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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!

#1

Lost 50kg (110lbs) In 18 Months After A Rugby Injury, Started Rowing For My University, Got My Msc In Mathematics

Lost 50kg (110lbs) In 18 Months After A Rugby Injury, Started Rowing For My University, Got My Msc In Mathematics

Teddyzander Report

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Katinka Min
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, this is not just make-up and better lighting. Holy! O.o

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Kim Lorton
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Congratulations! You look like a man now not a young man! Very attractive man!

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Lucida
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This transformation is one of the best I've ever seen. He is one of the best looking guys I've ever seen. And he wasn't even fat before, just chubby.

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Roxy Hebb
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you sure this is the same guy? In the after picture, his eyes are more deeply set, his nose is thinner, and his lips are fuller. Unless he had plastic surgery, I don’t believe it is the same guy.

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Edward small
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, I am still the same person, haha Journey: https://m.imgur.com/a/LV0X0 Made the above photo thread when people wanted more proof on the original Reddit thread

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#2

I Don't Even Look Like The Same Person Anymore. 17 To 22

I Don't Even Look Like The Same Person Anymore. 17 To 22

SkrtMcgrt Report

#4

In 25 Months. Found A True Before Pic, Face Gains, Mission Goal Weight In 2018

In 25 Months. Found A True Before Pic, Face Gains, Mission Goal Weight In 2018

eckitis Report

#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

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

Khodg Report

#6

11-21. My Dad Used To Call Me Ugly Betty, And I Took It As A Compliment

11-21. My Dad Used To Call Me Ugly Betty, And I Took It As A Compliment

Chief-_-Queef Report

#7

13 And 30. They Used To Make Fun Of Me For Coding. Now I Get Paid For It

13 And 30. They Used To Make Fun Of Me For Coding. Now I Get Paid For It

CodeSamurai Report

#8

Grew Into My Chin... And My Ears... And Pretty Much My Whole Face (12yo Me Vs. 22yo Me)

Grew Into My Chin... And My Ears... And Pretty Much My Whole Face (12yo Me Vs. 22yo Me)

Brithoward Report

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#10

What 10 Years Of Makeup, Self Esteem, And Effort Can Do To 2 Ugly Twins

What 10 Years Of Makeup, Self Esteem, And Effort Can Do To 2 Ugly Twins

corgiboat1 Report

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#12

They Used To Call Me "Pretty" As A Joke

They Used To Call Me "Pretty" As A Joke

jessthechipper Report

#13

17-23. No One Calls Me Bieber Anymore

17-23. No One Calls Me Bieber Anymore

mgxsonny Report

#15

From Sundaes To Runways. I Grew Up Quite A Bit From 17 To 21

From Sundaes To Runways. I Grew Up Quite A Bit From 17 To 21

jacobyflynn Report

#16

Lost The Weight But Damn I Miss That Hair

Lost The Weight But Damn I Miss That Hair

dazofsmeg Report

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Jef Bateman
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That first pic portrays a haircut scientifically designed to get the maximum amount of hair poking into your eyes at any given time.

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#17

Today At 25, I've Lost 120 Lbs And Put On Some Muscle!

Today At 25, I've Lost 120 Lbs And Put On Some Muscle!

Captainjoe201 Report

#18

14 To 23. It’s Been An Awkward Decade For Me

14 To 23. It’s Been An Awkward Decade For Me

cocoamilky Report

#19

Early 20's To Yesterday At 30

Early 20's To Yesterday At 30

7fingersphil Report

#20

From 18 To 23. Who Knew A Jawline Would Be Hidden Under All Of That

From 18 To 23. Who Knew A Jawline Would Be Hidden Under All Of That

habaroa Report

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#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

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

SultrySloth Report

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Cesi Baca
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

4th grade u looks like a pretty adolescent girl....no ugly duckling there.

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#23

My Friends Transition From 12 Pudge To 22 Year Old Stud (8th Grade - Postcollege)

My Friends Transition From 12 Pudge To 22 Year Old Stud (8th Grade - Postcollege)

CheatingCheetos Report

#24

When You're So Homely You're Kind Of Cute. From 9 To 24

When You're So Homely You're Kind Of Cute. From 9 To 24

EvilNeutrality Report

#25

14 To My 19th Birthday. Grew Up A Little Bit

14 To My 19th Birthday. Grew Up A Little Bit

fakechowprodigy Report

#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

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

resetgo Report

#28

17 To 22. My Hair Doesn't Look Like A Bad Wig Anymore

17 To 22. My Hair Doesn't Look Like A Bad Wig Anymore

GingaNinja98 Report

#29

Twenty Years Later. Still Need The Big Glasses

Twenty Years Later. Still Need The Big Glasses

MillerTime56 Report

#30

?-14-18-26

?-14-18-26

lordofthebubbles Report

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Bored Fangirl
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I think you look awesome in every one of your pictures.

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#31

From Headgear Girl With 4 Bangs To Teacher Miss Morgan. To All Former And Current Ducklings: Keep Smiling!

From Headgear Girl With 4 Bangs To Teacher Miss Morgan. To All Former And Current Ducklings: Keep Smiling!

Treklow Report

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Sierra Batten
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your teeth are beautiful now because of all that head-gear lol! Sorry you had to put up with that mess!

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#32

I'd Like To Think The Past 9 Years Have Been Kind To Me. From 15 To 24

I'd Like To Think The Past 9 Years Have Been Kind To Me. From 15 To 24

camel33 Report

#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

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

cosmichick Report

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Fee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're so cute, in both pictures. Never feel insecure.

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#34

15, Awkward And Rejected By All My Crushes To 22, Dating The Love Of My Life For 2,5 Years (And Much Happier)

15, Awkward And Rejected By All My Crushes To 22, Dating The Love Of My Life For 2,5 Years (And Much Happier)

PizzaDickOrDickPizza Report

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Kiss Army
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You two look so cute together! Congrats on finding happiness!

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#35

I Guess A Lot Happens In 3 And A Half Years

I Guess A Lot Happens In 3 And A Half Years

misscomputed Report

#36

15 To 21. I Was That One Kid In High School Who Still Had A Roller Backpack

15 To 21. I Was That One Kid In High School Who Still Had A Roller Backpack

lajoyaaa Report

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Nini
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You were already cute back then, I don't see any difference...

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#39

14-24 My Best Friend (Left) And I (Right). Thanks Puberty

14-24 My Best Friend (Left) And I (Right). Thanks Puberty

j03ll3 Report

#40

15 To 21 My Former Bullies Have Asked Me Out Not Even Realizing We Went To The Same School For Four Years!

15 To 21 My Former Bullies Have Asked Me Out Not Even Realizing We Went To The Same School For Four Years!

gravityandgrrace Report

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Mel
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the same experience. Transformed then the boys that were mean, started flirting and asking me out. Rejected! Good job girl!

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#41

In Grade Two, I Looked Like A 40 Year Old Librarian With 6 Cats At Home

In Grade Two, I Looked Like A 40 Year Old Librarian With 6 Cats At Home

3rdaccountidk Report

#42

3rd Grade - Now

3rd Grade - Now

JimThorpe918 Report

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Madison Taylor
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#43

My Boyfriend Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person (16 To 21)

My Boyfriend Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person (16 To 21)

mathecatical Report

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Nini
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. A smile can change everything. And it's free to top it off 😁

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#44

14 To 21 Transformation. Indian Peter Griffin To Überdoüche

14 To 21 Transformation. Indian Peter Griffin To Überdoüche

WaffleNida Report

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Nini
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol from blurry to auto focus xD I see more improvements in technology I'm so sorry x'D

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#45

12 Vs 19. Never Got Taller, But I Got Contacts And Lost A Bunch Of Weight

12 Vs 19. Never Got Taller, But I Got Contacts And Lost A Bunch Of Weight

pastafucker87 Report

#49

19 To 26. Lost Weight, Figured Out A Hairstyle I Liked

19 To 26. Lost Weight, Figured Out A Hairstyle I Liked

mangodroplet Report

#50

I Didn’t Do Anything Special, But I’m Not Ugly Anymore

I Didn’t Do Anything Special, But I’m Not Ugly Anymore

Imgur Report

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#51

11 To 25 - It's Always The Hair (Standard Asian Bowl Cut)

11 To 25 - It's Always The Hair (Standard Asian Bowl Cut)

pers3phone Report

#52

7ish To 25, That Hair Cut Is A Crime Against Humanity

7ish To 25, That Hair Cut Is A Crime Against Humanity

tall_pale_blonde Report