X awkward celebrity prom photos that are a hilarious blast from the past

High school prom was an awkward moment in time for many of us. That’s because, well, high school was just plain awkward! So, when you add in some poofy dresses, even poofier hair, and a photographer? Well, now you just have internet gold. And if there’s one thing for certain, every single one of us has at least one dance photo from high school that makes us cringe – including celebrities.

Here are 40+ prom photos that these celebrities probably wish never surfaced.

They might not be happy about people finding and sharing these photos – but we sure are. Keep reading to see some hilarious fashion choices, interesting hairstyles, and awkward poses from our favorite celebrities.

1) Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner is well-known for his roles in moves such as The Hurt Locker, The Avengers, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, and many more. But before he was a famous, handsome celebrity? He had a mullet and a rose gold bow tie.

2) Barack Obama

Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States and he is missed by many. Whether you love him or hate him, seeing his prom photo with his afro and cream-colored jacket should definitely bring a smile to your face.

3) Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is an award-winning actress who has been acting in incredible movies for decades. She has always had a natural beauty about her and as you can see by her prom photo (where it appears that she won Prom Queen!), she’s had those beautiful looks since she was a teen.

4) Terry Crews

Terry Crews is usually making us laugh, flexing his pecs, and motivating others to get in shape. Some might say that his tough look is pretty intimidating – but if they saw his prom photo? They’d know he’s just a giant, dorky teddy bear inside.

5) Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta and let’s just say she was once a very typical teen going to prom in the year 2004. Who knew that overly-tanned girl in the turquoise dress would soon take over the pop world?

6) Jimmy Fallon

We’ve been laughing with Jimmy Fallon on late night TV for years. Whether it was on Saturday Night Live or his own talk show, he’s one hilarious guy. His prom photo also has us chuckling but I think his date’s dress takes the cake in this one.

7) Jessica Alba

If there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that Jessica Alba is an absolute stunner. Despite her funny dress choice, it looks like she’s been quite the beauty her entire life. And her prom date seems quite happy too!

8) Bruce Willis

Brace yourself, people – Bruce Willis used to have hair. I mean, it was so long ago that the photographic evidence is in black and white, but it’s true! Take a look at Bruce’s prom photo – you’d never guess that was the famous action-film actor.

9) Robin Wright

Robin Wright has won seven Emmy nominations and has even earned a Golden Globe for her phenomenal acting work. Her beauty has always been unparalleled and looking back at her prom photo, you can see that she’s always had amazing genes!

10) Reese Witherspoon

Here’s another actress that has been a gorgeous woman ever since she was born! Check out the talented Reese Witherspoon in her group prom photo with friends. She still has that angelic baby face!

11) Rihanna

Rihanna is a mega-star with platinum albums, a lingerie line, and multiple other entrepreneurial endeavors. Looking back at her prom photo, it appears that she’s always walked around with an air of confidence about her.

12) Beyoncé

Beyoncé is arguably one of the most famous people to have every existed. After all, she didn’t earn her nickname of Queen Bey for nothing. Before Jay-Z swooped her off her feet, this pop star diva was looking beautiful as ever during her high school prom.

13) Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is another one of those actresses who is so talented and so versatile, she can take on any role that’s thrown at her. Looking back at her prom photo, it appears that this celebrity hasn’t aged one bit over the years.

14) Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler was full-on encompassing the 80s style when she went to prom. The comedian and actress steps out of her limo rocking a very ruffled dress with some hair to match! And is that a bouquet that she has or a very large corsage?

15) Courtney Cox

Before Courtney Cox won all of our hearts playing Monica on Friends, she was just your typical teenage girl! It appears that Courtney went for a very modest approach with her dress choice on prom night but her smile still lights up a room!

16) Ru Paul

Ru Paul has always been someone with eccentric style and a large personality. Judging by his hilarious prom photo, we’d have to guess that he’s always been that way! Look at that face – it’s the same sassy attitude the famous drag queen has had for decades.

17) Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell is one of those comedians and actors that is impossible to hate. He’s just way too lovable! Not to mention hilarious. We can only guess that Will had his prom date laughing the entire time. Will certainly seems to be aging well, though!

18) Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is a woman that just gets more beautiful with age. Look at her youthful and bright photo at prom when she was just a teen. Her decorative necklace goes to show that she was always one to lead trends.

19) Ellen Degeneres

Ellen doesn’t exactly look like the happiest camper in her prom photo but she’s sure found her happiness now! America’s favorite comedian was rocking quite the look and style back in the day – and look at her date’s outfit!

20) Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock is another one of those actresses that doesn’t seem to age. Looking like she was quite smitten with her prom date, Sandy looks so beautiful in her white prom dress and braids. What a great photo!

21) Jennifer Aniston

We grew to know and love her as Rachel Green on Friends and, now, Rachel Aniston is one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. Her popular haircut on the show was quite the pop culture hit, and we’re just glad her 1987 prom hair didn’t catch on!

22) Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey looks like a teen dream football star in his prom photo. What a clean cut young man! He grew up to be one of America’s most beloved actors with a knack to nail just about any genre that’s thrown at him.

23) Brad Pitt

It looks like Brad Pitt was always a confident and good-looking man. We just love his blown-out hairstyle and light-colored suit. We wonder what his prom date thought when he landed that role in Thelma and Louise!

24) Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is only 29-years-old, so unlike a lot of these celebrities, her prom wasn’t really that long ago in the scheme of things. Aside from becoming even more beautiful, the huge pop star really doesn’t look like she’s aged a day.

25) George Clooney

Judging by the smirk on George’s face and the giant grin on his prom date’s face, we’re guessing that he’s been a heartthrob since his high school days. This is before his hair turned that wonderful salt and pepper color that he has now.

26) Michelle Obama

Since we shared Barack Obama’s funny prom photo, it was only fair that we showed Michelle’s prom photo too. We don’t know what kind of theme was going on here to warrant this pose set-up but her satin dress is gorgeous!

27) Scarlett Johansson

Okay, so this isn’t a prom photo of Scarlett, but it is a photo from her teenage years and it’s very early-2000s. Between the slicked-back hair, gold hoops, necklace, and button-up shirt, she was your quintessential teen back then.

28) Ashton Kutcher

It looks like Ashton Kutcher was the life of the party at his prom. He was cutting a rug when this photographer was making their rounds and we have to say – that’s some hair cut you got there, Ashton!

29) Blake Lively

Before Ryan Reynold’s won her heart, Blake Lively was going for the “princess” look at her high school prom. But one thing is for sure – she was just as pretty as ever!

30) Harry Styles

Harry Styles has been driving girls wild ever since the formation of boy band One Direction. And, although he’s still a young lad at the ripe age of just 25-years-old, his prom photo is still too adorable not to share.

31) Britney Spears

Britney Spears was actually still in high school when her first breakout hit of “Hit Me Baby One More Time” debuted in 1998. So, when she went to her high school prom, she was actually already on her fast track to stardom. Of course, The Mickey Mouse Club helped too.

32) Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is one of country’s hottest starlets to have ever existed. First gaining her popularity on American Idol in 2005 when she won season 4, she’s shot up in fame ever since. Her youth and innocence in this prom photo are just too cute.

33) Claire Danes

Claire Danes is another amazing actress who has starred in a multitude of incredible roles ever since she was just a teenager. Her baby face in this teen photo reminds of her days playing Angela Chase in My So-Called Life.

34) Danielle Fishel and Lance Bass

Grab onto your seats people, Danielle Fishel and Lance Bass went to prom together! How amazing is that? Stumbling upon this photo just made the teenager in us very, very happy.

35) Debra Messing

Debra Messing makes us laugh on the sitcom Will & Grace and her prom photo, quite honestly, makes us giggle as well. Check out that outfit (popped collar!) and hair-do. We’re guessing she wished this photo never existed.

36) Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has lived in the spotlight since she was a young kid as well, performing on Barney & Friends. But she still found time to live it up like a normal teenager on her high school prom night.

37) Faith Hill

Country star Faith Hill has been singing her way into our hearts for decades and we just adore her and her husband Tim McGraw. However, it’s when old photos surface like this, that make even the biggest of stars seem human again. Too cute!

38) Fergie

Fergie was still looking as Fergalicious as ever back during her high school prom. Despite a super 90s beachy hairstyle, the pop star was still looking as gorgeous as ever. And judging by all the boys surrounding her, we’re guessing they thought so too.

39) Halle Berry

Did Halle Berry win Prom Queen too? Either way, she sure is rocking that tiara in her high school prom photo. Halle will forever be known as one of the most iconic beauties in Hollywood. We think she was probably pretty popular in high school too.

40) Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm has been in the Hollywood scene for quite some time but many people know him from his role as Don Draper on Mad Men. It looks like Jon’s prom date thought that he was quite the catch back then!

41) Kim Kardashian

Was Kim Kardashian ever really a normal teen? We’ll never know, but we do know that she went to prom like a normal person. And hey! There was even a point in time that she didn’t have any plastic surgery. Amazing!

42) Dakota Fanning

We’ve watched Dakota Fanning grow up right before our eyes since when she first starred in the movie I Am Sam back when she was just 7-years-old. Since then, she has grown into quite the talented starlet. And somehow, she managed to squeeze in prom!

43) Taylor Lautner

Were you, Team Edward or Team Jacob, when it comes to Twilight? Well, you might officially become Team Jacob when you see Taylor Lautner’s adorable prom photo. How sweet is that smile?!

These celebrities might be a little embarrassed that these photos surfaced, but we sure do love them! Which celebrity prom photo was your favorite?

H/T: Bored Panda