WE may have just started 2026 but the internet is declaring that 2016 was the “last good year” – or was it?
Numerous celebrities have been sharing from a decade ago, but there were also some moments they’d likely prefer to forget too.
Who can forget Tom Hiddleston’s ‘I heart TS’ top that he wore in the sea during his fling with Taylor Swift?Credit: Xposure
According to , searches for “2016” rose by a staggering 452 per cent in the last week, and over 55 million videos have been made with the app’s ‘2016’ filter.
expert Chad Teixeira told Fabulous why there has been a collective yearning for this nostalgic year, and posts claiming
He shared: “What was so great about 2016 wasn’t perfection, but presence.
“Social media still felt playful rather than performative, algorithms hadn’t yet fully reshaped identity or attention, and pop culture moments were shared rather than fragmented or frowned upon.”
But while some may gaze back with rose-tinted glass, it was a period of toe-curling cringey moments too, as these stars showed…
Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift’s fling
Fans were sent into a whirlwind during Tom and Taylor’s relationship, which involved them hanging out as a couple with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds (centre)Credit: Refer to Source
The relationship was short-lived and fizzled out in September 2016 after starting over the summerCredit: Splash News
Now Taylor is engaged to American football star Travis Kelce, with the pair set to wed in 2026Credit: Getty
Tom Hiddleston is engaged to Zawe Ashton and they share one childCredit: Splash
Pop sensation and Night Manager star had an instant spark dancing during the Met Gala, and created a frenzy when they were during a romantic beach day.
In a whirlwind three weeks together, the pair took a romantic minibreak to and enjoyed wind-swept walks in the countryside — as well as meeting each other’s prospective parents.
The most iconic moment of the relationship was photos of action man Tom splashing about in the ocean wearing a emblazoned on the front (not to mention a matching fake tattoo on his arm).
He explained the cheesy garment to GQ , saying: “The truth is, it was the and a public holiday and we were playing a game and I slipped and hurt my back. And I wanted to protect the graze from the sun and said, ‘Does anyone have a T-shirt?’ And one of her friends said, ‘I’ve got this.’”
Some speculated the – and by September, just months after they started , they split.
Kylie Jenner’s year of ‘realising stuff’
Kylie Jenner got deep for her 2016 New Year video saying it was a year for ‘realising stuff’Credit: YouTube
The year was also peak ‘King Kylie’ era, which saw her business boomCredit: instagram
Kylie is now a billionaire and has been in a relationship with Timothée Chalamet for three yearsCredit: Getty
often goes viral, but started 2016 with a bang by giving an iconic insight into her predictions for the year.
In a philosophical New Year clip, she said: “Like, I feel like every year has a new energy, and I feel like this year is really about, like, the year of just realising stuff.
“And everyone around me, we’re all just, like, realising things.”
It certainly was a big year for the reality star, splitting from ex-partner in April 2016 after years of on-and-off dating.
She also rebranded her from Kylie Lip Kits to Kylie Cosmetic, which later helped her become a billionaire.
Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian’s baby
Rob Kardashian and model Blac Chyna had a volatile relationship in 2016Credit: Getty
The pair had baby Dream that same year, but Rob and Chyna split in 2017Credit: Snapchat
Blac Chyna and Rob co-parent Dream, but are not togetherCredit: Getty
Also in the Kardashian clan, Kylie’s half brother Rob and – a little girl named Dream.
The couple’s fiery relationship was revealed in January this year, and the shock news that the then-28-year-old was pregnant with their first child.
Chyna’s was fraught with tension between her and Rob, with their rollercoaster romance playing out on their own reality series, Rob & Chyna.
The pair split in 2017, but despite rumours of a reconciliation in 2025, Chyna confirmed she was ending the year “single.”
Ariana Grande’s dog filter
The Snapchat dog filter had everyone obsessed, including Ariana GrandeCredit: x.com
Ariana has ditched the puppy filters, but still is a dominant presence on social mediaCredit: Getty
Eva Longoria also loved a Snaphat filter – particularly the cartoon flower crownCredit: Instagram
The filter may be less in Vogue now, but Eva is still nailing her photosCredit: Getty
Cast your mind back to a time before aesthetic pages and feeds dominated with ads.
One of the biggest and unavoidable trends of 2016 was using filters – and one of the most popular was the cartoon “dog face.”
Ever the queen, was among stars who were all over the trend and shared numerous selfies with the silly face.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski jumped on the 2016 trend, sharing a number of eye-popping snapsCredit: Instagram
Many showed the stunning model in swimwear or posing for selfiesCredit: Instagram
Fans hailed this topless shot with Kim Kardashian as ‘iconic’Credit: Instagram
While some people were rocking Snapchat filters, set pulses racing with her head-turning Instagram shots.
Uploading a post “2016 is back ok”, the stunning model shared a series of photos from ten years ago, mainly of which featured her in a bikini.
She even shared a topless snap with , which fans hailed as “iconic.”
The #MannequinChallenge weird trend
Even Michelle Obama and Lebron James got involved with the viral Mannequin ChallengeCredit: Xposure
Who can forget the becoming the big craze in 2016, with , Destiny’s Child and even X Factor’s very own getting involved?
The craze saw people uploading videos of them looking as though they’ve been frozen in time.
Even the got involved, with the then-First Lady filming one with the during a visit.
Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna poked fun at her 2016 self sharing some snaps from her fiery Celebrity Big Brother appearanceCredit: Instagram
Megan is now married to footballer Oliver Burke, and they share a son named LandonCredit: Instagram
Many stars have jumped on the 2016 trend this week and exposed their own snaps from the year.
Towie star was also a good sport in joining in, and uploaded a batch of throwback snaps from the era.
Many of the pics showed in the Celebrity house from the 17th series, where she garnered airtime for her explosive outbursts, culminating in her eviction on Day 18.
She wrote: “Well I can safely say I’ve matured a lot since 2016. Pahahahahahha Took me 10 hard years to find my peace, pure love & my team of real ones.”
Gemma Collins
Gemma Collins also posted her own 2016 snaps, including this one with a shetland ponyCredit: Boohoo
Gemma said she and fiancé Rami Hawash will have a baby and get married in 2026Credit: Instagram
No one is iconic quite like , and 2016 was also a standout year for the GC.
Hailing her time back then as being mainly “spent in Chloe Sims salon and wearing my own clothing collection, oh and maybe a cheeky menthol” – she also uploaded a batch of photos.
The Towie star, who also went on that year, added: “Can we go back to a time where social media was fun and life wasn’t a series of photo ops?
“2016 we didn’t know how good we had it.”
Zara McDermott
Zara McDermott took us down memory lane showed herself wearing a choker necklaceCredit: Instagram
She also joked that she never used to brush out her curls in 2016Credit: Instagram
Zara is still bang on trend in 2026, but now brushes her curls outCredit: Instagram
She’s a style queen and now, but was bang on trend in 2016 too.
The former star posted some fashion snaps from the era, and was all over “choker” necklaces, like millions of Brits were.
In another relatable snap, she also shared how she never brushed out her curls, leaving them in a ringlet style.
Charlotte Crosby
Charlotte Crosby quit Geordie Shore in 2016 but has done numerous ventures sinceCredit: instagram
Charlotte now has two daughters with fiancé Jake AnkersCredit: Instagram
icon said she got “emotional” looking back on her 2016 photos and had to jump on the trend too.
It was a big year for the reality star, sharing how she quit the hit show via , now called X, before she had told her agent, , the producers, or even the cast as she was “was “ready for a completely different direction.”
The former party girl also got a nose job, did a fitness DVD and hosted her own TV show, , but admitted it was a year she was “terrified about the future.”
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook shared this bikini-clad throwback shot from 2016Credit: Instagram
One thing that hasn’t changed is her love for now-husband Jeremy ParisiCredit: Australia Media
I’m a Celeb star also took part in the trend, and shared a series of photos from what was a “cracker of a year.”
At the time she owned the nightclub Steam&Rye, and hosting panel shows with .
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is being loved up with her now-husband
Rita Ora
Rita Ora shared this sultry snap from 2016 with her highlights postCredit: Instagram
Another snap showed her playing ping pong with Cara DelevingneCredit: Instagram
Speaking of 2016, said that a “time was HAD” that year.
Adding that you “defo needed to be there”, the singer and actress said it was an era of performing, filming , interesting hairstyles, and another Met Gala.
Now she’s married to , has a new , and is a
How can I take part in the 2016 trend?
WHO says celebrities get to have all the fun?
Dive in by grabbing your phone for quick, authentic videos – no fancy edits needed to capture the trend’s raw charm.
Film friends attempting the Running Man or .
Or slap on glittery cat-eye makeup and activate revived filters like Rio de Janeiro palm tree effects for group singalongs to Formation by Beyoncé.
Then caption boldly with something like: “Making 2026 the new 2016, who’s with me? #2026IsTheNew2016”
Unearth your 2016 camera roll and post that awkward prom pic or festival selfie.
The ‘2026 is the new 2016’ trend is all about embracing carefree digital atmosphere of 2016.
It brings back the nostalgia, fashion and music of the era, while rejecting the ultra-polished aesthetic of today.
The is a reaction to the current digital landscape, where users are craving the simpler and more authentic internet culture of a decade ago.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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