Austin Richard Post wasn't always the face-tattoed, guitar-smashing stadium filler we know today. If you look back at the early 2010s, you’ll find a skinny kid from Grapevine, Texas, wearing high-school sports jerseys and playing Minecraft. He was just a guy with a guitar and a dream that felt light-years away from the "White Iverson" fame that would eventually swallow his life whole.
The transformation of Post Malone before and after his rise to supersticial stardom is more than just a change in aesthetics. It’s a case study in how a human being handles the crushing weight of global fame while trying to stay grounded. He didn’t just change his clothes; he changed his entire physical identity, piece by piece, tattoo by tattoo.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look at the old photos.
No ink on the face. No "Always Tired" under the eyes. Just a kid who liked Bob Dylan and heavy metal, trying to figure out if he belonged in the rap world or the country world. Most people don't realize he actually started in a heavy metal band called Ashley’s Arrival. He even auditioned for the band Crown the Empire back in 2010, but his guitar strings broke during the audition. Imagine that. If those strings hadn't snapped, the Post Malone before and after timeline might have looked like a career in Warped Tour screamo instead of Billboard-topping hip-hop.
The Physical Evolution: From Clean-Cut to Heavily Inked
When Posty first dropped "White Iverson" in 2015, he had braids and maybe a couple of small tattoos. He looked like a guy who had just moved to LA and was soaking up the culture. But as the years rolled on, the ink started to spread. It wasn't just a style choice. Post has been very open about the fact that the face tattoos often came from a place of insecurity. He told GQ back in 2020 that he didn't like how he looked, so he decided to "put something cool on there" to boost his confidence.
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It started with a smiley face and a Playboy bunny. Then came the "Stay Away" over his eyebrow. Then the gauntlet and flail on his jawline.
By the time the Beerbongs & Bentleys era hit in 2018, the Post Malone before and after contrast was jarring. He had become a living canvas. Critics used to give him a hard time, calling him "dirty" or "homeless-looking," but he leaned into it. He became the poster child for a generation that stopped caring about traditional "clean-cut" celebrity standards.
But then, something shifted again.
The 60-Pound Weight Loss Journey
If you’ve seen him on tour recently, specifically in 2024 and 2025, you probably noticed he looks... well, a lot thinner. For a while, the internet was actually worried. People were speculating about his health, wondering if he was "on something." He had to take to Instagram to clear the air, explaining that he started eating better so he could be around longer for his daughter.
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He basically cut out soda. That was the big one.
"Soda is so bad. It’s so good, but so bad," he told Joe Rogan during an episode of the JRE podcast. He reportedly dropped about 60 pounds just by changing his diet and being more active on stage. The Post Malone before and after weight loss photos are pretty startling when you compare them to his 2019 "Hollywood's Bleeding" era where he was much heavier. It’s a reminder that even when you’re one of the biggest artists on the planet, fatherhood changes your perspective on longevity.
Moving to Utah and Finding Peace
You can't talk about the change in his life without talking about the move. Posty left the Los Angeles chaos for a massive compound in Utah. This was a pivotal moment in the Post Malone before and after narrative. In LA, he was surrounded by "vampires"—people who just wanted a piece of his success. In the mountains of Utah, he found a place where he could just be Austin.
He owns a house that doubles as a survivalist bunker. Seriously. He’s into the whole "end of the world" preparedness thing, which is very on-brand for him.
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This move coincided with a shift in his music. He moved away from the trap beats and started embracing his folk and country roots more heavily. His latest projects feel more "him." They aren't trying to chase a radio trend; they feel like a guy sitting on a porch with a Bud Light and an acoustic guitar. The swagger is still there, but the desperation for approval has vanished.
Addressing the Misconceptions
People often think Post Malone "sold out" or that his look is an act. It’s actually the opposite. The Post Malone before and after transition shows someone who became more themselves as they got richer, not less. He didn't conform to what a pop star should look like. He didn't get veneers and a six-pack. He got more tattoos, grew out his hair, and started wearing cowboy boots.
There’s also this weird rumor that he’s always "on something" because of his twitchy stage presence. He’s addressed this multiple times, explaining that he’s just passionate and that he’s actually in the best health of his life. Seeing him perform "I Had Some Help" with Morgan Wallen shows a version of Post that is clear-eyed and genuinely happy, a far cry from some of the darker, more anxious interviews he gave around 2017.
Actionable Takeaways from Post’s Evolution
Looking at the Post Malone before and after story provides a few genuine life lessons, regardless of whether you’re a fan of his music:
- Own your aesthetic: Post changed his appearance to feel more comfortable in his own skin, despite what the "traditional" world thought. If face tattoos make you feel better, that's your prerogative—though maybe start with something smaller than a buzzsaw.
- Small health changes yield big results: Dropping soda and sugary drinks was the primary driver for his 60-pound weight loss. It proves you don't need a radical, unsustainable fad diet to see a physical transformation.
- Environment dictates mindset: Moving from the toxic social circles of Los Angeles to the isolation of Utah allowed him to focus on his mental health and his family. If your surroundings are draining you, change them.
- Longevity over short-term hype: His transition into country and folk music shows the importance of evolving your "brand" to match your actual interests as you age. Don't get stuck doing what worked five years ago if it doesn't fulfill you now.
The reality is that Austin Post is still the same guy who loves Olive Garden and professional wrestling. The only difference is that now, he has the resources to live exactly how he wants. The Post Malone before and after journey is less about a "glow-up" and more about a "grow-up." He found a way to survive the meat grinder of the music industry by leaning into his eccentricities rather than hiding them. He's healthier, he's a father, and he's finally making the music he likely wanted to make back in Grapevine, Texas.