Here’s Why Your Fave Celebs Are Throwing It Back to the ‘90s

A quarter into the year 2026 and it seems like nostalgia remains surpreme. Following the recent viral 2026 is the new 2016 trend, another throwback movement is currently making waves all over social media and it comes in the form of a question—What were you like in the '90s?

This viral '90s nostalgia trend is all about celebrities sharing photos and clips of themselves during the nineties. Adding another layer of sentimentality to the trend is its musical accompaniment: 1998 hit song Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.

The format of the trend is simple: Upload a current video of yourself for a few seconds, then include clips or pictures of yourself in the nineties. Among all the celebrities who have posted so far, Drew Barrymore holds the record for the most engagement—2.2 million likes and 35.5 million views.

Analyzing this trend, leading expert on the science of nostalgia Clay Routledge identified Gen Z and Gen Alpha as its key drivers. Having grown up in the digital age, these generations are curious as to how celebrities and famous personalities looked like before cellphones and selfies.

In addition to satisfying the younger generations' curiosity, the celebrities and personalities we love are also utilizing this trend to look back on who they were, recall the roles that launched their careers, and reflect on the journey that got them where they are today.

Anne Curtis

Reese Witherspoon

Serena Williams

Alicia Silverstone

Claudia Schiffer