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30 “Ugly Ducklings” Share Their Incredible Transformations Into Beautiful Swans (New Pics)
Growing up can be a radically different experience for young people, ranging from complete and utter awkwardness to extreme popularity. And all of this depends on a mix of your genes and your lifestyle.
Luckily, even if you’ve had a hard time liking yourself in your teens and early twenties, you can still end up full of confidence and love for how you look later on in life. And the proof is in the r/uglyduckling subreddit where people post photos of themselves where they’re proud to show the world how much they’ve changed. Upvote the photos that caught your eye as you’re scrolling down. Keep in mind that, despite the name of the community, they’re incredibly friendly and nobody thinks that anyone featured in the photos is ‘ugly.’
In the mood for some more wholesome glow-up photos? Bored Panda’s got you covered! Check out our most recent posts about the ‘Ugly Duckling’ online group right here, here, as well as here. Just remember, dear Pandas, we’re all beautiful in our own unique ways, but sometimes it takes some hard-fought changes in our lives and how we look so that we can love ourselves fully. And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters—that we love ourselves, not what others think of how we look.
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#1
"When I Loved Pizza & Was Insecure (17)" Versus "Still Love Pizza & Learned To Love Myself (25)"
Ian Milne 4 years ago
The morality of the Ugly duckling story is not great. It’s essentially stating don’t worry if you’re ugly, you might be beautiful one day. It implies that it’s important to be good looking.
Ozacoter 4 years ago
Yes, exactly. We need ti teach people that the value of a person isnt in her/his looks. These kind of posts are basically "they are better now because they look conventionally attractive". Which is basically saying that those who never "transformed have no value.
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RELATED:
#2
15-25
#3
Proud Of How Far I’ve Come
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago (edited)
Growing older makes a huge difference. That and a good barber.
MoodyBlue 4 years ago (edited)
It usually looks better to have two eyebrows instead of a one very, very long one. Anyhow, the nose seems to have changed too much (unless there has been some operations on it?). I have some doubts now.
AnRi 4 years ago
I think it's the same nose. He has just lost weight and the angle he poses for the newer photo also makes his nose look smaller.
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Carol Taylor 4 years ago
if l was young again I'd never would have hit this guy up via the first two pics, but the third pic, well..!!! but then I wasn't much to speak of that young either...
Sometimes, these changes that bring about more confidence happen all by themselves. However, other times, these are results of hard-fought battles where people drastically change how they live because they want to be proud of themselves and to be held in high regard in society. Remember, just because everyone’s beautiful and unique doesn’t change the reality that human beings prefer people who are more attractive.
#4
27 To 37. Getting Older Isn't So Bad
#5
14 vs. 36
Canadian in Cornwall 4 years ago
I don't think it IS the same person, if it is, the teeth are a different shape on the ends, where is the mole, under the bigger glasses?
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Laura Maeflower 4 years ago
It sure if people know this but camera focal length can really morph a persons face. Look it up, it's why you look different when your phone camera is close to your face versus far away zoomed in.
Yolande Labbé 4 years ago (edited)
I do not think this is the same person: Mouth shape, nose, the eyes???..Or plastic surgery...
similarly 4 years ago
If you mentally draw guidelines on the face, it's pretty clearly the same person. Look at the forehead curve, ear height, eye line, cheek height and depth, rear jaw width, chin width. They may have had some cosmetic work, but it could just be weight loss and camera angle. However, the basics the facial bones are the same. Particularly you can see it in the bonework around the eyes.
#6
Used To Be Obese, Depressed, And Bullied. Thankful Of Where I Am Now
That’s why the halo effect is a thing: those who are attractive are also perceived to be more capable and, generally, have it easier in life when it comes to new opportunities. It’s an inherent bias that we all have. So it’s only natural that some people can only be confident about how they look once they’ve also impressed their social circle and their community with their changes.
#7
People Used To Call Me Cheeks, 10 Years Can Do A Lot!
Doggo Froggo 4 years ago
You look cute in the first and good- looking in the second photo - no ugly duckling there!
AALIYAH UMOREN 4 years ago
YOUUU AREEE SOO CUTTE WTH DO THEY MEAN UGLY DUCKLING U LOOK GOOD IN BOTH BOI
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 4 years ago
he looks so freaking cute in both pictures wtf I'll clobber whoever bullied him 😭
#8
14-20, Freed My Eyes And Brows, Lost The Belly, Got A Tan
Ella Peñacolada 3 years ago
I'm not homo or anything..I'm just gonna save the picture and look at it all the time...
#9
17-27 I Decided That I Didn’t Want To Die Young From Drug Overdose So I Cut My Hair And Here We Are 10 Years Later
MiriPanda 4 years ago
Well done to your transformation into a healthier you, but what the heck are you wearing in the 2nd pic?
Vanessa Bennett 4 years ago
Not sure how cutting your hair has anything to do with drug addiction.
Eva the Egg 4 years ago
Oh wow those TATOOS!!! Amazing, although I could never do that, I would be too scared!
And these changes do require a lot of effort. Not just when it comes to style but also when we think about fitness. We spoke about discipline, movement, and growing to love working out with motivational speaker, comedian, writer, and former US Paralympian, Josh Sundquist.
#10
15 And 22
Aduain Captor 4 years ago
This is an example of a normal, handsome person turning into a normal, handsome person. Just like everyone else, what in the f**k is wrong with this article.
#11
Thicc To Less Thicc. Weird How A Year And A Few Months Can Change Your Life
Wandaluzt 4 years ago
This was posted on Reddit. Little point telling him well done on here.
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White Paper Tsuru 4 years ago
Well done! Great to see when hard work and a million and one choices make all the difference in your smile.
#12
14 To 22 Grew Into My Face And Stopped Hating Every Aspect Of My Existence!
Louis Ahlgren 4 years ago
I don't like the heavy makeup. I bet she would be prettier with more natural.
Sundquist told Bored Panda that the best fitness or workout routine is one that you enjoy enough to do every single day. Consistency is vital, so aim for something realistic (even if we all want results right here and now).
#13
14, 16 And 18. Down 100lbs And A Cardio Fiend
#14
17 Left And 27 Right. People Said I Looked Like Hurley From Lost
#15
15/17 vs. 21 (About To Turn 22)
“The best fitness or workout routine is the one you enjoy enough to do every day. Personally, my favorite thing is going on long walks. So that's what works for me. But for someone else, it might be swimming or competitive sports or tai chi. Whatever gets you moving,” Josh, who lost his leg when he was a child, said. However, going all-out isn’t advisable either. We need to find the right balance between effort and rest.
#16
15 -> 16 -> 20. Looking Back At Old Pictures Like, No Wonder I Used To Be So Depressed
White Paper Tsuru 4 years ago
Hard to look confident in a dentist chair selfie! Congratulations on the confidence you found! You deserve it!
Schrodinger's Cat 4 years ago
She's beautiful. And might I add- Her eyeliner skills are impressive!
#17
Then (12): Hasn't Kissed A Boy, But Pretty Good At Violin. Now (24): Still Hasn't Kissed A Boy, Bad At Violin, But Finally Has Some Direction In Life!
Bunny Girl 4 years ago
The first pick was super cute tho! Plus you were only 12. It's part of growing up and getting older!
Mickie Shea 4 years ago
Best be find'n a boy/girl to kiss. Age waits for no one. and you'll look good do'n some kiss'n
#18
2015-2021
“I'm a recovering overachiever. I mean, I went to the Paralympics. That doesn't happen without an (un)healthy amount of discipline and delayed gratification. But I don't think that discipline versus moderation is a binary choice. I think those are different gears. It's useful to be able to shift into a high-intensity gear when that serves your workout goals (or, like any kind of goal). But it might even more important to be capable of shifting down to a relaxed posture in everyday life when that sort of intensity isn't necessary. For me personally, the latter gear is more difficult. For someone else, it could be the opposite.”
#19
Left (16 Years Old, Never Kissed A Boy, Genuinely Believed I Would Be A 40 Year Old Virgin), Right (26 Years Old, Much Happier)
Hilu 4 years ago
Sad how she measures her worth, happiness and well being through being liked by men. 😢
Jenn Jez 4 years ago
Concerned that her pose for the new her is on a bed trying to look provocative. Not the right direction.
ᑭIᗰᑭᒪE ᖴᗩᑕE 4 years ago
Oh shut up and just let her do what she wants for her photos
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Dyed My Hair, Opened My Eyes, Got Eyebrows... (13y/O-21y/O)
Mickie Shea 4 years ago
we all be changing over time. To bad we can't now that as kids. Your a ten
#21
14 To 20 Because People Said My Resting Face Was Angry
Earl Grey 4 years ago (edited)
You were being bullied by men with the standard “You should smile more” attack.
StrawberryParfait 4 years ago
Let your resting face be what it is. A person who grins at nothing looks like the village idiot.
Mickie Shea 4 years ago
There's definitive passion in one eye and extreme cuteness in the other. Like the smile.
As the 118k-member strong ‘Ugly Duckling’ community puts it, the online group is meant for “all you guys and gals out there who turned into butterflies.” In other words, it’s a subreddit that’s meant to celebrate positive, wholesome changes in people’s lives.
#22
Sweeping The Leg Since 1995. Age (8?) To 25 - Glad It All Worked Out, But I Never Did Get That Black Belt
#23
6th Grade And 21
Robert Sumner 4 years ago
Left: "Luigi, dinnertime! Call Mario in for spaghetti & meatballs!" Right: "Bowser is NOT a problem!" Mmmmmmh!?
#24
12-30
BIG FOOT 4 years ago
People think just because they were still kids they were ugly like you haven't hit your growth spurt yet your still a kid
Jumilicious 4 years ago
Exactly. I'm not saying losing weight or battling bad habits means nothing, they are great achievements. But I feel like a lot of these confuse puberty/growing up with being ugly. That's just life.
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So don’t be fooled by the word ‘ugly’ in the subreddit’s name: nobody’s suggesting that any of these people are ‘ugly.’ It’s just that, like we mentioned up above, some folks have a hard time loving themselves as they are, so they make changes to their lifestyle, appearance, diet, and fitness to find their true selves.
#25
15 vs. 28
#26
[30] [f] Really Feeling The Glow Up
![[30] [f] Really Feeling The Glow Up](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/before-after-photos-ugly-duckling-6-60214d6bc7d35__700.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true "[30] [f] Really Feeling The Glow Up")
John L 4 years ago
Agree with both of you. Its the 'body mutilation' that makes the Big Difference.
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#27
16 Yo/25 Yo
#28
13 vs. 23 - Let’s Just Say The Last Decade Has Been... A Wild Ride Lol
Lisa Tetlow 4 years ago
I could tell by the first picture that you were going to grow up beautiful.
#29
F 8 To 22. One Bad Haircut Had Turned Me Into Young Anakin Skywalker
Lisa Tetlow 4 years ago
You read my mind! I was going to comment "from young Anakin Skywalker to Drew Barrymore!"
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10 Years Can Change A Lot! (13-23) To Be Fair, I Had A Really Bad Haircut Phase
What did you think of this list, dear Readers? Are you planning on joining the r/uglyduckling community to keep an eye out for their latest posts? Which do you think is more important for making us look fit, our genes or our environments and lifestyles or a combination of both? Have you had to deal with any awkwardness while growing up? Drop us a line or two with your thoughts and feelings in the comment section.
#31
13-22 Never Had Self Confidence As A Teenager, Now I'm Posting A Selfie On The Internet!
White Paper Tsuru 4 years ago
Great job finding that confidence! Hard for any teenager to have it so I'm glad you've grown into it!
#32
18 vs. 24 And About 100lb Difference
#33
M, 17 To 21. I Still Have Braces On That Really Helped With The Facial Structure
Daphne Williams 4 years ago
This is the first time I've heard of this. Very interesting.
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#34
Years Through Out
#35
At 14 vs. 29. Got Braces And Contacts, Figured Out Makeup, And Found My Girly Side
I'manoob! 4 years ago
I used to play around with a lot of makeup growing up, now I can't stand it on my face. I think I look good without it anyways😁
angie but who cares 4 years ago
same i caaaan not do lipstick at parties it feels so icky
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11 To 21, I Was Misgendered As A Boy A Lot As A Kid
#37
From About 7yo, To 15, To 24! Had Some Highs And Lows Between It All But Finally Working Things Out!
#38
I Think I Belong Here 10--->29
#39
Haracter Development: 12-22
Little Dino 4 years ago
wait, how do you know it's a wig? i think she looks great :)
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17 To 27
TheLazyPoki 4 years ago
Not trying to be rude or anything, but he resembles Mark Zuckerberg a bit! (in a good way)
#41
15-18. Puberty And A Wardrobe Change Make A World Of Difference! And Ditching Those Glasses
#42
13 - 18
Samantha Comerford 4 years ago
Stay with your natural curls girl. That wig is horrible and covering you beautiful face
#43
Same Picture, 2 Years A Part
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
A few years can make a big difference.,However, the early years weren't bad at all.
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What do you think ?
Hans 4 years ago
What do we learn? Guys needs to become a hipster, grew many muscles, or become a handsome designer stubble dude. Girls need to learn how to smile or, if they already did, put on makeup and look dreamy. Do not get me wrong: I am happy for any individual who says they feel better now than they used to do. But the purpose of such a collection evades my cromprehension, as any collection is poised to provoke such categorizations. Collecting all the pictures also is different to the subreddit, where it is more like shouting "Hey, I am confident now, isn't that great?", i.e. the social part plays an important role. An explanation would honestly be welcomed.
sturmwesen 4 years ago
I think what we can learn is that the pressure in teens is big and we need stories about people that do great after growing up without bending to the assumed "norm".
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Tiger Pearl 4 years ago
These people were in no way ugly ducklings, and it’s sad they thought/were told that.
Becky Moore 4 years ago
I don't think it's glowing up with most of these but growing up, and a haircut.
Terry Reauxper 4 years ago
Omg these kinds of posts are pitiful in general. Congratulations and more power to the people who are improving their self-esteem, but come on. This is pretty much a series of "Felt cute. May delete later." posts.
Bunny Girl 4 years ago
All these people needed was self-love and some growing up or exercise, but all of the first pics were super cute!
Hans 4 years ago
What do we learn? Guys needs to become a hipster, grew many muscles, or become a handsome designer stubble dude. Girls need to learn how to smile or, if they already did, put on makeup and look dreamy. Do not get me wrong: I am happy for any individual who says they feel better now than they used to do. But the purpose of such a collection evades my cromprehension, as any collection is poised to provoke such categorizations. Collecting all the pictures also is different to the subreddit, where it is more like shouting "Hey, I am confident now, isn't that great?", i.e. the social part plays an important role. An explanation would honestly be welcomed.
sturmwesen 4 years ago
I think what we can learn is that the pressure in teens is big and we need stories about people that do great after growing up without bending to the assumed "norm".
Load More Replies... Tiger Pearl 4 years ago
These people were in no way ugly ducklings, and it’s sad they thought/were told that.
Becky Moore 4 years ago
I don't think it's glowing up with most of these but growing up, and a haircut.
Terry Reauxper 4 years ago
Omg these kinds of posts are pitiful in general. Congratulations and more power to the people who are improving their self-esteem, but come on. This is pretty much a series of "Felt cute. May delete later." posts.
Bunny Girl 4 years ago
All these people needed was self-love and some growing up or exercise, but all of the first pics were super cute!
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