What The Leading Ladies Of TLC's Breaking Amish Look Like Now

In recent years, tradwives on social media have become popular for their hyperfeminized appearances, and have gained followers for promoting outdated gender roles. But in 2012, the women of "Breaking Amish" went viral for their remarkably different decisions, choosing to leave their community for a taste of big city life. TLC's "Breaking Amish" followed a group of youths who left their orthodox Amish community for a modern lifestyle in New York City, and the youngsters didn't hesitate to party. The show concluded with a shocking ultimatum that hooked fans and asked the cast whether they wanted to leave their Amish lifestyle for good. The series was so popular that TLC revisited the cast with its spin-off show "Return to Amish" in 2014.

Kate Stoltz and Rebecca Schmucker were leading ladies on the show, with Stoltz as the bishop's daughter and Schmucker an Amish-born member who appeared alongside her husband, Abe Schmucker. Despite being the series' only member who wasn't born Amish, Sabrina Burkholder emerged as another prominent female lead after her turbulent lifestyle made for another major storyline. The show's leading ladies have been able to build careers based on the interest in their private lives. However, upon leaving the show, they have taken dramatically different paths. Some have built successful careers and mingled with celebrities, while others have chosen ordinary lifestyles away from the cameras. Either way, they have undergone transformations and look nothing like the people viewers once knew.

In the first episode of "Breaking Amish," Kate Stoltz appeared on screen wearing an Amish bonnet and a minimalist turquoise dress. Her hair was slicked up into a sophisticated updo that was seamlessly hidden under her white headpiece. Stoltz's overall look was plain and simple. She wore little to no makeup and remained unadorned. However, she has since swapped her bare-faced look for smokey eyeshadow, and now experiments with a thick stroke of black eyeliner on her eyelids.

In an Instagram post in 2023, Stoltz posed wearing an embellished silver dress from her very own fashion brand, Kate Stoltz NYC. The dress featured a daring neckline that drew attention to her dainty silver choker. As a philanthropist, Stoltz aims to make real change and is a huge advocate for sustainability. As of 2026, Stoltz has been re-wearing her own designs. In March, she donned the same glitzy silver number for a post on Instagram where she described a fun night out in the city. 

After ditching her traditional Amish get-up for a photoshoot with Maxim in 2014, despite being born into a modest community, Stoltz opened up to Us Weekly about how she had always had an interest in fashion. "Victoria Beckham is my idol and fashion icon," she said. "I love wearing stilettos and dressing up. It adds another level of confidence when you feel good about how you look," she added. It's no surprise that Stoltz went on to pursue a career as a fashion designer and model in New York City.

Rebecca Schmucker was in her early 20s when she made her "Breaking Amish" debut in 2012. In the first episode, as the reality star showcased her daily routine, her appearance exuded fragility and modesty. As she completed her traditional household chores and served her family members, Schmucker swept her hair up and under a traditional Amish bonnet. Her outfit was far from colorful, featuring a black sweater and a gray dress. Since the cameras stopped rolling, Schmucker has had one of the biggest celebrity transformations that has left her almost unrecognizable.

While she still enjoys a natural makeup look for the most part, in 2021, Schmucker posted a selfie on Instagram that showcased a major beauty evolution. Not only had her blond hair been transformed into a deep brown shade, but she also experimented with winged eyeliner and a bold lip color. Schmucker also looked like she was wearing a radiant foundation, a soft layer of blush, and her eyebrows appeared significantly darker. The reality TV star notably swapped her bonnet for a trendy pop-pom style beanie. 

Schmucker's beauty transformation isn't the first time she's shocked fans. Despite appearing in every season of "Breaking Amish," not to mention four seasons of "Return to Amish," Schmucker delivered a surprise in 2018 when she announced that she and her husband would not be returning to the spin-off series. The reality star has chosen to stay out of the limelight, and focuses on raising her two daughters instead.

Sabrina Burkholder, who was adopted into a Mennonite family, made a profound impact on the show. In the first season of "Breaking Amish," Burkholder made it known that she would always stand out from the other cast members. Although she, like the other female leads, wore a white bonnet, the reality star also donned a vibrant orange dress. As the series progressed, Burkholder struggled with addiction, losing custody of her two oldest children along the way. In recent years, the reality star has been focused on her recovery and has made headlines for her incredible transformation.

In 2021, Burkholder shared an update on her life with People, explaining, "I've been clean now for over three years. I moved out of Pennsylvania and changed my 'people, places, things.' I had to change everything in order to become the person that I needed to be." In addition to her major life changes, the reality star had traded her curly dark brown locks for sleek tresses that featured honey-blond highlights, as seen in a since-deleted Instagram snap. Having replaced her dark eye makeup for a brighter appearance, experimenting with soft glow and lightly bronzed cheekbones, Burkholder proved her glow up was real. 

It's not only Burkholder's approach to her appearance that has evolved, but her approach to life, too. In recent years, it seems the reality star has taken a step back from social media as she navigates motherhood, which takes a village. In 2023, Burkholder announced that, while she had split from her partner Jethro Nolt, she'd welcomed her sixth child with a new partner after the spin-off series concluded (via In Touch).

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).