Parenthood is a challenge for just about everyone that embarks on it, but teen parents really have their work cut out for them. It’s no secret that children probably shouldn’t be having children, but it happens. Once upon a time, it was the societal norm. We were supposed to be procreating by the time we entered those teenage years, and if we weren’t, something must be wrong with us.

Most of the time, we don’t hear positive stories about teen parents. They’re the face on the billboard advertising for birth control at the local health department. They’re the girl with butterfly clips still in her hair sitting in the obstetrician’s waiting room with her mother. They’re the guy who got his high school sweetheart knocked up a decade before he was anywhere close to father material.

We don’t paint pretty pictures of teen parents. Instead, we immortalize them as stories made for Lifetime movies and set them up for failure with poor expectations. Despite the flawed image we perpetuate about younger-than-average parents, not all of them are bad apples. We could say there are some of them out there who are merely diamonds in the rough waiting to be discovered and polished up.

Believe it or not, some of our favorite celebrity superstars were teen parents themselves. While their stardom doesn’t exempt them from making poor choices and perhaps failing to shine all the time behind closed doors, these celebs are 15 examples of how teen parents have risen above the status quo and become more than anyone ever expected of them.

15 Lil Wayne, 16

The rapper has earned his stripes in the music business by joining the Cash Money Records label when he was just 9-years old. He was the youngest member of the label to date. When he was 12-years old, he would shoot himself in the chest with his stepfather’s gun — a tragedy that left him on life support for two weeks.

The drama doesn’t stop there. When he was just 16-years old, Lil Wayne — otherwise known as Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr or, Dad — became a father. The rap mogul and his then-girlfriend, high school sweetheart Antonia “Toya” Jackson brought little Reginae Carter into the world. It would take five years before the young couple would say I do, and just two years later until they said I don’t.

It is clear that teenage parenthood didn’t hold Lil Wayne back from reaching his career goals. Still, his family unit is somewhat less-than-desirable. The rap start has three other children by different women. Little Reginae? Today, she’s 18-years old and a member of the music group OMG, produced by Young Money — her father’s music label.

14 Solange Knowles, 18

Sister to the famed Beyonce, Solange has dabbled in her own music career, but her biggest accomplishment came at 17-years old when she found herself pregnant with her son, Daniel Smith, Jr. She was even married to his father, Daniel Smith, Sr. Their marriage didn’t last, but it would seem teenaged pregnancy and parenthood made its mark on Solange.

While the music industry wasn’t as kind to Bey’s little sister, the fashion world has blessed her. Solange heads up a clothing line for hip, trendsetting children’s digs inspired by her son called Baby Jamz. Solange has been quoted as noting that the first year of late, sleepless nights was rough, but she calls her son the greatest unplanned blessing.

While we may not hear nearly as much about Ms. Knowles as we do her sister, there is something to be said for teen mothers who can hold it down the way this momma has. We take our hat off to you, Solange.

13 Emily Maynard, 18

Get ready for a tearjerker of a story. While many people know Emily Maynard from The Bachelorette season 8. She had actually previously starred on the opposite gender version of the show, The Bachelor. After winning and then having that relationship fall apart, ABC thought she boasted the perfect story to carry her own show. She sure does!

At the young age of 18, Maynard was engaged to be married to Ricky Hendrick IV, an American race car driver. When Hendrick died in an airplane crash in 2004, Maynard was obviously devastated and heartbroken. In the weeks following his death, she would come to find she was pregnant with his child. Their little girl, named Ricki after her late Dad, would be born the following year.

After the birth, Emily struggled with motherhood. Not only was she young, but she was doing it alone, without the love of her life. She was a victim of postpartum depression and has been very open with the public about her struggles in hopes that her story can help other women.

12 Roseanne Barr, 17

Known by most of the world as one of TV’s greatest sitcom moms, this destined-for-stardom comedian would never have known when she was just 17-years old what would lie on the road ahead for her when she gave birth to a baby girl. Knowing she wasn’t ready for motherhood, Roseanne opted to place her child up for adoption.

At the time, Roseanne was living in Colorado and had just been released from a mental health institution. She hadn’t even completed high school. So, we give Rosie serious props. Even though she was young and the decision had to be the most difficult one she may have ever made, she handled her first brush with parenthood gracefully and chose not just to give her child a life, but to give her one that she knew she couldn’t.

Roseanne was reunited with her daughter, Brandi Brown, some 17 years later. The two developed a relationship, and Brandi even scored herself a few guest spots on her birth mom’s title show Roseanne.

11 Naomi Judd, 18

There’s probably no one on the planet who doesn’t know who Naomi Judd is. In fact, there’s probably no one who doesn’t recognize the names of her daughters, Wynona and Ashley Judd, either. It’s been mentioned in the headlines a time or ten that Naomi has struggled with mental health issues and a seriously strained relationship with her eldest daughter, Wynona. But why?

It started when Naomi was just 18-years old, and becoming a mom. She is a perfect example of the kind of pain and turmoil that can come from having a child when you aren’t ready to stop being one yourself. We all would like to believe that motherhood is just such a deep and moving experience that it sets the wheels of maturity in motion, but that isn’t exactly how growing up works, and it can’t be forced.

Wynona has remarked over the years that she was neglected by her mother when she was growing up. Ashley Judd released a memoir in 2011 and disclosed sexual abuse during her childhood that implied fault toward her mother for allowing a perpetrator into her daughters’ lives.

10 Aretha Franklin, 12 and 14

This is probably the most shocking story of teen motherhood that America has ever seen, and it certainly isn’t expected from someone who has made millions and triumphed fame and fortune. The young Aretha was introduced to the spotlight at the tender age of 10-years old. She was pushed by her father to perform in a variety of venues from churches to clubs and bars.

When she was just 12-years old, Aretha got pregnant and gave birth to a son, Clarence. Despite the struggles that would ensue from trying to be a mother at her age, she had another son just after turning 14-years old. His name was Edward.

There have been rumors amuck for years that Aretha’s first two sons (she would later have two more) were fathered by her own father, a prominent Minister and civil rights activist. She has never indulged these rumors and has never released the name of her first two son’s father(s) either.

9 Fantasia Barrino, 17

Back in 2004, Fantasia opened the ears and eyes of many fans of Fox’s American Idol, where she came in first place and started her career as a musical talent and actress. While Fantasia’s less-than-lavish roots were apparent on the show, the truth about her past and the life she had led wouldn’t come into the public spotlight until later.

She released a memoir in 2005 and in it she revealed she was functionally illiterate. The media storm around this was huge, but Fantasia used it wisely to appeal to other young girls who were in similar shoes and show them that they could be anything if they worked hard enough for it.

It was one of her greatest struggles and she longed to be able to read to her then-four-year old daughter, Zion. Yes, Fantasia was a mother, too. She had Miss Zion when she was just 17-years old and coupled with ex-boyfriend Brandel Shouse. The teen mother dropped out of high school to raise her daughter. While the songstress certainly doesn’t regret having her daughter, she has remarked that if she could do it again, she would have waited longer to become a mother.

8 Sofia Vergara, 19

A little older than many teen parents and married at the time, a young Sofia Vergara recounts teen motherhood as being not so bad. We can relate. The energy that parenting a newborn or toddler requires definitely comes easier the younger you are. Besides, she was in a stable relationship and self-supporting.

Her then-husband Joe Gonzalez was in his late twenties at the time. That may have helped matters of parenthood, but unfortunately, it didn’t save their marriage. After only two years of wedded bliss, the couple called it quits.

Sofia and other teen mothers like her get to relish the benefits of having a baby when they’re younger, like being around to see them when they’re older. Today, Sofia is very close to her son, Manolo. Still, there are plenty of negatives that we could pander on about when it comes to becoming a mommy when you’re not yet an adult.

Clearly, Ms. Vergara was already well into adulthood. In Sofia’s case, she was the exception, not the rule.

7 Taylor Hanson, 18

At the ripe old age of 18-years, Taylor Hanson, the middle brother of the famous Hanson trio brotherly boy band, was a father. Married to his wife Natalie earlier that year, the couple welcomed Jordan Ezra Hanson in 2002 on Halloween.

Contrary to what you hear most teen parents saying, Taylor has been quoted several times over the years saying his big family makes sense, even at a young age. Yep. Big family. He’s got more. Today, Taylor is the proud poppa of five children, and he’s still with his wife.

Today, Jordan is joined by brothers River Samuel, Viggo Moriah, and sisters Penelope Ann and Wilhelmina Jane. While we’re all about the warm and fuzzies this can of story can give you, we’re pretty sure Taylor’s story isn’t a common one among teen fathers. Not every teen parenting story has a happy ending, but we’re pleased this one does.

6 Niki Taylor, 19

Much like the Queen of soul, Aretha, Niki decided two were better than one, but she dodged the pregnancy bullet and decided to aim for two birds with one stone. In 1994, she eloped with then-boyfriend Matt Martinez, a linebacker for the Miami Hooters. That year, they welcomed twin sons, Hunter and Jake.

A model since she was 14-years old, Niki was likely not your average, immature teenager. Still, teen pregnancy would not be the greatest battle she would have to overcome. In the year following the birth of the twins, Niki would lose her sister and fellow model, Krissy, to a rare and undiagnosed heart condition.

Then, in 2001, she would fight for her life after a car accident that tried to claim it. It took more than 40 surgeries and months of physical therapy to bounce back to the woman she is today. Despite dying twice on the table and being in a coma and in the hospital for months, she would go on to remarry and have her first daughter in 2009 and another son in 2011. Her tale is definitely worthy of a cover story.

5 Keisha Castle-Hughes, 17

The young Whale Rider starlet was catapulted into the world of celebrities and fame, but that may not have been the toughest ride she’d ever be on. Roughly five years later, the actress would find herself pregnant by then-20-year old boyfriend at the time, Bradley Hull.

She has spoken publicly since her daughter’s birth in 2007 that becoming a mother at a young age certainly had its challenges, but she has no regrets about it. She has also given credit where it was due and thanked her family on numerous occasions for their support, noting that she never would’ve been able to be a successful parent at 17-years old without their help.

Felicity Armore Hull will be ten-years old this year. While her mother has now moved on to hubby Jonathan Morrison, and Felicity lives full time with her dad, Bradley, Keisha seems happy and content in her life. This is a welcomed change after years of alcohol abuse that she succumbed to prior to having Felicity during a time in her life when she felt immense pressure to provide for her family.

4 Loretta Lynn, 16, and 17, and 19

This country music genius isn’t just known for her long locks and southern twang. By the time Loretta was 15-years old, she was married to Oliver Vanetta Lynn and moving away from the town she’d lived in her whole life in Kentucky to a logging community in Washington state. Roughly a year after wedding, she would give birth to her first of six children, a daughter named Betty Sue.

In 1948, when Betty Sue was born, it wasn’t uncommon to get married at 15 in the Old South. Loretta went on to pen a memoir titled Coal Miner’s Daughter, and the book would later be made into a film that would entrance viewers worldwide while sucking them in to the star’s life story, including her tumultuous marriage with Oliver — commonly called Doolittle.

It would seem Loretta has remained pretty tight-lipped over the years regarding her personal opinions of young motherhood. By the time she was 17-years old, she would give birth to her second child, a son named Jack Benny. Unfortunately, Jack would lose his life in a drowning event in 1984 and his sister Betty Sue to emphysema in 2013. Loretta’s second son, Ernest Ray, was born in 1951 when she was 19-years old. Clara Marie, and twins Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen came later.

3 LeBron James, 19

LeBron James, best known for his skills on the court, is perhaps less recognized for his work as a father. We think it’s high time someone pay him some attention. LeBron was the son of a single mother, Gloria James, who found herself pregnant at 16-years old. LeBron’s father, Anthony McClelland, wasn’t in the picture.

McClelland would try to reconnect with LeBron in coming years, but his attempts would be met with anger, distrust and disinterest by the baller. With a known rap sheet to back him, McClelland is more than just a deadbeat dad that never showed up. He’s an ex-con, and one that LeBron has remarked he doesn’t need in his life.

In fact, LeBron has been quoted as saying he’s grateful he wasn’t and thanking him for being absent, because it pushed him to be who he is today.

So, when LeBron found himself to be an expectant father at just 19-years old, he decided to break the cycle and step up to the plate. He decided to be a dad. LeBron, Jr. was born and would begin to teach LeBron, Sr. many lessons that he missed out on by not having a relationship with his own father. LeBron and his wife, Savannah would go on to have two more children, Bryce and Zhuri.

2 Shirley Temple Black, 19

Married to James Agar at 17-years old after two years of courting, Shirley Temple gave birth to her first of two daughters, Linda Susan, on January 30, 1948. Shirley was just 19-years old at the time. In December of the following year, Temple filed for divorce from Agar and retained custody of their daughter.

Just a year later, and less than two weeks after the finalization of her divorce from Agar, she would go on to marry Charles Alden Black. This marriage would be lasting and would produce a son, Charles, Jr., and a second daughter, Lori.

Over the years, Shirley would go on to make many film and television appearances. Her marriage to Black carried her to Washington, D.C. where she would be heavily involved in politics as a member of the Republican party. In 1973, she spoke openly about her battle with breast cancer and enduring a mastectomy — a procedure that was even more radical then than it is today. Shirley was many things to many people, but the best relationships she fostered were likely with the three people who called her mom.

1 Maya Angelou, 17

Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, this famed poet, author, civil rights activist, and philosopher was destined to be special. Perhaps she started that way. Although she always felt she was meant to be something great — even if it had been on a much smaller scale — she may not have been prepared for what was in store in 1944 when she gave birth to her son, Clyde, who would later rename himself Guy Johnson.

It wasn’t but a few years after his birth that Maya’s career would start to take off, but it is her humble beginnings that she references most when she discusses the time in which she found herself a pregnant teen.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Maya recalled the exchange she had with her own mother, and her mother asked if she knew who the baby’s father was. When Maya replied yes, her mother asked if she loved him. Maya replied no. Then, she asked does he love you? No, Maya said. Upon which her mother told her there was no need to ruin three lives and that they were going to have a beautiful baby.

Maya has also told the story of when she left family home when her son was just two-months old. Her mother told her to go, and that she had her blessing, but to remember that she could always come home. Perhaps, Maya Angelou was the person she was because a good person raised her.

Guess what? She was just 13 when she had Maya’s brother and 14-years old when she gave birth to Maya. Maybe, just maybe, teen parenthood isn’t the issue. Perhaps it is how a child is raised, and who they desire to be, that matters most.