Ryan Seacrest Looks SO Different Now–It’s Scary!

Ryan Seacrest shared a hilarious throwback on Instagram this month, shocking his followers with just how different he looks. The photo, taken while Seacrest was enjoying a camping trip, shows a younger version of the now-famous American Idol. In the time since the photograph, Seacrest has lost weight and traded in his thick glasses for contacts – and the difference is very noticeable.

Check out the photo below:

Fans loved the post. One wrote, “So many of us would be too shy to post past pictures of us during our awkward childhood days. It’s awesome that you truly own every stage of your life!” Another commented, “Did you ever think at that age you’d be so famous by now lol. Adorable.”

By the time Seacrest was heading to prom, however, he looked much closer to the talk show host we’re used to seeing.

Seacrest has previously talked about his transformation during an interview with Men’s Journal. They asked, “Recently you chose to reveal that you were overweight growing up. Why?”

Seacrest explained, “I can’t remember how or why it came up, but it was a reality when I was growing up—I remember it vividly. Like going swimming and not taking off my shirt before jumping in the pool because I was a chubby kid, or going to shop for the first day of school and being in the husky jeans section at Marshall’s. I do remember that feeling of growing up and being a little bit overweight. I also remember at times being teased about it and because of that it’s still in my brain.”

He continued, “I never want to feel that way again, and that motivates me to strive hard for balance without cutting anything that I truly enjoy, but while also knowing I can’t have it all the time. As a kid, I would go home—my mom didn’t always know I was doing this—and I’d sneak in and make a plate of nachos on a cookie sheet. I’d lay the cheese on top with some jalapenos and crank the oven up to broil, just to get the cheese brown. I did that on a regular basis. I definitely think that remembering how I felt back then drives me to stay fit as an adult.”