Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Alicia Keys is one of the most talented artists of her generation & you can see her best photos from the start of her career to now.

Alicia Keys is one of the most influential and accomplished artists of her generation. The classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter, born on Jan. 25, 1981, began writing music at just 12 years old and skyrocketed to fame in 2001 with her debut album Songs in A Minor. The project launched a career that has spanned more than two decades, earning Alicia 17 Grammy Awards and selling over 65 million records worldwide.

Beyond music, Alicia has expanded her creative footprint across film, television, and theater. In recent years, she brought her life story to the stage as the producer of the Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, which opened to critical acclaim and introduced her catalog to a new generation. She has also continued releasing music, touring globally, and advocating for social justice and empowerment through her platform.

Alicia’s style has evolved alongside her career. The New York native — who attended Columbia University before pursuing music full time — has shifted from her early urban-jazz aesthetic to a more natural, confident, and minimalist beauty philosophy, famously embracing a makeup-free movement in recent years. Whether stepping out solo or alongside her husband, producer Swizz Beatz, Alicia remains a red carpet standout.

Ready to see more of Alicia Keys’ fashion transformation? Scroll through the gallery for more.

1 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2001 VMAs

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys smiles while holding up her trophy at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. The event, which took place in NYC, was not long after the release of her debut.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 2 of 25

Alicia Keys at the Opening of Alexander McQueen’s NYC Store

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys attends the opening of Alexander McQueen’s boutique on New York’s 14th Street on Sep. 5, 2002. The star proved quite the fashionista in an athletic-influenced, slashed denim look.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 3 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2003

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys strikes a pose in 2003. Her hat was a signature of her style in the early days.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 4 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2004 VMAs

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. She was stunning in a cream dress with a glittering gold sash tied across her center. Full curls and glowing skin completed the look.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 5 of 25

Alicia Keys Rocks Radio City Music Hall

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys is the center of attention on stage at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall on Apr. 20, 2005. She stunned in a plunging, black silk bodysuit as she took the stage.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 6 of 25

Alicia Keys in ‘The Nanny Diaries’

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys tries her hand at acting in the movie The Nanny Diaries, seen here in a shoot on Apr. 27, 2006. The dramedy also starred Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans.

January 24, 2022, 7:22PM 7 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2007 Met Gala

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys glows during the 2007 Costume Institute Gala celebrating the exhibit ‘Poiret: King of Fashion’ on May 7, 2007. Just one example of her amazing style.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 8 of 25

Alicia Keys at the Super Bowl Pre-Game in 2008

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Tannen Maury/EPA/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys brings down the house during the Super Bowl pre-game show at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb. 3, 2008. She looked rock and roll chic with a 50s bouffant and tight leopard pants.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 9 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2009 Academy Awards

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Shutterstock

Go for the gold! Alicia Keys rocks long locks and a butter yellow gown to Vanity Fair’s soiree celebrating the 81st Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 10 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2010

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys is chic at the 7th Annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball in New York on Sep. 30, 2010. She sported grey lace, a baby bump, and a stylish up-do with a chain headpiece.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 11 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2011

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

David Fisher/Shutterstock

So chic! Alicia Keys is elegant in black at the 2011 Keep A Child Alive Ball in London on Jun. 15.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 12 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2012 Grammys

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys stuns in black and gold Alexandre Vauthier at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2012. Inside, she took the stage for a tribute to singer Etta James.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 13 of 25

Alicia Keys in Cannes

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA/Shutter

Alicia Keys struts her stuff as she arrives at the 14th Nrj Music Awards in Cannes, France on Jan. 26, 2013. What a beauty!

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 14 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2014

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterst

Red carpet royalty! Alicia Keys shows off her superior fashion sense at the 2014 Keep a Child Alive Black Ball, held in NYC.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 15 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2015 Billboard Women in Music Honors

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Alicia Keys goes for casual-chic at the 2015 Billboard Women in Music honors at Cipriani 42nd Street, in New York on Dec. 11. She teamed a vintage Prince shirt with a leather pencil skirt to stunning effect.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 16 of 25

Alicia Keys in Milan

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys serenades a stadium full of soccer fans during the UEFA Champion League Finals on May 28, 2016. The event took place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 17 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2017

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

David Buchan/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys looks cool in leather at the WE Day California concert on Apr. 27, 2017. Her natural hair was glorious!

January 24, 2022, 7:21PM 18 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2018 Grammys

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

MJ Photos/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys is so chic in black during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018. She complemented her Bao Tranchi dress with braids and big hoops.

January 24, 2022, 7:20PM 19 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2019 Billboard Women in Music Honors

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys packs the punch in purple Prabal Gurung at the 2019 Billboard Women in Music honors on Dec. 12, 2019. Stunning.

January 24, 2022, 7:20PM 20 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2020 Grammys

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters

Alicia Keys stuns in silver at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020. She was hostess and musical entertainer for the evening.

January 24, 2022, 7:20PM 21 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2021 MET Gala

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Alicia Keys is stunning in a white custom AZ Factory ensemble at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute on Sep. 13, 2021. The gala celebrated the opening of the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibition.

January 24, 2022, 7:20PM 22 of 25

Alicia Keys Performs at the 2022 Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys dazzled in a rhinestone-emblazoned jumpsuit while performing in Monte Carlo on Jul. 18, 2022. She wore a tiny bolero jacket with the skintight look, which featured a high, sequined neck and sheer panel atop her cleavage, along with a skinny belt at her center.

July 18, 2022, 8:07PM 23 of 25

Alicia Keys in 2022

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Vanessa Carvalho/Shutterstock

Alicia Keys stole the show during a concert at Rockerfeller Center on Nov. 29, 2022. She looked cool in sparkling pants and a letterman’s jacket, as she celebrated the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

January 23, 2023, 1:02PM 24 of 25

Alicia Keys at ‘The Late Show’

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

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Alicia Keys was so stylish while heading to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York City on December 8, 2022. She had a sleek ponytail with a cropped jacket, tight pants, and platform boots.

January 23, 2023, 1:02PM 25 of 25

Alicia Keys at the 2023 Tribeca Festival

Alicia Keys Then and Now: See the Singer Through the Years

Shutterstock

Alicia Keys showed off her toned abs & tiny waist in this two-piece mustard yellow set at the Uncharted world premiere during the 2023 Tribeca Festival at BMCC PAC Theater on June 10, 2023, in New York City.

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