Blake Lively's Transformation From Young to Now: Photos

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2005

We’d hate to startle any diehard Gossip Girl fans out there, but as it happens, Blake’s career started long before her days of ruling Manhattan’s elite. In fact, her first major role was as Bridget Vreeland in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

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2006

Shortly after that, she snagged a part in the coming of age comedy Accepted alongside Justin Long and Jonah Hill. She played your stereotypical “college hottie,” but even so, you could tell she was destined for bigger and better things.

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2007

After Accepted, Blake’s career pretty much skyrocketed. The first episode of Gossip Girl premiered and to be honest, teenage dramas were changed forever. The blonde bombshell was 20 years old at the time, but she played a 16-year-old like it was nobody’s business.

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2008

Of course, the beloved series would go on to air for a whopping five seasons. Unsurprisingly, Blake appeared in all 121 episodes.

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2009

Now, not to take away from her career accolades, but it is worth noting that Blake’s first *major* relationship in the public eye was with her GG costar and onscreen love interest Penn Badgley (who played the role of Dan Humphrey).

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2010

The pair dated from 2007 to 2010 and it was glorious. Fans everywhere prayed (like, seriously prayed) that they’d eventually end up together just like Dan and Serena on the show. Alas, that didn’t happen, but we still remain the scene about them every now and again.

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2011

Something we don’t like to remember, however, is Blake’s role as Ophelia in the movie Savages. Oh, and in the sequel Savages: The Interrogations. If you haven’t seen it already, don’t! The film most definitely didn’t showcase her acting chops.

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2012

On the flip side, Blake’s notable projects outside of GG include The Town (her Boston accent was surprisingly believable) and Green Lantern.

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2013

In addition to Blake’s career, she has become somewhat of a fashion icon over the years — especially because she doesn’t have a stylist! That’s right, everything you’ve seen her wear was curated on her own.

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2014

“Probably because I have control issues and a big ego — that’s probably the honest answer,” Blake jokingly told Women’s Wear Daily in 2018 of her decision to dress herself.

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2015

“I love design and I love fashion, and it’s a way to be creative,” she said on a more serious note. “In my job I get to be creative, but it’s over a period of time and so many other people are involved, whereas this is a beginning, middle, and end, and I get to be creative and there’s an end date in the near future.”

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2016

It’s time to talk about Ryan Reynolds, isn’t it? Yes, it is, because they’re the perfect couple. Blake and the Dead Pool actor, 42, got hitched back in 2012 and have since gone on to start a beautiful family.

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2017

Blake gave birth to baby No. 1, a daughter named James, in 2014. Two years later, the pair welcomed their second daughter, Inez.

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2018

In May 2019, the dashing couple announced that baby No. 3 is on the way. “They already have two daughters James, 4, and two-year-old Inez, and while they’re just hoping for a healthy child, they’re secretly wanting a boy,” an insider told Life & Style at the time. “Ryan says he’s outnumbered at home, he’s trying to even the playing field, so a son would be great.”

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2019

Fast forward a few months later and Blake has her “calm and easy birth plan” ready to go! Unsurprisingly, Blake is a terrific mother! She can truly do it all (while looking fabulous, no less).

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2020

Just four months after giving birth to her third daughter, Betty Reynolds, Blake rocked a menswear look featuring black and white checkered blazer, long sleeved shirt and wide-legged trousers to attend a Michael Kors fashion show in February 2020.

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2021

Blake was back to her red carpet glam style when she attended the August 3, 2021, premiere of husband Ryan’s new film Free Guy. She looked sensational in a pink and silver sequin gown with a plunging neckline and large side cutouts.

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Blake Lively Is Pregnant and Expecting Baby No. 4 With Husband Ryan Reynolds

2022

Blake channeled her inner Serena van der Woodsen with this look. More importantly, the actress announced her pregnancy with baby No. 4 on this red carpet at the annual Forbes Power Women’s Summit.