FoxBrace yourselves for one serious dose of nostalgia.
It's been over a decade since American Idol debuted. With nearly 15 years of contestants in its history, the show introduced America to hundreds of music hopefuls—some of whom have been burned into our memories and our iTunes libraries forever.
However, it seems those fond memories are a bit foggy these days. When many of the show's iconic contestants reunited on the Idol stage Thursday night for the series' finale, we couldn't help but rub our eyes and ask: Who is that?
Where did Justin Guarini's curls go? Bo Bice cut off his long locks? While some Idol returnees still looked familiar after all these years, others looked downright transformed. It was a shell shock.
Here's a look back at some of the most memorable contestants to grace the Idol stage—and how they look today.
1. Diana DeGarmo
DeGarmo was just sweet 16 when she was crowned the runner-up of Season 3. Since then, she has gone on to star on Broadway, where she met and married Season 5 contestant, Ace Young.
2. Kellie Pickler
The judges first met Kellie as a blond and tanned teenager in North Carolina. Fast forward over ten years, the 29-year-old has proven her talents on a different stage—the ballroom stage. In 2013, Pickler and her partner Derek Hough won Dancing With the Stars.
3. Bo Bice
Arguably the most improved of the evening, the rock star has since ditched his shaggy 'do and ill-fitting outfits for a manicured cut and full suit. You go, Bo!
4. Justin Guarini
The runner-up of Season 1 became synonymous with his afro of tight curls. Unfortunately, those days are over. The 37-year-old Broadway star has since swapped out the volume for a much shorter cut and sleeker suit.
5. Tamyra Gray
A veteran of the show, Gray was a contestant on the very first season in 2002 and looks like she hasn't aged a day since.
However, her fashion sense has certainly improved since the crop tops, flared light-wash jeans and high-contrast highlights.
6. Mikalah Gordon
She was just 16 years old when America first met her on Idol. Today, Gordon is a stunning woman with the presence of a superstar.
7. Clay Aiken
If you were an Idol fan or not, you knew Mr. Aiken. With his smooth vocals and signature look, he endured as a one-of-a-kind contestant over the years.
However, it seems Aiken has swapped out his spiked haircut for something a bit more congressional.
8. Melinda Doolittle
Who could forget this petite former backup singer with the powerhouse voice? Doolittle came in third during Jordin Sparks' sixth season win, though Simon Cowell once said she should have won.
Nevertheless, she looked every bit as glamorous as an Idol winner Thursday night when she graced the stage in a sparkling gown and mega-watt smile. Hello gorgeous!
9. Allison Iraheta
Some may remember Season 8 as the year Kris Allen stole the crown from Adam Lambert, but this writer crossed her fingers for this 17-year-old songstress from California. While she went on to place fourth in her season, her moody renditions of classic rock ballads cemented her place in the Idol hall of fame.
After all these years, we needed the lower third chyron to help us figure out who she was when she hit the stage to sing Thursday night. While the red hair remained, the former teenager has definitely blossomed into a fully grown rock star.
10. Jennifer Hudson
Undoubtedly the most recognizable of the former contestants, the Academy Award winner was prematurely eliminated in the third season of the show after Cowell made jabs at her outfit choices and later said she was out of her "depth" in the competition.
She went on to star in Dreamgirls, won a Grammy for her first studio album and an Oscar for her breakout role. With a handful of film roles and records on her resumé, she currently performs on Broadway in The Color Purple.
Take that, Simon!