In the early 2000s, Rachel McAdams was one of those names that seemed to be everywhere.

McAdams' life and career journey has been a fascinating one.

Want to find out more about McAdams' incredible journey?

Rachel McAdams in 2004 wearing magenta

Here is the stunning transformation of Rachel McAdams.

She grew up in the town of St. Thomas in Ontario, Canada, the eldest of three children.

In fact, McAdams loved sports.

Rachel McAdams smiling widely in 2004

“I was kind of a jock,” she confessed.

She went on to explain they both instilled in their children a sense of independence and a work ethic.

But more than anything, McAdams' parents taught her what a loving relationship should look like.

Rachel Mcadams with Ryan Gosling in 2004

“They are still together and still in love,” she revealed to theIndependent.

As she toldThe Times, “Then I hid under my bed, I felt so shy.”

“I was like, ‘OK, this is amazing,'” McAdams recalled toStylist.

Rachel McAdams at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards

Even though McAdams had grand dreams of acting professionally, she didn’t really think it would ever happen.

“I really thought I’d be doing theater in Canada,” she confessed.

Apparently, McAdams even envisaged herself becoming the artistic director of a children’s theater company!

Rachel McAdams on stage at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards

However, it turns out, she almost took a completely different path.

As McAdams revealed toMacleans, she had originally intended to study “cultural studies.”

Apparently, this was the nudge she needed to pluck up the courage and follow her dreams.

Rachel McAdams on the red carpet in 2005

McAdams changed her app last minute; the next year, she began in York University’s theater program.

However, by her final year, McAdams was practically a pro.

“They came chasing me after the first act.”

Rachel McAdams smiling widely in 2005

It sounds like McAdams definitely made the right decision to take the plunge and study acting!

However, it wasn’t until 2004 that she got her “big break.”

Funnily enough, the role came as a shock to McAdams.

Rachel McAdams at a talk in 2005

Nevertheless, she was thrilled.

“It’s much more fun to play the villain,” she said.

It’s safe to say that “Mean Girls” shot McAdams into the public eye.

Rachel McAdams at the Proof premier in 2005

She ended up earning twoMTV Movie Awardsfor her role, as well as loads ofcritical praise for her performance.

And with that, a star was born.

As theLos Angeles Timesreported, studio executives quickly labeled her as “the next Julia Roberts.”

Rachel McAdams at an award show in 2005

In other words, the industry expected her to become the “It” girl of Hollywood romances.

Throughout her career, McAdams has held onto this mindset.

“I’ve always valued the time I have off in between jobs,” she continued.

Rachel McAdams at a 2005 screening of The Family Stone

“There’s an exorcism that happens after each part.”

She explained that her travels taught her to become self-sufficient and less focused on the material world.

As an actor, this proved to be an essential skill.

Rachel McAdams at the screening for Married Life in 2007

However, they ended up reconnecting after the film and dating for three years.

By the sound of things, the relationship was incredibly special for both McAdams and Gosling.

“God bless ‘The Notebook,'” Gosling toldGQa few months after the breakup.

Rachel McAdams at a 2008 premier

“It introduced me to one of the great loves of my life.”

“Growing up I had a real disconnect with the planet,” she explained.

“I would go to the beach in my turtle neck, all bundled up.”

Rachel McAdams at a premier in 2008

However, after visiting Australia’s incredible beaches, that changed.

“My relationship to the planet expanded,” she continued.

“I started to connect to it more and be more aware.”

Rachel McAdams at a NASA event in 2018

After McAdams got interested in the planet, she developed a passion for environmentalism.

As she toldStylist, “I would consider myself an environmentalist.”

However, some of her views are a little unfashionable.

Rachel McAdams posing

AsThe Scotsmannoted in 2012, she had become incredibly “selective.”

It feels like she’s seeking out the potential of what we do for a living."

As she toldStylist, she was attracted to the role immediately.

Rachel McAdams outside

“I understood her as soon as I read her,” she revealed.

For the project, McAdams was playing a police officer.

As it turns out, her extensive research for the role ended up teaching her a lot.

In fact, McAdams has never even revealed her son’s name.

“I want to keep his life private, even if mine isn’t,” she toldThe Times.

Even though McAdams kept the details private, she didn’t mind gushing about the experience.

“I’m having more fun being a mum than I’ve ever had,” she continued.

“Everything about it is interesting and exciting and inspiring to me.”

Additionally, McAdams “does seem to revel in being kind of unknowable.”

While McAdams has never actively avoided fame, her career choices have certainly helped her to find balance.

However, for McAdams, living in Canada means living the lifestyle that suits her best.

Additionally, according toNarcity, McAdams day-to-day life in Toronto is pretty low-key.

She frequently bikes around the city, visiting cool areas like the Annex and Kensington Market.

She’s even been spotted at the Eastern Mediterranean restaurantByblos.

The actress was reportedly shopping at a children’s store when the photos were taken.

McAdams didn’t give any comment about the rumors of her second pregnancy.

The first time around, McAdams toldRed, she used her own mother as her inspiration for the role.

It’s great to jump into another world that I knew nothing about," she said.

Her second Marvel outing proved to be a big moment for the actress.

For one thing, she got the chance to work with director Sam Raimi.

“I love Sam so much,” she toldCollider.

“He’s just such a pro, but he’s so humble and so collaborative …

I loved working with Sam and I love this character.”

And we can’t wait to see it!