Celebrities Who Defined 2016 – Where Are They Now?

From Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez to Rihanna and Kylie Jenner, these stars helped shape 2016. Here is where their careers and lives have taken them a decade later.

August 18, 2026: It is hard to believe that 2016 was a full decade ago. Yet, for many pop culture fans, the year still feels surprisingly close.

The era had everything: viral celebrity moments, Snapchat filters, Tumblr aesthetics, unforgettable red-carpet looks, chart-topping albums and social media drama that seemed to dominate every conversation. Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, Gigi Hadid and several other stars were at the center of it all.

Ten years later, many of those celebrities are still major names. However, their careers, priorities and public images have changed dramatically.

HOLR breaks down what happened to some of the celebrities who defined 2016 and where they are now in 2026.

Taylor Swift Became Bigger Than Ever

Taylor Swift was arguably one of the defining celebrities of 2016.

The year was filled with headlines surrounding her music, relationships and highly publicized feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. She was also coming off the enormous success of 1989, which had transformed her into one of the world’s biggest pop stars.

Instead of fading after that era, Swift’s career became even larger.

She reinvented herself with Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore and Midnights before launching The Eras Tour, which became a defining cultural event of the 2020s.

Her success has continued into 2026. Swift is once again among the leading nominees for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving nine nominations.

The Taylor Swift of 2026 is therefore very different from the Taylor Swift fans knew in 2016. She is no longer simply a pop star at the center of celebrity culture. She has become one of the most influential figures in modern entertainment.

Selena Gomez Built a New Kind of Empire

Selena Gomez was everywhere in 2016.

Her Revival era established her as a major solo pop artist, while her Disney background had already made her familiar to millions of fans.

Over the following decade, Gomez expanded her career far beyond music.

She became one of the stars of Only Murders in the Building, earned Emmy recognition for her work on the series and built Rare Beauty into a major beauty brand.

Her public life has also changed. Gomez has become more open about personal challenges, while also choosing to keep certain parts of her life private.

In 2026, she remains one of the most recognizable celebrity entrepreneurs and entertainers, proving that her career was never limited to being a former Disney star.

Rihanna Turned Music Fame Into a Business Empire

Rihanna was already a global superstar in 2016.

That year, she released Anti, an album that included hits such as “Work” and “Needed Me.” She was also known for her fearless fashion choices and increasingly influential presence outside music.

But the biggest change came through business.

Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, helping reshape conversations around inclusive makeup shades and representation in beauty. She later expanded into lingerie and fashion through Savage X Fenty.

By 2026, Rihanna is known as much for her business influence and cultural impact as she is for her music.

She has also embraced motherhood with partner A$AP Rocky, while fans continue to wait for her next album.

Her journey is perhaps one of the clearest examples of how a 2016 celebrity could completely redefine what success looks like.

Kylie Jenner Became a Beauty Mogul

In 2016, Kylie Jenner was in the middle of her “King Kylie” era.

Her lip kits were selling rapidly, her social media influence was enormous and her makeup looks were copied by fans around the world.

A decade later, Kylie has built an extensive business portfolio.

Kylie Cosmetics helped establish her as a major beauty entrepreneur, while her fashion brand Khy has added another dimension to her career.

Her personal style has also evolved. The dramatic makeup and bold looks associated with her mid-2010s image have increasingly given way to more polished and understated styling.

In 2026, Kylie remains a major force in beauty, fashion and celebrity culture.

Justin Bieber Went Through a Major Transformation

Justin Bieber was another defining figure of 2016.

He was promoting Purpose, performing around the world and dominating radio with songs such as “Sorry,” “Love Yourself” and “What Do You Mean?”

The period was also marked by intense media attention surrounding his personal life.

Since then, Bieber has experienced major changes in both his personal and professional life. He married Hailey Bieber, became a father and increasingly stepped away from the nonstop touring lifestyle that had defined his younger years.

His priorities have shifted toward family and selective music projects.

The Bieber of 2026 therefore feels much more private and settled than the young superstar fans followed in 2016.

Gigi Hadid Became a Fashion Industry Fixture

Gigi Hadid was one of the defining models of the 2010s.

In 2016, she was everywhere: runway shows, magazine covers, fashion campaigns and celebrity events. Her relationship with Zayn Malik also kept her firmly in the pop culture conversation.

Today, Hadid remains one of the most recognizable models of her generation.

She has also embraced motherhood after welcoming daughter Khai with Malik. Her career continues through major fashion campaigns and appearances, while her personal life is generally more private than it was during her peak tabloid years.

Her transition demonstrates that being a model in the social-media era can involve much more than walking runways.

Zayn Malik Found His Own Direction

Zayn Malik entered 2016 as one of the most talked-about former members of One Direction.

His debut solo album, Mind of Mine, had already established him as a serious solo artist, particularly through the hit “Pillowtalk.”

Over the years, Malik continued releasing music while maintaining a much lower public profile than some of his former bandmates.

His life also changed through fatherhood. He and Gigi Hadid welcomed their daughter, Khai, in 2020.

Although Malik is less visible in celebrity headlines today, his solo career has allowed him to establish an identity separate from One Direction.

The Internet Changed, Too

Perhaps the biggest difference between 2016 and 2026 is not the celebrities themselves but the internet around them.

In 2016, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Tumblr were central to celebrity culture. Viral moments often spread through screenshots, memes and fan accounts.

Today, TikTok, short-form video and algorithm-driven content have transformed how celebrities interact with audiences.

That change has also affected celebrity careers.

Stars are no longer required to rely exclusively on movies, music or television. They can build beauty brands, fashion companies, podcasts, digital communities and businesses directly around their personal identities.

Why 2016 Still Feels So Important

The celebrities of 2016 did more than dominate entertainment headlines. They helped establish the modern celebrity economy.

Taylor Swift demonstrated the power of fan communities. Rihanna showed how a musician could become a global entrepreneur. Kylie Jenner helped redefine influencer-driven beauty. Selena Gomez expanded from entertainment into business and television.

Their careers prove that celebrity culture is constantly evolving.

Some stars became even bigger. Others stepped away from the spotlight. Many reinvented themselves completely.

That may be why 2016 nostalgia continues to attract so much attention in 2026. Fashion trends, social media aesthetics and celebrity styles from the era are being revisited by a younger generation. Even the year itself has become part of the nostalgia cycle.

Where Are the 2016 Icons Now?

Ten years later, the celebrities who defined 2016 have taken very different paths.

Some, like Swift, became even more powerful within entertainment. Others, including Rihanna and Kylie, transformed their fame into major businesses. Selena Gomez expanded across acting, music and beauty, while Justin Bieber shifted his focus toward family and a quieter lifestyle.

The common thread is reinvention.

HOLR has the latest entertainment news as the stars who once defined an era continue building careers that look very different from the ones they had a decade ago.

For fans who remember 2016, looking at these celebrities today is a reminder of just how much can change in ten years.

And somehow, that old era still feels like it was only yesterday.

FAQs

Who were the biggest celebrities in 2016?

Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik were among the celebrities who dominated pop culture in 2016.

What happened to Taylor Swift after 2016?

Taylor Swift continued reinventing her music career and became one of the most successful and influential artists of the 2020s.

What is Rihanna doing now?

Rihanna has expanded her career into beauty, fashion and business while also focusing on her family and music.

What are the biggest stories trending online today? Read the latest here