Sheboygan native talks about life 20 years after 'The Swan' reality TV makeover

SHEBOYGAN - With raising a family, coaching soccer and renovating houses, South High graduate Kelly Berdyck's life looks different than it did 20 years ago when she was a contestant on Fox's controversial reality television show, "The Swan."

The show ran for two seasons, taking cohorts of women deemed "ugly ducklings" through extreme makeovers. Half of the group continued to a culminating beauty pageant. The winner was crowned "The Swan."

The highly rated show received mixed reception, some criticizing it for not promoting body positivity while offering major surgical procedures as a solution to personal issues. Others have praised the show and expressed gratitude for the opportunity. Past contestants have been both critical and supportive of the show.

For Berdyck, now 45, going on "The Swan" was transformational. She said she was teased for her looks when she was in middle school. She didn't talk with her parents or siblings, Alicia and Derek, about what was happening. She became shy and reserved.

"I had braces, I had acne," she said. "I was the kindest person, but I was bullied."

Berdyck struggled with insecurity and low self-esteem into her early adult years. Being one of 16 contestants on the first season of "The Swan," she underwent an extreme makeover, with therapy, personal training, dental and cosmetic surgery. Contestants have the chance to accept or refuse the suggested procedures.

Though contestants weren't allowed to see family or friends or their own reflections for three months, Berdyck said she had an overall positive experience. She became more outgoing and confident after the show, going out with her then-boyfriend dancing and to parties. With therapy, she developed resiliency.

"You're going to encounter lots of people that are going to have their own views, their own opinions, and I've learned that not everyone's going to like you," Berdyck said.

The show claimed about $250,000 was allocated per contestant for procedures and appointments which Berdyck was grateful for because she didn't have the necessary funds as a 25-year-old.

Berdyck disliked how the show clipped certain situations once making it appear her boyfriend now husband Eathan wasn't supportive of her decisions on the show. She said she felt the pageant which was a surprise to contestants in the first season "pitted" the women against each other too.

"We were never spiteful towards another girl," Berdyck said. "We just had such a tight group."

She thought the pageant was the most controversial aspect not necessarily plastic surgery procedures with some women receiving nose jobs veneers restorative treatment tummy tucks liposuction.

"Viewers are seeing these women being dramatically changed," Berdyck said."And I think we all turned out dramatically changed."