TLC Stars Who Are Unrecognizable Today

Over the years, TLC has featured some of reality television's most iconic public figures, outrageous episodes, and wild transformations. From shows like "My 600-lb Life" and "Say Yes to the Dress" to "Little People, Big World" and "90 Day Fiance," it seems like TLC really does have a show for everyone.

Not only have the programs on TLC given audiences years of entertainment, but they've also shown how families, contestants, and individuals have evolved and changed on screen. For example, the sextuplets from "Jon and Kate Plus 8" are now adults, the Duggar family has grown even larger, and the child contestants featured on "Toddlers & Tiaras" are now of legal drinking age. Where did all that time go?

To that end, have you ever wondered what the stars of TLC look like today? Did Kate Gosselin ever change her haircut? Did the stars of "My 600-lb Life" maintain their weight losses? Without further ado, here are the TLC stars who are unrecognizable today.

TLC's Kate Gosselin grew out her 'Karen' haircut

The OG TV mother of eight, with one set of twins and one set of sextuplets, is none other than Kate Gosselin. Along with her husband, Jon Gosselin, Kate made her way into the homes of TLC fans in 2007, and quickly became the subject of viewers' praise and criticism due to both her parenting style and her "snipping" relationship with Jon. 

From the start, Kate's asymmetrical pixie cut became part of her brand. In fact, she told Entertainment Weekly in 2009 that her iconic cut was an extension of her attitude. "Everybody wants it," she proclaimed. 

Fast forward to today, and Kate Gosselin has raised eight kids, divorced her husband, and grown out her iconic "Karen" haircut. She's almost unrecognizable from her early days on reality TV. Additionally, Kate Gosselin's dramatic transformation continued when she returned to the screen in 2019 with long locks, this time as the star of her own TLC spin-off "Kate Plus Date," a show dedicated to her dating life that lasted one season. Nevertheless, the TLC star shares updates on her life and family on social media.

TLC kids Mady and Cara Gosselin from Jon & Kate Plus 8 are college graduates

Twins Cara and Mady Gosselin were just 7 years old when "Jon and Kate Plus 8" premiered on TLC in 2007. Unfortunately, their parents were publicly criticized for both their relationship and their parenting, and ultimately got divorced. Following the split, Cara and Mady continued to star alongside their mother in the spin-off "Kate Plus 8," where we watched them grow into teenagers.

After the series ended in 2016, Cara and Mady stepped away from the public eye. The twins eventually started college and settled into relatively normal lives. "College feels like a place to blend in, and I feel like we haven't really had much of a chance to [do that]," Mady shared in an episode of "Kate Plus Date." "I don't want everyone to know my name and my business." She added that she and Cara aren't super attached, either, and that they chose not to go to the same college. 

Today, the sisters have completely transformed from little girls into bright, beautiful young women. Cara graduated college in 2023, earning a dual Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Economics. Mady also completed school and holds a degree in English textual studies. Today, Cara and Mady seem to be enjoying their privacy. As of this writing, the sisters have deleted all of their social media posts, thus erasing their digital presence.

Jessa Seewald, née Duggar, is busy growing her family

The Duggar family found fame when their TLC show "19 Kids and Counting" premiered in 2008. Jessa Duggar was only 16 in the first episode, though she took to television arguably well. But despite the success of the series, "19 Kids and Counting" was canceled in 2015 after it was revealed that Josh Duggar had sexually abused several young girls, including his sister, Jessa. He was arrested in 2021 and sentenced to prison for 12 years.

Today, Jessa is married to Ben Seewald and took his last name, distancing herself from her family moniker. She is also the mother of six children. Of course, Jessa and her husband plan to continue growing their family, revealing to People that they hope to adopt one day.

Jessa Seewald remains in the public eye thanks to her TLC spin-off "Counting On" which all but replaced "19 Kids and Counting" after its cancellation. However, her spin-off was canceled in 2021. The reality star stays active on social media for her fans, and often posts updates on Instagram and YouTube about her life, marriage, and children.

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

Josiah Duggar from TLC became a husband and father

The eighth child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Josiah Duggar was introduced to fans of "19 Kids and Counting" as a playful kid. However, his teenage years and early adult life were a bit dramatic. The reason? According to the Duggar family Facebook page, his first courtship with Marjorie Jackson ended in a breakup rather than a marriage, something almost unheard of in the Duggar house. 

Josiah went on to court Lauren Swanson the following year, which ended in marriage, but even then, he broke a family courtship rule: He was active on social media before he became engaged. 

Sadly, it wasn't long into his marriage that Josiah suffered heartbreak, as his wife's first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Despite the hardship, however, Josiah and Lauren revealed seven months later that she was pregnant again on their joint Instagram account. "As we rejoice of the life of our second sweet baby, we also remember ... our other sweet baby, Asa, in heaven," they wrote in the caption. The couple welcomed their daughter, Bella, in November of 2019.

Jana Wissmann, née Duggar, is no longer single

Jana Wissmann, née Duggar, was a teenager when TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" debuted. The show featured Jana, her 18 siblings, and her parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. For 15 seasons, the supersized family charmed viewers with their unique lifestyle and wholesome Christian values. The Duggars belonged to a strict church that imposed numerous rules, including one that forbade women and girls from wearing pants. As fans will recall, Jana and her sisters were required to wear full-length skirts at all times.

"19 Kids and Counting" was canceled in 2015, but the Duggar brand kept on rolling. TLC promptly released a spin-off, "Counting On," starring Jana's sisters, Jessa and Jill. Jana frequently appeared on the show, and her storylines often harped on the fact that she was still single in her mid-20s. When "Counting On" was canceled in 2021, Jana moved on from reality TV.

Since leaving TLC, Jana's life has changed significantly and she's now unrecognizable. No longer a single lady, Jana Duggar married her partner Stephen Wissmann in 2024. The following year, she announced her first pregnancy. Today, her childhood features are long gone and she carries herself with a mature, confident glow. Her wardrobe has also changed: now, she wears pants and has even been spotted in shorts. Although her reality TV days are behind her, Jana maintains a popular YouTube channel where she shares life updates with fans. 

TLC's Jeremy Roloff is a podcast host and an author

Jeremy Roloff, like other TLC teens, grew up on screen on his family's show, "Little People, Big World." Documenting the lives of his parents, Matt and Amy Roloff, who both have dwarfism, the series showed the daily challenges the family faced. It also featured Jeremy's twin brother Zach Roloff, who, like his parents, was born with dwarfism. 

For many seasons, Jeremy was an integral part of the show. Viewers even watched as he fell in love with Audrey Botti, and formulated his plans to propose to her. Then, over 2 million people tuned in to watch Jeremy and Audrey's wedding during the Season 8 finale, making it one of the show's most watched episodes.

In 2018, Jeremy announced that he, his wife, and his daughter were leaving the show. "A year ago I made the decision that this season would be our last," he explained in an Instagram post. "We will still be supporting the family as they carry the #LPBW torch onward." The couple has since launched a blog and a podcast, and have published a book as well. The couple have also welcomed four children.

Former TLC star Jacob Roloff is living his best life as a farmer

Jacob Roloff was just 6 years old when he began starring in the TLC hit "Little People, Big World." The series primarily centered on his parents, Matt and Amy Roloff, as they navigated work and family life while living with dwarfism. For 10 seasons, viewers watched Jacob transform from a scruffy-haired kid into a confident young man. Then, in 2016, he quit the show. Jacob opened up about his exit in a 2016 Instagram post, noting that the show's storylines were often manipulated or completely fabricated by the production crew. "For me, noticing how the agenda of the crew doesn't work well with the health & happiness of our family is what made me decide quite a while ago that I would not be a part of it," he wrote. 

The ex-reality star made good on his word, and now keeps a relatively low profile. After leaving TLC, Jacob got married, welcomed a son, and launched a farming business in his home state of Oregon. Today, Jacob is nothing like the wide-eyed kid we met on "Little People, Big World." He now sports a beard and a long, wavy mane, which he frequently ties into a ponytail. He seems to be living his best life, and his happiness is evident in photos. Jacob keeps in touch with fans via Instagram, where he shares personal updates and details about his farm.

Mama June Shannon from TLC became unrecognizable in front of our eyes

June "Mama June" Shannon quickly made a name for herself on "Toddlers & Tiaras." Her daughter Alana Thompson, who went by the moniker "Honey Boo Boo," was a standout on the show. However, so was her mother, who gained notoriety due to her quirks and sometimes questionable judgment. The mother-daughter duo went on to star in their own TLC spin-off show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," which documented the family's life after pageantry from 2012 until 2014. 

Since then, Mama June has continued to stay in the spotlight. She received unprecedented attention when she dropped 300 pounds as a result of gastric sleeve surgery, and revealed her new figure. "It's kind of crazy," she told People of her transformation. "A lot of people don't recognize who I am until I talk." That prompted yet another TLC spin-off show, "Mama June: From Not to Hot." Mama June has undergone a seriously stunning transformation.

Despite her cleaned-up image, Mama June made headlines again in 2019 when she was arrested for drug possession, but confirmed her sobriety on Instagram a year later.

Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson is studying to be a nurse

Six-year-old Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson became TLC royalty when she appeared on "Toddlers & Tiaras" in 2012. In one of the show's most iconic scenes, she famously declared, "The other girls must be crazy if they think they're gonna beat me, Honey Boo Boo child!" The rest was history. Thompson quickly became one to watch, thanks to her undeniable energy and sassy demeanor. Her charisma eventually landed her and her family a show, "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." The series premiered in 2012, and instantly was met with a chorus of criticism. It was eventually canceled in 2014, though Thompson would later appear on "Mama June: From Not to Hot."

Today, Thompson is nothing like the tiny firecracker that we met all those years ago. She's now a gorgeous, confident young woman with big plans for the future. Speaking to People in 2025, the former TV star revealed that she's living in Colorado and studying to become a nurse. "I just always told myself, you know, that you want to do something better with your life and bigger with your life than just being on TV," she explained. "So you've got to get up and go, you've got to graduate so you can make it to college and be the nurse that you want to be."

Although she's no longer a full-time reality star, Thompson still makes occasional TV appearances. In 2025, she starred in the biopic "I Was Honey Boo Boo," which aired on Lifetime.

TLC child model Taralyn Eschberger lives a normal life after Toddlers & Tiaras

Another breakout star from "Toddlers & Tiaras," Taralyn Eschberger was the red-headed beauty who dominated the competition. She was on the show from 2009 until 2011, and was also seen in "Little Miss Perfect," another pageant reality show. Taralyn racked up an impressive amount of titles during her tenure on the stage, including the Swimwear Modeling title in 2010 and the Child Model of the Year title the same year.

Taralyn's mother, Traci Eschberger, told "Fox and Friends" that her daughter's success wasn't planned; they'd stumbled into pageantry, and although she'd never imagined putting makeup or fake tan on her child, the tiny pageant queen took a liking to it. The mother-daughter duo also revealed that the family had spent about $100,000 on pageant costs.

Despite the successes that Taralyn achieved as a child, she went on to have a relatively normal adolescence and is unrecognizable today. The former TV star has grown out of her baby face, but she's still rocking a fierce red mane. Her Instagram page is a smattering of fashion, concerts, and vacations, proving just how much she changed since her TLC days. In February 2025, the former TLC alum celebrated her 21st birthday.

TLC star Tiffany Barker dropped over 250 pounds

At 28 years old, Tiffany Barker weighed over 600 pounds. Her story was documented on "My 600-lb Life," which started in a pretty dark place. "I'm at the point where I can't even get out of bed on my own," she said during her episode's introduction. 

While Tiffany had a rough journey ahead of her at the start, by the end of the show, she'd lost 258 pounds, 76 of which had come off since her gastric bypass surgery. Since her initial transformative experience, Tiffany has continued to share her weight loss progress with the public, often posting photos of her high-protein diet on Instagram. Tiffany also posts cute selfies that show off her slimmed-down physique, and gives her followers insights into her personal life

However, it's not always sunshine and roses for Tiffany, as she's had to remind people that just because they watched her episode doesn't mean they know everything about her. She also revealed that she and her boyfriend Aaron, who was featured on her "My 600-lb Life" journey, ended their relationship.

TLC trailblazer Jazz Jennings is all grown up

Jazz Jennings entered the spotlight in 2007, when she became one of the youngest transgender girls to publicly come out at 6 years old. She revealed to Barbara Walters on "20/20" that she always knew she was a girl, despite being assigned male at birth. Fortunately, Jazz's parents quickly expressed their support for their daughter's transition. "I'm going to be there for her, always," her mom said. 

Jennings is now a young woman, and has starred in the TLC show "I am Jazz" since 2015, which documents her everyday life. The show has also included details about her gender confirmation surgery. "Finally undergoing bottom surgery has allowed me to confidently flourish in my new body and dismantle any remaining gender dysphoria," she told The New York Times. "For the first time, my body fully reflected my soul — how I felt on the inside." 

Jennings has been an open book on Instagram, sharing everything including her scars, which she calls her "battle wounds." "We're all beautiful and unique and we just have to learn to embrace that," she wrote in the caption.

TLC's Melissa Morris completely transformed her life

What happened to Melissa Morris from "My 600-lb Life"? At the beginning of her weight-loss journey on TLC, she weighed 653 pounds, and was only 31 years old. "It's not like I set out to be the world's biggest lady," she shared during the introduction to her episode. "It just happened."

Fortunately, Melissa worked hard to shed pounds from the get-go, which qualified her for weight-loss surgery. She dropped even more weight after that, which rendered her unrecognizable from her peak size. Fast-forward to today, and Melissa is the mother of three kids — a dream come true for her — according to a post on her Instagram page. She's also blogged about her transformative experience. "Remember weight gain doesn't happen overnight, and neither do long-term changes," she wrote. "Concentrate on making one change at a time, and reward yourself for your progress, and before you know it you will be going where you want to be."

TLC's Tammy Slaton is unrecognizable after shedding 500 pounds

Tammy Slaton rose to fame in 2020 when she began starring in the TLC series "1000-lb. Sisters" alongside her younger sister, Amy Slaton. When the show premiered, Tammy weighed over 600 pounds and was struggling with numerous health issues. TLC chronicled her weight loss journey, which included plenty of setbacks. During Season 3, Tammy experienced a weight-related health crisis and had to undergo a tracheotomy. After recovering, the reality star recommitted to her health goals. In 2022, she had bariatric surgery, which triggered an extraordinary physical transformation. 

As of September 2025, Tammy has lost 500 pounds and is totally unrecognizable. "I'm feeling great!" she told People in 2023. "I'm thankful to be alive, and it's fun to be progressing as much as I am." After slimming down, Tammy completed her transformation with a face lift and skin removal surgery. In August 2025, the reality star replaced her broken front teeth with a set of pearly white dentures. Today, Tammy keeps a strong presence on Instagram, where she frequently shares insights on wellness, mental health, and self-love. 

Darcey Silva looks like an entirely different person after a myriad of plastic surgeries

Darcey Silva graced our television screens during Season 1 of "Before the 90 Days" alongside her then-boyfriend, Jesse Meester. The show chronicled their ups and downs — including their explosive break-up fight, which went down in history as one of the most dramatic moments in "90 Day Fiance" history. Fans couldn't get enough of Silva's tumultuous storylines, and she went on to star in several more "90 Day" spin-offs. Silva has never been shy about her love for cosmetic enhancements. In 2021, the TLC star underwent an all-out transformation that included breast implants, a rhinoplasty, liposuction, veneers, and a lip lift. Fans were stunned when Silva revealed her new look online, with many noting she looked like a completely different person. "I always forget how gorgeous she once was," one Redditor observed. "It's really terrible that she felt she needed to go this far." 

Despite the criticism, Silva doesn't seem to regret her cosmetic enhancements. The TV star continues to share her physical transformation on social media — which now includes a cheek lift, a fox eye lift, and numerous facial injections. In August 2025, Silva revealed she was already plotting out her next procedure. "Stacey and I were thinking of going a little smaller, maybe a size or two down, [with] our breasts," the reality star told Page Six. "We're really excited to continue to do more things and maybe go a little smaller in the boobs towards the end of the year."

TLC star Angela Deem had cosmetic procedures that left her looking like a new person

Angela Deem made her "90 Day" debut in 2018 and instantly became a staple on the franchise. When we first met her, the grandma from Georgia was engaged to her Nigerian sweetheart, Michael Ilesanmi. Their romance ended up being a drama-filled whirlwind that viewers couldn't resist. TLC captured all of their biggest moments, from their innumerable fights to their 2020 wedding. Ilesanmi moved to the United States in 2023, and things fell apart shortly thereafter. The couple separated in early 2024. 

From the beginning, Deem and Ilesanmi seemingly had the odds stacked against them. In addition to their vast cultural differences, the pair also dealt with a 22-year age gap, a fact that Deem was admittedly insecure about. As her storyline progressed, she pursued a more youthful look, starting with botox injections to combat wrinkles. In subsequent "90 Day" seasons, the TV star continued to overhaul her appearance by adding bariatric surgery, breast implants, a face lift, and veneers. Today, she's virtually unrecognizable with her slender body, pearlescent teeth, and smooth complexion.

Deem hasn't shied away from the fact that she gets work done; in fact, she openly embraces it. On her Instagram page, the reality star has shared numerous videos of herself receiving lip fillers and botox injections.

Larissa Dos Santos Lima was unrecognizable after going under the knife

Larissa Dos Santos Lima entered the "90 Day Fiance" franchise during Season 6 alongside her then-fiancé Colt Johnson. The couple eventually got married, but they split up after just seven months. Following their divorce, TLC tagged along as Lima continued living in the United States and dove back into the dating pool. However, Lima was fired from the network in 2020 after she started working for the adult entertainment company CamSoda. Lima's firing prompted her to join the ranks of TLC stars who've called out the network. In a now-expired Instagram story, she wrote (via InTouch), "I accepted this from the same network that has aired some felons and adult entertainers. The hypocrisy is mind-blowing."

Throughout her TLC stint, Lima was vocal about her enthusiasm for cosmetic enhancements. "90 Day Fiance" documented the beginning of her physical transformation, which included lip fillers, breast implants, and a rhinoplasty. Since leaving the show, Lima has continued to tweak her physical appearance, and many fans have noted that her face and body look totally different from her early days on TV. In 2025, the TLC star made headlines when she decided to downsize her breast implants. The surgery was documented on an episode of E!'s "Plastic Surgery Rewind." Speaking to E! News, Lima shared that the procedure was "one of the most liberating and healing decisions" of her life. 

TLC's Amber Rachdi became a social media star

Of all of the people to star on "My 600-lb Life," Amber Rachdi stands out. Before appearing on the show, they'd struggled to lose weight for years. At 5 years old, Rachdi weighed 150 pounds, and by age 16, they relied on a wheelchair. When the cameras started rolling, Rachdi was 23 years old and weighed 657 pounds. "When you let fear control your life, you end up at a place that's worse than what you were trying to avoid," they said.

Fortunately, Rachdi was able to turn their life around, and by the end of the season, they weighed under 400 pounds. Nowadays, they are slimmer than ever and completely unrecognizable. Their confidence has also seemingly skyrocketed. On social media, Rachdi shows off their creative side with makeup, fashion, and acrylic nails. In a 2024 Instagram post, the former TV star asked fans to stop speculating about their weight. "Let me rest," they wrote. "And also, as a human, I am allowed to gain and lose weight in peace. Weird thing to gossip about, y'all." 

Today, Rachdi keeps in touch with fans online, although they're not big on sharing details about their personal life. In 2016, the former TV star announced that they'd gotten engaged; however, they have since revealed they're single. 

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