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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

Cherie O
Community Member
8 years ago

those chiseled cheekbones....

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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

    MagicalUnicorn
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    from jack to lumberjack

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    #3

    19 To 21

    19 To 21

    MavrickOcean Report

    Panic!AtTheYeemo
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    ...god damn

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    #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

    ALIYAH ALLEN
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    she looks younger as well

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    #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

    Starr
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Awww she is cute in both I think

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    #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

    Danny Giusa
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    What a nice father.... NOT.

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    #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

    Starr
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Well then .... 😍

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    #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

    Elise Mon
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    wow !! stunning

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    #9

    12 To 20. I Promise I Was Always A Girl

    12 To 20. I Promise I Was Always A Girl

    GingerSnapplez Report

    Elise Mon
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    what a beauty

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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

    foxlover05
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Their shirts in the first pic...

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    #11

    Age 15 To 21

    Age 15 To 21

    kingqueefsalot Report

    Shruti Naik
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Well hot damn!

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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

    Juana
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    No one's laughing now!

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    #13

    17-23. No One Calls Me Bieber Anymore

    17-23. No One Calls Me Bieber Anymore

    mgxsonny Report

    Tiari
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Really pretty in both pics imo.

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    #14

    I Think 16 To 21

    I Think 16 To 21

    allysonbettie Report

    Ingrid Tsai
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    What a transformation! CONGRATS!

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    #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

    Cherie O
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    nice jawline and chin. very handsome

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Lost The Weight But Damn I Miss That Hair

    Lost The Weight But Damn I Miss That Hair

    dazofsmeg Report

    Jef Bateman
    Community Member
    8 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.

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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

    Kimberly Robinson
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    He looks a little bit like John Hamm.

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    #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

    Laura Zaini
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    you even look younger in the second pic, very very cute

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    #19

    Early 20's To Yesterday At 30

    Early 20's To Yesterday At 30

    7fingersphil Report

    Erin Sheppard
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    you turned into quite the cutie.

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    #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

    Sierra Batten
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Jawline for days....

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    #21

    16 To 20. What A Difference 4 Years Make

    16 To 20. What A Difference 4 Years Make

    mrnanovideos1 Report

    ALIYAH ALLEN
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    he looks like a super model

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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

    Cesi Baca
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Aud Wey
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Look at that curls! He is soooo cute!!

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    #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

    Shruti Naik
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    The first pic is awrsome!

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    #25

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

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

    fakechowprodigy Report

    HappyLilHobbit
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    you were 14 in the first pic? you look no older than 8

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    #26

    17 To 19 In 6 Seconds

    17 To 19 In 6 Seconds

    Imgur Report

    Mariah Paige Lillian Beane
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    HOLY S**T

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    #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

    Bella Smith
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Awesome changes it shows what goals can do!

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    #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

    Cherie O
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    And your makeup is gorgeous

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    #29

    Twenty Years Later. Still Need The Big Glasses

    Twenty Years Later. Still Need The Big Glasses

    MillerTime56 Report

    Scarpednoodles
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Those sure are some big...uhm.. glasses? Yeah, glasses.

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    #30

    ?-14-18-26

    ?-14-18-26

    lordofthebubbles Report

    Bored Fangirl
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Sierra Batten
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    CS Vulcan
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    There's something ultra-attractive about guys who care about wildlife.

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    #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

    Fee
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Kiss Army
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 years ago

    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

    Weslord
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Wow, you went from a baby to that in three years?!

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    #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

    Nini
    Community Member
    8 years ago

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

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    #37

    14 To 26. I Was So Proud Of That 'Moustache'

    14 To 26. I Was So Proud Of That 'Moustache'

    foggsville Report

    Petra Christovová
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    That thing in the ear though ...

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    #38

    14 To 24

    14 To 24

    MrWesterberg Report

    Carmen Elena
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Looks like Carlos Ponce.

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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

    Merilyn Horton
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    It just takes time

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    #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

    Mel
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Poseidon Cheez
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    why did this crack me up so much??

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    #42

    3rd Grade - Now

    3rd Grade - Now

    JimThorpe918 Report

    Madison Taylor
    Community Member
    8 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.

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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

    Nini
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Nini
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    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

    Gwinevere von Ludwig
    Community Member
    Premium
    8 years ago

    doesn't seem like you really needed to lose a bunch of weight...

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    #46

    10 To 26

    10 To 26

    finch_worm Report

    Friedlander Rosenzweig
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Fresh air and healthy lifestyle!

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    #47

    Crippling Tomboy Stage 12 To 20

    Crippling Tomboy Stage 12 To 20

    alexisstarr19 Report

    PyroarRanger
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    You're beautiful either way

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    #48

    I Always Knew Deep Down I Was A Blonde (12 Vs 15 Vs 20)

    I Always Knew Deep Down I Was A Blonde (12 Vs 15 Vs 20)

    ilovebubbles23 Report

    Attara Atari Ashioto
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    The wonders of fillers

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    #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

    PyroarRanger
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    Awesome! Slay!

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    #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

    Elise Mon
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    looks like SHIA LaBeouf

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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

    PyroarRanger
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    I had that Asian bowl cut too, you look stunning!

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    #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

    Ms. Understood
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    "Adventure is out there!"

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    #53

    Puberty Is So Kind

    Puberty Is So Kind

    sap27 Report

    Haylee Evans
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    wow

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