Alicia Keys Through The Years: Photos Of The Singer From The Start Of Career Until Now

By:

Elissa Anderson

September 1, 2023 2:37PM EDT

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.

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Alicia Keys: Then & Now

Alicia Keys: Then & Now — Songs in A Minor. Alicia Keys is one of the most talented artists of her generation. The classically trained pianist, born Jan. 25, 1981, began writing songs when she was just 12 and rocketed to fame in 2001 with her debut album Songs In A Minor. Her career took off from there, and over the past two decades, she’s earned 15 Grammy Awards and has sold over 9 million records worldwide.

Through the years Alicia’s look has evolved too. The native New Yorker, who is a Columbia University alum, went from a slick, urban-jazz singer style in her early days to a more glowy, earth-mama aesthetic in her later years. Sometimes, she’s flying solo, and other times her husband Swizz Beatz is her red carpet date.

Here, Alicia looks radiant in white as she arrives at the Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of In America: A Lexicon of Fashion on Sep. 13, 2021. Her crisp shirt and full skirt looked so glam, dressing up the already-chic look with a diamond necklace and rhinestones in her hair.

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2001 VMAs

Alicia Keys At The 2001 VMAs — 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.

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Alicia Keys At The Opening Of Alexander McQueen’s NYC Store

Alicia Keys At The Opening Of Alexander McQueen’s NYC Store — 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.

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Alicia Keys In 2003

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2004 VMAs

Alicia Keys At The 2004 VMAs — 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.

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Alicia Keys Rocks Radio City Music Hall

Alicia Keys Rocks Radio City Music Hall — 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.

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Alicia Keys In ‘The Nanny Diaries’

Alicia Keys In ‘The Nanny Diaries’ — 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.

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Alicia Keys At The 2007 Met Gala

Alicia Keys At The 2007 Met Gala — 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.

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Alicia Keys At The Super Bowl Pre-Game In 2008

Alicia Keys At The Super Bowl Pre-Game In 2008 — 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.

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Alicia Keys At The 2009 Academy Awards

Alicia Keys At The 2009 Academy Awards — 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.

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Alicia Keys In 2010

Alicia Keys In 2010 — 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.

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Alicia Keys In 2011

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2012 Grammys

Alicia Keys At The 2012 Grammys — 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.

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Alicia Keys In Cannes

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

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Alicia Keys In 2014

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2015 Billboard Women In Music Honors

Alicia Keys At The 2015 Billboard Women In Music Honors — 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.

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Alicia Keys In Milan

Alicia Keys In Milan — 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.

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Alicia Keys In 2017

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2018 Grammys

Alicia Keys At The 2018 Grammys — 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.

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Alicia Keys At The 2019 Billboard Women In Music Honors

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2020 Grammys

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

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Alicia Keys At The 2021 MET Gala

Alicia Keys At The 2021 MET Gala — 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.

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Alicia Keys Performs At The 2022 Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala

Alicia Keys Performs At The 2022 Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala — 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.

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Alicia Keys In 2022

Alicia Keys In 2022 — 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.

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Alicia Keys At ‘The Late Show’

Alicia Keys At ‘The Late Show’ — 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.

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Alicia Keys at the 2023 Tribeca Festival

Alicia Keys at the 2023 Tribeca Festival — 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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