Mila Kunis, Leighton Meester, Cara Delevingne and Angelina Jolie Were Child Models!
There’s just so much we love about this.
By Casey Lewis
Fame often seems like it comes easy to those who have it. All it takes is one fateful audition to snag the role of a lifetime, and then poof—success! Right? Wrong. Most of the stars you see on the big screen have been working their butts off for years, and one surefire path to success (not to mention a great way to fund big dreams) is through modeling.
In fact, the humble beginnings of everyone from Cara Delevingne to Mischa Barton to Mila Kunis involved posing for magazine ads or stepping in front of a photographer decked out in mall brands. Check ‘em out here and enjoy the nostalgic tailspin.
Ian Somerhalder for Versus
Even way back when, it was clear that theVampire Diaries actor had a face (those eyes! that smolder!) destined for big things. And that says a lot, considering he appears to be modeling an elaborate hat of leaves and tree branches here.
Leighton Meester for Juice Bar
Remember Gummi Bears? No, not Haribos—the candy-scented perfume by the appropriately-named fragrance brand Juice Bar? Yeah, those. Well, back in the day before Blair Waldorf was making minions shake in their thigh-high stockings on Gossip Girl, she was posing for cosmetics labels. Blair probably wouldn’t be impressed, but we sure are.
Related: 10 Quick Ways to Pump Up Your Ponytail
Cara Delevingne for Asos
Believe it or not, Cara wasn’t always the fashion industry It girl and a soon-to-be movie star she is now. Not too long ago, in fact, she was modeling prom dresses and jean shorts for ASOS. The steely gaze is the same—not to mention those legs—but she wasn’t quite the pro she is now. Look at that baby face!
Mischa Barton for Calvin Klein
You may think The O.C. star got her start when she landed memorable roles as a youngin’ in movies like The Sixth Sense and Notting Hill, but even before she hit the big screen, she was a pro at posing in front of cameras.
Mila Kunis for Lisa Frank
Hard to believe this hyper-permed mane belongs to one of the most gorgeous actresses in all of Hollywood who has also been widely hailed by dude-mags as the sexiest woman on Earth, huh? But frizzy hair aside, Mila was just as awesome back then as she is now. And so are those on-point friendship bracelets she’s wearing.
Alexis Bledel for Naturistics
Before she charmed Dean (and audiences throughout America) as Rory on Gilmore Girls, Alexis Bledel donned a lime green choker and pigtail buns in a straight-from-the-’90s ad for sparkly lip gloss. Naturistics is no longer around, but the actress—who just reunited with her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants stars, sparking rumors of another sequel—is still going strong.
Related: 4 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Facial
Lindsay Lohan for Calvin Klein
Right around the time Lindsay revitalized the summer camp industry with her role in The Parent Trap’s reboot, she was showing off her freckles in a Calvin Klein Kids campaign. She doesn’t look too jazzed to be there—but if they were covering up your beautiful red hair with a stocking cap, you probably wouldn’t be, either.
Angelina Jolie for JCPenney
This confirms that Angelina Jolie has basically always been the goddess she is now—even back in high school wearing taffeta prom dresses. It also confirms that she mastered the thigh-high slit long before her Academy Awards meme hit the internet.
More from Teen Vogue:
Katy Perry’s Best Hair Moments
Celebrity Hair Makeovers: Before and After Photos
One Direction Talks Fame, Fans and Good Fortune
Before Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift Were Famous, They Modeled for Abercrombie—and We Have the Pics!
photos: Courtesy of vendors
