celebrity kids

New Jersey-native Elizabeth Gillies was only 16 years old when she was cast as the evil artist Jade West -- who spread negativity and doom and gloom around the performers school Hollywood Arts -- in the Nickelodeon teen sitcom "Victorious" back in 2010.

The iconic show was filled with some young artists on the rise including Victoria Justice as the high school triple threat, Tori Vega, Daniella Monet as the senior sister, Trina Vega ... and of course Ariana Grande as the bubbly BFF, Cat Valentine.

Gillies can still be spotted on the small screen and is currently on "Dynasty" as Fallon Carrington.

LeBron James simply cannot believe his oldest son, Bronny, is just one year from becoming an adult ... wishing the young hoops star the happiest of birthdays and wondering, "What in the hell is going on. How are you 17??"

The Sierra Canyon baller is celebrating his birthday on Wednesday ... and King James honored him with a special tribute.

"My baby boy! Ight enough of soft 💩💩. 🤣🤣," James said on Instagram. "Proud of you Young 🤴🏾.

"Watching you grow into the young man you are today makes me so happy and proud! Love you kid!"

Remember, Bron was away in the NBA's Orlando bubble for Bronny's 16th, so we're sure the James Gang will be making up for lost time and going all out for his 17th.

FYI -- Bronny is one of the top hoops prospects in the Class of 2023 ... and could possibly end up at a big college basketball program.

LeBron reflected on Bronny's rising success on and off the court -- applauding his hard work at a young age.

"Keep going up above and beyond! I’m right here guiding and watching! ❤️❤️❤️❤️👑"

Before this karate kid was a rap superstar with catchy hip-hop beats, he was just another sporty sweetie working his way up to a black belt in Chicago, Illinois.

This cute kid has been producing and recording hit songs that top the charts for nearly 2 decades in the music industry. You may recognize him as a solo act, but in 2007 he was one-third of a rap group with Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

Fans may know him by his fun stage name, but his close friends and family refer to him as Wasalu Muhammad Jaco.

Before this blonde boy was using his powerhouse singing voice to bring audiences to their feet, he was just another cute kid kickin' back in Los Angeles, California.

This toothy tot is a certified professional when it comes to musical theater ... he's been singing on the big stage since he was 9 years old and even became the youngest solo artist to win a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical back in 2016.

Now, you can see him reprise his most famous part in the film version of the high school drama.

Before this ballin' baby was driving to the hoop on the NBA court, he was just another sporty sweetheart working on his game in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This mini-man is best known for shining as an all-star athlete -- he went home with the first round pick for the NBA back in 2015 and took his team to the finals just last year. He isn't unfamiliar with being in the sports spotlight ... his father was also a professional basketball player.

Now, this talented gamer can be spotted with his famous fashion model girlfriend.

Before this cute kid was jamming out to his favorite tunes on television, he was just another sweet smiling child cheesin' for the camera in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This mini man first found his roots in the music industry when he released his first hip-hop album nearly three decades ago with the band he still plays with today. He may be playing on percussion for this growing group, but this talented artist is also a well-known singer, songwriter, pianist and producer ... just to name a few.

He's been featured on numerous television shows and music videos, but you'll always be able to catch him on his late-night spot.

Kelly Clarkson has been a single woman for nearly 2 months, TMZ has learned, but a clerical error has thrown everyone off the scent.

Brandon Blackstock's lawyer, Samantha Spector, filed legal docs which lays out what has been decided so far in the divorce and what issues remain. There's a notation in the docs, saying the actual divorce will become final on 1-7-2022. That obviously makes it seem like Kelly and Brandon are still married.

We've learned this was a screw-up by the clerk, who mistakenly wrote 1-7-2022. In fact, Kelly and Brandon have been divorced since August 3. We're told the clerk is correcting the mistake.

TMZ broke the story ... the judge has already upheld the prenup -- something Brandon was aggressively contesting. There was a trial and the judge said Brandon signed it fair and square. That said, the property issues should be fairly easy to resolve, although in a nasty divorce -- which this is -- nothing should be taken for granted.

Kelly's income is separate, and considerable ... she earns $1.9 million a month. Brandon makes $10k a month.

Before this striped sweetheart was cracking jokes on television and showing off her ice-cold talent in film, she was just another blonde beauty messing around with makeup in Huntington Woods, Michigan.

This lipstick lady is best known for her sarcastic characters on television -- she's starred in two different series that premiered 12 years apart. Not shying away from film either, this all-star actress will not be forgotten.

Also, she's one half of a dynamic duo ... she's married to a famous funny guy who you can see on their new reality game show.

Britney Spears paid tribute to her teenage sons who she says are growing up way too fast for her.

The singer got emotional expressing a mother's love after Sean and Jayden celebrated their birthdays last week. Jayden turned 15 on September 12 and Sean turned 16 two days later ... Brit shares custody of her kids with her ex-husband, Kevin Federline.

Britney said, "My boys' birthdays were last week ... and unfortunately they are growing up and want to do their own things ... I have to ask their permission to post them because they are extremely independent little men."

She said it's astonishing to her how fast they're growing up ... literally and figuratively. She said it makes her crazy "because they are so tall and geez they are still growing." What's more ... Brit said the boys went to a dance last week ... and it made her emotional.

Britney said, "They went to a dance last week and I cried for two days. My babies in a suit!!! It's crazy!!! And girls get ready cause my boys are so handsome!!!"

The tribute, of course, comes one day after the singer deleted her Instagram. Remember, she took it down for all of 7 days but returned to update her fans about her weekend getaway to Palm Springs to celebrate Sam Asghari popping the question.

Before this sweetie in stripes was the star of one of streamings' most popular television series, she was just another girl giggling for the camera in Le Mans, France.

This fun-loving lady recently launched her acting career into the spotlight when she scored the leading role in a UK comedy show that explores all the awkward and embarrassing woes of high school relationships -- which has already gained her a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. The popular television streaming series just premiered its third season on Netflix last week.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott were back in his hometown this weekend for family fun ... showing their daughter some lions and tigers and ... elephants.

The couple took their 3-year-old girl Stormi to the Houston Zoo Sunday for several hours. We're told they hit up all the big attractions, checked out the giraffes and seals ... and visited the elephant exhibit as well.

Of course, the family was flanked by private security guards with golf carts all day ... including when Stormi took a ride on the carousel.

As we've reported, these outings are nothing new for Kylie and Travis, who love taking Stormi to amusement parks and pumpkin patches and all that good stuff. They've always kept that up, even when they had split as a couple.

Before this mini makeup mogul was selling out large venues for her popular tours, she was just another lipstick lady getting prepped for the camera in London, England.

This picture-perfect pipsqueak has only been in the music scene for a short time, but she has made quite the impact! She's already topped the music charts, won numerous Grammy Awards -- including Best New Artist back in 2019 and Album of the Year just this year -- and performed with some of the most popular names in music.

She's got new rules for the music industry!

Before this perfect angel was a household name for her funny friendships on television, she was just another brunette beauty growing up in Birmingham, Alabama.

This little lady's career launched into stardom when she was cast in one of the most popular sitcoms of all time ... along with an ensemble of hilarious celebrities. This long-reining comedy series ran for 10 years, but it wasn't this famous face's only claim to fame. Around the same time, she balanced between television and film when she became the starring scream queen in a popular horror flick franchise.

Nicki Minaj is fiercely defending herself after letting it be known she won't be getting the COVID-19 vaccine until she's done enough research.

Nicki responded to tweets practically all of Monday night after she'd posted an explanation for her absence from the Met Gala, which required all guests to be vaccinated. She declared, if she gets vaccinated "it won't [be] for the Met. It'll be once I feel I've done enough research. I'm working on that now."

Then, about 20 minutes later, she dropped the tweet that still has social media fired up today. Nicki said her cousin in Trinidad won't get the vaccine cuz "his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen." She added that "his friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied."

Nicki isn't pleased that anecdote is the one grabbing headlines. She's pointing out her critics are purposely ignoring her prior tweets encouraging people to get vaccinated, wear masks and be safe.

She also shared a screenshot of news headlines and called them all lies. Nicki wrote, "3 lies in a row from huge news platforms. I cited my young child as why I didn’t want to travel. But notice how NONE of them mentioned that? Ask yourself why that was."

Nicki also shared that she came down with COVID while preparing for this year's VMAs ... and she feared passing it to her son, who was born last September.

She tweeted, "Do u know what it is not to be able to kiss or hold your tiny baby for over a week? A baby who is only used to his mama?"

Apparently, Nicki's now satisfied with her research -- she relented she will eventually get the vaccine, because she'll have to travel and go on tour.

Before this spoonful of silly was mixing up drinks on a popular reality television show, he was just another goofy guy growing up in Monterey, California.

This funny fella gained an instant following after he stepped out of the limo and into the spotlight looking for love. Even though his journey on this reality show ended earlier than expected, he still got another shot in a spin-off located in a place of paradise.

Now, since this celebrity personality got engaged to a rose-worthy actress, he has been the voice of reason behind the bar on the romantic island.

Toccara Jones has seen enough ... she's all but crowned Natalia Bryant as America's next top model.

We got the ex-"America's Next Top Model" star outside Essence Fashion House in Chelsea during New York Fashion Week and wanted her take on Kobe's daughter gracing the cover and pages of Teen Vogue.

Toccara couldn't stop raving about Natalia's performance. Goes without saying ... Toccara doesn't just think ... she knows the 18-year-old model's gonna KILL it in the industry. Natalia, of course, signed with IMG, a major modeling and talent agency, back in February.

When our camera guy asked for her 2 cents ... Toccara shot right back, "Did you see her [Teen Vogue] spread? Did you see the poses? Did you see her styling?" As if saying ... OF COURSE she's got it. And, from one model to another, Toccara tells us exactly why she thinks Natalia's got what it takes.

Toccara says Natalia's success won't be tied to the fact she's Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's daughter. Far from it. Toccara says ... just look at Natalia's amazing features.