Celebrities often capture our hearts and dominate the entertainment industry, but some stars gradually fade from the spotlight, leaving fans wondering about their whereabouts. In this article, we delve into the lives of 11 such individuals, exploring their journeys after their initial fame. From the infectious beats of LMFAO to the youthful charm of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and the captivating performances of Mischa Barton and Julia Stiles, we uncover what happened to these once-prominent figures. Join us as we unravel their stories and discover where these stars are today.
1. LMFAO
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In the late 2000s and early 2010s, LMFAO was everywhere. They released hit songs like “Party Rock Anthem”, “Sexy And I Know It”, and “Champagne Problems.” The group even appeared in the 2012 SuperBowl Halftime Show. However, in late 2012, the group announced their hiatus. SkyBlu has released some solo music, while RedFoo has appeared on Dancing With The Stars.
2. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
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Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a teen heartthrob in the ‘90s. He was best known for his role on the TV series, Home Improvement, and for voicing young Simba in The Lion King. In 1998, he left Home Improvement to focus on school. After that, Thomas has had small parts in sitcoms, notably reuniting with Tim Allen on Last Man Standing. He has not acted since 2016.
3. Mischa Barton
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Mischa Barton was best known for her role in The O.C.. After that, she shifted to work in independent films, and stage work, notably starring in an Irish production of Steel Magnolias. Barton joined the cast of The Hills: New Beginnings in 2019, and will star in the reboot of Neighbors on Amazon Freevee.
4. Richard Simmons
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Richard Simmons is one of the biggest fitness stars of all time. He pioneered several workout videos and books, and made several public appearances on television. In 2014, Simmons stepped away from the limelight. Despite concerns for his well being, he released a statement in 2016 that he simply wanted more privacy.
5. Julia Stiles
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In the ‘90s and early 2000s, Julia Stiles was one of the hottest actresses. She starred in projects like 10 Things I Hate About You and Save The Last Dance, as well as the Bourne franchise. Stiles has stepped back from leading roles in recent years. She had supporting roles in Hustlers and Silver Linings Playbook, as well as guest spots on shows like The Mindy Project. In 2022, Stiles returned to leading parts, starring in Amazon Prime’s The Lake.
6. Gotye
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Gotye became a star in 2012, when his duet with Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used To Know” topped the charts. While he has gone on to release music since, he has never matched the worldwide success. In 2020, he announced that he was working on his fourth album.
7. Fun
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In the early 2010s, the band Fun hit success. Their song “We Are Young” featuring Janelle Monae was covered on Glee, and it topped the charts. They followed it up with singles like “Some Nights” and “Carry On.” Fun took home the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2013. In 2015, the band went on hiatus. Nate Ruess, the lead vocalist, released a solo album titled "Grand Romantic" in 2015. Jack Antonoff, the guitarist, continued his music career as a solo artist under the name Bleachers and also worked as a songwriter and producer for various artists, including Taylor Swift and Lorde. Andrew Dost pursued his own solo projects and collaborated with other musicians.
8. Phoebe Cates
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Phoebe Cates is best known for her role in the 1982 hit film, Fast Times At Ridgemont High. She then followed that up with her roles in the Gremlins films, Lace, and Private School. Cates initially stepped away from acting in 2001, and in 2005 opened a boutique. She returned to voice her Gremlins character in the 2015 game, Lego Dimensions.
9. Frankie Muniz
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Frankie Muniz becane known in the 2000s for his roles in Agent Cody Banks and Malcolm In The Middle, where he was nominated for an Emmy Award. In 2008, Muniz changed careers. He began racing cars and playing drums in the band Kingsfoil. Muniz also competed in the 25th season of Dancing With The Stars, finishing in third place. He has since returned to acting, making guest appearances on TV shows.
10. Willa Ford
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Willa Ford is best known for her 2001 single, “I Wanna Be Bad.” Unfortunately, she never reached the same amount of success as that. Ford has worked with The Pussycat Dolls in Las Vegas and performed at The Viper Room in New York City. She has also appeared on shows like Dancing With The Stars, Flip it Like Disick, and MTV Cribs. Ford has also started acting, appearing in the film Friday The 13th.
11. Lark Voorhies
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Lark Voorhies first made waves on the NBC sitcom, Good Morning Miss Bliss. She would then be one of the four characters to cross over to the show’s hit spin-off, Saved By The Bell. Voorhies also made a guest appearance on that show’s spin-off, Saved By The Bell: The College Years, and in the finale TV movie, Wedding In Vegas. She then appeared on The Bold and The Beautiful and In The House. In a 2020 interview with Dr. Oz, Lark Voorhies revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She also addressed the rumors surrounding her appearance, stating that she had been struggling with lupus, which had caused some physical changes.