21 Then Vs. Now Pictures of Disney and Nickelodeon Characters From Our Childhood
These famous characters from our childhood have us screaming when we see them now.
Disney and Nickelodeon stars have a way of sticking with us long after the credits roll. Years later, it can be a little surreal to see the actors behind those familiar characters all grown up and looking completely different from the kids we remember.
That is exactly what makes then vs. now photos so fun, especially when the faces are from shows we watched every day. From Zoey 101 to iCarly, these former child stars have changed a lot, and some of them are almost unrecognizable now.
Here are some of the most memorable childhood actors, side by side with their present-day looks. The glow-up is real.
1. Paul Butcher as Dustin Brooks on Zoey 101.
This was definitely a glow-up. He's so young in the first photo.
Nickelodeon, @paulbutcher / Via instagram.com2. Erin Sanders as Quinn Pensky from Zoey 101.
She looks almost completely different.
Nickelodeon, @erinzariah / Via instagram.com3. Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapiro from Victorious.
The hair is still thriving.
Nickelodeon, @tarreyn / Via instagram.com
Some of these glow-ups are hard to believe.
4. Josh Peck as Josh Nichols from Drake & Josh.
We love him, but where's Drake?
Nickelodeon, @shuapeck / Via instagram.com
5. Nathan Kress as Freddie Benson from iCarly.
Okay, Freddie, I see you.
Nickelodeon, @nathankress / Via instagram.com
6. Skai Jackson as Zuri Ross on Jessie.
She's literally so pretty.
Disney Channel, @skaijackson / Via instagram.com
7. Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Andi Mack from Andi Mack.
Disney Channel, @peytonelizabethlee / Via instagram.com
It is wild how quickly these childhood favorites grew up.
8. Melise as Geena Fabiano from Unfabulous.
Nickelodeon, @melise / Via instagram.com
9. Jordan Calloway as Zack Carter-Schwartz from Unfabulous.
We knew he'd be cute.
Nickelodeon, @j_callloway6 / Via instagram.com
10. Karan Brar as Ravi Ross from Jessie.
Disney Channel, @karabrar / Via instagram.com
11. Alexandra Shipp as KT Rush from House of Anubis.
Nickelodeon, @alexandrashipppp / Via instagram.com
12. Moisés Arias as Rico Suave from Hannah Montana
Still that same face.
Disney Channel, @490tx / Via instagram.com
These throwback comparisons really hit the nostalgia button.
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13. Brianne Tju as Haley from Corey in the House
Disney Channel, @briannetju / Via instagram.com
14. Jake T. Austin as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place.
Disney Channel, @jaketaustin / Via instagram.com
15. Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback from Wizards of Waverly Place
Disney Channel, @greggsulkin / Via instagram.com, @greggsulkin / Via instagram.com
16. Brandon Mychal Smith as Nico Harris from Sonny with a Chance.
Disney Channel, Four Weddings and a Funeral / Via Hulu
17. Rowan Blanchard as Riley Matthews from Girl Meets World.
Disney Channel, @rowanblanchard / Via instagram.com
A few of these are especially surprising.
18. Corey Fogelmanis as Farkle Minkus from Girl Meets World
Disney Channel, @coreyfogelmanis / Via instagram.com
19. Carlson Young as Tiffany Blake from As the Bell Rings.
Disney Channel, @carlsonyoung / Via instagram.com
20. Josie Totah as Stuart Wooten from Jessie.
Josie is truly thriving.
Disney Channel, @josietotah / Via instagram.com
21. Lastly, Nat and Alex Wolff from The Naked Brothers Band.
Nickelodeon, Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images
It is easy to see why these before-and-after photos keep getting shared.
I know I love to see how celebrities are growing and thriving once they leave the shows I know them from. These celebrities definitely grew up on us, and they aren't children anymore.
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