Teen Mom stars' transformations through the years
Getty Images Since MTV's 16 And Pregnant aired its first episode in 2009, we've watched the show's titular cast graduate to Teen Mom and become full-fledged reality TV stars. They've gone from teenagers feuding with their parents to parents feuding with their kids. A lot can change in nearly a decade (especially when plastic surgery comes into play).
Being a teen mom isn't easy, and MTV managed to portray the nittiest, grittiest parts of their struggle. There's no denying these young mamas have been through the ringer — from dealing with mental illness, addiction, and death, to feuding with baby daddies and grappling with a sick kid. Throughout their tenure as MTV royalty, the women of Teen Mom have blossomed both inside and out because of their hardships.
While Jenelle Evans' commitment to controversy has outlasted most of her cast mates' relationships, stars like Catelynn Lowell prove that teenage love can endure and mature as long as you remain committed to bettering yourself. From Amber Portwood's dramatic weight loss to Chelsea Houska's hair journey, MTV has show us that their Teen Moms are a work in progress (and we wouldn't change a thing).
Farrah Abraham was 'Botched'
Getty Images Farrah Abraham is arguably Teen Mom's plastic surgery poster child, a role she doesn't necessarily mind as long as it helps spread awareness. According to People, the star made an appearance on E!'s Botched after a bad reaction to a lip implant sent her to the hospital.
"Admitting that I messed up on something that I love to do was a little harsh for me to confront at first," she told People. "But I think it was good to share my story because it was on national headlines and news, so I wanted to show others so they don't have the same complications."
Since rising to fame as a single mama in MTV's 16 And Pregnant, Abraham has transformed into a sex symbol, who occasionally dabbles in the world of adult film. According to Hollywood Life, the star has gone under the knife numerous times, including having three breast procedures, lip fillers, implants in her nose and chin, "two vaginal rejuvenation surgeries," and a "butt tightening." As of 2017, an anonymous source who spoke to the gossip rag claimed an additional breast augmentation and butt implants may be on the MTV star's horizon, though she might have alternatively settled on some butt injections. As People reports, the star posted a video of the posterior procedure on Instagram in 2018. Was it part of her celebrity boxing training? Only time will tell.
Amber Portwood would rather "feel normal than be skinny"
MTV / Getty Images When Amber Portwood said she got a "mommy makeover," she really got a mommy makeover. The Teen Mom star underwent a major transformation both inside and out. In an essay for Women's Health, the star admitted she "got up to 180 pounds" while pregnant with her first daughter Leah, and struggled to keep off weight after starting treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.
"I kept up with the meds because I'd rather feel normal than be skinny," she wrote. "I feel healthy on my prescription, and I'm going to do what I have to do to stay healthy."
Portwood's diagnosis triggered a total lifestyle change. The star, who had previously lost around 40 pounds on a diet in 2015, admitted she couldn't give up carbs and sugar for the rest of her life. Apparently, she just loves "mac and cheese" — and honestly, who can't relate? Instead, Portwood focused her efforts on "eating healthy, fresh foods," controlling her portions and getting her heart rate going. She paired her dieting with a gym regimen that included 30 minutes on a stand-up bike or elliptical.
By 2017, Women's Health reported the Teen Mom star was almost at her goal weight thanks to "a healthy eating plan" and a newfound MMA hobby. According to The Daily Mail, Portwood also admitted to having plastic surgery, including a breast lift and some contouring. She gave birth to a second child, a baby boy, in May 2018.
Catelynn Lowell's transformation came from within
Catelynn Lowell has come a long way since she made the painful decision to give up her daughter Carly for adoption in 2009's 16 And Pregnant. The star has certainly graduated to a more glamorous sense of style, and admittedly, one of her previous haircuts dangerously erred on "can I speak to a manager" territory (even if she totally pulled it off). Perhaps her biggest transformation came from within.
Despite cheating rumors, Lowell and her middle school sweetheart Tyler Baltierra have been hailed by E! as Teen Mom's "most enduring couple." As a child, Lowell bounced around to 13 different homes with her mom, while Baltierra saw his father Butch cycle in and out of prison. The two found stability in each other and remained bonded ever since, but struggled as Lowell battled "severe postpartum depression and anxiety." People reports the MTV star has been in and out of treatment since 2016 for "suicidal thoughts" and "childhood trauma." Baltierra has remained by her side every step of the way.
"Even after 12 years, I continue to be AMAZED by her strength, vulnerability, & courage to get help … 'As long as I am alive, you will never be alone,'" he shared on Twitter (via E! News).
In September 2018, Us Weekly reported that the dedicated couple was expecting their third child after suffering from a miscarriage.
Maci Bookout is a reality TV survivor (in more ways than one)
Since Maci Bookout first rose to fame on 16 And Pregnant, the star has grown out her hair, gotten some more tattoos (just look at that sleeve) and adopted tough-as-nails attitude. In fact, the star took on one of TV's toughest reality challenges — Discovery Channel's Naked And Afraid. In the series, two contestants must strip down and survive in the wilderness for 21 days without the comforts of Whole Foods and cell phones. Honestly, it sounds horrible, and then you consider all of the bugs.
The Chattanooga-raised Teen Mom star appeared on the series in 2018 and even managed to start a fire without the help of a Google search. Unfortunately, In Touch Weekly reports that she tapped out during the second day.
"The entire process of Naked and Afraid (training/attempting) did change my life," she tweeted. "My perspective [and] outlook is so much healthier than I could have imagined." She later added that "even though [she] didn't complete the challenge," she was "proud of [herself] for trying something completely terrifying and out of [her] comfort zone."
While Bookout may not be much of a survivalist, In Touch reports that she's "a public speaker and a published author," which is no small feat. Look at this mama go.
Jenelle Evans called it quits on her weight loss journey
Jenelle Evans may have undergone a dramatic weight loss transformation, but one thing about the star has never changed: she's a magnet for controversy. By 2015, Evans racked up a collection of 15 mugshots. In 2018 alone, the Teen Mom 2 star allegedly brandished her gun during a road rage incident, found herself embroiled in a custody battle with ex Nathan Griffith, was accused of taking food from hurricane victims in need, stirred up trouble after posting a bikini throwback photo, and was cleared of "criminal wrongdoing in a child abuse investigation," according to TMZ. And that's not even including her issues with MTV.
Regardless of the controversy, it's hard not to notice that Evans is a changed woman. According to In Touch Weekly, the star has admitted to receiving "lip and cheek fillers" — but her body transformation was all about hard work. In a 2015 Twitter reply, the star admitted she skipped out on protein shakes and opted for a low carb diet at the time that included "only water to drink, chicken/steak, veggies, cardio, and home workouts." She eventually chilled out on the strict regimen in 2016.
"Anyone can work hard enough to get the body they deserve," she told Instagram alongside a photo of her dramatic transformation. "If they work hard enough for it. Honestly to everyone out there, I backed out. I'm staying the way I am."
Was Kailyn Lowry dumped over plastic surgery?
Getty Images / Instagram According to The Daily Mail, Kailyn Lowry's dramatic transformation may have contributed to her split with ex-husband Javi Marroquin — that or his alleged trust issues and her unfortunate miscarriage. In 2016, the Teen Mom 2 star went to Miami where she allegedly received "liposuction, a tummy tuck and a Brazilian butt lift" while her hubby was stationed in Qatar. Marroquin reportedly told Radar Online, "I knew her surgery would change her."
As it turns out, Lowry sang a totally different tune when it came to their split – one that has nothing to do with her butt. The star's memoir Hustle & Heart (via In Touch Weekly) painted the picture of a relationship plagued by trust issues. Though Lowry claimed to have "done nothing to make [Mirroquin] doubt [her]," he allegedly insisted on unlocking her phone and constantly calling her while she was out with friends. The star's miscarriage complicated things even further.
According to The Daily Mail, Lowry claimed Marroquin was "a different person" who was "mean" to her after losing their unborn child. He allegedly owned up to initially blaming the star for the miscarriage before he was deployed.
Chelsea Houska when from Myspace to married
When Chelsea Houska started her journey on MTV, she appeared to be plucked straight from MySpace. The Teen Mom 2 star's blonde, choppy cut was a scene queen's dream. After filtering through some over-the-top blonde and brown 'dos throughout the years, Houska's deep, steamy red, feels surprisingly understated when paired with a wedding dress.
Like most of us who went through a high school scene phase, Houska has suffered from some admittedly regrettable beauty blunders (Hey, who didn't overpluck their brows at some point in their youth?).
"Looking at pictures from high school today just really made me grateful for eyebrow fillers," Houska wrote in an Instagram post. "No comment on the tongue piercing."
In addition to switching up her style, the star underwent a massive weight transformation. She gained around 50 pounds while pregnant with her second child Watson Cole, but was 10 pounds thinner than her pre-pregnancy weight by 2017 thanks to a strict, low-carb diet. The star took a healthy approach to her third pregnancy and gave birth to daughter Layne in August 2018.
Leah Messer is growing with her twins
Leah Messer has had a notably difficult ride on Teen Mom 2. The MTV star was the first 16 And Pregnant cast member to deliver twins, and had to grapple with worries that one of her daughters, Aliannah, was "legally blind" and might "never walk properly," according to Hollywood Life. After suffering from developmental delays, Aliannah was diagnosed with "a rare and incurable form of muscular dystrophy," according to In Touch Weekly.
Thankfully, Ali has since taken her first steps, and Leah seems to be a whole new woman. The star ditched her chunky highlights and mom-cut in exchange for long, shiny locks. She's also made every effort to better her mental health (the most important transformation of all). According to The Daily Mail, the star temporarily lost primary custody of her twins to ex-husband Corey Simms in 2015 and spent a 30-day stint in rehab dealing with anxiety and depression. Though she shares three beautiful children with her two ex-husbands, the star admitted she's a little embarrassed of her marital history.
"I guess they say you know when you know and in past relationships, I knew I should've said no," she told Twitter. "I wasn't where I'm at today though."
Cheers to constant self-improvement.
Briana DeJesus got a plastic surgery makeover after her breakup
Like her fellow Teen Mom cast mates, Briana DeJesus knows her way around a transformation. According to People, the MTV starlet underwent a "major plastic surgery makeover" after giving birth to baby number two. The star's procedures included "a tummy tuck, a breast lift, and reshaping and contouring on her butt." She took to Twitter to show off her results.
"Can't wait to hit the gym next month," she wrote (via People), adding, "No more big boobs either," "Skinny Minnie at it again" and "no more big butt," alongside photos of her new figure.
The mommy makeover came after the star's split with Javi Marroquin, who was married to fellow Teen Mom star Kailyn Lowry. In an exclusive statement released to Blasting News, DeJesus claimed Marroquin didn't support her plastic surgery plight, so he cut her loose. Bizarrely enough, this aligns with the claims that plastic surgery contributed to his split with Lowry.
"Javi and I are not together anymore," DeJesus said. "Our future just doesn't line up. He doesn't want me to get my surgery for a breast lift, lipo, and tummy tuck (which I'm doing in two weeks) because it'll look bad on his name at work. Also, I don't plan on moving in with him in the summer and for these reasons, he broke up with me."
Girl, you do you.
Bristol Palin went from Alaska to Hollywood
Bristol Palin — yes, that Bristol Palin — has found TV fame like her mama. No, it didn't involve a vice presidential campaign and infamous impression by Tina Fey. Instead, the starlet took a hint from her mother's series Sarah Palin's Alaska and dove into the world of reality TV. According to TMZ, Palin joined Teen Mom OG after Farrah Abraham was fired for her work in the adult entertainment biz, being "way too difficult" or both.
Teen Mom isn't Bristol's first foray into television. Aside from Sarah Palin's Alaska, the star appeared in the short-lived reality series Bristol Palin: Life's A Tripp in 2012. That same year, she competed in Dancing With The Stars, where she debuted a fit new body.
"I'm just more active and I cut all the crap out of my diet," she told Us Weekly (via Glamour). "It's that simple!"
Today, the mother-of-three has made every effort to lead her children by example (even if that means indulging in detox teas, which help her avoid energy drinks and diet soda).
"I've been trying to set a better example for my kids by making healthier decisions with fitness and diet," she wrote on Instagram. "I have been avoiding sweets and sugary drinks, but it can be so hard for me and my sweet tooth." 'Ain't that the truth.