Idols were more difficult to access for their fans in the early 2000s compared to today, in the era of the internet and social media. However, we still found ways to keep ourselves informed about their schedules, public appearances, and even details about their personal lives.
After a few decades, we, at Now I've Seen Everything, made the decision to explore the current lives of our beloved celebrities who made the 2000s an unforgettable era for us.
Audrey Tautou
© Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain / Canal+ and co-producers, Ik Aldama / DPA / East News
The French actress gained fame by portraying the lead character in Amélie. Nevertheless, despite having a large fan base and receiving notable nominations, Audrey chose not to pursue Hollywood and remained in France. It wasn't until 2006 that she participated in The Da Vinci Code.
Version 1: The actress continues to actively engage in film projects, and in 2010, she made her first appearance on the theater stage too.
Christina Aguilera
ASSOCIATED PRESS / East News, Invision / Invision / East News
The stunning blonde songstress with a commanding voice skyrocketed to fame in 1999 with her chart-topping single What a Girl Wants. Throughout her illustrious career, she has not only showcased her vocal talents but has also delved into acting, songwriting, and music production.
Christina, despite having two children, never ceases to showcase her creativity.
Avril Lavigne
Scott Gries / Picturegroup / East News, Scott Kirkland / PictureGroup / MEGA / East News
Avril Lavigne is best known for hit songs such as Complicated, My Happy Ending, Girlfriend, and more, all of which reached number one on global charts. She was often referred to by journalists as “the princess of pop punk” due to her affinity for long T-shirts, Converse sneakers, and bold makeup, as well as “anti-Britney” because of her less mainstream and more authentic image. It's amazing to see the elegant woman she has evolved into.
Lindsay Lohan
Allstar/Graham Whitby Boot / Mary Evans Picture Library / East News, Zabulon Laurent / ABACA / Abaca / East News
Lindsay achieved worldwide fame through movies such as The Parent Trap, Mean Girls, and Freaky Friday. After her fame waned, she transitioned into a music career and appeared in television series and indie films.
Julian McMahon
© Charmed / paramount, julianmcmahonofficial
© julianmcmahonofficial / Instagram
All the fans of Charmed used to sigh, “Oh, what a man he was.” Despite not completely disappearing from the screen, Julian continues to be involved in various projects. He can be spotted in films such as Fantastic Four portraying a villain, as well as in the series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
Nicole Richie
Everett Collection / East News, Zabulon Laurent/ABACA / Abaca / East News
During the early 2000s, Lionel Richie's adopted daughter rose to fame due to her controversial lifestyle and her appearance on the reality show, The Simple Life, alongside her close friend Paris Hilton. Since then, Richie has established her own fashion brand, released two novels, and is currently involved in a television series.
Amy Lee — Evanescence
Jeff Christensen / ASSOCIATED PRESS / East News, amylee
During the 2000s, Amy Lee, the lead singer of Evanescence, brought joy to our lives with hits such as “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal.” Her unique gothic style and Victorian attire inspired girls globally. Nowadays, Amy is a devoted mother to her son Jack while still pursuing her passion for music. Fans eagerly anticipate the band's upcoming 5th studio album, The Bitter Truth, as they continue to embark on successful tours.
Dexter Holland — The Offspring
© The Offspring – The Kids Aren't Alright / Youtube, offspring
The lead singer of The Offspring, Dexter, possesses remarkable skills not just in music but also in the field of science. Three years ago, he achieved a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Despite this, his punk-rock band continues to captivate and fill entire stadiums.
Paris Hilton
BILL COOKE / ASSOCIATED PRESS / East News, JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX / AFP / East News
During the mid-2000s, Paris Hilton was a ubiquitous presence – her music was constantly on the radio, and the reality show The Simple Life showcased her learning everyday tasks despite her wealthy background. Although her fame waned over time, Paris continued to pursue music, created her own perfume line, and found success as a DJ.
It appears that Paris' fame is on the brink of a new era with the emergence of a documentary titled “This Is Paris” on the internet. Surprisingly, this documentary has proven to be deeply moving and sincere. Audiences will discover the story of Paris being “kidnapped” during her teenage years and her relentless attempts to break free. Furthermore, they will uncover the heartbreaking betrayal from her loved ones and understand the reasons behind her fear of having children.
Jessica Simpson
FaceToFace / REPORTER / East News, jessicasimpson
Version 1: Jessica, a well-known singer, actress, TV host, and designer, was once the talk of the town. However, she made a sudden disappearance. Jessica made a choice to prioritize her family and now spends her time with her husband Eric and their three children: two daughters and one son.
Ryan Phillippe
© Cruel Intentions / Columbia Pictures and cp-producers, ryanphillippe / instagram
Ryan seems to have discovered a fountain of youth, as there is a 21-year difference between the two photos. He is now acting in various series and taking care of his children, including a daughter and a son with Reese Witherspoon, and another daughter with his second wife Alexis Knapp, whom he also separated from.
Natalie Imbruglia
© Natalie Imbruglia – Torn / youtube, natalie_imbruglia
Natalie is involved in movies, series, theater plays, and she also sings. In 2021, she launched a music album named Firebird.
Carmen Electra
Everett Collection / East News, carmenelectra
It appears that the American model and actress has discovered the secret to everlasting youth, just like Ryan Phillippe. How else can we explain that her looks have stayed the same for many years? This stunning beauty stars in TV shows and actively engages in charitable endeavors.
Jason Priestley
© Beverly Hills, 90210 / cbs and co-producers, JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX / AFP / East News
After gaining fame from playing Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, the actor starred in some movies and later pursued directing by working on episodes for popular American TV series.
Hilary Duff
EVERETT COLLECTION / East News, hilaryduff
Hilary Duff rose to fame through her role in Lizzie McGuire, becoming an icon for many. As an adult, she pursued music, acted in independent films, created clothing lines, launched a perfume, authored books, and actively participates in charity work. Despite her successes, she faced setbacks with the movie The Haunting of Sharon Tate, receiving negative reviews from critics and viewers alike, with an IMDb rating of only 2.8 out of 10.
Megan Fox
East News, Invision / Invision / East News
The beautiful brunette became famous for playing the girlfriend of the main character in the first and second Transformers movies. Megan is known as one of the sexiest actresses in Hollywood, and even after 2 marriages and 3 children, she still holds onto that title.
The actress continues to appear in movies, is active on social media, and frequently attends red carpet events in unforgettable attire.
Holly Marie Combs
East News, Miguel Discart / Wikimedia Commons © CC BY-SA 3.0
Holly was in Charmed and Pretty Little Liars. She had small roles in other movies too. In 2019, she married Mike Ryan, a restaurateur. This is her third marriage.
It's comforting to see that our childhood idols have happy lives, even though some of them have started families and left their rebellious images behind. Let's reminisce about our youth together. Share in the comments who your idol was in the 2000s and if you still keep up with their lives, two decades later.
Preview photo credit East News, Miguel Discart / Wikimedia Commons © CC BY-SA 3.0
