How vintage magazines predicted Hollywood stars would age versus reality — how many got it right?

Jennifer Aniston has been the last word in A-list style since she starred as fashionista Rachel Green on Friends. After all, you know you’re an icon when people take your headshot to the hairdressers.

In 2004, Star Magazine predicted the future looks of the Friends stars for 2024 and apparently foretold a puffier, grey future for Aniston. Clearly, this one was way off the mark.

Billy Dee Williams was the suavest addition to the Star Wars franchise in 1980 as intergalactic heartthrob Lando Calrissian. 

Back in 1985, Ebony Magazine took a look into the crystal ball for several of the decade’s finest stars, predicting their looks in the year 2000. But fashions changed a lot over those 15 years and Billy opted for a more pared-back look – though he kept his signature moustache. 

Kim Fields made it big as an ’80s child star as Tootie Ramsey on The Facts of Life and in TV films like Children of Divorce. It makes sense, then, that Ebony would try and look into the future of this star on the rise.

Apart from some seriously ’80s fashion choices, the magazine’s prediction was fairly close to reality. The actress’ style might have shifted but her dazzling grin stayed the same.

England’s football favourite David Beckham was the sporting sensation of the ’90s, particularly when he teamed up with Spice Girl Victoria. But FourFourTwo Magazine foretold a less… flattering future.

The 1998 prediction for the footballer’s 2020 looks had his teeth falling out and his hairline taking a big step back. Clearly, this one didn’t pan out.

Palaeontologist Ross Geller won plenty of viewers’ affections on Friends, despite his romantic ups and downs, in large part thanks to David Schwimmer’s classic good looks.

But Star Magazine foretold a different future for the actor. Far from the pasty, grey haired look they thought he’d opt for in 2024, David’s hair is a fetching salt-and-pepper and his complexion is, fortunately, far more healthy.

Debbie Allen was a favourite of the ’80s screen in Fame and on A Different World. In 1985, Ebony predicted that, come 2000, she would have “settled gracefully into the role of motherhood” and be “deeply involved in some phase of the entertainment business”. 

Both predictions were certainly true as she welcomed a second child in 1987, though with far fewer grey hairs, and she’s still acting today with credits on shows like Grey’s Anatomy. 

Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe Buffay was a bohemian icon with long blonde hair and enviable maxi skirts. Free-spirited, creative and musically-inclined, she was an irreplaceable part of the Friends gang.

In 2004, Star Magazine also couldn’t see Lisa without her lighter hair, though they’d added a side-swept fringe and toned it down to grey. In reality, Lisa’s got a fresh glow and kept her signature blonde locks.