Black Celebs Who Look Just as Good Today as They Did in the 90s

If you need any further proof that Black don’t crack, check out these stunning stars who look just as good (or better) than they did in the 1990s

Photo: Getty Images

It’s hard to believe that the 1990s were thirty years ago (especially if you lived through them!). But you can’t deny that the decade gave us some amazing Black talent that we’re still in love with today. Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Angela Bassett and Lenny Kravitz are just a few of the stars who are aging like fine wine and making us ask ourselves, “wait, they’re how old?” whenever we see them show up on a red carpet.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Don Lemon Breaks Down How He’s Building His Media Empire

If you need any further proof that Black don’t crack, check out these stunning stars who look just as good (or better) than they did in the 1990s.

Nia Long

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Actress Nia Long turned heads on the red carpet at “The Best Man” premiere in Los Angeles in 1999. Over two decades later, the “Love Jones” star hasn’t aged a bit, seen on the right at an LA premiere in 2023.

Halle Berry

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

From her fashion forward red carpet looks to her trendsetting hairstyles, Halle Berry rarely gets it wrong. On the left, she’s pictured arriving at the Soul Train Awards in 1995. On the right, she attends the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Lenny Kravitz

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

We swear these pictures were taken 32 years apart. On the left, the “Let Love Rule” singer poses on a beach in Malibu, California in 1992. And on the right, Kravitz performs in London at Wembley Stadium in June 2024.

Nicole Ari Parker

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

And just like that, actress/model Nicole Ari Parker shows us that she still stuns. On the left, she’s pictured on the set of a Law & Order movie in 1998. On the right, she’s spotted at a Marc Jacobs fashion show in New York City in 2024.

Angela Bassett

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

You don’t need to get your groove back if you never lost it. Actress Angela Bassett is aging like fine wine. On the left, she arrives at the “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” premiere in 1998. On the right, she makes an appearance on “The Tonight Show” in March 2024.

Regina King

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Since Regina King stole our hearts as Brenda Jenkins on the hit 80s sitcom “227,” her star stock only continued to rise. The Academy Award winner is pictured on the left at the “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” Hollywood Premiere in 1998 and on the right at the LA Premiere of Netflix’s “Shirley” in March 2024.

Sanaa Lathan

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

The daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan, actress Sanaa Lathan was born to be in the business. The star of hit early 2000s flicks like “Brown Sugar” and “Love and Basketball” is showing no signs of slowing down. On the left, she’s seen at “The Best Man” premiere in 1999. On the right, she makes an appearance at the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™.

Queen Latifah

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

All hail the Queen! For decades Queen Latifah has shown us her amazing talent on the stage and screen. On the left, the rapper/singer/actress poses for a video photo shoot in 1991. On the right, she arrives at the Met Gala in 2024.

Larenz Tate

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Larenz Tate was just a teenager when he played O-Dog in the 1993 hit film “Menace II Society.” These days, he’s playing a New York City councilman with big ambitions in the “Power” series, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Blair Underwood

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

From his role as attorney Jonathan Rollins on the hit 80s legal drama “L.A. Law” to his role as FBI agent Carter in the new summer thriller “Longlegs,” we believe actor Blair Underwood is literally aging in reverse.

Jamie Foxx

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Yes, these pics were taken 30 years apart! From the NAACP Image Awards in 1994 to a golf outing in Hawaii in January 2024, actor/comedian/game show host Jamie Foxx has not aged a bit.

Vanessa Williams

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Vanessa Williams still stuns at 61. On the left, the multi-hyphenate beauty is spotted on the Academy Awards red carpet in 1996. And on the right, she glows at the GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton in March 2023.

Taye Diggs

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Actor Taye Diggs has been the object of lots of ladies’ affection since he played Angela Bassett’s love interest in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back in 1998. Diggs has starred in several successful movies and series in the nearly 30 years since he played Winston Shakespeare, and we’re still crushing on him!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Most Unhinged Moments from 'The Tyra Banks Show'

The Most Unhinged Moments from ‘The Tyra Banks Show’

“America’s Next Top Model” wasn’t the only Tyra Banks-led series that had completely unhinged moments! Now, her daytime talkshow is in the hot seat …
Exclusive: Wunmi Mosaku, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

Exclusive: Wunmi Mosaku, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
Trayvon Martin and Other Black Men, Women Unjustly Killed

Trayvon Martin and Other Black Men, Women Unjustly Killed

14 years after Trayvon Martin was killed, these other Black men and women were also murdered in shocking similarity …
How Teyana Taylor's Daughter Stole the Entire Show at the 2026 Actor Awards

How Teyana Taylor’s Daughter Stole the Entire Show at the 2026 Actor Awards

While Teyana Taylor may have been the one nominated at the 2026 Actor Awards, her five-year-old daughter Rue was the one everyone kept their eyes on! …
The Real Reason This Black Candidate for Governor Could Receive Zero Black Votes in November

The Real Reason This Black Candidate for Governor Could Receive Zero Black Votes in November

It seems aligning himself with MAGA and Trump is costing Mich. Rep. John James crucial support from the Black community …
Everything You Were Never Told About the Enslaved Woman Who <i>Actually</i> Sparked the Salem Witch Trials

Everything You Were Never Told About the Enslaved Woman Who Actually Sparked the Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials began in March 1692 with a coerced confession— but the true story of the enslaved woman at the heart of it all is far more complex …
Don Lemon Slapped With Another Lawsuit as Minneapolis Churchgoer Claims His Protest Coverage Violated Her First Amendment Rights

Don Lemon Slapped With Another Lawsuit as Minneapolis Churchgoer Claims His Protest Coverage Violated Her First Amendment Rights

Ann Doucette alleged she was left with “severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma” after Don Lemon and others covered a Minneapolis church protest …
All the Best Black Moments You Missed at the 2026 Actor Awards

All the Best Black Moments You Missed at the 2026 Actor Awards

There was a whole lot of Black excellence at the 2026 Actor Awards! In case you missed it, catch our breakdown …
Black Girls: Here's Why A $3.99 Trader Joe's Tote Could Be The Most Valuable Thing In Your Wardrobe

Black Girls: Here’s Why A $3.99 Trader Joe’s Tote Could Be The Most Valuable Thing In Your Wardrobe

A Black British writer observes a new fashion phenomenon across the pond: Trader Joe’s tote bags have become a coveted status symbol, echoing the appeal and exclusivity once held by the iconic Hermès Birkin bag …
You’ll Never Guess What 1990s Halle Berry Film Inspired Iman Shumpert to Invest in Uber

You’ll Never Guess What 1990s Halle Berry Film Inspired Iman Shumpert to Invest in Uber

Iman Shumpert opened up on ‘Club Shay Shay’ about how a ’90s Black film inspired him to invest early in Uber — and what he learned after cashing out too soon …
'Sinners' Star Jayme Lawson Breaks Silence Over BAFTA N-Word Incident

‘Sinners’ Star Jayme Lawson Breaks Silence Over BAFTA N-Word Incident

“Sinners” actress Jayme Lawson broke down why the BBC’s failure to censor the 2026 BAFTA broadcast was “careless” and lacked protection for Black talent …
Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

Latino Man Threatens To Call Trump On Black Family For Being At Their Home

After a Latino man harassed a Black family for moving into the neighborhood, social media is pointing out that Black folks will always be the most targeted by White Supremacy …
2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

2026 NAACP Image Awards Best Moments and Surprises

The 57th annual NAACP Image Awards went off without a hitch and was truly home to some much-needed blackity-black surprises and highlights! Let’s get into it! …
Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People

Withv the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, the Actor Awards (f.k.a. the SAG Awards) happening back to back to close out February and welcome in March, respectively, and then the Oscars on March 15—let’s take a quick look back on some of this seasons Blackest moments …
The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom's Addiction

The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom’s Addiction

Two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom has a storied relationship with substance addiction. He digs into it all in a new documentary …
We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It's Rooted in Slavery?

We All Hate Tipping Culture, But Did You Know It’s Rooted in Slavery?

Wealthy American started the tipping culture in the mid-1800s, beginning a restaurant culture that remains steeped in the roots of slavery …
New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

New Development After White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

Allyson Friedman has identified herself as the college professor caught spewing racist language during a virtual council meeting …
A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd's Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas' Death

A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd’s Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas’ Death

D4vd was named a “target” in the investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything you might’ve missed until now …
Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another <i>Major</i> Milestone

Teyana Taylor Just Hit Another Major Milestone

Teyana Taylor keeps cementing her status in Hollywood and this year’s awards season. And this latest accomplishment from TIME Magazine is further proof of that! …
Black Folks Respond to the Clintons' Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

Black Folks Respond to the Clintons’ Epstein Testimonies, and Phew!

After President Bill Clinton was named in the Epstein files, him and his wife were called before Congress …