Disney Star Dove Cameron Revealed She Has Struggled with Depression Her Whole Life: Her Transformation in 30 Pics

From Disney darling to dark pop icon, the Hollywood star has undergone a striking transformation. Here's a look at how her appearance has evolved over the years.

Dove Cameron rose to fame on Disney Channel's "Liv and Maddie," where she played dual roles in a pastel world built for teen stardom. But growing up in front of the camera meant more than just evolving on-screen — it meant evolving in real life, too.

As the years passed, her appearance began to shift in ways that fans couldn't help but notice. Gone were the blond curls, and in their place, a sharper, darker aesthetic. But behind every change lay a deeper story.

Childhood

Over the years, the former Disney star has shared throwback photos on Instagram that offered a rare glimpse into her early life, long before the fame, the music, and the red carpets.

In those candid moments, she appeared wide-eyed and playful, sometimes dressed in sparkly crowns or sitting cross-legged beside her mother, often with a soft half-smile and tousled blond hair.

2012

By 2012, Cameron's look had evolved as she grew up, but her aesthetic still clung to that Disney-sweet edge. Her hair, now a richer shade of golden blond, cascaded down in long, voluminous waves — a signature she'd carry for years.

Her makeup stayed light and natural, often highlighting her soft features with rosy tones, fluttery lashes, and a dewy finish. On red carpets, she leaned into delicate lace tops, heart-shaped pendants, and youthful silhouettes that felt polished but still age-appropriate.

2013

2014

2015

2016

By 2016, the actress had fully stepped into the spotlight, and her appearance reflected that shift. Her once golden blond hair had gone ice-platinum — a high-gloss, ultra-light shade that became a defining part of her image.

With sleek styling, her look was more high fashion than the girl next door. Her makeup had also matured —bold lashes, sculpted brows, and radiant skin gave her a clean, camera-ready glow that stood out on every red carpet.

Professionally, she was riding the momentum of Disney's "Descendants" franchise, where she played the role of Mal — the edgy, magical daughter of Maleficent.

2017

2018

2019

2020

By 2020, Cameron's transformation was impossible to ignore. Her once-soft, round features had sharpened, giving her a far more sculpted, editorial appearance.

Her jawline appeared more defined, her cheekbones more lifted, and her lips noticeably fuller — especially her upper lip, which now framed her smile in a more pronounced, symmetrical way.

The subtle slope of her nose also seemed refined, lending a more contoured look to the center of her face. Her eye shape had become a focal point — elongated with makeup that emphasized a cat-like flare, paired with feathery lashes and perfectly arched brows.

2021

2022

By 2022, Cameron had adopted a dramatically different aesthetic — darker, edgier, and unmistakably more sculpted. While she never confirmed undergoing cosmetic procedures, her transformation became a topic of widespread speculation.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov and others suggested potential enhancements like rhinoplasty, cheek implants, buccal fat removal, and lip filler. Other professionals even pointed to possible brow lifts and eyelid surgery.

2023

By 2023, Cameron's once bright, youthful features were sleek and striking — almond-shaped eyes framed by sharp brows, sculpted cheeks, and full, symmetrical lips that gave her face an almost cinematic intensity.

Her look had grown darker, both literally and stylistically, with jet-black hair and makeup that emphasized the cool precision of her bone structure.

However, the shift wasn't just aesthetic — it seemed to mirror the weight of someone who had lived many lives in just a few decades.

By 25, the actress had already faced profound loss. When she was eight, her father murdered her best friend. At 15, she lost her father to suicide — an event that led her to legally change her name to Dove, a tribute to the nickname he had given her.

Years later, in 2019, the actress endured another devastating blow when her "Descendants" co-star and close friend Cameron Boyce died suddenly from epilepsy at just 20.

Cameron has since spoken openly about lifelong struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, crediting therapy — which she's attended since childhood — as a cornerstone of her healing.

2024

2025

Now 29, Cameron has entered a new chapter — personally and publicly. On October 29, 2025, her and Italian singer Damiano David's engagement was confirmed, marking a high-profile milestone in a year already filled with conversation around her evolving appearance.

The actress's latest look is sharper than ever — sleek dark hair, razor-defined brows, high-arched cheekbones, and full, symmetrical lips.

Her nose also appears more narrow, her jawline chiseled, and her eyes — now more almond-shaped — are frequently styled with smoky lids and precision liner. The softness of her past has been replaced by a striking, almost sculptural aesthetic.

As expected, social media has lit up with reactions. "She got plastic surgery at quite a young age so shes been unrecognizable for awhile now [sic]," one netizen wrote.

Another commented, "She's had at least 3 different faces that I can remember and I feel like shes not even 30."

Others recalled of Cameron's Disney days, "Even when she was on Disney she'd already had work done, it's not surprising. She was always beautiful." A fourth comment read, "Wait that's actually insane [sic]."

Cameron's transformation over the years has been as layered as her career — from child star to pop icon, from wide-eyed innocence to razor-sharp glam.

Whether shaped by personal choice, public pressure, or a mix of both, her evolving appearance has sparked endless fascination, criticism, and admiration.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.