Erika Kirk's Face Transformation Is Wild To See In Side By Side Pics

Erika Kirk — the wife of the late political activist, podcaster, and influencer Charlie Kirk – has become a public figure as fans of her husband grieve his unexpected loss. Erika had notoriety of her own before her husband's death, but with the spotlight put on her after his untimely passing, she's become a major figure. With this global fame comes interest in Erika's own story, her history, and her changing appearance.

In 2012, Erika was crowned Miss Arizona and went on to compete in the Miss USA pageant that same year. In fact, Erika shared later that her interest in pageants was driven out of a desire to reach more people, something that was nurtured by her philanthropic mother. "My mom used to take us to soup kitchens and constantly said we needed to share our blessings with others," Erika said to Arizona Foothills Magazine in 2012. "When I learned that by competing I could touch more people, further my causes, I knew it was a chance to make a greater impact." Erika has always understood that her looks were a way to get her message out there. That interest seems to stay with her, as Erika has continued to transform her look into a more and more captivating version of herself. At this point, Erika's face and style is far removed from the pageant girl of years prior.

Erika Kirk looks vastly different now compared to her pageant year photos from 2012. The businesswoman and podcaster has gravitated towards more dramatic makeup, opting for a full, heavy look that's camera-ready. While she has kept her hair blonde, her locks are now long and opulent. On the whole, she's amped things up even more than when she was winning Miss Arizona. There's a certain type of aesthetic that's come to dominate the political right, particularly amongst women who align themselves with President Donald Trump's politics, and we're starting to see traces of this in Erika's new appearance. To be fair, she was always a pageant girl, and so that propensity for glam and stage-ready makeup isn't new to her. But there is a heightened level of this as she's increased in popularity.

We see similar changes in other women close to Trump thanks to the plastic surgery trend known as the Mar-a-Lago face. Others in Trump's inner circle, like Kristi Noem, who has undergone a major transformation, are following a similar style. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is another who looks completely different after teaming up with Trump. These women have all had massive makeovers, opting for heavy makeup, huge hair, lashes larger than life, and the appearance of full, plump lips. While it's important to note that Erika has not confirmed whether or not she's had plastic surgery, the difference between her old photos and current ones is undeniable.