Top 5 Most Controversial Celebrity 2016 Throwback Posts (So Far in 2026)
In a wave of nostalgic social media trends, viral 2016 throwback posts are flooding feeds as fans and celebrities alike revisit the past. A-list stars continue to share snapshots of throwback red carpet moments. And influencers are spotlighting unforgettable concerts and viral internet moments from 2016. Now, we’re taking a look at the top five controversial celebrity 2016 throwback posts so far that fans can’t stop talking about in 2026.
5. Kim Kardashian reposted a controversial mirror selfie from 2016
Kim Kardashian recently fanned the flames of the “2026 is the new 2016” social media craze by sharing a throwback photo dump on Instagram captioned, “I promise whatever happened to you in 2016, mine was crazier.” In her carousel, Kardashian included candid images from 2016 that hark back to some of her most talked-about moments. She added photos with her famous family and two children, North and Saint West, who were 3 and 1 years old at the time.
Kardashian also included topless photos that were highly controversial when she first posted them, including one iconic mirror selfie of her fully nude that had everyone talking. The mirror selfie shows her private parts blacked out for online discretion while still leaving little to the imagination.
“I remember how the mirror pic had the world SHOOK lol,” one fan commented.
4. Meghan Markle posted a photo of her Botswana trip with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle recently embraced the viral “2026 is the new 2016” social media trend with a heartfelt Instagram carousel that blended nostalgic memories with present‑day family life. In the post, she shared a black‑and‑white video filmed by her daughter, Princess Lilibet. The clip shows Meghan and Prince Harry dancing barefoot on a lawn.
The second slide featured a previously unseen photo from 2016 of Meghan and Harry standing knee‑deep in water during their pivotal Botswana trip. This was their third date that year and a moment the couple has described as foundational to their relationship. Meghan captioned the post, “When 2026 feels just like 2016 … you had to be there.”
Some fans loved Meghan’s throwback photo. However, others found the clip of her and Harry dancing to appear too staged and performative.
3. Amy Schumer included old photos in her 2016 throwback post after deleting photos in 2025
Amy Schumer recently joined the nostalgia wave by sharing a series of throwback photos from 2016 on her Instagram, tapping directly into the viral “2026 is the new 2016” trend. In her carousel, Schumer pulled up candid and iconic images from 10 years ago. She included snapshots from her comedy shows and several nearly-nude snaps. Other celebrities, such as Jennifer Lawrence, were also spotted in her post. And, of course, she included her Vogue cover and a photo of her memoir that was released that year.
While Schumer’s post itself isn’t too controversial, it ignites current conversations surrounding her personal life. The comedian’s recent 2026 Instagram posts show her significant weight loss via GLP-1 medications. In 2016, fans loved Schumer for her body-positive vibes, and she appeared focused on finding internal self-worth unattached to her weight.
Additionally, Schumer caused a stir in late 2025 when she appeared to delete old photos from social media. However, her 2016 throwback post includes several decade-old pictures of herself. That said, Schumer remains honest about her experience with GLP-1s, openly communicating about the highs and lows with her fans.
2. Kangana Ranaut relived her past legal troubles in her post
Kangana Ranaut recently jumped into the “2026 is the new 2016” social media trend with a deeply personal Instagram throwback that didn’t just revisit old photos, but also stirred memories of one of the most turbulent years of her career. In her post, she shared a carousel of images from 2016, which included magazine shoots, candid mirror selfies, a still with her Rangoon co‑star Shahid Kapoor, and a shot with Arjun Kapoor. These are accompanied by a candid note reflecting on how that year was both the height of her professional success and a period marked by intense personal conflict.
Ranaut wrote about rising to become one of Bollywood’s highest‑paid actresses before a highly publicized legal notice from a colleague, a veiled reference to her controversial dispute with Hrithik Roshan.
“Why is everyone missing 2016 suddenly?” Ranaut wrote. “It was the inevitable ascend of my career trajectory, post back-to-back blockbusters like Queen and Tanu weds Manu returns I became the highest paid actress but then in the January of 2016 one of my colleagues sent me that controversial legal notice which shook and divided the industry into insiders and outsiders. Success became poisonous and life became a living hell.”
She closed the post expressing gratitude that she has moved past that drama and grown over the decade, contrasting the pain of 2016 with her life in 2026.
1. Hailey Bieber included old photos with Justin Bieber that sent fans into a frenzy
Hailey Bieber recently joined the “2026 is the new 2016” social media craze with a throwback carousel on Instagram that gave fans a look at her decade‑old memories from when she and Justin Bieber were still navigating the early, complicated days of their relationship. In the series of slides, she shared a steamy PDA‑filled photo of her and Justin kissing on a tropical beach. She also included throwbacks featuring close friends like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, plus candid selfies. Hailey captioned the post simply, “you just had to be there.”
Unfortunately, fans flooded Hailey’s post with negative comments. Fans called Hailey and Justin’s relationship timeline into question, as Justin was dating Selena Gomez on and off in 2016.
