From Heartache to Hope: Man Who Went Viral for “Being Ugly” Video Is Now Expecting a Baby With a Supportive Stranger-Turned-Love of His Life

In an era dominated by image-driven social media, where filters and aesthetics often overshadow authenticity, one man’s raw vulnerability sparked a global conversation—and changed his life forever.

In 2018, a little-known YouTuber named David, a Swedish man in his early 30s, uploaded a 10-minute video that he titled: “Being Ugly: My Experience.” There was no flashy editing, no background music—just David, alone in a dimly lit room, speaking into a webcam.

His words were quiet but profound. He spoke about growing up feeling invisible, always being the “friend” and never the “crush.” He shared painful memories of being ignored at school dances, of people recoiling or laughing when he tried to approach someone romantically. It wasn’t a call for pity, but a reflection on how society’s standards of attractiveness shaped his self-worth.

“I’m not making this video to complain,” he said near the end, “I just want people like me to know they’re not alone.”

The video didn’t go viral immediately. For the first few months, it garnered only a few hundred views. But slowly, it began circulating on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok. Comments started pouring in—many from people who related deeply to David’s story.

But one comment, from a woman thousands of miles away in Argentina, stood out:
“I actually think you’re cute tbh. I mean it. Also, you’re brave and kind. Just saying.”

That comment came from Juli Romina, a freelance artist who had stumbled across the video late one night. Something about David’s honesty had struck her. She left her message, shut her laptop, and thought little of it—until she received a reply from David himself.

An Unlikely Connection

What began as a brief exchange in the YouTube comment section turned into weeks of messaging, then nightly video calls. Juli, who had also faced her own struggles with insecurity, found comfort in David’s gentle demeanor and candid reflections. For David, Juli’s kindness was like a light he hadn’t felt in years.

After six months of virtual connection, Juli flew from Buenos Aires to Stockholm. She describes feeling nervous stepping off the plane, wondering if their bond would translate in person.

“It was like seeing a best friend I hadn’t met yet,” she said in an interview with a local Argentine paper. “There was no awkwardness. We just… belonged.”

David, for his part, admitted he was terrified. “I kept thinking: what if I’m not what she expects? What if she sees me and regrets everything?” But those fears quickly faded. They spent two weeks together exploring Sweden, drawing art, watching movies, and talking late into the night.

By the end of her visit, they both knew this was more than a passing romance.

Going Public—and Going Viral (Again)

In 2020, two years after the original video, David uploaded a follow-up: “I Was Wrong About Being Ugly.” In it, he updated viewers on the overwhelming response to his story, shared that he had fallen in love, and introduced Juli, who sat beside him, smiling and shy.

The video once again captured hearts around the world. People celebrated their story not because of some fairytale transformation, but because of its authenticity. David didn’t change his looks or become famous—he stayed true to who he was. And in doing so, he found someone who loved him for it.

A New Chapter

Now, in 2025, David and Juli are preparing to welcome their first child.

In a recent post on Instagram, David shared a photo of Juli holding an ultrasound image, both of them grinning with a caption that read:
“We’re having a baby. I used to think no one would ever even love me. Life is full of surprises.”

The response was, once again, overwhelming. Comments flooded in from longtime followers:

• “I remember watching your first video when I felt the same way. Now I’m crying seeing how far you’ve come.”

• “You two are proof that being genuine matters. Congrats, future parents!”

They’ve chosen to keep their child’s gender and name private for now, but have said they plan to continue documenting their journey—not as influencers or internet personalities, but as two people navigating love, parenthood, and healing.

Challenging Beauty Norms, One Story at a Time

David and Juli’s story cuts through the filtered noise of the digital age. It challenges the idea that worth is tied to appearance, and that love is only for the “beautiful.”

Their relationship blossomed not because one person was “saved” or “transformed,” but because both of them dared to connect beyond the surface. Juli didn’t see David as a project. She saw him as a person. And David, in turn, learned to believe he was worthy of love.

“I used to look in the mirror and hate what I saw,” David wrote in a recent blog post. “Now I look in the mirror and see a man who is going to be a father. That reflection means more than beauty ever could.”

A Story That Continues to Inspire

As David and Juli prepare for their baby’s arrival, they continue to receive messages from around the world—people who watched David’s first video during dark moments, and now find hope in how far he’s come.

Their journey is a reminder that healing is possible. That love isn’t reserved for the few who fit a mold. And that sometimes, the most powerful connections begin with a single, sincere comment.