Here's An Update On 21 Teen Movie Leading Ladies From The '00s

How has it already been almost 18 years since Aquamarine came out?

1. Sara Paxton in 2002:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movies: Sleepover, Aquamarine, Sydney White, Return to Halloweentown 

Sara Paxton now:

Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Netflix

What she's up to now: After her reign as teen movie royalty, Sara has continued acting. Most recently, she was in the films The Front Runner and Netflix's Blonde, and she had a role on the show Good Girls. 

2. JoJo in 2004:

Gregg Deguire / WireImage

Her teen movies: Aquamarine

JoJo now:

Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Of course, JoJo was more known for her music career. After having hits like "Leave (Get Out)" and "Too Little, Too Late," JoJo had a nearly decade-long battle with her record label that prevented her from releasing music for years. She finally released another album in 2016 and has continued to release music since. In terms of acting, she had a recurring role on All American and made her Broadway debut as Satine in Moulin Rouge! earlier this year.

3. Brenda Song in 2004:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movies: Like Mike, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior

Brenda Song now:

Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Ghetto Film School

What she's up to now: After her Disney days, Brenda has continued to work consistently. Most notably, she starred on the Hulu show Dollface starting in 2019. She's also been in movies like Secret Obsession and Love Accidentally. Brenda is engaged to fellow child star Macaulay Culkin, and they have two children together.

4. Christina Milian on her first red carpet in 2001:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movie: Love Don't Cost a Thing, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish

Christina Milian now:

Kristy Sparow / Getty Images

What she's up to now: While Christina acted a bunch, she was also well-known for her music — and for famously bringing us the Kim Possible theme song, "Call Me, Beep Me." More recently, she has starred in Netflix movies like Resort to Live and Falling Inn Love. She also owns the bakery Beignet Box.

5. Rachael Leigh Cook in 1999:

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Her teen movies: She's All That, Josie and the Pussycats

Rachael Leigh Cook now:

Robin L Marshall / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Recently, Rachael has starred in a number of Netflix movies including Love, Guaranteed and A Tourist's Guide to Love. Notably, she played Addison Rae's mom in the 2021 She's All That remake, He's All That.

6. Jodi Lyn O'Keefe in 1998:

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Her teen movie: She's All That, Whatever It Takes

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe now:

Wwd / Penske Media via Getty Images

What she's up to now: If you're a fan of teen TV, you know that Jodi eventually played Jo on The Vampire Diaries and even reprised the role in the spinoff series Legacies in 2018. She also starred in Hit the Floor and appeared in Lucifer. 

7. Mandy Moore in 1999:

Scott Harrison / Getty Images

Her teen movies: The Princess Diaries, A Walk to Remember, Saved!, How to Deal, Chasing Liberty

Mandy Moore now:

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

What she's up to now: You may have heard of a little show called This Is Us that Mandy starred on until last year, receiving Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her work. Mandy, of course, is also a musician, and she released her seventh studio album In Real Life last year. 

8. Lauren German in 2002:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movie: A Walk to Remember

Lauren German now:

Morgan Lieberman / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Lauren's been booked and busy since her teen movie days, most notably starring on two huge shows: Chicago Fire and Lucifer. 

9. Gabrielle Union in 2000:

Getty Images

Her teen movies: 10 Things I Hate About You, Bring It On, She's All That 

Gabrielle Union now:

Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for Neiman Marcus

What she's up to now: Of course, Gabrielle has acted a ton since her teen movie days. Notably, she starred on the shows Being Mary Jane, L.A.'s Finest, and Truth Be Told. She's also written two memoirs and two children's books, and was included on Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World list in 2020. 

10. Brittany Snow in 2002:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movies: John Tucker Must Die, Hairspray

Brittany Snow now:

Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images

What she's up to now: Of course, Brittany went on to have the role of Chloe in the Pitch Perfect franchise. She also starred in the films Someone Great and X, and made her directorial debut with the film Parachute this year. 

11. Sophia Bush in 2004:

Peter Kramer / Getty Images

Her teen movie: John Tucker Must Die 

Sophia Bush now:

Arturo Holmes / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Sophia was best known for her TV work as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill. Most recently, she's acted in projects like Love, Victor, Chicago P.D., and Good Sam. And since 2021, she's cohosted the One Tree Hill podcast Drama Queens alongside her former costars and close friends Hilarie Burton and Bethany Joy Lenz. 

12. Ashanti in 2002:

Toni Anne Barson Archive / WireImage

Her teen movies: Coach Carter, John Tucker Must Die 

Ashanti now:

John Nacion / WireImage

What she's up to now: While Ashanti was unforgettable in John Tucker Must Die, of course she's more well-known for her music career. In terms of acting, more recently she's appeared as herself on Dynasty and starred in the movie A New Diva's Christmas Carol. 

13. Lindsay Lohan in 2001:

Theo Wargo / WireImage

Her teen movies: The Parent Trap, Life-Size, Get a Clue, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Lindsay Lohan now:

Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images for Christian Siriano

What she's up to now: Yes, Lindsay was one of the reigning queens of 2000s teen movies. More recently, she made her return to acting with Netflix's Falling for Christmas. She just had her first child, a son named Luai, this year. 

14. Alexa PenaVega in 2001:

Jeffrey Mayer / WireImage

Her teen movies: The Spy Kids movies, Sleepover 

Alexa PenaVega now:

Noam Galai / Getty Images for Hallmark Media

What she's up to now: Since her Spy Kids days, Alexa has continued to act — most recently, she's been in several Hallmark movies including A Paris Proposal and Never Too Late to Celebrate. She's been married to Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega since 2014, and they have three kids together. 

15. Julia Stiles in 2000:

New York Daily News Archive / NY Daily News via Getty Images

Her teen movies: 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance, The Prince and Me

Julia Stiles now:

Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Most recently, Julia has appeared in movies like Hustlers and Orphan: First Kill and stars on the show The Lake. 

16. Hilary Duff in 2001:

Gregg Deguire / WireImage

Her teen movies: A Cinderella Story, Raise Your Voice, The Perfect Man, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen

Hilary Duff now:

Craig Barritt / Getty Images for OLLY

What she's up to now: While Hilary's massive breakout role was as Lizzie in Lizzie McGuire, she became known for so many of her teen movie projects and music career. As an adult, she's starred in several shows including Younger and most recently How I Met Your Father. 

17. Sanaa Lathan in 2000:

David Lefranc / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Her teen movie: Love & Basketball 

Sanaa Lathan now:

Leon Bennett / FilmMagic

What she's up to now: Sanaa had a thriving acting career before and after Love & Basketball. Most recently, she starred on the show Hit & Run and recurred on Succession as Lisa Arthur as well as returning for 2022's The Best Man: The Final Chapters miniseries. 

18. Parminder Nagra in 2003:

Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic

Her teen movies: Bend It Like Beckham, Ella Enchanted

Parminder Nagra now:

Jc Olivera / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Parminder has had lots of TV and movie roles since she was bending it like Beckham. She appeared in the movies Bird Box and Five Feet Apart as well as shows like 13 Reasons Why, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Intergalactic. She currently stars on the ITV shows DI Ray and Maternal. 

19. Rosario Dawson in 2001:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her teen movie: Josie and the Pussycats

Rosario Dawson now:

Paras Griffin / Getty Images for V-Day

What she's up to now: Rosario has been in a ton of projects (including Rent, Clerks II and III, and Sin City just to truly name a few) since her Josie days. Recently, she stars as Ahsoka in the Disney+ series Ahsoka after portraying the role in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. She also had a recurring role on Young Rock and starred in the limited series Dopesick. 

20. Tara Reid in 2001:

Frank Trapper / Corbis via Getty Images

Her teen movies: American Pie, Josie and the Pussycats

Tara Reid now:

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Most notably, Tara appeared in all of the Sharknado movies. She's also played herself on shows like Ghosts and The Boys. 

21. And finally, America Ferrera in 2002:

Jean-paul Aussenard / WireImage

Her teen movies: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Gotta Kick It Up! 

America Ferrera now:

Karwai Tang / WireImage

What she's up to now: After her teen movie performances, America's next massive role was starring as Betty Suarez on Ugly Betty. She also voiced Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon series and starred as Amy on Superstore. More recently, America starred in a little movie called Barbie that a few people saw this summer...