Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
People Who Used To Be “Ugly Ducklings” Share Their Transformations, And We Can Barely Recognize Them (New Pics)
Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen published The Ugly Duckling in 1843, and a huge reason why the fairy tale is popular to this day is because of how relatable it is. It's a heartwarming story about personal transformation for the better, revolving around inner beauty just as much as it does around its outer counterpart.
To prove that the Ugly Duckling Syndrome is an intrinsic part of life, people are constantly sharing (check out part I of this list here) their personal before-and-after photos in the uglyduckling subreddit. Viewing these images, it's clear that you never know what time (and puberty, of course) has prepared for you. Even though these late bloomers had to wait a little longer than others to grow into their beautiful people looks fully, the body transformations seem totally worth it. Scroll down to check out their stunning from-ugly-to-pretty images and upvote your favorites!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Lost 50kg (110lbs) In 18 Months After A Rugby Injury, Started Rowing For My University, Got My Msc In Mathematics
Hari Onago 7 years ago
...chiseled by the gods of Olympus. He's ridiculously good looking.
Load More Replies...
RELATED:
#2
I Don't Even Look Like The Same Person Anymore. 17 To 22
Seb Cebien 7 years ago
The eyebrows, the nose, the lips and even the ears have changed after 5 years... curiously
Imperfekt 7 years ago
Different ears, different nose, different eyes, different hairline. Yes, I'd say that is QUITE a transformation.
Ella Cim 7 years ago
nope, the same, just mirrored in one and not the other.
Load More Replies...
#3
19 To 21
Useless Panda 7 years ago
The 17 pic looks a bit like Walter Koenig when he played Chekov in Star Trek TOS(If you don't know what that means then you won't understand the rest of the post. By the way, why are you even reading this comment to this point? I could be writing in Gobbledegook for all you care, what are you doing with your life, and why am I writhing this?).
#4
In 25 Months. Found A True Before Pic, Face Gains, Mission Goal Weight In 2018
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
So beautiful! You found the woman within! You have the look of a woman self assured! And look great!
#5
4 Years Between The Photos. Used To Really Dislike How I Looked But Slowly And Bit By Bit I Started To Treat Myself A Lil Nicer, Didn't Realize The Difference Till I Saw It Like This
RaroaRaroa 7 years ago
I agree. Her face hasn't changed, just the hair and make up.
Load More Replies...
#6
11-21. My Dad Used To Call Me Ugly Betty, And I Took It As A Compliment
Amaranthim Talon 7 years ago
It's actually a reference to an old TV show- the actress was really quite pretty in real life, they just had her in some horrible get-ups. So her dad calling her that could be a compliment as in he knew how beautiful she truly was. At least I truly hope so! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805669/
Load More Replies...
#7
13 And 30. They Used To Make Fun Of Me For Coding. Now I Get Paid For It
Michelle Dodson 7 years ago
Those eyes! And I happen to think beards are really sexy. When I ordered my husband online (Mate1.com) that was one of the criteria.
#8
Grew Into My Chin... And My Ears... And Pretty Much My Whole Face (12yo Me Vs. 22yo Me)
Janetinabasket 7 years ago
Good Lord what God were you praying to???? You got a full blessing!
Jennifer Marshall 7 years ago
She looks so much like the actress Natalie Zea, from The Detour very pretty
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Adolescence is rarely kind--but she looks very cute in first picture--the hardest part of that photo is the braids!
#9
12 To 20. I Promise I Was Always A Girl
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
I LOVE your red hair! I am so jealous!! My cousins had red hair when I was young. Me, i only had blond hair and freckles, that disappeared, as I got older..UGH!!!
#10
What 10 Years Of Makeup, Self Esteem, And Effort Can Do To 2 Ugly Twins
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
You two, were not NOT ugly! Just young and unformed! It takes time to grow into your own personal beauty. And I believe every girl is beautiful. It just takes time. So, when the boys all say how ugly you are, it’s because they are ugly, not you! Mother Nature, has a way of making all faces into their own beauty!
Sardonic Scribe 7 years ago
You two were NEVER ugly! Just a more polished version of you both in the after! :D
#11
Age 15 To 21
#12
They Used To Call Me "Pretty" As A Joke
thebridget 7 years ago
The confidence now is what really shines through. Your natural hair especially adds to that. So gorgeous!
#13
17-23. No One Calls Me Bieber Anymore
Magdalina777 7 years ago
Is it weird if I like first one more? Second just looks like classical boring barbie style which 7/10 modern girls seem to try to turn themselves into. First looks more...whole. Though of course it's whatever makes her happy.
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Nobody calls her anything, but gorgeous!! Drop dead gorgeous!!! Wow!
#14
I Think 16 To 21
Nini 7 years ago
Eh... I think she was prettier at 16... That weight loss cannot beat her dazzling smile.
#15
From Sundaes To Runways. I Grew Up Quite A Bit From 17 To 21
John L 7 years ago
Cherie, I disagree. His jawline does not conform to the Golden Ratio of Φ = 1.618. https://www.intmath.com/numbers/math-of-beauty.php . This is a natural law that is hard and firm throughout nature. Even the ancient Greeks understood it well. Several individuals come to mind immediately: Audrey Hepburn, Angelina Joli, and Tom Cruise are right at the top. GoldenRati...78241e.jpg 
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
Your hair color, is amazing! I love red hair, and yours is spectacular!
Charlotte Brine 7 years ago
Literally NO ONE on here said they disliked his ginger hair...
Load More Replies...
#16
Lost The Weight But Damn I Miss That Hair
Jef Bateman 7 years ago
That first pic portrays a haircut scientifically designed to get the maximum amount of hair poking into your eyes at any given time.
Janina Prado 7 years ago
isn't that part of School of Hair Design curriculum ?
Load More Replies...
#17
Today At 25, I've Lost 120 Lbs And Put On Some Muscle!
#18
14 To 23. It’s Been An Awkward Decade For Me
RespectThePaiva 7 years ago
Oh. The classic "Whoopi Goldberg to Kerry Washington" transformation.
Jef Bateman 7 years ago
You seem bookish in the first, glamorous in the second. Which look better reflects your personality?
Bella Smith 7 years ago
Your look doesn't have to reflect your personality
Load More Replies...
#19
Early 20's To Yesterday At 30
#20
From 18 To 23. Who Knew A Jawline Would Be Hidden Under All Of That
#21
16 To 20. What A Difference 4 Years Make
#22
4th Grade Me & 22 Year Old Me. The Photographer Even Made Me Push My Glasses Up Because I Liked To Wear Them On The Tip Of My Nose
Cesi Baca 7 years ago
4th grade u looks like a pretty adolescent girl....no ugly duckling there.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
How old is 4th grade? there seem to be more than ten years in between these, which means the 'magic transformaiton' is simple growing up. It's normal to look a tad dorky as a child, Jeez.
Beth Arriaga 7 years ago
In the USA, fourth grade is usually age 10 give or take because of how birthdays fall.
Load More Replies...
Sarah Birrelle 7 years ago
A 10 year old shouldn't be called ugly!!! Aren't we better than calling kids ugly and talking about transformations when it's puberty and natural growth?? We can all find awkward pics of ourselves. Hate calling kids ugly
#23
My Friends Transition From 12 Pudge To 22 Year Old Stud (8th Grade - Postcollege)
#24
When You're So Homely You're Kind Of Cute. From 9 To 24
Grace Blair 1 month ago
She is pretty with a gorgeous cheekbone but go easy on the eyeliner. Your eyes are wide and stunning! No need to hide them!
Load More Replies...
Mica Pingaro 7 years ago
Omg you look like a combination of Christina Hendricks and Reese Witherspoon. Lol
Irene Lundrigan 7 years ago
What an ugly word "homely" is. You weren't homley, you were a kid. Self-esteem seems to be lacking in the "new you".
McKenna Rae 7 years ago
"Homely" is certainly no worse than straight up "ugly". I'm not sure based on my synonym how you'd gather that my self-esteem lacks because I was a goofy kid. I'm human just like anyone else - good days and bad :)
Load More Replies...
#25
14 To My 19th Birthday. Grew Up A Little Bit
Poor unfortunate soul 7 years ago
I was thinking the same thing, he’s gotta be like seven.
Load More Replies... 
#26
17 To 19 In 6 Seconds
#27
16 To 23. I Was A T-Shirt, Baggy Jeans, And Scowl Face Kind Of Girl. My Mom Saved A Lot Beautiful Clothing For Me
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
I love that your mom did that for you! She knew you’d turn out wonderfully!
#28
17 To 22. My Hair Doesn't Look Like A Bad Wig Anymore
#29
Twenty Years Later. Still Need The Big Glasses
#30
?-14-18-26
#31
From Headgear Girl With 4 Bangs To Teacher Miss Morgan. To All Former And Current Ducklings: Keep Smiling!
Sierra Batten 7 years ago
Your teeth are beautiful now because of all that head-gear lol! Sorry you had to put up with that mess!
Echo 7 years ago
I had head gear, besides being crazy looking. It really hurt. My headaches from it were brutal. Worst off. I found out it could have been avoided by just removing a tooth instead. Darn army dentists.
Load More Replies... 
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
Head gear was the worst! I had it for two years! And had to wear a chin strap at night.Ugh.
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
I feel for you. I had to wear braces (bands, we're talking train tracks, it was that long ago) for five full years. the head gear was a thing, the elastics...everything. .... getting them off was the second happiest day of my life. And all the people who harassed and bullied me? I never gave them the time of day afterwards...and a couple of them begged.
#32
I'd Like To Think The Past 9 Years Have Been Kind To Me. From 15 To 24
#33
12 To 21. Weight Loss And A Set Of Braces Later, I Am Still An Insecure Person, But I Feel Much More Comfortable In My Body
Jennifer Marshall 7 years ago
Insecurity is a hard issue to conquer. Just keep being good to yourself, you deserve it
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
Don’t feel insecure! Stand up and claim yourself! Be secure within and it shows on the outside! You are worth it! Know it and own it!
#34
15, Awkward And Rejected By All My Crushes To 22, Dating The Love Of My Life For 2,5 Years (And Much Happier)
#35
I Guess A Lot Happens In 3 And A Half Years
#36
15 To 21. I Was That One Kid In High School Who Still Had A Roller Backpack
Nicole Shim 6 years ago
wow you looked very young in high school! you looked like you could be in middle school, like 6th grade!
#37
14 To 26. I Was So Proud Of That 'Moustache'
Liesa Yopp 7 years ago
I can handle the gauge way more than that awful pants below the a*s trend >..>
Load More Replies... 
#38
14 To 24
Echo 7 years ago
Or that kid from The Office (the American version). What was he an intern I think.
Load More Replies... Nicole Shim 6 years ago (edited)
24??? he looks like hes 38. hes still gorgeous though. but definitely does not pass as 24.
Jef Bateman 7 years ago
You have almost a Hugh Grant look in the first one. Hugh Grant with a little American Bandstand thrown in.
#39
14-24 My Best Friend (Left) And I (Right). Thanks Puberty
#40
15 To 21 My Former Bullies Have Asked Me Out Not Even Realizing We Went To The Same School For Four Years!
#41
In Grade Two, I Looked Like A 40 Year Old Librarian With 6 Cats At Home
Sharon Lucas 7 years ago
The little librarian was cute, and your self-description made me lol.
#42
3rd Grade - Now
Madison Taylor 7 years ago
I'm pretty sure we were all a little uglier when we were 8.. This is not an "Ugly Duckling" story. You simply grew up.
Catalina Salvatierra 7 years ago
I actually LOL'd at this one <3 3rd grade picture is amazing!
#43
My Boyfriend Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person (16 To 21)
#44
14 To 21 Transformation. Indian Peter Griffin To Überdoüche
Nini 7 years ago
Lol from blurry to auto focus xD I see more improvements in technology I'm so sorry x'D
#45
12 Vs 19. Never Got Taller, But I Got Contacts And Lost A Bunch Of Weight
Gwinevere von Ludwig 7 years ago
doesn't seem like you really needed to lose a bunch of weight...
chachkimooch 7 years ago
You're gorgeous in the right hand pic, but you're also super cute in the left hand one!
#46
10 To 26
Akash Purkait 7 years ago
Now that's a transformation! i initially thought the left one was a boy
#47
Crippling Tomboy Stage 12 To 20
Friedlander Rosenzweig 7 years ago
From “Sporty” Spice to “Posh” Spice...either way she’s a superstar!
#48
I Always Knew Deep Down I Was A Blonde (12 Vs 15 Vs 20)
Echo 7 years ago
It doesn't wipe that, "I might kill you in your sleep." smug look off her face though.
Load More Replies... 
Poseidon Cheez 7 years ago
I hate that people use all this make up, you look fine just as you are
#49
19 To 26. Lost Weight, Figured Out A Hairstyle I Liked
#50
I Didn’t Do Anything Special, But I’m Not Ugly Anymore
Jenny Lorenz 7 years ago
Maybe what the special thing was, was weight loss. Looks good either way to me.
#51
11 To 25 - It's Always The Hair (Standard Asian Bowl Cut)
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
I had the bowl cut from babyhood till I was five! And I’m not Asian, but my mom cut my hair!, it was cute though!
#52
7ish To 25, That Hair Cut Is A Crime Against Humanity
#53
Puberty Is So Kind
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Why do people compare themselves to their 12 or 13 year old selves??? Weird back-in-time bodyshaming.
Ben Smith 7 years ago
I think it's the progression into adulthood. No one is body shaming anybody.
Load More Replies... John L 7 years ago
Puberty is such a wonderful thing, isn't it? Most of the overweight children suddenly put on that spurt that soon propels them into adulthood. I remember watching my friends and neighborhood kids change before my eyes, and always leave me in the dust. I did not enter puberty until almost, and I was so happy to join my friends. But you know what? The later one enters puberty the longer they maintain their youthfulness. And at 73 it is nice to have others tell me, "You don't look a day over 55". http://class1967.citadelalumni.org/K/Kelly_JL/Kelly_JL.html
Juana 7 years ago
Sadly, no one creates a post for how they look at 22 vs at 42 or 62 after life has happened. Enjoy your looks while they last, people. It's fun to be attractive but doesn't determine your worth as a human.
Hari Onago 7 years ago
"There's more to life than being really really ridiculously good looking" - Derek Zoolander.
Load More Replies...
Ben Fellowes 7 years ago
WHAAAAT!!! People grow up and are no longer awkward, underdeveloped children!!!! You don't say!!!!!!
Julie Julie 7 years ago
Sure some lost weight and grew into their ears/noses/chins/etc. But how much of this difference comes to confidence and a better camera angle? Bodies change through puberty, but what makes the difference is how we learn to live in our bodies and treat ourselves well.
Rixster 7 years ago
While some of these are just genuine portraits of people growing into themselves, the bulk of these seem to be a PSA on the dangers of narcissism and self-indulgence. As human beings, we should be proud when we make changes that result in better health and better overall appearance. But the real goal should be to become better people. Half the people in these photos are doing purposeful sad-face just to look "sexy". If that's what your life is post-transformation -- one prolonged pose for adulation -- then it's no stretch to say your life had more value when you were ugly. I'm not exactly breaking new ground here, but appearance is fleeting. So if it's not a stepping stone for you to live a fuller, better, and more happy life, you're wasting it. IJS
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
If you don't want to look your best, by all means, quit bathing if that's what it takes to make you happy. ... Looks MATTER. No one is going to pay attention to a word you say if you don't take care of yourself. I'm not even talking about glamour, here, just looking YOUR best, whatever that is.
Load More Replies...
Lu 7 years ago
The power of change - I think here we have examples of pretty good looking people transforming themselves from the outside. What we don't see is a positive internal journey for most...that everyone can go through. Finding that exercise regimen, or some activity that boosts their self confidence.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Why do people compare themselves to their 12 or 13 year old selves??? Weird back-in-time bodyshaming.
Ben Smith 7 years ago
I think it's the progression into adulthood. No one is body shaming anybody.
Load More Replies... John L 7 years ago
Puberty is such a wonderful thing, isn't it? Most of the overweight children suddenly put on that spurt that soon propels them into adulthood. I remember watching my friends and neighborhood kids change before my eyes, and always leave me in the dust. I did not enter puberty until almost, and I was so happy to join my friends. But you know what? The later one enters puberty the longer they maintain their youthfulness. And at 73 it is nice to have others tell me, "You don't look a day over 55". http://class1967.citadelalumni.org/K/Kelly_JL/Kelly_JL.html
Juana 7 years ago
Sadly, no one creates a post for how they look at 22 vs at 42 or 62 after life has happened. Enjoy your looks while they last, people. It's fun to be attractive but doesn't determine your worth as a human.
Hari Onago 7 years ago
"There's more to life than being really really ridiculously good looking" - Derek Zoolander.
Load More Replies... Ben Fellowes 7 years ago
WHAAAAT!!! People grow up and are no longer awkward, underdeveloped children!!!! You don't say!!!!!!
Julie Julie 7 years ago
Sure some lost weight and grew into their ears/noses/chins/etc. But how much of this difference comes to confidence and a better camera angle? Bodies change through puberty, but what makes the difference is how we learn to live in our bodies and treat ourselves well.
Rixster 7 years ago
While some of these are just genuine portraits of people growing into themselves, the bulk of these seem to be a PSA on the dangers of narcissism and self-indulgence. As human beings, we should be proud when we make changes that result in better health and better overall appearance. But the real goal should be to become better people. Half the people in these photos are doing purposeful sad-face just to look "sexy". If that's what your life is post-transformation -- one prolonged pose for adulation -- then it's no stretch to say your life had more value when you were ugly. I'm not exactly breaking new ground here, but appearance is fleeting. So if it's not a stepping stone for you to live a fuller, better, and more happy life, you're wasting it. IJS
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
If you don't want to look your best, by all means, quit bathing if that's what it takes to make you happy. ... Looks MATTER. No one is going to pay attention to a word you say if you don't take care of yourself. I'm not even talking about glamour, here, just looking YOUR best, whatever that is.
Load More Replies... Lu 7 years ago
The power of change - I think here we have examples of pretty good looking people transforming themselves from the outside. What we don't see is a positive internal journey for most...that everyone can go through. Finding that exercise regimen, or some activity that boosts their self confidence.
Related on Bored Panda
