks it just like her dark brown dye job.
Miley Cyrus — Then
This was around Miley Cyrus' Hannah Montana days. Things have changed quite drastically for the singer-actor now haven't they?
Miley Cyrus — Now
When it comes down to it, she still looks like the same Cyrus fans fell in love with on the Disney Channel, but she is more expressive than ever. What's not to love about that?
Pink — Then
If there is one artist who's never afraid to be bold, it's Pink. She surely was bold sporting that curly hair.
Pink — Now
And she still has bold hair. Though, there is just something so much more preferable about Pink with pink hair.
Beyoncé & Jay Z — Then
If you've been wondering how to rock matching jean outfits with your significant other, this is how you do it.
Beyoncé & Jay Z — Now
They traded in the jean for something a bit classier. Bey and Jay can make any look work, can't they?
Shakira — Then
Similar to Christina Aguilera, Shakira embraced streaks in her hair. Her hips never lied, especially with that belt around her waist.
Shakira — Now
She's the same Shakira, but the singer looked ethereal with this pony and pastels look.
Jennifer Lopez — Then
She'll always be "Jenny from the Block." The hat, the big hoop earrings, and the sweatsuit made up J. Lo's favorite look back in the day.
Jennifer Lopez — Now
J. Lo continues to look fierce in 2017 and she probably always will. She can do no wrong.
Justin Timberlake — Then
This is Justin Timberlake after his *NSYNC days. No matter how much you may have loved his ramen noodle hair, the dark brown look is so much better, right?
Justin Timberlake — Now
Thank goodness he never went back to blonde. And also thank goodness he embraced the beard. Good choice, J.T. Good choice.
Angelina Jolie — Then
Yes, there was a time when Angelina Jolie was on TRL. And of course she is wearing black leather pants.
Angelina Jolie — Now
Nowadays, Jolie has traded those leather pants in for elegant black dresses. She's rarely failed a red carpet.
Jessica Simpson — Then
I can only hope she's singing her first single, "I Wanna Love You Forever," here. Oh, and that's obviously a different diamond she's sporting (from when she was married to Nick Lachey) compared to the one she has now from her husband, Eric Johnson.
Jessica Simpson — Now
Yeah, Simpson continues to slay today.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — Then
Oh, The Rock. He actually looks quite young here, but still the same badass most people know and love.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson — Now
Is it possible for someone like The Rock to become more muscular? Well, he clearly did.
Ben Affleck — Then
Allow me to introduce you to Ben Affleck with a goatee. It's unclear if the crowd is cheering for his facial hair or that camel colored sweater.
Ben Affleck — Now
Now, Affleck's chosen to forgo the goatee and embrace the full beard, which is an extremely smart choice.
Keira Knightley — Then
Keira Knightley was still so fun and vibrant on TRL like she continues to be today. By the way, her bangs were a huge hit for me. Maybe that's why I have them now?
Keira Knightley — Now
Slay, Knightley. Slay. Seriously, she never fails in anything she does.
Ashlee Simpson — Then
This is the Ashlee Simpson I fell in love with. Her album Autobiography was basically my soundtrack in 2004.
Ashlee Simpson — Now
Kind of like Hilary Duff, Simpson tried the darker look but ended up going back to her blonde roots. Really, both work for her.
Lil' Romeo — Then
Lil' Romeo truly was "lil'" here. He is basically a baby. Wait until you see him now...
Lil Romeo — Now
Whoa. And yes, that is Lil' Romeo. He's grown up into a good-looking man who should forever continue to wear glasses.
Usher — Then
Do you think "Ursher" still owns that blinged out "U" chain? I really hope so.
Usher — Now
Yeah, Usher hasn't changed one bit.
Kanye West — Then
Before he met with Donald Trump, married Kim Kardashian, and became one of the most controversial celebrities, this was Kanye West.
Kanye West — Now
I can't help but wonder what West would think of his former TRL self wearing that white tiger T-shirt.
Mila Kunis — Then
Mila Kunis never fails in standing out, just like she does here with this outfit.
Mila Kunis — Now
She's definitely toned down her look some. I would like to hear her thoughts on her TRL outfit.
Lauren Conrad — Then
It's hard to say for certain if this is Laguna Beach's L.C. or The Hills' Lauren Conrad. Either way, she was the queen of MTV.
Lauren Conrad — Now
And look at her now. Conrad has done well for herself, especially when it comes to making everyone envious over her fashion empire.
Mischa Barton — Then
Marissa Cooper was once in the TRL house. I'm not entirely sure what's happening with her outfit, but I'm pretty sure I once owned a belt/sash/ribbon like that.
Mischa Barton — Now
I don't know what I love more here. It's either the red lip or the white jumpsuit.
Kelly Osbourne — Then
Whether or not you were a fan of Kelly Osbourne's style choices, there's no arguing she embraced her true self.
Kelly Osbourne — Now
She continues to be herself. Since her TRL days, she became a host herself during her time on E!'s Fashion Police.
Paris Hilton — Then
Raise your hand if you once had at least one jean skirt in your closet. Same, and clearly Paris Hilton did too.
Paris Hilton — Now
Hilton's transformed her style immensely and is now wearing dresses rather than jean skirts.
Lindsay Lohan — Then
This is the LiLo I remember and love. From Freaky Friday to Mean Girls, Lohan once was a huge star.
Lindsay Lohan — Now
And here she is still rocking her gorgeous red hair.
Kim Kardashian — Then
I highly doubt Kim Kardashian would be caught dead in a vest like that today. What do you think?
Kim Kardashian — Now
Her style surely has changed since she appeared on TRL.
Mariah Carey — Then
Based on those boots, it might be winter, but I'm not entirely sure. Whatever the case, Mariah Carey looks really happy — and probably because of her outfit.
Mariah Carey — Now
Again, it's winter here and Carey chose a massive feathered coat and a leotard. Where are those boots when she needs them?
Alexis Bledel — Then
Apparently, Rory Gilmore once loved sequins and bangs. How times have changed.
Alexis Bledel — Now
It's kind of eerie how similar Bledel's dress here is to the one she wore on TRL. Whatever the case, she sure is stunning.
Zac Efron — Then
This is the Zac Efron most everyone fell hard for. Admittedly, he stole my heart in Summerland not High School Musical.
Zac Efron — Now
Yeah, still falling hard for him.
Taylor Swift — Then
Back in 2008, T. Swift was signing guitars, bringing down TRL, and having no idea how huge she (and her dating life) would be.
Taylor Swift — Now
This the Taylor Swift fans can't get enough of these days.
Nick Jonas — Then
Oh, Nick Jonas. He is so little here. Plus, that hair? The curls are too much to handle.
Nick Jonas — Now
Now, no one is paying attention to Jonas' curls, but rather to the fact that he's a man who is super successful as a singer and an actor.
I can't wait to see how dated these "now" photos look in about 15 years.