Wanna Feel Old? Check Out These Pics of Nickelodeon Stars Then and Now
Wanna Feel Old? Check Out These Pics of Nickelodeon Stars Then and Now
After months of hopes, prayers, and more summoning circles than any adult human person should make, iCarly is officially coming back into our lives. And apparently it's going to be sexy (!!!! screaming !!!!) because everyone has grown the eff up. Including, tragically, those of us who spent our formative years watching the show's original incarnation, not to mention other gems like Zoey 101, VICTORiOUS, and Every Witch Way.
Not sure if you've been keeping up with the iCarly reboot press tour like those of us who may or may not be obsessed / absolutely living for this reunion, but if the sight of the cast in 2021 has made you respectfully curious to see what the rest of your Nickelodeon faves look like these days, you are not alone. We'll be adding to this list due to Nickelodeon having almost as many TV legends as Disney, but for now, check out what Nick stars look like now. In some cases, they're identical to their former selves. In others (hello, Ariana Grande), you wouldn't be able to pick them out of a lineup.
P.S. Before we get to it, if all this talk of iCarly has you thirsting for the reboot (note: everyone in the original cast is coming back except Jennette McCurdy—more on that here), it'll be streaming on Paramount+ along with allllllll the rest of the episodes. Prepare yourself and your spaghetti tacos accordingly.
Victoria Justice: Then
I mean, the middle-parted hair, the spaghetti strap tank with random lace, and the colored pants? This pic from the, uh, VICTORiOUS iParty (help/what) screams "tell me you're posing on a 2011 red carpet without telling me you're posing on a 2011 red carpet."
Victoria Justice: Now
Nowadays, Victoria is busy releasing new music, being BFFs with Bachelor Peter Weber, and starring in Netflix's upcoming movie Afterlife of the Party. Also I want this dress, k thx.
Avan Jogia: Then
10/10 sure I had this photo hanging in my bedroom at some point.
Avan Jogia: Now
Avan has been acting nonstop since his days on VICTORiOUS! Most recently, you've probably seen him in 2018's The New Romantic alongside Camila Mendes, and in the Starz series Now Apocalypse. Back in September 2019, he published a book called Mixed Feelings about mixed-race identity.
Ariana Grande: Then
No words for this absolute LOOK. Ariana Grande circa VICTORiOUS and Sam & Cat is my favorite Ariana Grande.
Ariana Grande: Now
In case you hadn't noticed, Ariana left Nickelodeon, transformed into a casual pop star, and recently got married. But she's still close to her old costars! In fact, fellow VICTORiOUS alums Matt Bennet and Elizabeth Gillies made a surprise appearance on the Sweetener World Tour back in 2019.
Cameron Ocasio: Then
Excuse me for a moment, looking at this sweet photo of Cameron Ocasio circa Sam & Cat has caused me to quite literally melt.
Cameron Ocasio: Now
Cameron is still acting occasionally but is otherwise pretty low-key! His last film on IMDb was 2020's teen film Project Pay Day.
Keke Palmer: Then
Keke Palmer is definitely known for her amazing Disney Channel Original Movies, but she also starred in Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP!
Keke Palmer: Now
Keke is probably one of Nickelodeon's most successful alums—and her career just keeps getting bigger. Most recently, it was revealed that she's starring alongside Steven Yeun, Daniel Kaluuya, and Terry Notary in Jordan Peele's next horror movie.
Ashley Argota: Then
Speaking of True Jackson, VP, attention everyone wondering what Ashley Argota (who played LuLu) is up to!
Ashley Argota: Now
Aside from playing Lou Chan in The Fosters, Ashley has starred in I Hate New Year's, hosts a podcast, and has a music career.
Brec Bassinger: Then
Anyone else suddenly in the mood to watch Bella and the Bulldogs?
Daniella Monet: Then
Raise your hand if you had Daniella Monet's exact haircut from VICTORiOUS?
Jennette McCurdy: Then
This photo immediately transports me back to 2007, a time when I, too, was flat-ironing my side-bangs.
Jennette McCurdy: Now
These days, Jennette McCurdy is working on her podcast, writing, and directing. And nope, she won't be on the new iCarly reboot! As she explained, “I quit a few years ago to try my hand at writing and directing—it’s going great. I quit a few years ago because I initially didn’t want to do it. My mom put me in it when I was 6, and by sort of age, I guess, 10 or 11, I was the main financial support for my family. My family didn’t have a lot of money and this was the way out, which I actually think was helpful in driving me to some degree of success.”
Jerry Trainer: Then
What's this, you ask? Just a picture of my crush.
Jerry Trainer: Now
Jerry Trainer will be reprising his role as Carly's older brother Spencer, and he's the one who revealed that iCarly is going to be a bit more adult this time around. "We're going to toe that line, you know what I mean? It's not going to be super-raw," he recently explained. "But yeah, there's going to be sexual situations. And you know, I say 'damn it' in the trailer, which had everyone in a tizzy, but, you know, we're grown-ups."
Miranda Cosgrove: Then
Move over The Rachel, this is the only iconic celeb haircut I want.
Miranda Cosgrove: Now
This is Miranda promoting the iCarly reboot at the Kids' Choice Awards and she looks the same / amazing. Drop that skincare routine, pls!
Nathan Kress: Then
I've never seen a photo so wholesome in my life.
Nathan Kress: Now
WHO IS THIS MAN!!!!! I barely recognize Nathan in 2021, but as he recently told Page Six, "This is an adult show and it's not specifically for kids. And that's been exciting for us—to just see where these characters from a kids' show would be and where they are in their life now, 10 years later. But in a very realistic, non-glossy way."
Wondering what your favorite Nickelodeon stars look like now? Prepare to feel old because these then-and-now pictures are bringing the early aughts nostalgia.