Contrary to popular belief and urban legend, Victoria Beckham does smile. But that was a long time ago, when a younger Victoria didn't really care how she looked when paparazzi snapped pictures of her. Here she is smiling:

1. From happier times, perhaps?


2. She doesn't look like the VB we know.


3. Somehow, the happy look doesn't suit her.


4. Take this example:


5. And this: (who is this??)


6. You can't recognize her, really.


7. Is this Paula Abdul's sister?


8. Or Vanessa Hudgens' older sister?


9. She's got a nice smile no doubt.


10. And this one here looks genuine:


11. This one as well:


12. But really, we don't think it's her look.


13. This is pretty goofy:


14. Catherine Zeta Jones is that chu?



And she's done with all the smiling.

"When you're in a position to be paparazzi-ed just walking down the street, you'd look a little daft if you were smiling all the time," she told The New York Times T Magazine. "[But] I smile in family photos."

Here's the Victoria Beckham we know and prefer:

1. The no-smile look took a while to get used to:


2. And to perfect as well:


3. She was just getting the hang of it in the beginning.


4. And she perfected it.


5. The almost smile is quite stylish.


6. It's also very confident.


7. Did we say elegant yet?


8. Self-assured.


9. Even glamorous.


10. Plus when she's next to her husband, she looks even classier.


11. For some reason, not smiling is more attractive than smiling.


12. And here's the almost-smile again. Sexy.


13. Check out the confident pose.


14. Pure class.