Transformation

With 12 albums, 5 Grammys and 175 million albums sold, no one would blame Mariah Carey if she chose to kick off her signature stilettos and just take it easy with her husband Nick Cannon. Not a chance! In the last year, the 40-year-old songbird released her 12th album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, debuted a new fragrance, M by Mariah Carey, and turned out a critically-acclaimed performance in Precious. In fact, the only nod Carey is making to her veteran status is the revival of the natural curls she wore on her very first album cover. Let's just hope that the break from blowouts will give the diva some well-earned time for bubble baths and beauty sleep.

1987: The hairspray enthusiast and Harborfields High School senior graduated despite missing so many classes she earned the nickname "Mirage."