AI Generates 20th Century Versions Of Today's Young Stars, And The Results Look Incredibly Realistic
The generated images make them look like they came out of a classic Hollywood movie.
A new AI trend has been making the rounds, and it’s weirdly convincing: it takes today’s biggest young stars and remixes them into 20th-century versions that look like they’ve been pulled straight from old film reels.
It starts with names you recognize instantly, like Shawn Mendes with his pop-era grin, Taylor Swift in a totally different wardrobe, and Kylie Jenner looking eerily at home in a past-decade glamour shot. Then the timeline gets even stranger, because Troye Sivan turns up as if he’s been acting since the studio system, Cara Delevingne looks like she belongs in a vintage runway campaign, and Harry Styles is suddenly giving classic leading-man energy.
And once you notice how real it looks, you can’t unsee the question hanging over every generated face.
1. Shawn Mendes
Mendes is known for performing his hit songs "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" and "Stitches."
? Arthur Mola/Invision/AP/East News, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News2. Taylor Swift
Swift is truly a talented singer and one of the world's best-selling artists. Over the course of her career, she has released songs in multiple genres.
? Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com, © Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News3. Kylie Jenner
Jenner is part of the famous Kardashian–Jenner family. She has achieved success both as a social media icon and a businesswoman.
Kylie Jenner is not only a member of pop culture's Kardashian and Jenner family but also a successful businesswoman and social media icon.
? Laurent VU/SIPA/EAST NEWS, © Everett Collection / East News
4. Troye Sivan
Sivan is a YouTube personality, actor, and singer best known for starring in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Spud."
? Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
5. Cara Delevingne
Delevingne started modeling in her teens and rose to stardom when she starred in the 2015 film "Paper Towns."
? Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
6. Harry Styles
Styles began his career as a member of the hit British boy band One Direction. He debuted as an actor in the 2017 film "Dunkirk."
? Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/East News, © Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
7. Halsey
A musician with a notable singing voice, Halsey has won multiple awards as a singer.
? Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com, © Courtesy Everett Collection/East News
8. Margot Robbie
Robbie is famous for starring in both blockbuster and indie films.
? Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com, © Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
9. Sophie Turner
Turner is best known for her role as Sansa Stark in the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones."
? Invision/Invision/East News, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
10. Hailee Steinfeld
Steinfeld's biggest break in the music industry came from the "Pitch Perfect 2" song "Flashlight." She is also known for her MCU character, Kate Bishop.
? Invision/Invision/East News, © Courtesy Everett Collection/East News
11. Timothée Chalamet
Chalamet's breakthrough began with the 2017 film "Call Me by Your Name."
? Cubankite / Shutterstock.com, © Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
12. Selena Gomez
From Disney star to solo singer and philanthropist, Gomez has made a significant impact.
? DFree / Shutterstock.com, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
13. Lili Reinhart
Reinhart played Betty Cooper in the popular TV series "Riverdale."
DFree / Shutterstock.com, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
14. Millie Bobby Brown
Brown's latest works include Netflix's "Enola Holmes," in which she is both the titular character and the film's producer.
? Invision/East News, © Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News
The first time you see Shawn Mendes reimagined in a 20th-century vibe, it’s so spot-on it almost tricks you into thinking the photo is real.
Then Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, and Troye Sivan show up in the same feed, and suddenly the “AI art” label feels way too small for what’s happening.
Cara Delevingne and Harry Styles make it worse in the best way, because their expressions and styling land like they were always meant for that era.
It's amazing how AI can reimagine celebrities who are well-known today, and you cannot deny that its creations are convincing.
It can even do the opposite by modernizing Hollywood stars of the previous century. Technology advances so quickly that it's possible for AI to go beyond the limits of our imagination.
Who knows what AI can spawn in the future?
Nobody’s sure which decade these stars belong to anymore, but everyone wants to see the next set.
Want more star resilience? See how Carrie Underwood handled booing on American Idol.
