Celebrities who changed things up in 2024
Madonna was sidelined, Justin Timberlake did a radically different photo shoot, ABC News Breakfast cleared the couch, and Jacobi Elordi ruined his beautiful face. Change and transformation came in many forms in 2024.
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Australia’s global chart-topper Tones and I revealed a new look and fashion-forward makeover while declaring: “I’m a girly girl. I always have been.”
Australia’s global chart-topper Tones and I revealed a new look and fashion-forward makeover while declaring: “I’m a girly girl. I always have been.”
The singer-songwriter born Toni Watson said she battled body image, self-esteem and confidence issues when her debut single, Dance Monkey, exploded across the world.
“Everything was up for discussion; my body shape, my music, my livelihood, my relationship – I wish I could say ... that doesn’t affect me,” Watson said.
The former busker battled online trolls and music industry doubters even as Dance Monkey clocked up three billion streams, followed by other hits such as Fly Away and Cloudy Day.
She said: “I was trying to keep my head above water. If there was any body positivity to be had, it wasn’t coming my way.”
But that changed when, in August, Watson released a new album, Beautifully Ordinary, and hard-launched a new look and makeover.
Jacob Elordi
Former St Kevin’s College student Jacob Elordi stunned a red carpet event with a beard that did the impossible. It made him look like the 1980s guy that sang Footloose.
Elordi – Brisbane-born, Melbourne-raised, Hollywood-endorsed – debuted the unsightly facial hair while distancing himself from past movies that traded on his boyish good looks.
He described his breakthrough film, The Kissing Booth, as “ridiculous,” adding: “I didn’t want to make those movies before I made those movies.”
The beard got mixed reviews.
“Shave it,” one social media demanded.
Another post hissed: “That beard is a disaster.”
Justin Timberlake
Pop superstar and former boy band puppet Justin Timberlake warbled from a different songbook after being busted for drunk-driving.
Timberlake was arrested after police saw his BMW run a stop sign and veer into another lane. Police said he got out of the vehicle smelling of alcohol.
His glazed-eyes police mug shot dispelled any thoughts that JT, in the words of his most famous song, was “bringing sexy back”.
Hell, no.
Timberlake pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol. His punishment included 25 hours of community service and reading a public service announcement.
“Even if you’ve had one drink,” he said contritely, “don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
Rebel Wilson
Australian actor Rebel Wilson showed off her slimmest self yet in 2024.
She told The Times that she had used the weight loss drug Ozempic to shed the unwanted kilos.
“I feel strongly that young women shouldn’t try to obsess over looking like Victoria’s Secret models – they should just look like themselves,” Wilson said. I think to many people I’m a beacon of body positivity because ... I really think beauty is any shape and size.”
Madonna
It’s not often Madonna gets sidelined, but the Material Girl seemed right at home with her most radical transformation to date – devoted soccer mum.
Madge – icon, muse and queen of reinvention – shared her wholesome rebrand on social media, cheering on her 12-year-old twin daughters Estere and Stella as they took to the field for Asphalt Green Soccer Club in Manhattan.
She captioned her Instagram post with: “Soccer momming”.
Sabrina Carpenter
The former Disney Channel star morphed into a Taylor Swift support act and a chart-topping headliner in her own right.
Those who arrived at Swift’s Eras shows early, where Carpenter previewed her soon-to-be megahit Espresso, got a sneak peek at the Sabrina skyrocket that was about to take off in 2024.
More hits like Taste and Please Please Please followed, and an all-too-brief romance with actor Barry Keoghan.
She told Time Magazine: “There were so many things I dreamt of doing as a little girl I got to do this year that felt like such a cool, sweet, little bucket-list moment for my younger self.”
Rihanna
She’s always multitasked. From pop hits, to urban crossover, a headline spot at the Super Bowl, and top-selling beauty and fashion lines, Rihanna knows the art of transformation.
But commentators say the musician and mogul has entered a new phase: her “mom” era.
Indeed, Rihanna told Interview magazine she styles her two young sons better than herself.
“I spend my time getting the kids dressed to death, and then I’m like, ‘What’s the most comfortable outfit to wear around them? Moms are lazy dressers in real life.”
ABC News Breakfast
The doomy tone of the 3am alarm clock setting finally proved too much for the marquee stars of ABC News Breakfast. Sports presenter and Logies magnet Tony Armstrong was first out the door, followed by co-anchor Lisa Millar, then the other
co-anchor Michael Rowland.
It was one of the biggest TV transformations – and clear outs – of 2024.
Rowland said: “After 15 years of 3am starts my body is screaming ‘enough!’ The hours have finally caught up with me.”
Chappell Roan
A decade ago, Chappell Roan was another YouTuber uploading her music to the web. Ten years on, she has transformed herself into a performer with a parade of dramatic looks that go instantly viral, and a No.1 musician all over the place. Her megahit is titled Good Luck, Babe. Not that she needs it.
Marty Sheargold
Popular broadcaster Marty Sheargold underwent personal change in 2024. He got sober.
His recovery followed a messy episode in a corporate box at the 2023 AFL grand final.
Sheargold took an extended period of personal leave from his radio gig at Triple M, and returned in 2024 to helm the breakfast shift in Melbourne, then a national Drive show.
Meanwhile, he quit drinking in June. “It’s only taken me 53 years to realise (alcohol) is not a friend of mine,” he said.
Congratulations, Marty.
Originally published as Celebrities who changed things up in 2024
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