The transition from child star to Hollywood heavyweight is rarely kind – fashion faux pas, awkward poses and regrettable haircuts are common pitfalls. But with a sprinkling of A-list fairy dust (namely: a first-rate glam squad), celebrities can put past missteps firmly behind them as they master the red carpet once and for all.
Here, revisit some of Hollywood’s leading ladies’ red-carpet debuts – and perhaps, be grateful that all evidence of your childhood fashion choices is confined to family photo albums…
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman made her debut at the premiere of The Professional on 3 November 1994.
Natalie Portman in Oscar 2012
Ariana Grande
With her hair dyed red for her role as Cat Valentine in Victorious, Ariana first stepped on to a red carpet at the premiere of The Lovely Bones in 2009.
Ariana Grande attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020.
Angelina Jolie joined her father, Jon Voight, at the 1986 Academy Awards for her first red-carpet appearance.
Chloe Grace Moretz
Chloe Grace Moretz at the premiere of The Amityville Horror on 7 April 2005.
Cara Delevingne
Delevingne attended a Vogue Fashion’s Night Out event at the Giorgio Armani store on 8 September 2009.
Beyoncé
The original Destiny’s Child lineup - Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Robertson at the Soul Train Awards on 27 February 1998.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore on 25 January 1982 at the London premiere of E.T.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone at a Replay party on 24 April 2006.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Actress Emma Stone attends the Gala screening of "La La Land" at Ham Yard Hotel on January 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow attends the premiere of The Prince of Tides with her mum, Blythe Danner in December 1991.
Billie Eilish
The now record-breaking Grammy winner first attended a red-carpet event in 2017.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez made her debut at the Mi Vida Loca Hollywood premiere on 18 July 1994.
Madonna
Madonna made her first red-carpet splash in a now iconic white dress at the first MTV Video Music Awards on 14 September 1984.
Saoirse Ronan
While promoting her first major role in Atonement in 2007, Saoirse wore cropped jeans and a Topshop vest with a black button-up cardigan.
Dakota and Elle Fanning
Dakota and Elle Fanning first stepped onto the red carpet at the 20th anniversary screening of E.T. in March 2002.
