Watch: Ryan Lochte Claps Back at “Clowns” Saying He’s “Unrecognizable” With New Hair Transformation
Ryan Lochte can’t believe the splash he made.
When the Olympic swimmer announced his new role as a coach for Missouri State University’s swim team this week, he also shocked fans with his dark hair transformation—and the public’s reaction to his new look certainly surprised his girlfriend Molly Gilliham.
“My phone is blowing up with everyone saying that nobody recognizes you,” Molly confessed in a May 14 Instagram video. “Baby, they say that you don’t look the same at all.”
Ryan, however, was unbothered by the response that he was unrecognizable, especially as they were comparing the new pic of him to a far older one.
“Oh, so they’re taking a picture of when I was working out every day, getting makeup put on me for photo shoots,” he said. “Back in [the] 2012 Olympics. We’re in 2026. What’s that, 14 years?”
“I mean, to be unrecognizable. I don’t get it,” Ryan continued. “They’re all clowns. Like, come on.”
The 41-year-old added on his Instagram Story, “I guess aging is frowned upon? What’s happening lol.”
But Molly never saw any issue with how Ryan looks now, telling him in the video, “I love you. You’re my handsome baby.”
Harry How/Getty Images; Ryan Lochte/Instagram
And clearly the couple’s romance is flowing just fine as Ryan—who is dad to Caiden, 8, Liv, 7, and Georgia, 2, with estranged wife KaylaLochte—announced in January that he had moved in with Molly—and her three children from a previous relationship—after 10 months of dating.
“I fell in love with someone who shares those same values and who has three children of her own,” the gold medalist told People. “Together, we’re a family of six kids. She’s my best friend, our kids have formed an incredible bond, and it became clear that being together under one roof was the right next step for all of us.”
That’s why Ryan and Molly made the move as they plan for their future together.
“We needed a bigger home to support our blended family,” he added. “And we’re focused on creating a loving, stable environment for all of our children.”
For a look at more celebrities who have switched up their looks through the years, keep reading.
Raymond Hall/GC Images; Instagram/Carrie Underwood
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Sami Sheen/Instagram
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images / Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images; Instagram/Jason Momoa
Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las Vegas/Instagram/NBC
Instagram / Chris Pratt / Matt Baron/BEI
John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images; Jun Sato/WireImage
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Instagram; TikTok
Instagram / Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Clifton Prescod/Bravo/Charles Sykes
Instagram / Hailey Bieber
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/Araya Doheny/FilmMagic
Sean Zanni/WireImage/John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images
Kylie Jenner / Instagram
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images/Pierre Suu/Getty Images
Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images for Bulgari/Prodip Guha/Getty Images
TikTok / Jessica Biel
Instagram / Megan Fox
Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
Emma McIntyre / Getty Images for Baby2Baby / Instagram / Demi Lovato
Kelly Osbourne/Instagram
Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Homeboy Industries / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images/Neil Mockford/WireImage
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for FRAME/Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
Megan Fox/Instagram/Dimitris Giannetos/Instagram
James Gourley/Getty Images/Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Elle Fanning / Instagram
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