22 Nickelodeon Stars From The 2000s: What They Look Like Now in 2026 Pg 7
- Alexa Nikolas – Zoey 101 Nicole Bristow
THEN:
Age Then: 12 as Nicole Bristow in 2005
Age Now: 33 in 2026
Alexa Nikolas played Nicole Bristow on Zoey 101 from 2005 to 2006 at 12 years old – Zoey’s first best friend. She left after Season 2 due to conflicts with Jamie Lynn. She later spoke out about Nickelodeon and quit acting to become an activist. She founded Eat Predators movement and testified about child actors’ experiences. Now in 2026, she is 33, married, has a daughter, and in 2024 spoke at Penn State about survivor advocacy and dismantling institutions.
NOW:
- Austin Butler – Zoey 101 James Garrett
THEN:
Age Then: 16 as James Garrett in 2007
Age Now: 34 in 2026
Austin Butler played James Garrett on Zoey 101 in Season 4 at 16 years old – replacing Chase as Zoey’s boyfriend. It was one of his first roles before becoming huge. After Nickelodeon he starred in Switched at Birth, The Carrie Diaries, then became Elvis in Elvis movie 2022 which got him Oscar nomination, and Dune 2 in 2024. Now in 2026, he is 34, turned 35 in August 2026, is one of Hollywood’s biggest leading men, and is dating and doing major films.
NOW:
- Amanda Bynes – The Amanda Show / All That – Quit Hollywood Completely
THEN:
Age Then: 13 as Amanda on The Amanda Show in 1999
Age Now: 40 in 2026
Amanda Bynes started on All That at 10, then The Amanda Show from 1999 to 2002 at 13 years old – Nickelodeon’s biggest comedy star. She moved to movies like She’s The Man and Hairspray. In 2010 she quit acting completely and had public mental health struggles and a conservatorship that ended in 2022. She announced retirement from Hollywood and enrolled in fashion school. Now in 2026, she is 40, living out of the public eye, studying fashion design, and in June 2026 made headlines at 40 after a rare public appearance that went viral showing a new look after losing weight.
NOW:
- Emma Roberts – Unfabulous Addie Singer – Biggest Star Now
THEN:
Age Then: 13 as Addie Singer in 2004
Age Now: 35 in 2026
Emma Roberts starred as Addie Singer on Unfabulous from 2004 to 2007 at 13 years old – her first lead role on Nickelodeon. She then moved to movies like Aquamarine, Nancy Drew, and became queen of American Horror Story. She is Julia Roberts’ niece. Now in 2026, she is 35, has one son Rhodes, and in 2026 is developing an Aquamarine TV sequel for Disney Plus, starred in horror film A Body in the Woods announced Feb 2026, and was seen at Tory Burch Spring 2026 show.
NOW:
END OF 22 STARS – All Fresh Names – What They Look Like Now in 2026
