Before They Were Famous: Photos of Your Favorite HGTV Stars

Before they were our favorite home and design gurus, HGTV stars were normal people, too. In fact, they were so normal that they, like the rest of us, couldn’t escape particularly cringe-worthy moments of growing up. And, thanks to the stars’ senses of humor and #tbt, we get a glimpse into those days. Here’s a look back at some of the most adorable (and awkward) moments captured in time by HGTV hosts like Chip and Joanna Gaines and Genevieve Gorder.

She may have been a bit disheveled from recess and missing her front tooth in this early class pic, but Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines still couldn’t hide how adorable she was.

Joanna and her sisters were cute, cute, cute as kids! So it’s not surprising they’re all gorgeous today.

Joanna shared a rare red lipstick moment from the day she and Chip first opened Magnolia Market.

Everyone’s favorite shiplap-obsessed couple looks every bit as in love now as they did on their wedding day in 2003.

Rehab Addict’s Nicole Curtis had spirit to spare, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.

To be 10 years old, Curtis had one heck of a sense of fashion.

This photo of Genevieve Gorder as a 16-year-old exchange student in Spain is major throwback #squadgoals.

Aww, baby Genevieve was downright adorable.

Drew won the entire internet when he posted this Stranger Things-style throwback pic.

Third brother JD is sporting some super-’90s-grunge-era hair here, and you know, we don’t hate it.

Bagpipes? Check. Bum Equipment brand jeans? Check. A photo Jonathan Scott’s family will use to troll him for the foreseeable future? Check!

Frosted tips, a soul patch, and a look of existential angst? If this isn’t a circa ’90s glamour-dude shot, we don’t know what is, Drew.

Drew and Jonathan are giving off some serious Harry Connick, Jr. vibes here.

We’re fairly certain Drew’s hair weighed more here than his dumbbell did.

Between the ride and the skinny ties, who could resist these young studs?

The year was 1978, and Divine Design’s Candice Olson was owning a full-on Farrah Fawcett hairdo.

Carter Can’s Carter Oosterhouse is hardly recognizable without his signature long hair.

I think it’s pretty clear that good looks run in this family, eh? Nice romper, Oosterhouse!

Is it just us, or does Flip or Flop host Christina El Moussa literally look the same now as she did when she graduated high school?

Overalls, fringe bangs, and a huge phone? Yep, El Moussa was a total ’90s girl.

It doesn’t matter how far you go back; the Novogratzes of Home by Novogratz never take a bad picture. Ever.

As if there was ever any doubt, Cortney and Robert have been rockin’ the whole marriage thing since day one.

My Lottery Dream Home’s David Bromstad getting a circa ’90s perm is the best thing we’ve seen all week.

If you need further proof Bromstad is your spirit animal, please refer to him at 17 years old wearing ripped jeans, an oversized sweatshirt and surrounded by beanie babies.

This style can best be summed up as “disco baseball.”

Bromstad doubled down on the denim for his senior portrait, and we are here for it.

Property Virgins’ host Egypt Sherrod sure could rock some braided pigtails.