The Most Gorgeous Celebrity Weight Loss Transformations Of 2018
Stars — they're just like us! Okay, maybe celebs aren't just like us, but they definitely share in some of the same struggles that us regular, non-famous folks deal with in our day-to-day lives. From getting ghosted, to losing a job, to literally coining the term "Britney 2007," celebrities have taught us time and time again that having fame and money does not equate to "having it all," whatever that really means. And just like us, plenty of stars have struggled with their weight and self-image. The only difference is that celebrities don't have the luxury of experiencing their gains and losses in relative privacy. Instead, they're often subject to the court of public opinion — and, well, that opinion is often more hurtful than helpful.
However, 2018 saw quite a few major celebrities take control of their health and experience some serious weight loss transformations. Better health is something we all can (and should) celebrate, right? So, in honor of a healthier, happier new year, here's a look at the most stunning celebrity weight loss transformations of 2018.
Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill burst onto the scene in the 2006 comedy Accepted, though he's better known for his role in the hilariously raunchy coming-of-age film, Superbad. Just like many of us non-famous folk, Hill's weight has fluctuated over the years. However, unlike most of us, the actor has experienced his gains and losses under the spotlight of the public eye. Hill, who sported a drastically slimmer figure throughout 2018, sat down with Ellen DeGeneres and revealed how the public's criticism of his weight has negatively affected his self-image.
"I spent most of my young adult life listening to people say I was fat, gross, and unattractive," Hill dished. "And it's only in the last four years writing and directing my movie, Mid90s, that I've started to understand how much that hurt and got into my head." Hill hasn't been very forthcoming about his recent weight loss, but since he was spotted boxing at a gym in Manhattan in late 2017, it's safe to say that the high-intensity sport has been a part of the actor's journey to a healthier self.
Mama June
The name June Shannon may not ring a bell in your mind, but if you fancy yourself a reality TV buff, the nickname "Mama June" likely does. Shannon, the mother of the unforgettable and endlessly quotable child pageant queen, Honey-Boo-Boo, revealed a dramatic weight loss in 2018 — going from 460 lbs to 160 lbs.
Shannon allowed the public to witness her incredible transformation in the reality show Mama June: From Not to Hot, in which she documented her gastric sleeve surgery, loose skin removal, and breast augmentation. However, Shannon revealed to People in early 2018 her secret to keeping off the pounds post-surgery and maintaining her stunning new figure.
"It's all about portion control for me," Shannon told the publication. "It's not easy to eat like your 'supposed to' and hit the gym all the time, but I'm just trying to maintain it the best I can." Shannon also told the magazine that she'll often sleep in until 1 p.m. to avoid eating breakfast. While that's certainly not recommended, we're happy if Shannon's happy.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson stole America's heart as the OG American Idol way back in 2002, and the girl has been killin' the game ever since. Not only has Clarkson consistently topped the charts with hits like "Stronger" and "Catch My Breath," successfully crossed over to the country music realm, and won The Voice twice in a row on her first two seasons as a coach — she's done it all while maintaining that down-to-earth, ultra-relatable persona that fans know and love her for.
However, as beloved as she is, not even Clarkson has been able to escape criticism from the public regarding her weight. After revealing a dramatically slimmer silhouette in 2018, Clarkson dished to TODAY host Hoda Kotb about her struggles trying to navigate a thyroid issue which emerged in 2006, revealing that she finally found something that works for her after reading The Plant Paradox by Steven R. Gundry.
"It's basically about how we cook our food, non-GMO, no pesticides, eating really organic," Clarkson said, adding that since changing her diet, she no longer has to take medicine to control her thyroid issue. You go, girl!
Kevin Smith
In February 2018, Kevin Smith suffered a major heart attack after performing a stand-up routine, an event that understandably rattled both the director and his fans. The funnyman took to social media to give an update on his health from the hospital, tweeting a selfie with the caption, "After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack. The doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka "the Widow-Maker"). If I hadn't canceled show [number two] to go to the hospital, I would've died tonight. But for now, I'm still above ground!"
Since the life-altering event, Smith has referred to his heart attack as "the best thing to ever happen to me," as the near-fatal health scare forced him to reevaluate his lifestyle. In August 2018, the Clerks director posted a photo on Instagram showcasing his dramatic weight loss, crediting Weight Watchers and Penn Jillette's book, Presto.
"This Weight Watchers ambassador is thrilled to announce that I'VE LOST 51 POUNDS," Smith captioned the photo, thanking his fans for their encouraging words of support. Here's hoping he has an even more healthy and happy 2019!
Missy Elliott
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott will always be an icon in our books. After all, we're talking about the girl who somehow looked amazing while dancing around wearing a literal giant black trash bag in the video for her hit "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)." We're looking forward to delighting in her hit-making presence for years to come — which is why we were thrilled to see that the artist has taken control of her health in 2018.
In May 2018, the "Gossip Folks" rapper took to Instagram to post a noticeably slimmer selfie and share her secret to losing and keeping off the extra pounds, revealing that it had been four months since she'd had bread or any beverage other than water. Elliott wrote that, though she's never been a water drinker, her new diet has restored her skin's natural glow, as well as kept her from feeling sluggish throughout the day.
This isn't the first time Elliott has opened up about her health. In 2011, the rapper revealed to People that she had been diagnosed with Grave's Disease in 2008, and was managing the autoimmune condition through diet and exercise. Work it, Missy!
Khloe Kardashian
Having such a bright spotlight for so many years has meant that Khloe Kardashian has often been subject to the court of public opinion, especially where her weight is concerned. In her series Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian (via Entertainment Tonight), the reality star revealed that she often felt inferior to her sisters, Kim and Kourtney, while growing up, calling herself "the chubby one" and admitting, "I was so insecure."
Kardashian experienced a major weight transformation in 2015 through diet and exercise and managed to keep an impressively fit figure for the years that followed. However, we're most impressed with the star's ability to get back into tip-top shape after giving birth to her daughter, True Thompson, in April 2018. In a blog post (via E! News), the new mom revealed that though she "didn't feel any pressure" to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy, she was eager to get back to her regular routine of working out "five to six times a week." In doing so, the Good American founder lost a whopping 33 lbs in only three months. You go, mama!
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey has been a star ever since she broke onto the scene in the 1980s, and the "Always Be My Baby" songstress only seems to get better with age. However, as talented and successful as she is, Carey has had her share of criticism from the public regarding her weight, which has fluctuated throughout her many years in the spotlight. Of course, Carey isn't one to ever let the critics keep her down for long. This diva always ends up on top — and as she proved in 2018, Carey is happier and healthier than ever before.
Though she underwent gastric sleeve surgery in late 2017, Carey managed to keep off the extra pounds throughout 2018, despite an emotional year of dealing with the aftermath of a broken engagement and settling into a new relationshipwith dancer Bryan Tanaka. A source revealed to Entertainment Tonight that, though Carey has often yo-yo dieted to poor results, the star placed less of a focus on dieting in 2018, and more of a focus on her mental health, happiness, and career. Judging by her fit figure and glowing skin, happiness suits the songstress well.
Mo'nique
During the majority of her time in the spotlight, Monique Hicks — better known to fans as simply Mo'Nique — has faced criticism regarding her plus-size figure. However, Mo'Nique, who broke into the industry as a stand-up comedian before scoring a starring role in the hit TV sitcom The Parkers and going on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Lee Daniel's heartbreaking Precious, never let the haters get her down. And if she did, the actress did a bang-up job of hiding her feelings from the rest of us.
Mo'Nique has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, often shying away from the public eye. So when the star posted an Instagram video in March 2018 revealing her dramatic weight loss, fans and critics alike were shocked. In the video, the funny lady excitedly announces that she weighs less than 200 pounds for the first time in her adult life, crediting eating well and "dancing [her] pants off" for helping her shed the pounds.
"Believe you can," the star captioned the video, encouraging her followers to also take control of their health.