From child stars to teen celebs

As Bella Swan in the Twilight series, 21-year-old Kristen has amassed a loyal following at home and abroad.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart is a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As Bella Swan in the Twilight series, the 21-year-old starlet has amassed a loyal following at home and abroad. But did you know that this youthful beauty was actually the boyish looking child actor in The Panic Room. At the tender age of nine, Stewart bagged her first big role as Jodie Foster’s diabetic daughter in the thriller released in 2002. She was nominated for a Young Artist Award for her performance in the movie. 

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus sizzles up the performing stage like a confident teen idol now. She’s come a long way from her acting debut as the young and bubbly Miley Stewart in Disney’s TV series Hannah Montana, about a school girl with a secret double life as a teen pop star.

At age 11, Cyrus learned about the casting for what became ‘Hannah Montana’, a Disney Channel children’s television series. Cyrus sent in a tape auditioning for the show’s best friend role, but received a call asking her to audition for the lead. However she was rejected subsequently for being too young and too small for the part. However, her persistence and ability to sing and act caused the show’s producers to invite her back for further auditions. Cyrus ultimately won the lead part, “Miley Stewart” and there has been no looking back for the teen star since then. 

Shia LaBeouf

After the Transformers series, Shia LaBeouf was elevated to the status of a rising heart throb in Hollywood. Paired with the sizzling Megan Fox in Transformers, LeBeouf appears suave and handsome — completely different from the goofy kid in Disney’s TV series, Even Stevens, which launched his career as an actor when he had barely entered his teens. LaBeouf started his career as a child comedian at comedy clubs when he was only ten.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2012.