Woman given ‘make-under’ on Snog Marry Avoid? now looks completely different
It's no secret that reality TV during the early to mid-noughties was truly like the Wild West.
Home to the golden era of Big Brother, brutal X Factor auditions, fights between families on Wife Swap and Jo Frost dealing with hordes of unruly children on Supernanny, this particular generation of TV saw programmes which would never in a million years air in 2026.
This includes BBC Three's Snog Marry Avoid?, a series which focused on transforming a bunch of Brits into more natural versions of themselves with a good dose of public shaming.
One person to feature on the series was Sophie Bow, a content creator @sophiebowsfashion who was labelled a 'Yeti Headed Bonkers Barbie' by the show's POD (Personal Overhaul Device) before receiving her 'make-under' when she appeared on the show 14 years ago.
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Now 33, Sophie revisited the long-forgotten series on her TikTok account, watching the episode back to see if she was able to 'survive the cringe'.
Revealing that she'd actually forgotten about the episode, Sophie said: "14 years ago I went on the show Snog, Marry, Avoid and honestly I'd forgotten I even went on the show."
For anyone who didn't catch teenage Sophie's episode, the TikToker was described as an 'aspiring glamour model' and walked into the POD wearing a bedazzled bra, short shorts and hip-length bright blonde extensions.
After being told that 93 percent of the public would 'Avoid' her, Sophie underwent a make-under to turn her into a 'Sophisticated, Sexy Siren' – so where is she now?
Like the rest of us, Sophie looks completely different to how she did at the age of 19, with the fashion influencer now sporting a much more natural shade of blonde and more subtle make-up.
'I remember it being an amazing experience but also embarrassing at the same time'
Despite describing the episode as being 'embarrassing' at the time, Sophie admitted that it was overall an 'amazing experience' which had 'changed the direction' of her life.
"I remember it being an amazing experience but also embarrassing at the same time," she said.
Reflecting on the make-under she was given in a separate post, Sophie admitted that she had been 'terrified' at the time.
"Looking back now, I can't believe how different I look, it's crazy," she said. "At the time I was terrified."
How Snog Marry Avoid? helped Sophie's career
While the series has since been looked upon more critically in recent years - because why are we shaming people over how they decide to dress themselves? - Sophie appeared to consider her experience as an overall positive one.
"I would say appearing on telly back in the day definitely helped my career," she said in another post.
Sophie also revealed that her episode led to several other TV offers, even a spot on the first-ever series of Love Island.
"After being on that show, I did actually get casted for the first-ever Love Island but I was in a relationship. I've always been in a relationship so I never went on the show," she said.
Sophie then opened up about how dealing with anxiety had impacted her career, adding: "There have been so many opportunities that I actually did miss out on - throughout my life because I do have anxiety - I suffer badly with anxiety.
"I don't really know what triggered it but I do get quite bad anxiety. Even to this day I get asked on brand trips or anything outside my comfort zone, if I'm not going with somebody I can't."
The most memorable Snog Marry Avoid? make-unders
Jodie Marsh
The glamour model-turned-bodybuilder appeared on the show in 2009 and had her signature look of heavy eye makeup and bleach-blonde hair transformed into a softer palette with a questionable mousy brown do.
Hannah
The Pod brutally described Hannah, who loved her fake tan and loud colours, as looking like a bit of 'old furniture'.
Thankfully, she seemed thrilled with her toned down make-under, declaring it as 'really nice'.
Mel
Mel's punk aesthetic made a complete U turn when she appeared on the show, going from Sex Pistols x1000 to something much softer.
"I can't believe how nice everyone says I look," she said after showing off her transformation to friends and family.
Geisha
After 95% of the public savagely said they'd avoid Geisha, her theatrical make-up and wardrobe were swapped for a much more chic look that highlighted her natural features.
After this, 70% of the public said they wanted to snog or marry her.
Ross
This self-confessed Barbie was given a completely au naturel make-under, ditching the bleached hair extensions and gold lipstick for a clean and polished look.
Brenna Cooper