Surprising Glo-Ups in Literature and Pop Culture

Per the urban dictionary, a glo-up is a play on the phrase "grow up," when someone goes through a metaphorical transformation. This is reflected in the person’s new sense of self-confidence. And since being self-confident is seen as an attractive trait, those who glo-up are often seen as radiating beauty. So, who are these confident cuties? See our list of glo-ups below.

Neville Longbottom

The Internet has pushed for #TeamNeville for many years. And why not? Just look at what he’s done throughout the series! He helps his friends, fights evil wizards, and loves his grandma! Of all the “side characters” in the HP series, Neville glo-ups the most. When readers first meet him, Neville is very timid and shy. At the end of series, he’s leading his own army! We think Neville doesn’t get enough praise, so that why he’s top of our list.

Mia Thermopolis

Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Grimaldi Renaldo is the Crown Princess of Genovia. But when we’re first introduced to Mia in the series, she is completely un-princess-like. She’s awkward, shy, and beats up on herself a lot. We should know—we read her diary. However, all this pressure from the world, her parents, and herself turns Mia into a diamond! She glo-ups into a strong, independent woman who literally runs a small country. You can’t glo-up any harder than that!

Gendry Baratheon

We’re going with the TV series canon here, as Gendry’s fate is still unknown in the books. We first encounter Gendry in Flea Bottom, a place as nice as it sounds. His skill as a talented blacksmith gives Gendry a sense of purpose, even as his world is thrown upside down by the knowledge of his true heritage (aka his illegitimacy as the king’s son). In a series full of cruel characters, Gendry keeps hold of his morality and bravery, even through harrowing encounters. His reward is well deserved and he glo-ups to be the honorable lord he was all along.

Buffy Summers

When the TV series starts, Buffy is fifteen years old and is tasked with slaying the undead. Pressure, much? Teenage Buffy is immature, pettish, and a bit of a jerk. But as the series progresses and Buffy becomes older and wiser, she comes fully into her true powers as the Slayer. When the series ended, we saw an adult Buffy closing the chapter of her adolescence and moving onward to her future. It was an ending that seemed fitting for a woman who took a lot of hits but kept getting back up to fight another day.