2000s Nickelodeon Female Stars: Catching Up with Amanda Bynes, Keke Palmer, Emma Roberts, and Others

Nickelodeon has been a hub of beloved childhood shows for many years, particularly in the 2000s when the network's leading ladies left a lasting impression.

During this era, talented actresses like Amanda Bynes, Emma Roberts, Keke Palmer, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Miranda Cosgrove captured the hearts of young viewers. Amanda Bynes, in particular, established herself as a comedic force from the late 1990s to 2002 with her iconic show, The Amanda Show.

In 2004, Roberts established herself on the network through her role in Unfabulous. Palmer, on the other hand, made her debut in the teen-TV scene in 2008 with True Jackson, VP.

Cosgrove gained recognition on Nick in 2004 through her portrayal of the bratty sister on Drake & Josh, starring alongside Drake Bell and Josh Peck. She then went on to star in her own show, iCarly, which also introduced fan favorite Jennette McCurdy to the spotlight.

Scroll down to see what some of your favorite Nickelodeon ladies from the 2000s are doing now:

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2000s Nickelodeon Leading Ladies: Where Are They Now? Amanda Bynes, Keke Palmer, Emma Roberts and More

Nickelodeon has been the go-to channel for beloved childhood shows for many years, and the 2000s were no exception. During this time, there were several impressive leading ladies who captured the hearts of kids everywhere.

From iconic stars like Amanda Bynes, Emma Roberts, and Keke Palmer to the talented Jamie Lynn Spears and Miranda Cosgrove, women played a significant role in shaping the network's success from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s. One of the standout performers, Amanda Bynes, left a lasting comedic impact with her show The Amanda Show, which ran from the late '90s until 2002.

In 2004, Roberts established herself on the network by starring in Unfabulous. On the other hand, Palmer made her debut on the teen-TV scene in 2008 with True Jackson, VP. In 2004, Cosgrove gained popularity as a favorite on Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh as the bratty sister. Later, she secured her own show, iCarly, which also introduced fan-favorite Jennette McCurdy to the spotlight.

Scroll down to see what some of your favorite Nickelodeon ladies from the 2000s are doing now:

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Amanda Bynes

Bynes rose to fame in the late '90s and early 2000s as one of Nickelodeon's most prominent figures. She began her career on All That and went on to host her own sketch comedy series, The Amanda Show, from 1999 to 2002. Alongside her television success, she also appeared in What I Like About You and Rugrats. Bynes showcased her acting skills in movies like She's the Man, Hairspray, and Easy A before taking a break from the entertainment industry in 2010.

Off the screen, Bynes faced personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse, leading to her placement under a conservatorship in 2013. Seeking help, she eventually graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in June 2019. In February 2020, she announced her engagement to Paul Michael. After nearly nine years, Bynes filed to end her conservatorship and was granted the request in March 2022.

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Christina Vidal

Following her role as the leading lady in the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie "Brink!" where she portrayed soul skater Garbiella, Vidal transitioned to Nickelodeon. In the years 2001 to 2002, the actress from New York captured hearts as Taina Maria Morales in the beloved series "Taina," which unfortunately had a short run. Vidal's talents were further showcased in various television shows such as "10-8: Officers on Duty," "Code Black," "Training Day," "United We Fall," and "The Terminal List." In addition to her acting career, Vidal also demonstrated her musical abilities as a member of the band Gemstone, contributing to the soundtracks of "Taina" and the film "Freaky Friday."

The Chasing Papi actress married Marcus Emanuel Mitchell in 2016. The couple share two daughters: Willa born in January 2018 and Ava born in July 2020.

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Lindsey Shaw

Shaw gained recognition for her role as Jennifer Ann "Moze" Mosely in the TV series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, which aired from 2004 to 2007. This marked the beginning of her successful career in television. She later appeared in several other notable shows such as Aliens in America, 10 Things I Hate About You, Suburgatory, Faking It, Hers and History, and Pretty Little Liars. Shaw also ventured into the film industry with credits including Secret Summer, Olden Times, and Reboot Camp.

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Emma Roberts

The Hollywood scene welcomed the New York native in 2001, and just three years later, she became a prominent figure on Nickelodeon. From 2004 to 2007, Roberts portrayed Addie Singer on Unfabulous. She went on to star in various films such as Wild Child, Valentine's Day, Scream 4, Billionaire Boys Club, Holidate, and About Fate. On the small screen, she achieved success with shows like The Backyardigans, Scream Queens, and her notable portrayal of multiple characters on American Horror Story.

In 2012, the Aquamarine actress began dating Evan Peters. Despite experiencing a rough patch in 2013, they got engaged that same year. However, in 2019, the couple ultimately called off their engagement after years of dating on and off. Roberts then moved on with Garrett Hedlund, and they had their son, Rhodes, in December 2020. However, it was confirmed in January 2022 that the Country Strong actor and the We're the Millers star had decided to end their relationship.

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Melise

Melise, whose full name is Elizabeth Melise Jow, gained fame for her portrayal of Geena Fabiano in the television show Unfabulous from 2004 to 2007. Following her guest appearances on several series, she secured recurring roles as Anna Zhu in The Vampire Diaries, Cadence Nash in The Troop, and Lucy Stone in Big Time Rush. Melise further showcased her talent in Star-Crossed, The Flash, How to Be a Vampire, and The Shannara Chronicles. Additionally, she has been lending her voice to the character Kate Cha/Dupli-Kate in Invincible since 2021.

The Oklahoma native keeps her personal life quiet but appears to have a boyfriend according to social media.

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Jamie Lynn Spears

Spears performed regularly on All That from 2002 to 2004 and eventually starred in her own Nick series in 2005. She portrayed Zoey Brooks on Zoey 101 for four seasons until it concluded in 2008. Additionally, she provided the voice for her animated character on Wayside from 2005 to 2008, and later on The Backyardigans until 2013. After taking a break from the entertainment industry, the Mississippi native made a comeback to television in 2020, playing Noreen Fitzgibbons on Sweet Magnolias. In 2022, she reprised the role of animated Zoey Brooks in the Alice's Wonderland Bakery series. Throughout her career, Spears has released a single album, titled "The Journey" in 2014, and various singles, including "Follow Me" in 2020.

Britney Spears' younger sister, Jamie Lynn, gave birth to her first child, daughter Maddie, in June 2008 with Casey Aldridge. The couple ended their relationship less than two years later. Jamie Lynn then moved forward with Jamie Watson, and the two got married in March 2014. They share a daughter named Ivey, who was welcomed into the world in April 2018.

Britney and Jamie Lynn have had a long-standing feud, as revealed by the TV actress in her 2022 memoir, Things I Should Have Said. Jamie Lynn maintains that she made efforts to assist the "Toxic" singer during her personal difficulties, but Britney vehemently denies any such assistance.

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Erin Sanders

Sanders portrayed Quinn Pensky, one of Zoey's companions, in the television series Zoey 101 between 2005 and 2008. Following this, she went on to feature in The Young and the Restless, Big Time Rush, and Six Degrees of Separation. Her notable film roles consist of Guilty, Limelight, The Call, and Four Hour Layover in Juarez. Presently, she is in a relationship with Adam Johan.

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Miranda Cosgrove

Captivating audiences as the mischievous little sister Megan Parker in Drake & Josh from 2004 to 2007, Cosgrove's talent shone through. Following the conclusion of the show, the California native ventured into her own series, iCarly, where she brought to life the character of web sensation Carly Shay from 2007 to 2012. Not only that, but Cosgrove's talents extend to voice acting, as she lent her voice to the character Margo in the beloved Despicable Me franchise and portrayed Shea Moore in Crowded. Excitingly, in 2021, she returned to the role of Carly for Paramount+’s reboot of iCarly, delighting fans once again. After three incredible seasons, the series came to a close in July 2023.

In between acting gigs, the School of Rock actress attended the University of Southern California.

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Jennette McCurdy

The California native began her acting career in 2000. Seven years later, she rose to fame as Sam Puckett on iCarly, becoming one of Nick's biggest stars. The series aired from 2007 to 2012 and led to a spinoff called Sam & Cat, in which she starred alongside Grande. However, Sam & Cat only lasted one season, running from 2013 to 2014. McCurdy also appeared in other projects such as Adam and Wiley's Lost Weekend and Between, as well as starring in films like The Last Virgin in LA, Little Bitches, and The First Lady. In 2014, McCurdy ventured into directing, writing, and producing episodes for the series What's Next for Sarah? and multiple short films.

In 2020, the former child star embarked on a tour for her one-woman tragicomedy show titled I'm Glad My Mom Died. During the same year, she launched her podcast called "Empty Inside." McCurdy released her memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, in 2022, which delves into her complicated relationship with her late mother and her early experiences in the acting industry, among other topics.

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Keke Palmer

Before landing the lead role of True Jackson on True Jackson, VP in 2008, Palmer had been involved in acting for several years. The show, which concluded in 2011, propelled the actress to superstardom as she continued to deliver successful projects such as Joyful Noise, Hustlers, and Lightyear. Alongside her success on the big screen, the Illinois native has also appeared in various television shows including Winx Club, Scream Queens, Berlin Station, Star, Scream: The TV Series, Human Resources, and the upcoming 2022 series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

In 2014, the actress from "Madea's Family Reunion" made history by becoming the youngest-ever talk show host on BET's "Just Keke." She further made waves that same year as the first Black Cinderella on Broadway. From 2019 to 2020, she cohosted the show "Strahan, Sara and Keke." Apart from her acting career, she has released one studio album and several mixtapes since her debut in music in 2007. In 2018, she successfully launched her own record label called Big Boss Entertainment.

During her debut on Saturday Night Live in December 2022, the actress from "Nope" confirmed her first pregnancy. In February of the following year, she welcomed her son Leodis Andrellton with her boyfriend, Darius Jackson. However, in November 2023, she obtained a restraining order against Jackson after alleging instances of physical violence in their two-year relationship. She also sought sole custody of their son after their split in October 2023.

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Victoria Justice

Lola Martinez joined the cast of Zoey 101 in season 2. After the show ended, Justice had her own Nick series called Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013. On the show, she played Tori Vega, a teenager who performed her own songs. In addition to her acting career, Justice released three EPs between 2012 and 2021, along with four singles, including the 2021 track "Too F*ckin' Nice." She also found success on TV with shows like Eye Candy, The Real Bros of Simi Valley, and 50 States of Fright. In terms of movies, Justice has appeared in The Outcasts, Bigger, Summer Night, Afterlife of the Party, and A Perfect Pairing.

The actress is currently dating TikToker Evan Berger.

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Elizabeth Gillies

Gillies gained recognition for her portrayal of Jade West on Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013. She then took on roles as Daphne in Winx Club and Gigi in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. In 2017, she landed the role of Fallon Carrington in the CW's reboot of Dynasty. Before the series concluded in 2022, Gillies explored directing by working on two episodes of the drama. Additionally, she has released an EP, several singles, and 25 promotional singles between 2012 and 2021. In August 2020, Gillies tied the knot with music producer Michael Corcoran.

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Ariana Grande

In 2010, Grande made her debut on Nickelodeon's Victorious as Cat Valentine, a role she played until the show wrapped in 2013. Following that, she joined forces with McCurdy for the short-lived Sam & Cat spinoff. Since then, the Florida native has appeared in Winx Club, Scream Queens, and Don’t Look Up. In 2024 and 2025, she is slated to portray Glinda in the two-part Wicked movie. Alongside her acting career, the "Dangerous Woman" songstress has released six studio albums between 2013 and 2020, earning two Grammy Awards. Despite her musical success, Grande faced a devastating setback in 2017 when a bomb exploded at her concert in Manchester, resulting in the loss of 22 lives and injuring over 100 others. In response, the former child star organized the One Love Manchester concert to honor the victims. Then, in November 2021, she launched her own beauty brand called R.E.M. Beauty.

The pop sensation, known for her hit song "No Tears Left to Cry," was in a relationship with Mac Miller from 2016 to 2018. Tragically, four months after their breakup, Miller passed away in September 2018. Following this, Ariana Grande entered into a brief engagement with comedian Pete Davidson, but their relationship ended in October 2018. In May 2021, she married real estate agent Dalton Gomez, but unfortunately, their two-year relationship came to an end in July 2023, resulting in Grande filing for divorce in September of that year.

In July 2023, Grande made headlines again, this time for her connection with Ethan Slater, her Wicked costar. Reports indicated that both Grande and Slater were "separated" from their respective spouses at the time they started dating. (Slater filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay, during the same month.)