Before Taylor Swift became one of the biggest pop stars in the world, she was just a girl from Tennessee attending prom. This pre-fame photo of T-Swift shows her goofing off with her date during their prom photoshoot. The two went with a monochromatic white look, with Taylor in a 2010s-era strapless dress and her date in an all-white suit.
We’re honestly impressed by her date’s dedication. He even topped off his prom look with a white hat. You don’t see that every day. Taylor, as always, looks beautiful and full of excitement. Prom is a big deal for most high schoolers, so it’s nice to see that she was still able to let loose with her friends despite her rising star to fame.
Britney Spears
Britney Spears was only a couple of years away from her big break when she attended prom at Park Lane Academy in McComb, Mississippi. You can see the star power radiating off a young Britney when you take one glance at her prom pictures. The singer was all glitz and glam for her prom night in this form-fitting red-and-gold gown.
Her dress was truly unique, so there’s no doubt she stood out from the crowd. The elaborate beading and embroidery on the bodice make her sun-kissed skin absolutely glow. She looks so young and happy with her natural hair color and cute bangs, too. We don’t know who her date was, but he was one lucky guy.
Derek Jeter
It’s no surprise that Derek Jeter was a star athlete at his high school in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is surprising to see the world-famous athlete in a tuxedo at prom, though. He and his date turned heads and dropped jaws when they walked into the gym that evening all those years ago. Based on his date’s sash and bouquet, it looks like at least one of them was crowned prom queen or king.
Derek Jeter was a stand-out athlete at his high school, participating in baseball, cross country, and basketball. It’s not a reach to assume that he was insanely popular and one of his school’s hottest prom dates. The 6’3” athlete has always been quite a catch.
Taylor Swift
Before Taylor Swift became one of the biggest pop stars in the world, she was just a girl from Tennessee attending prom. This pre-fame photo of T-Swift shows her goofing off with her date during their prom photoshoot. The two went with a monochromatic white look, with Taylor in a 2010s-era strapless dress and her date in an all-white suit.
We’re honestly impressed by her date’s dedication. He even topped off his prom look with a white hat. You don’t see that every day. Taylor, as always, looks beautiful and full of excitement. Prom is a big deal for most high schoolers, so it’s nice to see that she was still able to let loose with her friends despite her rising star to fame.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose may have grown up in the limelight, but she still managed to have a normal prom experience. Well, “normal,” as in your dad is Johnny Depp, and you scored a modeling gig with Chanel before the age of seventeen. It’s all relative, right? Lily-Rose brought high fashion to her 2016 prom with a floor-length nude gown that would fit in at any red-carpet event.
The gown had a subtle, monochromatic animal print that elevated the whole look from prom-tastic to next-level chic. Lily-Rose completed her prom look with natural, wavy hair, a smoky eye, and light pink lipstick. There’s no doubt that Lily-Rose inherited her sense of style from her mom, French actress Vanessa Paradis.
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner grew up in the limelight, so she never got the high school experience of going to prom. She took matters into her own hands when she reached out to high schooler Albert Ochoa from Rio Americano High School. She went to prom as Albert’s date for a segment of her “Life with Kylie” reality show, and the couple had a blast.
After trying on a bunch of dresses, Kylie went with a sleek mauve gown that fit her like a glove. Albert kept it simple and classy with an all-black suit and a white boutonniere that matched Kylie’s corsage. Albert was absolutely thrilled to shock his classmates and show up with one of the biggest celebrities of the moment on his arm. “I never expected so much attention in one night,” he told Teen Vogue.
Leni Klum
Getting dressed for prom is easy when your mom is supermodel Heidi Klum. Leni decided to dive head-first into the Y2K fashion trend for her 2022 prom night. But she didn’t need to buy a new designer dress to fit the part. She took the sustainable route and picked a dress out of her mom’s closet.
Leni rocked a little black dress that Heidi wore to a 1998 red carpet event. The knee-length, strapless dress looks just as stunning on Leni as it did on Heidi over two decades ago. Leni finished off her prom night look with a delicate necklace, natural makeup, and an Alexander Wang handbag. Like mother, like daughter!
Paris Jackson
Michael Jackson’s daughter definitely inherited his sense of style. Paris Jackson attended her friend Melissa’s prom looking sharp in a black tux and bold turquoise tie. Paris took color-coordinating to a new level by dying her hair turquoise to match Melissa’s dress. “Only true friends dye their hair to match their gal's prom gown,” she wrote on Instagram back in 2016.
Paris and Melissa attended the Wildwood School prom with a group of their friends, posing for silly photos and having a grand old time. It’s always refreshing to see high schoolers enjoying life without taking themselves too seriously. Life’s short, so might as well dye your hair and have fun.
Bronny James
If you’re the eldest son of superstar athlete LeBron James, people are going to pay attention to every move you make. That didn’t stop Bronny James from having a blast at his junior prom in 2022. Bronny’s mom, Savannah James, helped him get ready for the event. She looks like the proudest, happiest mom ever adjusting his bowtie in this sweet photo.
Bronny went with a unique black-and-blue look that made him stand out from the crowd. His tuxedo jacket featured blue floral embroidery, which he complimented with a simple flower pinned to his lapel. He topped the whole look off with royal blue loafers and hemmed pants. He and his date, Peyton Gelfuso, no doubt turned heads with their stunning prom looks.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry has always been known for her natural beauty, so it’s no surprise that she was voted prom queen at her high school. The Bedford High School senior looks absolutely glowing in this black-and-white photo. A young Halle is wearing a glamorous off-the-shoulder gown that is quintessentially 80s. If you look closely, you can see the prom queen's crown resting on her head.
Despite Halle’s gorgeous outfit, her prom queen title was actually much more dramatic than you’d think. Many of her fellow classmates accused Halle of stuffing the ballot box and rigging the prom election. As a compromise, the school awarded the runner-up a “co-prom-queen” title. To this day, Halle insists the accusations were false. She’s implied the accusations were created to make her, one of the few half-Black students at her school, look bad.
Shane Dawson
Just when you think everything to possibly know about Shane Dawson is out there, he shares his prom photos. He went to his high school prom back in 2006, and you can immediately tell by Shane’s hair. What high school emo boy didn’t have a long shag haircut back in the early 2000s?
Shane rocked his long hair with a standard, slightly oversized suit. The pants are a bit long, but not every high school student had a tailor on hand, right? In classic prom fashion, Shane’s tie perfectly matches the blue of his date’s prom dress. His date looks adorable in a strapless navy blue dress and matching shawl.
Kellan Lutz
Going to prom with your celebrity crush sounds impossible, but it does happen once in a blue moon. Brianna Siciliano got the amazing chance to attend her prom with “Twilight” star Kellan Lutz in 2015. The high schooler snagged her date after a group of her friends started a social media campaign that got Kellan’s attention.
Brianna opened up to the actor about how she was constantly bullied at school, so Kellan helped her one-up her classmates on her special day. Kellan showed up in a simple dark suit that made his date’s blue dress pop. Brianna gushed on social media, tweeting, “I got my dream prom date today. Thank you Kellan for everything (I'm considering this my first-ever date FYI).”
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union looks like she’s having the time of her life in this very 90s prom photo. In reality, she’s in the running for the “worst prom ever” award. Her very serious-looking date apparently ghosted her right after prom. We can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t be utterly thrilled to have Gabrielle as a date. This guy’s frown in the photo was probably one of many warning signs that he wasn’t “the one.”
Despite the less-than-stellar date, Gabrielle still looks like she had a great time. She shared on Instagram that she did her own hair and makeup, and we think she looks absolutely stunning. Her natural beauty shines through. Her prom dress is so 90s it hurts, with a pearl necklace, black gloves, and poofy sleeves.
Lucy Hale
The early 2000s were definitely a fashion moment. Lucy Hale’s prom photo screams Y2K, and we’re here for it. She and her prom went all out with shiny satin when planning their prom looks. Lucy attended her prom when she was just 15 years old, so we can excuse the fashion faux pas.
Lucy went with a bright green prom dress that didn’t hold back on the ruching and layers. It’s a dress that was definitely cute at the time, and she’s rocking it. Her date added shine to his outfit with a metallic silver vest and tie. It’s nice to know that the stars of today were just as susceptible to the fashion trends of their youth.
Austin Mahone
MTV made plenty of high schoolers’ dreams come true through their “Promposal Mania” specials. MTV collaborated with singer Austin Mahone to take Joliet Central student Ashley Hare to her prom in 2015. Austin got spruced up in a classy black tuxedo that perfectly matched his date’s gorgeous dress.
The two coordinated their look with matching red roses and Austin’s red bowtie. Only one year earlier, Austin had famously told fans that he didn’t “really care about prom.” He must have been pleasantly surprised to attend Ashley’s prom because he later gushed on Twitter that he had a great time. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, Austin.
Olivia Holt
Olivia Holt and Luke Benward were the ultimate Disney power couple back in the day. Naturally, fans gushed over the two when they posted their prom photos together. Olivia looked adorable in a pink tulle prom dress that perfectly matched her blonde hair. Luke shook up the usual prom suit by going for a gray ensemble instead of traditional black.
The happy couple ended their prom night with a late-night trip to Bob’s Big Boy, a Los Angeles classic. The two had breakfast for dinner, which is one of the best meals in the world. They couldn’t help but commemorate the end of their evening with a photo with the famous Bob statue.
Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo of “Stranger Things” fame went to senior prom with his long-time girlfriend Lizzy Yu. The couple took pictures in the park before heading off to their big event, and they looked absolutely adorable. Lizzy wore a beautiful strapless ball gown with a full tulle skirt. Gaten matched his date with a blush pink tie and light gray suit.
Gaten and Lizzy are the sweetest couple because they’re also best friends. “Got to go to prom with this goober,” Gaten wrote on his love-filled Instagram post. Lizzy also posted this same photo and gushed about Gaten. She wrote, “I will never think of High School without thinking of you.” We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Elizabeth Taylor
If you thought celebrities attending prom with their fans was a new thing, think again. Elizabeth Taylor started the trend when she attended the UCLA junior prom in 1949. The young actress attended on the arm of a student named Bob Precht, who was voted “Most Romantic He-Man on Campus” by his fellow UCLA students.
Sure, Bob is a good-looking guy, but no one can compare to Elizabeth Taylor. Her strapless tulle gown has delicate flower appliques, and her makeup is classic Hollywood glam. Bob’s beaming face tells us he was pretty thrilled with his date. There’s no doubt Elizabeth and Bob were the best-looking couple at the prom.
Liza Koshy
Internet sensation Liza Koshy had just blown up on social media right before she attended her senior prom. Naturally, her fans were curious about what she would wear and who she would take to this important high school rite of passage. She didn’t disappoint. She shared her prom photos on social media, and fans loved it.
Liza paid homage to her Indian Malayali heritage by wearing a navy blue saree-style dress and a drop-dead gorgeous maang-tika headpiece. Her date wore a light green bowtie and a sleek suit. Liza’s two-piece dress was the star of the show, with bold jewels and embroidery along the bodice and waistline.
Laurie Hernandez
Laurie Hernandez still made sure to experience all the important high school milestones with her friends, even though she became an Olympic gymnast at the age of sixteen. She put her impressive titles aside and thoroughly enjoyed herself at her senior prom in 2018. She attended with her lifelong friend Randall as her date, along with a group of her best girlfriends.
Laurie wore a burgundy strapless dress with gorgeous beading and silver embroidery on the bodice. She also did her hair in a flawless updo, and her makeup was on-point. She looked utterly stunning, but we wouldn’t expect anything less from the star gymnast.
Debby Ryan
Debby Ryan had a blast at her prom, and she has the pictures to prove it. She attended her prom with her best friend, both of whom pinky-swore that they would be each others’ dates all the way back in 8th grade. Debby and her group of friends bought disposable film cameras and took candid shots on the dance floor all night.
Debby told Seventeen that she wore heels for her pre-prom photos but quickly changed into TOMS slip-ons to be more comfortable. She wore her hair down with a ruched pink dress and gold bangle bracelets. She and her BFF ended the evening with Burger King and Icees. Sounds like the perfect prom night, in our opinion.
Candace Cameron Bure
This photo looks like it was taken on the set of "Full House," but it was actually Candace’s real prom photo! She actually went to prom with none other than her on-screen boyfriend (Scott Weinger), who played Steve on the "Full House" sitcom. We're sure that Candace was already popular at school, but bringing Scott Weinger must have floored everyone.
Candace looked beautiful in a classic, black spaghetti strap dress, and Scott went all out with his silk-collared tux. We just feel bad for all the boys at prom whose dates probably spent the night trying to get Scott's attention.
Kerry Washington
Award-winning actress Kerry Washington said she had attended a few proms (and therefore had a few dresses). But for this particular prom, young Kerry chose a colorful, flutter-sleeve dress. This look is quintessential Kerry Washington — it's sweet and put together, but not over the top.
Somehow, Kerry always manages to look elegant — and clearly, that's always been the case. The floral print and empire waist were refreshing touches for the time. A gold necklace might have matched the dress a bit better, but we won't fault her for her silver choice. But honestly, Kerry looks like she has hardly aged!
Bindi Irwin
The Australian animal lover said that Australia doesn’t really have prom, but Bindi was still able to attend the event with her then-boyfriend Chandler Powell. Thank heavens for the Americans! Steve Irwin's daughter stole the show and did her country proud by adding some Australian flavor to Florida.
She went with Chandler to his prom in Florida and chose an elegant yet fun short, black lace dress. Bindi was all smiles that night and what makes the story better is that she and Chandler had a true fairytale ending and are now married. What's more, they welcomed a daughter, Grace Warrior, in 2021, and the small family couldn't be happier.
Rowan Blanchard
Rated as the most influential teen in 2015, you can bet your bottom dollar that the "Girl Meets World" sensation had a prom, and boy (or girl) did she look lovely. Even in that very unconventional dress. Her hair and makeup were classic and emphasized her natural beauty.
Though it looks like some combination of pom-pom and lace creation, the young actress looks ready for a big night out as she poses in front of a gorgeous sunset. Rowan's novel dress really showed off her creativity and capacity for stepping outside of her comfort zone. Her date isn't anywhere to be seen here, but who needs 'em?
Michelle Obama
Yes, before she was accompanying her hubby, AKA once the most powerful man in the world, to stately events, she was just a girl in high school doing high school things. Attending her senior prom was one of them. Taking a mandatory kind of cringey photo with the school's props was another.
It would be adorable if that was Obama by her side, but alas, the girl had a life before him. Here we can see America's queen-bee-to-be sitting in her thrown dressed in gold from head to toe. Fabulous. By the way, is it just us, or does Michelle's date look a bit like Steve Harvey?
Snoop Dogg
Looking at teen Snoop, one has a hunch that he will grow up to be a force. That "don't mess with me" swagger has certainly carried him through the years, making him a hip-hop legend. This feels like a one-of-a-kind look — we mean, we can probably count on one hand the number of times we have seen Snoop Dogg in a tux.
And don't even get us started on the bow tie and boutonniere. The young couple with matching corsage and boutonniere look seriously ready for their big night. It's clear to see that when Snoop wants to, he can really suit up.
Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny Frankel is now a mainstay of high fashion who anyone would aspire to dress like. But it's good to know that she wasn't born that way. By the look of those puffy sleeves and that strawberry pink dress, the star of "The Real Housewives of New York City" enjoyed her prom in the 80s.
We will admit, the jewel tone looks beautiful on her, and she's definitely giving Disney princess vibes with this look. The reality star toned her look down in later years and evidently also eased up in front of the cameras. With that slouch, young Bethany may have been a little nervous.
Tracee Ellis Ross
The year was 1990, and young Tracee Ellis Ross was ready for the prom! The actress shines in this simple yet gorgeous grey dress and dangly earrings, proving that it's not all about the bows and frills — pure class. Her unpretentious dress showed off her gorgeous hourglass figure and really accentuated her collarbones for a put-together look all-round.
The chunky bangle and French manicure further show that the accessories took center stage for this look. To think that proud mama, the great Diana Ross was possibly behind the camera snapping her little girl is a wild thought in and of itself.
Claire Danes
"My So-Called Life" depicted a slightly different teen from the one pictured here. Ditching the auburn hair, grungy plaid shirts, and teen angst, Claire Danes looked perfectly sunny on her high-school prom. In a simple dress and earrings with a statement necklace, and what we're guessing is red lipstick, Claire was a sight for sore eyes.
Her hunky date looks like he could have also made quite the TV career himself. He definitely comes across as the guy walking around with the football jacket stuffing nerds into lockers. But we hope we're wrong and that Claire had better taste in boys back then.
Courtney Cox
This is an interesting look for Courtney Cox. While we acknowledge that this was the 80s and special concessions are made for this, the "Friends" actress sweater-dress-combination seems weird, even for then. We will say, though, that it is very on-brand for Monica Geller.
While she looks slightly strange, there's no doubt that she looks very happy, especially as she holds onto the arm of her sweet date. He, on the other hand, could have lightened up a bit. Maybe the photographer just caught him at a bad moment, but maybe he also didn't fully recognize the huge star potential in his date.
Debra Messing
Our beloved star of "Will and Grace" had her fun too. With that white satin dress, pearls, and 80s wave, Messing and her date (seen here mid-blink) are ready to awkwardly embrace the sweet sounds of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." You don't really ever see someone mid-blink, do you?
This is quite a fascinating picture for a number of reasons. Who knew that years after this fun, innocent high school night, she'd be one of our favorite sitcom stars and a total gay icon? It just goes to show, kids, life doesn't end in high school! There is hope beyond the cringey yearbook pics.
Faith Hill
Country singer Faith Hill will always look her best. With that elegant high-neck dress, it's hard to believe that this was simply her high school prom and not some early red-carpet event. Granted, this would have been the mid-80s, and we have to admit that this picture looks like it's straight out of a 60s photoshoot.
But hey, maybe Faith liked the vintage look back then. While some other awkward prom photos might embarrass some stars today, Hill looks perfectly classy, just as always. Her date could have put a little more pep in his step, but we're sure the two still had a wonderful night.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina always struck us as someone who wouldn't actually go to prom, but this photo proves us wrong! Not only did she go, but she went all out with the lovely satin dress and an intriguing chunky necklace. Angelina seems to be sporting a makeup-free look, which obviously doesn't matter for her because she has glowing clear skin and pristine eyebrows.
We're not sure who got the golden opportunity to be Angelina's date to prom, but we bet that guy is still bragging about it today. Who knew that once upon a time, this was Hollywood's bad girl? We suppose things changed in later years because here, Angelina looks simply angelic!
Angela Bassett
You can't get any cooler than this. Angela Basset and her date do not look like they're in high school at all, though that marching band trombone brings us back to those high school days. Angela looks beautiful for sure, but we obviously need to pay due respect to her date who opted for a bold, all-white look.
That takes a big personality to pull off — so it's no wonder he scored the confidant Angela Bassett to accompany him. We simply love that 1970s cool, big hair, bellbottoms and all. It wasn't for many decades that you could match hairstyles with your prom date and no one would bat an eyelash.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson here is killing it. At almost 7ft tall, the then-basketball legend-to-be looks simply dashing. His date definitely thinks so too. Plus, Johnson looks like he is having the plain old time of his life, celebrating his high school career with friends and his lovely date. We love that frilly shirt and huge bow tie.
Weirdly, his date is sort of dressed like Mrs. Claus. Kind of like if Mrs. Claus won a beauty pageant, crown and all. An interesting choice, and maybe not the most accurately coordinated, though the two do look wonderful. Judging by this picture, the couple danced the night away. Hopefully, his date's neck wasn't in too much pain after having to look up at Johnson all night.
Adam Levine
As the frontman of the rock band "Maroon 5," there's no doubt that Adam Levine has swagger (and the moves like Mick Jagger?) Even in this classy white suit, we see a slither of bad boy future ladies' man coming through. Everything from the long coat to the pants that are way too big makes this one memorable prom look.
His alt-girl date (who, kind of looks crazily similar to a young Liv Tyler) certainly seems to think so. In any case, this too-cool-for-school-probably sneaking cigarettes-in-the-bathroom high school couple rocked those traditional prom outfits. No, we don't have any evidence of that, but come on, if you saw teen Adam Levine, what would you expect of him?
Stevie Nicks
Future rocker Stevie Nicks was roughly "at the edge of seventeen," pictured her at her senior ball in the year 1966. However, it seems that she wasn't as hip as she was in her later years. In fact, the rockstar looks almost unrecognizable in her tiara and elbow-high gloves. We wonder if Stevie loved this look, or if she could wait to change into something a little more grunge.
Her date is also sporting a huge grin and looking like a regular old gentleman. Little did he know that that woman would soon be killing it as the face of the legendary "Fleetwood Mac." But before that was meant to come to fruition, it was all flowers and tiaras.
Paula Deen
If the identity of the young woman in this picture wasn't the title of this page, we bet one million dollars that you never would have guessed who it was. The queen of southern cooking has managed to more or less hold onto the same hairstyle for all these years. Only now, it's silver (which is pretty cool.) Incidentally, the southern bell looks a little like young Elizabeth Taylor here.
It sure is a classy look, and her date looks equally dapper. We must say we are enjoying the sweet romantic moment between these two 'youngins.' It's fun and pretty romantic-sounding to think of these two conversing in those sweet Southern accents.
Bruce Willis
First off, we love Bruce with hair. It really changes a lot. We wonder if this is the last photo of Bruce with his hair looking this full and luscious. Okay, enough about his hair. It is still pretty strange to see him pose for his high school prom photo.
But, as we can tell, he had a whole other life before he was chasing baddies in a white tank top. Still, there's something about the look on his face that tells us danger is around the corner. Any minute now, he's going to carry his date to safety through some very cool explosions.
Bruno Mars
No, that is not a young Barak Obama. That's an even younger Bruno Mars at his senior prom. We suppose the lei is a standard for proms in Hawaii. He is a native of Honolulu, after all. This picture really captures the charisma that Bruno exudes. And that's a great quality for Hollywood that has helped him break into the music industry as successfully as he has.
Bruno's casual pose really sets the tone. The super-smooth singer oozes cool. We're sure that he was full of awesome dance moves that night. His date must have had the most fun night of her life. We're pretty convinced that there is no way to have a dull night with Bruno Mars.
Tyra Banks
It's hard to believe this isn't from a photoshoot from an early 90s "Vogue" cover because Tyra Banks just looks as chic as anything. To be fair, the fashion icon did start modeling at age 15. That modeling prowess really shows here. Tyra holds herself with the confidence of a runway model.
The earrings, the dress, the hair. Even the crossing of her legs and the way she is positioning her arms. Here, Banks proves that even though she spent many years modeling other people's clothes, the style is all her. All we can say is that her date was one lucky guy - we bet there were a lot of broken hearts that night.
Ryan Seacrest
The golden boy of the E! channel, Ryan Seacrest is all about exposing the real lives of countless stars, so it's only fair that we get to see a glimpse of his. Unfortunately, there's nothing particularly juicy over here. Seacrest looks like a regular old sweet high school boy. He looks like could have been a jock with that jawline.
Seacrest's camera-ready smile and perfect hair combined with his date's ruffled sleeves and traditional corsage make this picture one for the yearbook. He's also sporting a ring that many ladies would melt over. And with that grin, his date looks starstruck before all the stardom even happened. Sometimes you just know.
Caleb McLaughlin
Unlike other stars on this list, "Stranger Things" star Caleb McLaughlin had his prom not too long ago. In fact, we're surprised it happened so soon. Just the other day, the kid was cycling around the burbs making a big fuss about 'the upside-down.'
Well, time flies, especially when you're binge-watching three seasons on Netflix. In any case, it's great to see Caleb out of the 80s gear and looking dapper in something very 2020. We can't see much of his date, but from the little bit we can see, she looked gorgeous, and we're sure he felt very lucky.
Kobe Bryant and Brandy
Rarely do we see two stars in one picture! The legendary Kobe Bryant will never be forgotten, and seeing this photo gives us all kinds of feelings. Kobe and R&B singer Brandy were high school sweethearts and, of course, went together to their senior prom.
We have no doubt that they were the best-looking couple there — regardless of whether or not they took home any crowns. Brandy's gorgeous champagne dress and stylish clutch tell us that she had star quality even then. The beautiful R&B singer and legendary basketball player must have been the envy of the whole school.
Lola Consuelos
The daughter of ABC queen Kelly Ripa and soap star Mark Consuelos, Lola Consuelos had her prom, and she looked simply stunning in that green satin dress. the dress really accentuated her figure and features, and we are sure that she felt like the belle of the ball. Lola's jewelry was kept simple and elegant, so the dress could take center stage.
It's great to see the proud mama Kelly Ripa stand beside her in what is the quintessential picture of a parent with their kid before prom. With her parents' background, we assume that Lola might eventually make her way to the screen. Here's hoping!
Lizzy Caplan
Janice Ian's look wasn't terribly far off from the real Lizzy Caplan in her high school days. She was definitely rocking that heavy 90s alt-girl look. These two were definitely rolling their eyes through the whole event. We can't even imagine what the pre-prom family photos looked like for these two.
We wonder how their families felt about their looks. Even if the cool blue-haired couple did go "ironically," we are loving the funky get-up and certainly appreciate the effort. We mean, blue hair for prom? That doesn't scream "I don't care about this event at all" in our minds.
Taylor Lautner
During his "Twilight" days, Taylor Lautner was once one of the most crazed-about teen actors in Hollywood, so we are definitely enjoying this throwback image of the actor in his high school years. His date surely felt like she won the lottery going to prom with (we're guessing) literally everyone's crush.
We love that classic 2000s hedgehog hairdo that little Lautner is rocking. It's hard to believe that just a few years later, he'd be one of the hottest werewolves in cinema history. Later he would come to be rivaled by Tyler Posey's "Scott McCall," but between you and us, our money is on Jacob.
Tony Goldwyn
Before he was the President of the United States in “Scandal,” Tony Goldwyn was just your average cutie going to prom. He shared this 70s-era prom photo on his Instagram, further proving that he’s always been a heartthrob. The young soon-to-be actor cleaned up for prom with a classic black suit and tie.
Even though Tony went to prom in the 70s, he looks completely modern and classic. He has a white carnation pinned to his lapel to match the outfit of his date, Rosie. And don’t get us started on that hair! That shaggy haircut might make Tony look totally different, but that smile is still the same.
Sayeed Shahidi
Prom is a big deal for any high schooler, but Sayeed Shahidi kicked it up a notch for his 2019 prom. He attended the big event with his high school sweetheart, actress Storm Reid, on his arm, and they both looked stunning. Sayeed went for a classic look in a black-and-white tux with some special detailing.
Unlike most high schoolers, Sayeed showed up in some serious designer threads. He looked sharper than a razor in a Brooks Brothers tuxedo and J.Crew accessories. To top it all off, he wore a custom-embroidered pocket square that read “S & S Prom ‘19.” How cute is that? He definitely turned heads when he showed up to prom with Storm, who wore a pink Tory Burch gown.
Rihanna
Showing up to prom on the arm of a celebrity sounds like something straight out of a romantic comedy. But it actually happened to this lucky guy named Richard. He got to take none other than Rihanna to prom! Riri participated in the MTV special “Once Upon a Prom” in 2007 and picked Richard out of a ton of other guys to be her prom date.
Richard was so star-struck by Rihanna’s beauty that he literally couldn’t function. We don’t blame him. She looks absolutely stunning in her sleek blue prom dress and simple makeup. The two had a blast at prom, dancing the night away and posing for pictures.
Harry Styles
Harry was already a teen heartthrob by the time he went to prom, so this girl got to live every young girl’s dream. Harry and his date look absolutely adorable, 2010s-era Instagram filters aside. Harry rocked his signature shaggy hair while wearing a classic black tux. His date wore a super cute off-the-shoulder prom dress and a fancy updo.
Harry went on to reach superstardom beyond belief, but he never forgot his prom date. The two reunited backstage at a 2015 One Direction concert and snapped the photo on the right. It’s sweet to see that Harry is still friends with the people he knew in the early days of his fame.
Bella Thorne
So many girls dream of having the perfect prom, and Bella Thorne was lucky enough to have her moment. She was absolutely over the moon to attend prom with her date, Tristan Klier. “Finally had a prom slow dance,” Bella wrote when she posted this romantic photo on Instagram.
This candid shot shows just how happy Bella was to get her perfect prom moment. She wore her hair in a simple but chic ponytail with wispy bangs. For her outfit, Bella wore a jewel-encrusted prom gown by famous dress designer Sherri Hill. Bella was such a big fan that she modeled the label’s Spring 2014 collection before she made her prom debut.
Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater may be one of the world’s most famous surfers, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to embarrassing photos from his past. The surfer posted this flashback of when he attended his high school prom in 1991 with his friend Meghan White. The two look so young, so cute, and so of the time. The 90s might be back in style, but let’s not bring Kelly’s look back, okay?
Kelly, as always, is able to approach his prom look with self-deprecating humor. “How sick is my suit, shiny and about 3 sizes too big?!” he wrote on Instagram. There’s no denying that Kelly’s suit is quintessentially retro-chic. Regardless of what they’re wearing, the two look like they’re having a blast.
Robin Wright
Many of us like to look back and chuckle at our high school fashion, but actress Robin Wright simply can’t do that. She showed up to her prom looking absolutely beautiful and timeless. If only we could all be so lucky! This 1981 photo shows a young Robin wearing a strapless black dress, a classic pearl necklace, and a subtle crown.
This prom look is so stunning that it could easily be worn today. Honestly, it’s unfair to look this good in a high school prom photo. Considering how gorgeous Robin is, it’s really no surprise that she was voted homecoming queen at her La Jolla, California, high school the same year.
Jeremy Renner
No one is above a cheesy prom photo. Not even Jeremy Renner. He posted this #tbt a few years ago and reflected on his prom fashion faux pas from the 80s. Simply put: it’s amazing. First off, Jeremy is absolutely rocking that white tux and light pink accents in the bowtie, boutonniere, and pocket square. We love a king who knows how to coordinate.
Then, to top off the whole look, Jeremy is looking unashamedly fresh with a fabulous mullet. His haircut is the true definition of “business in the front, party in the back.” All jokes aside, Jeremy looks absolutely adorable, and we’d be honored to go to prom with him. “Glad this tux was a rental,” he told Twitter. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Jeremy. It was fashionable at the time.
RuPaul
Before RuPaul became the Queen of Drag, he was just RuPaul Andre Charles from Northside High in Atlanta, Georgia. However, this 1983 prom photo of Ru just goes to show that he’s always known how to serve face and dress to impress. Just look at his perfectly contoured cheekbones, bold eyeshadow, and dangling earring.
RuPaul rocked his high school prom with a long tuxedo jacket, pinstripe pants, and colorful dress shoes. His date, Deborah Kampeier, looks equally stunning in a knee-length white dress that’s giving romantic hippie vibes. Can we retroactively vote Ru and Deborah as the “best dressed” couple at their prom?
Terry Crews
Before Terry Crews was the tough-but-lovable actor from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, he was just an adorable young man who pulled out all the stops for his prom date. Terry posted this throwback photo on Twitter to reminisce on prom days past.
For whatever reason, his high school prom decided to stage this awkward photo-op with 6-foot Terry towering over his beautiful date. Despite the weird photo-op, the two look really sweet. A fresh-faced Terry is beaming in his classic tuxedo get-up with a coordinating light pink bowtie and cumberbund. “I finally grew into my hands and feet!” he joked on Twitter.
Sandra Bullock
There’s no denying that some celebs were simply born with that “it” factor. One look at this candid shot of Sandra Bullock at her prom is proof that she’s always had something special. The black-and-white photo, snapped in 1982, shows a young Sandra dancing with her date and smiling with pure abandon and joy. She wore a light-colored spaghetti-strap dress and that infectious smile.
However, her prom night might not have been as happy as this photo implies. She confessed on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” that she went home early because she and her date had broken up a couple of weeks before the big night. Hopefully, he didn’t beat himself up over dumping one of Hollywood’s sweetest stars.
Jessica Alba
Some people really don’t age, do they? Jessica Alba puts us all to shame because it seems that she never had an awkward phase. If this prom photo is any indication, she was always gorgeous, even while wearing a cheesy 90s prom dress. She looks good in pretty much anything, so it’s no surprise that she pulled off this black-and-white dress with tiny floral appliques.
The California native attended her Claremont High School prom with her then-boyfriend Chris, whom she dated on and off for five years. Chris has told the tabloids that he doesn’t regret breaking up with the gorgeous star, but he does wish they had remained on speaking terms post-breakup. You win some, you lose some, Chris.
Jimmy Fallon
About this blast from the past, Jimmy Fallon said, “My date didn’t tell me she was getting tan and high heels for the prom. Standing next to her, I looked so pale and so small.” We hate to agree, but he does, in fact, look a little underwhelming compared to his lovely date.
It’s always a good idea to coordinate with your prom date, but this planning mishap surely made for an unforgettable photo! At the very least, his boutonniere matches his date's corsage, so they've got that going for them. Poor Jimmy, though he's grown into himself quite a bit since then.
Jennifer Aniston
Here, Jen doesn’t look anything like the Hollywood megastar that she is today. But she still looked ready to have a great time at prom with her brown updo, timeless black dress, and simple, elegant jewelry. It's fun to think that here, she was a regular teenager (though, we're sure she was extremely popular), and in a few years' time, she would become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.
And her date (who quite frankly has strong Ross Geller vibes) kept it traditional with a tux and bow tie. We can't help but wonder where Jennifer's prom date is today and if he ever thought that his prom date would eventually become one of Hollywood's biggest sweethearts.
Natalie Portman
The stunning actress was already famous at the time of this photo. Natalie Portman began her film career at the ripe old age of 12, and though fame infiltrated her early life, Natalie was still able to enjoy the simpler things like going to prom.
We don't know who her date was, but we're sure he had a hard time comparing to some of the heartthrobs that Portman was paired with on-screen. She chose a sparkly, strapless blue dress, and the look was sealed with a sheer shawl and glittery silver bag. Natalie looked happy to just be a normal girl for a night!
Blake Lively
Sure, she and her husband Ryan Reynolds often look like deities on screen. But, like everyone else, she's had her awkward moments too. And this photo proves that Blake Lively, who's often on everyone's list of best-dressed, is a human being and was once as awkward as you. Still, we can't blame her, given the time period, she undoubtedly looked super trendy.
The pink sequins of her dress and that tiara tell us this happened in the early 2000s. Also, those side bangs! In any case, the smile on Blake's face tells us she had a blast at her prom. And ultimately, that's all that matters!
Beyoncé
Before she was a member of Destiny's Child and later an iconic solo artist, Beyoncé was simply the daughter of a small-town preacher from Texas. She went to the event with her longtime boyfriend (who, apparently, later made a horrible mistake and cheated on her). Beyoncé rocked a halter-neck dress with cut-outs and a funky colorful pattern.
Her hair, makeup, and jewelry are also flawless, as you would expect. But Beyoncé, who clearly would even look beautiful in a potato sack, looked like she was enjoying this night. Little did she know the bright future ahead of her, and we’re pretty sure her date is counting his losses now.
Lady Gaga
Long before "A Star Is Born," Lady Gaga was your average New Yorker, and she went by her given name, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (well, maybe not the full thing). But, can you spot Lady Gaga in this photo? We’ll give you a hint; she favored the “bronzed” look.
Though she is super tan, Lady Gaga still looks striking in her aqua blue dress, simple updo, and pretty corsage. Compared to what she wears today, this is a rather understated look. Can we just take a moment to acknowledge the spectrum of dresses in this picture and early 2000s prom looks? Whether you're wearing a cocktail dress or a ball gown, there was a dress for everyone.
Reese Witherspoon
At first glance, this looks like Reese Witherspoon’s look-alike daughter, Ava. But if you study the photo closely, you can see a very young Reese. It’s a bit of a challenge to see from the black and white photo exactly what her prom look was, but it looks like she chose to keep her dress, hair, and jewelry simple and beautiful.
What is incredibly clear from the photo is that Reese has barely aged, and her elegant class has stayed the same through the years. We mean, the fact that even now she's constantly confused with her daughter is pretty impressive.
Meryl Streep
Here we have one of the most legendary acting icons in Hollywood today - Meryl Streep. Fans know that Meryl doesn’t do any of her performances halfway and, years ago, she even went all out for prom! Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and full of youth, Meryl was glowing at her prom in 1967.
This was a good few years before Meryl's screen debut, but it was clear that she had that star quality from the start. While managing to let her natural beauty shine through, she chose a graceful dress that included arm-length gloves. Meryl is certainly sporting a '60s debutante look here, but it looks lovely on her -- and so does her date.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt chose an unconventional grey suit and tie for his prom back in the 80s. And underneath his almost mullet hairstyle, you can still see the makings of People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. You can also be sure it was the 80s thanks to Pitt and his date's hairstyles - they state loud and proud just which decade those locks belonged to.
As for his date, she chose a white dress that, at first glance, makes this look like a wedding photo shoot. Today she must be star-struck looking back at this photo. This lucky lady was actually one of Brad's first loves and his high school sweetheart. That's a fun story to share!
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell was pulling classic Will Ferrell moves by stealing his date’s tiara for himself. Other than that, Will kept to the typical attire - except that he was missing his suit jacket and stuck with only the shirt and bowtie for this picture. Still, we have a feeling he didn't let that get in the way of any fun.
His date chose to accessorize with some unique necklaces to compliment her black dress, but her best accessory that night was her beaming smile. After all, having Will Ferrell as your prom date can hardly make for a lackluster night.
Demi Lovato
Coral is a great color on Demi Lovato, and it looked even better in this strapless dress. There is a touching backstory to this photo of her and her date. Apparently, Demi went to her friend Nolan’s prom to fulfill a childhood promise she had made.
We bet neither of them expected that Demi would be the megastar she ended up becoming by the time of the prom. And here in 2010, Demi had already secured celebrity status, which may have caused a stir at the event. But she still looked like she was having a blast just attending a friend’s high school prom.
Fergie
Fergie was sporting a very glamorous vibe in her sparkly, black prom dress. The spaghetti straps cemented the 90s look, but what really set her apart were the over-the-elbow black gloves. back then, Fergie was just another high school kid who looked forward to prom as one of the most exciting nights of her life.
And while we're sure she had a great time with her friends, we bet that night pales in comparison to all the awards shows and concerts she's been a part of since. Now a household name, Fergie has definitely retained her glamorous style through the years.
George Clooney
George Clooney and his date looked like they were excited about prom night. The 70s strike again with another prom photo that could be mistaken for a wedding photo. George had to be one of the most eligible guys in school, and we bet this young lady went squealing home to her mom when George popped the question.
One of the things you notice first is his date’s white dress; the second is George’s hair! And if you look closer, you’ll see that George is wearing a classic, ruffled 70s shirt. If these two didn't win prom king and queen then we're demanding a revote. Yes, decades on.
Gigi Hadid
Here's Gigi Hadid’s prom look in 2013, and it's definitely more understated than what we’re used to seeing her in, even on a casual weekday! Gigi's hair and makeup are sweet and natural - perfect for a high school prom.
It's nice to see that even though she was constantly being made up and made to look ten years older than she was, at her prom she looked like a regular teenager. Being a supermodel, you may be used to seeing her in high fashion on magazine covers and the runway. But even in her bright coral dress, she looks stunning.
Jon Hamm
You’re often used to seeing Jon Hamm in suits from his role as Don Draper on "Mad Men," but here you see a more approachable Jon. Jon is all decked out in a tux, and we can forgive his messy hair for the bashful smile.
Even though he was clearly a jock, we love how shy he looks as his mom is probably beaming proudly behind the camera. His date had a red carpet style with her black, scoop neck dress and white choker. Both he and his date looked very glamorous and, honestly, a little bit "Mad Men" inspired.
Matthew McConaughey
Alright, alright, alright! Matthew McConaughey has the same beaming smile today as he had in his prom photo. The couple did a great job of coordinating their colors (and overall 80s vibe) for the event, with Matthew’s blue bow tie and his date’s royal blue dress.
They are also both sporting some nice accessories with Matthew's gold chain link bracelet and his date's pearl necklace and dainty watch. Judging by their seemingly authentic smiles and hand-holding, they may have been more than just prom dates. Ah, to think of being Matthew McConaughey's high school sweetheart - what a dream come true.
Josh Duhamel
Judging by the expression on Josh Duhamel’s face, this may have been a candid photo. He went all out for his prom suit to include a cummerbund, although the fanciness ended with his hair. Duhamel's hair looks like every teenage boy's hair in the 90s - just a mop of hair plopped on top of the boy's head.
Still, it's a cute look! We don't know who his date was, but we're sure she was probably pretty giddy about going to prom with Duhamel. Still, considering everything below his hair seems to be on point, perhaps we can give Josh a pass.
John Stamos
There is a lot of hair happening in this prom photo! It’s hard to find John Stamos under all that hair, but he’s there. Bright-eyed and literally bushy-tailed, Stamos is hardly recognizable with that babyface. He was by no means a bad-looking teen, but Uncle Jesse definitely had a glow-up by the time he hit "Full House."
All of the ruffles shared between the two indicate the 70s, along with Stamo’s white suit and his date’s Farrah Fawcett-inspired hair. Maybe after prom, they headed to the disco. Either way, we're sure this was a memorable night for Stamos and his lovely date.
Ellen Degeneres
Long before she graced the stage, dancing, giving interviews to famous people, and making us laugh till we cry, Ellen Degeneres was just a regular girl. Between her and her date, the two are really competing with each other with their outfit colors.
Ellen selected a floor-length, plaid dress for her prom, while her date chose a deep red suit, a light pink shirt, and what looks to be grey pants. These appear to be bold (and even outrageous) choices now, but at the time, they were on-trend! Also, can we take a moment to acknowledge just how large that bowtie is?
Jaden Smith
What can be said about Jaden Smith’s prom ensemble? He made a truly unique choice when he decided to go to prom in a white Batman suit (yes, Batman). He at least did add a light-colored blazer jacket and champagne tie for some tradition.
The tie was just hanging around his neck as the Batman suit isn't really designed for black-tie events, but it's the thought that counts. His date looked beautiful in a white, cut-out lace dress with a halter neck, and some lovely white sandals to match. And, based on her smile, it looks like she had a wonderful time with her caped crusader.
Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter chose a gorgeous black lace dress for prom. It was a mermaid cut because, obviously if your name is Ariel, why not go all out and turn yourself into a literal mermaid as far as possible? The floor-length dress also featured an open back, which was completed by a generously sized corsage.
We love that Ariel let her lustrous dark hair down and is also pictured here with friends. All three of the gals look like they are not only headed to prom together but celebrating their friendship. What is most beautiful about this photo is Ariel’s confidence.
Kim Kardashian
Kim wasn’t a household name when this picture was taken for her prom memories. Even without her fame, Kim had some impressive connections back then. She went to prom with TJ Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson, and judging by their smiles, the two looked like they were happy about their choice of date.
Kim decided to keep the early 2000s trend of a curly updo, a bold lip, and thin eyebrows. For his side, TJ looked uber-polished in his tux and boutonniere that matched Kim's dress. This picture is another great example of prom photos that could easily pass for wedding pictures.
Liam Payne
Prom in the UK is relatively new but has been gaining popularity over the past decade or so. Former member of One Direction, Liam Payne, sported his iconic hairstyle for his big night. The group didn’t look ready to pose for the photo, but at least Liam and his date were coordinated with her purple dress and his purple tie.
No doubt this was one last everyday memory before Liam and his future One Direction bandmates left normal life behind. It's funny to think that, at the time, this could have easily been the most exciting thing Liam could have imagined. If only he knew what was just around the corner for him.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning was already a star at the time of this photo, so she knew how to create a jaw-dropping look. If you're thinking that her dress looked like it was made for the red carpet and not for the halls of a high school, that’s because it was.
Elle couldn’t actually go to prom because she had to attend the Cannes Film Festival. Her prom date then flew out to see her and do a photoshoot with her. It’s remarkable that Elle still wanted the experience of prom when she had a red-carpet event to attend. What a memory!
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood flashed an authentic smile in this sweet prom photo. Before she unleashed her powerhouse voice to the world, she kept her small-town girl charm with her headband and the subtle waves in her hair. Even after she achieved worldwide fame, Carrie has retained her sweet demeanor - it's just one reason why everyone loves her.
Even here, so many years ago, Carrie looked like America’s sweetheart. Who could have guessed that in just a few short years, everyone in the country would know her name - and not long after that, the world would. Not to mention, her date also looked very dapper in his white suit with black-tipped lapels.
Ashton Kutcher
Would you expect anything less from Ashton Kutcher’s prom photo than him being in the center of the dance floor? This guy was made for the limelight. Just look how at home he looks entertaining everyone around him.
It’s unclear if he had a date or not from this photo, but it is clear that he came to have a great time. It looks like he donned the traditional tux but ditched the jacket to get down to dancing. By the way, did you notice that all the on-lookers in this photo just so happen to be girls? Yeah, we bet he was popular in high school, alright.
Tana Mongeau
Youtuber Tana Mongeau was already pretty well-known by the time she headed to prom. Today the internet celebrity has millions of subscribers to her successful YouTube channel. The beauty kept her blonde hair down and let her bi-color black and gold dress steal the show.
Her date also looked great in his grey suit that was accented by a metallic bow tie. The silver and gold contrast is a cool look, but we have to admit that it does not look clear that these two were on the same wavelength. Still, keeping up with Tana must be quite a feat.
Lance Bass
Lance Bass took "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel to his prom. Today Lance is married to Michael Turchin, but long before he came out, he dated Danielle. And a young celeb relationship like this one would have been a delight to fans! We bet all the guys in their year were jealous that Lance scored Danielle as his date.
Here Lance had the customary bleached hair for the time to go with his prom suit, while Danielle wore a gorgeous white dress with chunky silver heels. With their matching corsage and boutonniere, we bet this gorgeous pair stole the show at their prom - crown or no crown.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
The first thing we notice about Snooki’s prom photo is that she wanted to be tan...really tan. This is the kind of tan that would have social media in a tizzy if this photo was posted today. However, the fact that it came from the early 2000s and that it was Snooki kind of makes it forgivable.
Aside from her startling skin tone, she looked beautiful in her Cinderella blue dress and tiara. Her date decided to keep a more stoic expression but still looked striking in his long black suit. Judging by Snooki's expression, it was a great night.
Porsha Williams
Porsha Williams kept her look all black and classy with a simple, elegant, high-neck dress. Since then, Porsha's style has gotten a little more extravagant - but she still knows how to keep it classy. "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star shared this photo with fans and let them know that it was taken back in 1998.
But who is Porsha’s well-dressed mystery date? Whoever he was, he was apparently cute! "Wow, my cousin sent me this offline! Prom 1998 [...] Who scratched my date’s face...he was cute," she remarked. From our experience, Porsha, we think we know who scratched out your date's face.
Tom Brady
Though he lacks star quarterback confidence in this photo, Tom Brady still looked like he knew how to properly dress for prom. Or at least his mom did. We don't know the full story. We also don’t know where his suit jacket went, but he at least had the shirt, vest, pants, and bow tie-down.
We hope he had a great date lined up for the prom but, if not, young Tom wouldn’t have to worry as he would later be an NFL quarterback married to Victoria’s Secret model Giselle Bundchen. Granted, like all good things, that would come to an end. But still, that's pretty exciting for a teenager to know!
John Krasinski
John Krasinski has come a very long way from the nerdy guy on "The Office" to the leading man he is today. John chose a classic suit and a patterned tie for himself. We can't see who his lovely date is, but we have no doubt that she felt like the belle of the ball with John on her arm.
Underneath the endearing awkwardness of this photo, you can still see that adorable John Krasinski smile. Little did he know that he would come to be universally loved for that quirkiness - but we have a feeling that he secretly wasn't surprised.
Taraji P. Henson
There is nothing understated about Taraji’s prom dress! The future actress selected a dramatic, pink, winged-sleeve dress that sort of wore her, honestly. Nevertheless, this dress needed a big personality to match it, and Taraji was just the person for the job. Taraji manages to crack a smile that looks both sweet and innocent, and also a little sassy.
But, despite the overwhelming dress, Taraji still looks lovely with her angled updo and corsage. Thankfully, as a star, she has honed her style today. We wonder how she feels looking back on this picture and thinking about her past fashion choices.
James Charles
Famous beauty YouTuber James Charles (unsurprisingly) had an absolutely flawless face for his prom. Just a few years after launching his makeup channel, James already had millions of subscribers. It's very clearly the mid-2010s judging by the block eyebrows and intense lip. We think there is also something in James' hair, but it's a little unclear from this angle.
Aside from his makeup, he kept his look simple with a classic black suit and bow tie. His date’s bejeweled black dress coordinated well with James' look, and what else would you expect from a bonafide beauty guru? The two looked ready to have a fabulous night!
Lily Singh
Comedian Lily Singh has used her family background as rich material for her skits. And here she was full-on representing her Indian heritage for her prom. She's a classic example of how someone can both poke fun at their family's traditions, and still display loud and proud that she'll always have a deep love and reverence for where she came from.
Lily sported a beautiful Fuschia sari, an abundance of bangles, and a bindi on her forehead. The look was completed by complimentary Fuschia-toned jewelry. We didn't get to see what her date wore, but one thing we can be certain of is that their night was full of laughs.
Nick Kroll
The actor, comedian, and producer wore the traditional tux for his big night, but Kroll’s hair was another story! He decided to keep his hair long and wild for prom, but at least he kept the rest of his ensemble — which included a corsage — traditional.
This is for sure one of those photos that you think look great at the time, but as the years go on you start to realize that maybe there were some choices worth reconsidering. Still, what really stands out in this photo are the smiles that say they were having a great time.
Yara Shahidi
Actress Yara Shahidi took off to prom in a stunning yellow dress with her cousin by her side. Shahidi looked like a modern-day Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" - but there was no beast in sight! The strapless dress with a pleated skirt was very complimentary next to her cousin’s Fuschia one.
Shahidi kept the overall look classy with minimal jewelry and left her hair naturally beautiful. Not to mention her gorgeous corsage that made the whole look feel more prom-like instead of the red carpet. And, let's face it, if it wasn't for that corsage, these lovely ladies could for sure pass as some red carpet attendees.
Barack Obama
In this fabulous 70s photo, the former president wore a white suit, dark shirt, and light blue tie for his prom. Listen, it may not have been his number one fashion moment (and we certainly hope there weren't worse outfits, either), but this young man grew up to be the leader of the free world. So, he gets a pass from us for this outfit choice.
He also decided to add a lei for an island touch, but since Obama attended high school in Hawaii, the look wasn’t out of place in any way. Say what you want about his policies, but everyone has to agree that Michelle certainly whipped him into shape, fashion-wise.
Gwen Stefani
We bet you're guessing that Gwen Stefani was cooler than you in high school, and guess what? She was! At age 17, she went to prom, showing off her Grace Kelly-inspired gown and a cute bob at her high school prom. We have to say, though, Gwen is hardly recognizable from way back when.
We mean, when last did you see Gwen Stefani so tanned? This casual yet elegant look was a pre-No Doubt look, and we have no doubt that Gwen Stefani's style has changed drastically over the years. Though these days, she's seemed to return to her roots.