Female Icons of the 2000s: Then and Now

#11: Julia Roberts Then

By the 2000s, Julia Roberts had already conquered Hollywood. She started the decade at the top, winning an Oscar for Erin Brockovich and proving she was more than a rom-com darling. Her megawatt smile, natural charm, and knack for picking hits made her one of the last true movie stars.

Even when she wasn’t constantly on screen, her presence lingered — the kind of fame that doesn’t need social media to stay alive. Julia had that rare mix of charisma and authenticity that made audiences feel like they actually knew her, even if she stayed slightly out of reach.