Celebrity High School Photos: Stars Explain Their Teen Years

Like everyone else, celebrities had to march through those awkward high school days, too. And although fans might assume they were all beautiful, popular, and played the lead in all the stage productions, you’d be surprised to learn that wasn’t exactly true.

In fact, many stars like Debra Messing and John Stamos considered themselves the complete opposite of “popular.” Watch the video to find out how they described their teenage selves.

We know what you’re probably thinking: On what planet is Grace from Will and Grace an ugly duckling? But it’s true. When the 48-year-old was named as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People in 2002, she initially balked at such a flattering title.

“Being voted ‘one of the most beautiful people in the world’ is very meaningful – especially to a dorky teenager who thought she was the ugly duckling,” she said in 2015. “Although, of course, not as meaningful as winning an Emmy.”

MUST SEE: See What Reese Witherspoon, John Stamos, and More Stars Looked Like as Teenagers

Obviously, these days her self-esteem is top-notch.

“It’s taken me years and years and years to finally own my differences and to love what’s different about me,” she said in 2017. “My entire career I’ve been swimming in that pond, where it’s like, ‘Oh no, you don’t look right’.”

Check out the gallery below to see what other stars looked like while they were in high school.