Melania's evolution from shy teen to modelling sensation

There was great euphoria among Republicans when it was revealed that their representative, Donald Trump, will return to the White House after four years. The eyes of the world are now on the President-elect as he celebrates his success with his closest ones. Internet users' attention was particularly drawn to a photo taken during a rally in Florida, showing the whole family but missing the most important woman in his life.

In the spotlight once again, Melania Trump will be under media scrutiny. For the businesswoman who is accustomed to the flash of cameras, it's no challenge. Even during her teenage years, she mastered the art of posing for photos while developing her modeling career.

The American with Slovenian roots was noticed by photographer Stane Jerko at not quite 17 years old during a fashion show in Ljubljana. Interestingly, teenage Melania showed no interest in developing a career in this area. She was there waiting for her friend, who, unlike her, was fascinated by work on the runways.

It was January 1987 when I went home just before the end of the fashion show. On the stairs of the Festival Hall, I saw a girl that immediately caught my eye. There stood a tall, slender and attractive long-haired girl with distinct eyes - the photographer recalled their first meeting in an interview with "Today."

Melania Knauss, as she was known before marrying the future president, was reluctantly persuaded by Jerko to participate in a trial photoshoot. Despite initial shyness, she quickly adapted, surprising everyone with her growing confidence on set. As the photographer noted, she began to take an interest in fashion not only from a designer's perspective. She eagerly expanded her knowledge about contemporary hair and makeup trends and observed how to set lighting properly during sessions. Over time, modelling became her life passion, leading to contracts with modelling agencies in Milan and Paris in later years.

Photos from the memorable year of 1987, which was a genuine breakthrough for her, have now found a second life on TikTok. Many commenters had difficulty recognizing Melania in archival frames.

I would never have recognized her; A completely different person; She looked completely different; No way, that's not her - incredulous internet users exclaimed.

Platform users compared her to, among others, Madonna from her early career days, singer Björk, and even... a young Joaquin Phoenix. Additionally, there are opinions that the 54-year-old woman now looks much better than during her teenage years.

Check out TikTok, where you can admire old photos of Melania.