Picture day seems like a lot of fun when you’re in school and getting your best outfit ready for the big event. But once you get older and start looking back at those old photos, it all takes on a “what was I thinking” vibe. Before we wrap up summer, we thought it was time to take a nostalgic trip back to school. Whether they were destined for music superstardom, EGOT status, or the White House, we’ve got a fun look back at the yearbook photos of your favorite Black stars.
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Barack Obama
From the afro, to the suit, you can tell young Barack was definitely feeling himself on this day at the Punahou School in Honolulu.
Michelle Obama
Meanwhile, our Forever First Lady Michelle already looked like she was about to take over the world.
Pam Grier
The future “Foxy Brown” was already a badass, writing on X, “Big hair hid razor blades to fight off country ass girl gangs and scary hairy creatures hiding under the bed at night.”
John Legend
So John Legend is ridiculously talented and also doesn’t age? Somehow that doesn’t seem fair. But his music is so good, we’ll let it pass.
Snoop Dogg
Young Calvin Broadus aka “High school snoopy,” looks like he’s going to be someone’s accountant, not one of the biggest rappers of all time.
Taraji P. Henson
This is a young woman who knew she was going places and was definitely going to make an impact. “She knew she belonged in #Hollywood right here, she just didn’t know how she was getting there but she DREAMED BIG AF!!!,” Henson wrote on Instagram.
Viola Davis
“The Woman King’s” road to an EGOT started at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island.
Will Smith
That mischievous smile definitely tells the Fresh Prince is about to start some trouble.
Mariah Carey
Long before she was the “Queen of Christmas,” Mariah Carey was a senior at Harborfields High School who loved her hairspray.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé found success in Destiny’s Child when she was a teenager, but she also attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston.
Zoe Saldana
Before she was saving the day as one of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Zoe Saldana was kept it cool with a short ‘90s hairdo.
Megan Thee Stallion
We absolutely would’ve wanted to hang out with Meg in high school. She seems like she would’ve been the coolest girl in class.
Amber Riley
Award-winning singer/actress Amber Riley got to relive her high school years on “Glee,” but here’s the proof that she always had a captivating personality.
Ice Cube
Sorry, we can’t focus on anything other than how spectacular Ice Cube’s curl is.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki definitely wasn’t happy to be surprised with her adorable high school photo on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” However, Jimmy is a gracious host who also offered up his pic, which is giving off Zack Morris vibes.
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