35 Throwback Photos Of Hispanic and Latinx Celebs At The Start Of Their Career Vs What They Look Like Now
Shakira looks like she hasn't aged a day, and she's not the only one we can say that about today.
Some stars become famous so fast that it is easy to forget where they started. This roundup of Hispanic and Latinx celebrities shows the early days of major careers, then jumps to what these entertainers look like now.
From Ricky Martin and Shakira to Jennifer Lopez, Pedro Pascal, and Selena Gomez, these names have helped shape music, film, and television for years. The photos also highlight how much Latinx and Hispanic representation has grown in mainstream entertainment, while showing just how far these celebrities have come.
Scroll through the throwback shots and the modern looks, because the before-and-after moments are the real fun here.
1. Ricky Martin in the '80s:
Bolivar Arellano / WireImage / Getty ImagesRicky Martin now:
Lionel Hahn / Getty Images2. Pedro Pascal in 2005:
Brad Barket / Getty Images
Pedro Pascal now:
Jamie Mccarthy / WireImage / Getty Images
3. Shakira in 1999:
Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Shakira now:
Instagram
4. Cardi B in 2016:
Paras Griffin / Getty Images
Cardi B now:
She has a Dominican father and a Trinidadian mother of African and Spanish descent.
Instagram
5. J Balvin in 2012:
Rodrigo Varela / Getty Images
J Balvin now:
Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images
6. Jennifer Lopez in 1992:
Ron Davis / Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez now:
Emma Mcintyre / WireImage / Getty Images
7. Eiza González in 2008:
Victor Chavez / WireImage / Getty Images
Eiza González now:
Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images for Universal Pictures
8. Pitbull in 2004:
Orlando Garcia / Getty Images
Pitbull now:
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Gateway Celebrity Fight Night Foundation
9. Ariana DeBose in 2006:
Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
Ariana DeBose now:
Doug Peters - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images
10. Maluma in 2013:
David Becker / WireImage / Getty Images
Maluma now:
Instagram
11. Tessa Thompson in 2005:
Jeffrey Mayer / WireImage / Getty Images
Tessa Thompson now:
Karwai Tang / Getty Images
Salma Hayek in 1990:
Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico.
Art Zelin / Getty Images
Salma Hayek now:
Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images
Aubrey Plaza in 2009:
Michael Bezjian / WireImage / Getty Images
Aubrey Plaza now:
Momodu Mansaray / WireImage / Getty Images
14. Oscar Isaac in 2005:
Peter Kramer / Getty Images
Oscar Isaac now:
Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney
As for costume rules, this is like the Boy Meets World designer explaining why Danielle Fishel couldn’t show her arms.
15. Sofia Vergara in 1999:
Jim Smeal / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Sofia Vergara now:
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
16. Becky G in 2012:
Gregg Deguire / WireImage / Getty Images
Becky G now:
Unique Nicole / Getty Images
17. Rosario Dawson in 1998:
Jim Spellman / WireImage / Getty Images
Rosario Dawson now:
Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Deadline Hollywood
18. Alejandro Fernández in 1998:
Arnaldo Magnani / Getty Images
Alejandro Fernández now:
Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images
19. Mariah Carey in 1992:
Paul Natkin / WireImage / Getty Images
Mariah Carey now:
Instagram
20. Rosie Perez in 1987:
Soul Train / Soul Train via Getty Images
Rosie Perez now:
Doug Peters - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images
21. John Leguizamo in 1986:
Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images
John Leguizamo now:
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
22. Edward James Olmos in the early '80s:
Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Edward James Olmos now:
Axelle / FilmMagic / Getty Images
23. Gina Torres in 2001:
L. Cohen / WireImage / Getty ImagesL. Cohen / WireImage / Getty Images
Gina Torres now:
Jc Olivera / Getty Images for iHeartRadio
24. Adrienne Eliza Houghton in 2000:
Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Adrienne Eliza Houghton now:
Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for CUYANA
25. Rita Moreno in 1956:
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Getty Images
Rita Moreno now:
David Livingston / Getty Images
26. Danny Trejo in 1997:
Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Danny Trejo now:
David Livingston / Getty Images
27. Stephanie Beatriz in 2009:
Ryan Miller / Getty Images
Stephanie Beatriz now:
David Livingston / FilmMagic / Getty Images
28. America Ferrera in 2002:
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
America Ferrera now:
Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images for Netflix
29. Michelle Rodriguez in 2000:
Jeff Katz / Getty Images
Michelle Rodriguez now:
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images
30. Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2007:
Mychal Watts / WireImage / Getty Images
Lin-Manuel Miranda now:
Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images
31. Andy Garcia in 1988:
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Andy Garcia now:
Axelle / FilmMagic / Getty Images
32. Wilson Cruz in 1994:
Abc Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Wilson Cruz now:
Instagram
33. Y'lan Noel in 2013:
Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images
Y'lan Noel now:
Jim Spellman / WireImage / Getty Images
34. Mario Lopez in the late '80s:
Both of Mario Lopez's parents were immigrants from Mexico.
Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Mario Lopez now:
Paul Archuleta / Getty Images
35. Zoe Saldaña in 2000:
Rj Capak / WireImage / Getty Images
Zoe Saldaña now:
Araya Doheny / Getty Images for RCGD Global
Let this serve as a good reminder that these icons have truly come a long way, and they deserve every blessing that comes their way because even at the height of their success, they never fail to look back and embrace their roots. They have played pivotal roles in the pop culture industry, and their impact will last forever!
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Want more red-carpet glow-ups? See who wore the best looks at Oscars 2026.
