This week saw the premiere of the Ryan Murphy black comedy/slasher fest Scream Queens starring Emma Roberts, niece of screen legend Julia Roberts. Emma plays Queen Bee-atch sorostitute Chanel Oberlin, an ambitious diva who will stop at nothing to keep her beloved Kappa house on top of the university’s social ladder. Emma is no stranger to Ryan Murphy series, already a veteran playing obnoxious actress Madison Montgomery in the Coven season of the series. She’s also slated for a role in the upcoming season AHS Hotel starring pop icon Lady Gaga.

But Emma’s roles weren’t always so spooky and dark, and her costars weren’t always quite so fabulous as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. Back in the day when she was first starting out as a tween, her career was a bit Unfabulous, as it happens. After a few feature film roles, in 2004 Emma snagged her very own Nickelodeon series Unfabulous where she played music lover Addie Singer from 2004-2007. Addie is obsessed with music and even shyly writes her own songs. How adorable!!! Especially when you imagine Chanel Oberlin or Madison Montgomery being shy about anything!

From Unfabulous, Emma scored the titular role in Nancy Drew, the vehicle that first put Emma on the mainstream map, ultimately leading her into her current status of Ryan Murphy muse. So I guess Unfabulous beginnings can lead to fabulous things after all!!! Check out pics of Emma from her Unfabulous days, and don’t forget to catch Scream Queens Tuesdays on Fox!