Cote De Pablo's Transformation Has Been Stunning To See

Appealing to fans across the globe is no easy feat, but it's something that comes naturally for Cote de Pablo. The Chilean-American actor got her start in the '90s, co-hosting Univision's weekend talk show "Control" alongside Carlos Ponce. Nowadays, she's best known for starring in popular American dramas. In 2005, Cote de Pablo charmed "NCIS" fans with her debut as Ziva David before hitting the big screen for the 2015 film "The 33." Two decades after her primetime debut as one of the "NCIS" universe leading ladies, de Pablo's award-winning portrayal of Ziva David led to her own Paramount+ spin-off series, "NCIS: Tony & Ziva," in 2025.

Despite her illustrious career in entertainment, Cote de Pablo keeps a relatively low profile by celebrity standards. But when de Pablo does make an appearance on the red carpet, she's hard to miss. Whether sporting vintage-inspired frocks or chic, tailored separates, the "NCIS" star stays sharply dressed. And though she's partial to certain design elements, such as deep-V necklines, her fashion sense is unpredictable in the best way possible. With the recent launch of "NCIS: Tony & Ziva," we hope to see more of de Pablo's sartorial choices in the near future. For now, however, let's take a trip down memory lane to see how Cote de Pablo developed her personal style over the years.

In the early 2010s, Cote de Pablo found her footing on the red carpet while wearing her hair in voluminous curls. And in accordance with 2010s hair trends, the actor favored a side-parted style. Pictured in 2012 at The CW, CBS, and Showtime Summer TCA Party, Cote de Pablo kept things simple in a summery white top with coral pants. The minimalistic approach extended to her beauty and accessory choices at the time, as she wore little more than a light application of bronzed makeup and glamorous extra-long earrings, which were trending in 2023.

Showing her style range, de Pablo upped the ante the following year. In 2013, at the 14th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, de Pablo wore an off-the-shoulder purple gown accented by gold cuffs, hoop earrings, and bangles. With the side-part and her natural curls still on display, she styled her hair down in a sleeker style. Her makeup remained natural, though she added a dusting of highlighter to her cheeks and nose for a glamorous finish. The few sightings we got of de Pablo in 2014 were limited to the set of "The Dovekeepers," where she was dressed in period clothing with her luscious hair curled tightly. 

In 2015, Cote de Pablo sported an assortment of sultry looks seemingly inspired by the secrets of Old Hollywood glamour. In early January 2015 at the People's Choice Awards, the brunette beauty donned a deep-V neck gown with elegant lace-cap sleeves, a sharp silhouette popularized in the silver screen era. She paired the awards show style with a textured bob (which we love!) and a small reflective clutch, further emphasizing the design's vintage vibes. 

Later that year, de Pablo hit the red carpet in another deep-V dress with a slightly higher neckline for the AFI Fest premiere of her 2015 flick "The 33." The sleeveless ensemble featured a swath of white fabric draped over her left shoulder, a bold accent that she styled accordingly. This time, she opted for a smoldering black smokey eye and bouffant updo, as well as a chunky, modernist gold ring. She continued experimenting with updos in 2016, opting for a sophisticated bun at the Pen Center Literary Awards. By 2018, her style had relaxed somewhat, with the star often appearing with her natural curls complementing her fuss-free aesthetic. 

Just one year before "Emily in Paris" filled our feeds with chic scarves and striped-top combos, Cote de Pablo effortlessly pulled off the classic Parisian look. Even earlier on, the "NCIS" star spoke of her affinity for French design while visiting Paris, France, to sample Christian Dior's designs. "I consider myself very lucky because I have actually never worn such beautiful clothing. And once you wear it, you understand why it is so expensive," she told ET in 2012. Visiting the set of "Extra" at Burbank Studios in 2019, de Pablo wowed fans in tailored black trousers beneath an asymmetrical blouse with thin black-and-white stripes. She accessorized with a silk printed scarf in an umber hue, complementing her glossy chestnut curls. 

While promoting "NCIS" in New York in 2019, de Pablo continued trendsetting with mix-and-match patterns. Wearing a retro button-up with gradient amber stripes, the star cozied up in an oversized plaid jacket with '70s-style lapels. Taupe satin trousers and a sleek, side-parted blow out completed the sophisticated city-girl look. Soon after sporting the vintage-inspired getup, several of de Pablo's favorite '70s fashion trends, which later returned to the fore in 2023, proved to be mainstream hits. After 2020, sightings of de Pablo were relatively rare due to industry shutdowns and her reported new role as a mother. But after a brief hiatus, the "NCIS" star returned to the spotlight with a decidedly brighter style.

In 2024, Cote de Pablo attended the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival for two red-carpet appearances, giving fans a long-awaited glimpse of her updated look. Though she still rocked her beloved side part, the "Seneca" alum sported significantly blonder locks. Her first foray in front of the cameras involved a little black dress with a ruffled hem and circular neckline, reminiscent of 1960s-inspired fashion (which has made a comeback in 2025). 

On day two of the event, de Pablo wore a bright-coral halter dress with chandelier statement earrings. Instead of full and soft curls, she wore her ombré blond hair in loose, beachy waves to match the warm-weather style. 

Cote de Pablo switched things up yet again in 2025, demonstrating a preference for separates and menswear-inspired attire. In September 2025, de Pablo promoted "NCIS: Tony & Ziva" in Berlin, Germany, wearing a crocheted olive top over pleated slacks. Around the same time, she shared her philosophy on beauty with fans. "There's something to being happy that makes people beautiful. I will say when it radiates from the inside, when you're doing something that you truly love, there is something. It may not be your magazine-beauty thing, but it is an energy," de Pablo told NewBeauty in 2025. Apart from that inner glow, the actor cited good sleep and healthy diet as two of her beauty musts.

Demonstrating her radiant complexion at New York Comic Con 2025, de Pablo chose a playful black-and-white checkered lounge suit, featuring a cropped jacket and wide-leg pants. She accentuated her cheekbones with a hint of bronzer, but kept her overall styling subtle with smooth, wavy hair and a delicate pair of earrings. With "NCIS: Tony & Ziva" calling Cote de Pablo back to the television screen, it's only a matter of time before she joins the list of best-dressed celebs during awards-show season.