Like fine wine, some things just seem to get better with time. Whether you feel the old adage is true or not, it's certainly a notion befitting for what Kenan & Kel star Kel Mitchell looks like now — because dude is a total hottie. That's definitely not to say that he was, by any means, bad-looking during his days on Nickelodeon, but his transition into adulthood has straight-up morphed him into a bonafide piece of eye candy.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when Mitchell became all that, but a quick look through the actor and comedian's social media accounts will surely give you life — and then some. The transformation is amazing, and there's simply no denying just how much he's changed over the years.
Stepping into the limelight as just a teen, Mitchell practically grew into an adult before the audience's eyes during his time on the sketch comedy All That and later Kenan & Kel, and Good Burger, which he starred in alongside his longtime acting partner turned Saturday Night Live performer, Kenan Thompson. The two had been sidekicks for so long, it was often difficult to imagine them apart. However, Mitchell is looking like quite the snack these days as it's become evident that on top of his undeniable talent as a stand-up comedian and actor, he's a major attraction — all on his own.
Mitchell's career had been notably quiet in the years immediately following the conclusion of Kenan & Kel. The entertainer made guest appearance here and there, lending his vocal talent to animated roles such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and Rob Dyrdek's Wild Grinders. His official reemergence into the spotlight, however, wouldn't officially occur until his current portrayal of Double G on the Nickelodeon series Game Shakers — and it couldn't have come at a better time for fans of the star who are in awe of his recent evolution into Hollywood heartthrob status.
In terms of his disappearance from the spotlight, Mitchell revealed that he hit a serious rough patch after Kenan & Kel ended in 2000. During a 2015 interview with People, the performer cited finding "clarity with Christ" as what ultimately saved him from the deep depression and substance abuse that once had his life spiraling out of control. He explained,
"I was trying to figure it all out on my own. But what I needed to do was turn to Him. Once I found that clarity with Christ, I knew everything would work out.”
A testimony on his personal blog would reveal just how bad things had become for the actor who was had an issue finding work while his first marriage was, at the same time, coming to an end. Divulging that he had been "suicidal" at one point, Mitchell detailed a myriad of ups and downs he was facing. He cited "divorce, drug and alcohol usage, deep in sin, dealing with the lost of love ones to gang violence, debt, hurt, pain, vanity, lust, heartbreak" all as detrimental factors in his life during that period.
However, it seems that Mitchell has fully bounced back from those hard times, recently welcoming a baby girl with his second wife (Mitchell also has a son and daughter from previous relationships). He's certainly looking better than ever, judging from recent snapshots shared on Instagram.
At 39 years old, Mitchell's re-dedication to life and spirituality is most certainly shining through in his career, personal life, and most notably, his allure as an entertainer. It must be extremely rewarding to feel the triumph of a huge glo-up such as the one Mitchell is experiencing right now. Fans would have to agree that now feels like the perfect time to jump into that Good Burger sequel, given that both Mitchell and Thompson are in the midst of living their best lives.
