Celebrities who looked almost unrecognisable after their 2021 transformations

From Rebel Wilson to Chrissie Swan and Michael Clark, Australian celebrities shocked us with some of their inspiring transformations throughout the year.

Here's our pick of some of the most memorable ones from 2021.

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Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson started her 'Year of Health' in January 2020 and almost two years on, she is celebrating losing about 35kg and has a new outlook on life.

"Found this old photo in my emails and was like: whoa! I remember this was when I was at my most unhealthiest - being overweight and indulging way too much with junk food," Rebel said in her Instagram post in August.

Rebel was referring to a photo taken with Novak Djokovic during a difficult period when she was "using food to numb my emotions".

"My father had passed away of a heart attack and it was such a sad time," she said.

"I didn’t think highly of myself and wasn’t valuing myself how I should have."

All about self love

"I look back now at that girl and am so proud of what she’s become and achieved ... and just wanted to send out some encouragement to everyone out there struggling with weight or body issues or emotional eating," Rebel said.

"I feel you.

"But it’s never too late to start improving yourself and trying to be the best version of YOU possible.

"It’s not a race and it’s not a competition - it’s about respecting yourself and doing what’s best for YOU."

Another key to her success, according to her personal trainer Jono Castano, was that she made long-term lifestyle changes.

"I'd say her consistency has been the most important thing," he told Yahoo Lifestyle.

Meshel Laurie

Podcaster and comedian Meshal Laurie reveled in her 2017 book, Buddhism for the Unbelievably Busy, that she had chosen surgery to transform.

"I decided to undergo weight-loss surgery (gastric bypass) in late 2016, and I’m so glad I did," she wrote.

"Yes, it’s embarrassing to have to go to that length to rein my body in, but I’d rather be embarrassed than unable to walk.

"In a way, I feel lucky to have had such clear signals from my body that I needed to turn my health burner back on, when I still had time to do something about it."

Her transformation may have begun in 2016, but her glow up this year hasn't gone unnoticed by fans.

"You look 12! What’s your secret?" one of her followers said on her Instagram post with Professor Richard Bassed.

"I was thinking the same! Looking so young Meshel," another added.

"Some people light us up don’t they?" Meshel replied.

Indeed they do Meshel!

Mark 'The Beast' Labbett

With his six-foot, six-inch (198cm) stature, heavy build and surname which, in French, sounds like "beast", it is understandable The Chase expert Mark Labbett was nicknamed "The Beast".

After shedding an incredible 63 kilos, he may need a new nickname.

"This is the lightest I’ve been in 25 years," he told The Sun in March.

"I'm now under 20 stone (127kg), and I am really feeling the difference, as well as seeing it.

"My knees really feel the difference.

"I will never be athletic again, but I just move so much better for not carrying that extra weight."

The catalyst for his healthy change was catching COVID last year. He lost his sense of smell and taste - and his appetite.

After recovering, he upped his exercise and saw the weight come off. The changes didn't go unnoticed.

"When did The Beast from The Chase turn into an absolute dreamboat?! Mark’s had the glow-up of the century," comedian Jack Whitehall tweeted.

Chrissie Swan

Since shooting to fame in the 2003 season of Big Brother, fans of reality star, turned radio personality, Chrissie Swan have watched her transform.

Melbourne's lockdowns encouraged Chrissie to give up alcohol and up her step count, with stunning results.

"I’ve never done anything about [exercise], until now," she revealed on Instagram regarding her new walking regime.

"Learning how to meditate kicked it off for me and I realised, after the first 10-minute block, that it was the first time in ages I’d stopped and slowed down, with my own wellbeing top of mind,

"I don’t put any pressure on myself, but I walk somewhere most days – sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for an hour, sometimes three little walks, sometimes none!"

Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke opened up to Men's Health magazine after undergoing their 12-week challenge and showing off his incredible results.

"I’ve always been quite fit, but as you can see from the before photo, I was still carrying a bit," he said.

"When you stop doing something that got you out of bed every single day, when you lose that structure and routine, you lose a lot – and I’ve seen people go downhill in those circumstances, physically and mentally," he said of his retirement.

"Trying to stay fit and healthy post-retirement was partly a defence against that.

"When I hit 40, something told me that I wanted to be fitter and healthier than I’d ever been."

Clarke teamed up with celeb trainer Jono Castano for the 12 weeks, but he's continuing to use what he learned in the gym.

Casey Donovan

Casey Donovan was flung into the limelight at the tender age of 16 as the youngest winner of Australian Idol.

Her success on stage and with her music has continued. Since the pandemic struck, Casey has tried to use her time wisely and, like many others, get healthier.

She admits it's sometimes hard work.

"It’s not easy," the performer said on her social media account.

"Some days I wake and go, ‘I’m not going for a walk today'.

"But it’s about getting up and pushing yourself and knowing that it’s okay if you don’t get out there and go for a walk - do better tomorrow or the next day.

"Be kind to yourself. I find that a lot of people haven’t been too kind to themselves during the lockdown, and reach for the biccies and the chips.

"But for me, it’s been nice to be able to get out there and exercise and take in the fresh air and enjoy the small things in life, which we’ve now been given the opportunity to do."

For all the little things she's been doing, she looks fabulous!

Jules Robinson

Married At First Sight contestant Jules Robinson revealed all about her epic transformation on her Instagram account.

"It was my own kinda lockdown, working non-stop from home and (a) full-time mum. It happens! Familiar story right!" she wrote on social media.

"I have lost weight and now I’m back to my pre-pregnancy weight," she revealed on Instagram.

"I had help with @jennycraigausnz and it was so easy and ideal as a busy working mum.

"The postpartum quest back to your body for me was about patience, celebrating what my body just did and still rocking all outfits."

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