100 best celebrity photos 2021: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X and more (2024)

Lady Gaga performed the national anthem during the inaugration and it was exactly what we needed to kick off the year.

Inauguration Day was also when Ella Emhoff cemented her role as a fashionista.

It may not seem like it, but the Super Bowl did in fact happen this year in February whereThe Weekndperformed a lively and charismatic halftime show.

He even brought out a whole choirà la Ye's Sunday Service.

The Golden Globes were in February and Chadwick Bosemanwon a posthumous award for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Boseman's wife Simone Ledward Boseman accepted the award on his behalf and had viewers holding back tears with her speech.

Daniel Kaluuya was an awards season favorite for both his acting and style, whether virtual or in-person. He showed up to the SAG Awards wearing a Louis Vuitton silk outfit. It's safe to say he single-handedly saved pandemic awards show fashion.

Give Viola Davis all the awards. The talented star took home the SAG award for best female actor for"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

The Grammys were filled with surprises in March.Megan Thee Stallion won threeGrammys, including best new artist, and was nearly bowled over by Beyonce's unexpected appearance to help her accept the award for best rap song for "Savage.

Taking home album of the year forher chill and woodsy "Folklore,"Taylor Swift made her own Grammy history by becoming the first woman to win that category three times.

Early last year,Demi Lovatoreturned to music with comeback single"Anyone,"a devastating cry for help recordedjust four daysbefore their near-fatal drug overdose in July 2018. In April 2021, they released their seventh studio album and an accompanying docu-series "Dancing With the Devil"which details the leadup and aftermath of theiroverdose.

John Legend was just one of many celebrities urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Here, the EGOT winner rolls up his sleeve as he prepares for his jab in April.

It was a busy awards season that appeared to last forever (because it did). TheBAFTA Film Awards took place in April shortly before the Oscars, and Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas showed everyone how adorable they are on the red carpet.

Cynthia Erivo looked amazing per usual at the BAFTAs red carpet.

While Hollywood was buzzing with awards season, the United Kingdom was mourning the loss of Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years, who died in April. Capturing the ruthlessness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth IIwaspictured sitting alone during Prince Philip's funeral.Due to the pandemic, royal households were seated according to their familial bubbles.

Back to awards season:After the Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards went virtual, the Academy Awards had a scaled down in-person show in April.Regina King didn't mince her words and kept it real during her opening speech discussing the pandemic and the Derek Chauvin verdict.

This is possibly one of the most iconic celebrity photos of 2021:Chloé Zhaobecame the first woman of color to win best director at theAcademy Awardsfor her haunting, meditative drama"Nomadland.

It was also a great night for Daniel Kaluuya who took home an Oscar for playing Fred Hampton in "Judas and the Black Messiah." The moment was made even more special when he embarrassed his mom during his acceptance speech.

The Academy Awards were groundbreaking this year. Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson became the first Black women to win in makeup and hairstyling, for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

A moment that will probably go down in history: Glenn Close danced "Da Butt" at the Academy Awards.

Tyler Perry was honored with theJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars forhis work feedingand helping others during the pandemic.

Doja Cat and SZA opened up the Billboard Music Awardsshow in May with their hit song "Kiss Me More.

Pink gave an iconic performance at the Billboard Music Awards in May, solidifying that she is indeed worthy of the Icon Award.

Queen Elizabeth II is flanked by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden during the couple's visit to Windsor Castle in June.

Cardi B showed off her baby bump while performing with husband Offset and his group Migos at theBET Awardsin June.

Olivia Rodrigowants her fans to be happy and healthy – and vaccinated againstCOVID-19. In July, the songstress made a visit to the White Houseand metwith President Joe Biden and his chief medical advisorDr. Anthony Fauci at the White House to participate in a social media campaign urging young people to get theirCOVID-19vaccination shots.

After a somewhat tumultous previous year, brothers Prince William and Prince Harryreunitedpublicly in July for the unveiling of Princess Diana'snew statue on what would have been theirlate mother's 60th birthday.

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, occupied the summer with the release of "Donda." Ye held two listening parties, lived at Mercedes Benz Stadium for a bit, then finally released the album in late August.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck took it back to the early aughts as they made their red carpet debut at Venice Film Festival in September.

Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet. That's it, everybody can go home now. The two attended the "Dune" premiere at Venice Film Festival and shut the red carpet down.

The Met Gala, usually thefirst Monday in May, ended up being the second Monday in September after being postponed due to the pandemic. But nonetheless, the event of the year arrived fashionably late and the stars like Billie Eilish showed out for the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme.

Normani at the Met Gala was a MOMENT.

Keke Palmer hosted a livestream of the Met Gala and gave TikTokers a viral audio snippet when she interviewed Megan Thee Stallion.

Lil Nas X was a shining star at the Met Gala.

Also in September, were the Emmy Awards.Debbie Allen accepted the Governors Award during the ceremony and it was an entire mood when she called out the producers for trying to cut her speech short.

Not only did Seth Rogen look good on the red carpet, as the Emmys night's first presenter, he walked onstage and cracked a series of jokes good enough to stand in for an opening monologue.

Michaela Coel got her flowers at the Emmys after being snubbed during the Golden Globe Awards. She accepted an outstanding writing award for "I May Destroy You" resulting in a standing ovation.

"Ted Lasso" basically took home all the Emmy Awards, including a well-deserved win for Hannah Waddingham, who won an outstanding supporting actress trophy.

Anya Taylor-Joywon on the Emmys red carpet and off when "Queen's Gambit"took home outstanding limited series andbest directing for a limited series.

MjRodriguezbecame the first transgender performer nominated for an Emmy in a lead drama category for her work on "Pose.

Beyoncé and Jay-Zstunned fans when theydebuted a new campaigntitled "About Love" for Tiffany & Co.featuring the singer wearingthe brand's iconic128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, becoming only the fourth woman – and first Black woman – ever to do so since it was found in 1877.

Another famous couple, Prince Harry and duch*ess Meghan, paid a visit to theNational Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum in New York in September.

The name is Craig. Daniel Craig. The actor arrived at the premiere of his last ever turn as Bond in "No Time To Die" in September.

duch*ess Kate, Prince William, duch*ess Camilla and Prince Charles all attended the "No Time To Die" premiere.

Ana De Armas looked chic at the premiere.

Lashana Lynch, the franchise's first Black 007, and the film's villain Rami Malek chatted it up during the premiere.

Kate Middleton and Lashana Lynch had a royal chat during the premiere.

One royal meets another. Prince Charles and Daniel Craig shook hands during the premiere.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker had been publicly together for months, but September marked the first time they appeared together on a red carpet when they posed outside the MTV Video Music Awards in coordinating edgy black ensembles.

Kourtney Kardashian and her beau weren't the only celeb couple in the spotlight. Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly hit the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards as well.

South Korean pop sensation BTS did not let up in 2021. When they weren't busy breaking records, the group performed during the American Music Awards in November.

Lil Nas X'sdebut studio album "Montero" made headlines and ruffled feathers, but it won him a Grammy nomination for album of the year. Here he was performing at the MTV Video Music Awards in September where his video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name) won video of the year.

Fashion shows came back in full effect this year after a much scaled down season in 2020. Here Jennifer Lawrence attended the Christian Dior show in July during Paris Fashion Week.

Designer Olivier Rousteing, who revealed in October he'd been hiding burn scars after a fireplace accident, was pictured at Balmain's Paris Fashion Week show in September where he was greeted with applause from models and audience members alike.

Cardi B showed up to Thierry Mugler's Paris show in a bold look.

Helen Mirren walked the runway for Le Defile L'Oreal.

Kendall Jenner modeled for Michael Kors during New York Fashion Week in September.

Gigi Hadid walked during Brandon Maxwell's finale for New York's Fashion week.

Verzuzbecame a household staple when it first launched in early 2020. The show got even bigger in 2021 with battles between Fat Joe and Ja Rule among other artists.

After abandoning us (sorry we're still a little salty), Adele blessed us with a new album "30" this year. She also gave us atwo-hour special,“Adele One Night Only," in which she sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey and performed 10 songs.

"The Harder They Fall" cast and crewJonathan Majors, producers Jay-Z and James Lassiter, Regina King, director Jeymes Samuel and Idris Elba attended the world premiere of their hit film in London in October.

Regina King and Idris Elba took the stage during the premiere at The Royal Festival Hall.

"Bridgerton" heartthrob Rege-Jean Page was also in London for the premiere.

The concept of going to space seemed very on brand for 2021. William Shatner became the oldest person to visit space in October thanks to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Kristen Stewart showed up to the premiere of "Spencer" in London wearing a strapless sparkling gown.

Kristen Stewart, who gave a striking performance as Princess Diana in "Spencer," was pictured at the film's premiere in October with Jack Nielen and Freddie Spry who play a young Prince William and Prince Harry.

Amy Manson, who portrays Anne Boleyn in "Spencer," was at the premiere of the film.

Bad Bunny gave a memorable performance during November's Latin Grammy Awards.

Bad Bunny also performed "Lo Siento BB :/" at the American Music Awards later that month.

Serena Williams showed up to the premiere of "King Richard" with her mini-me Olympia Ohanian Jr. and Alexis Ohanian.

Sisters Serena and Venus Williams, the tennis legends upon which "King Richard" is based, gave sisterly love on the red carpet.

Will Smith, who plays the Williams sisters' father, showed up to the premiere with his family and gave wife Jada Pinkett Smith an adorbable forehead kiss.

2021 didn't slow down Dwayne Johnson, who worked on three movies that premiered this year. Here he's pictured at the premiere of "Red Notice" in November.

Johnson and his "Red Notice" co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot are all smiles on the red carpet.

Halle Berry and co-star Shamier Anderson at a screening of her directorial debut "Bruised"in November.

Berry speaks with Ava DuVernay during a Q&A session for "Bruised."

"Power" star Lela Loren also made an appearance for "Bruised.

JoJo Siwa has been unstoppable this year.The TikTokand YouTube superstar, whocame out as amember of the LGBTQcommunityin January, made history on "Dancing With the Stars" when she competed with a female professional partner— the same-sex pairing was a first for the show. Here, she's pictured with her mom Jess Siwa during the premiere for"Siwas Dance Pop Revolution" in November.

2021 was definitely Taylor Swift's year. The artist was booked and busy. Aside from releasing re-recorded versions of "Fearless" and "Red," Swift also performed on "SNL" as a musical guest in November.

Ridley Scott's "House of Gucci" premiered in November and the stars of the film didn't come to play on the red carpet. Al Pacino showed up in an all-black ensemble.

Jared Leto gave us a pop of color at the"House of Gucci" premiere.

Lady Gaga shined bright like a diamond at the "House of Gucci" premiere.

Lady Gaga and Adam Driver looked fierce together at the premiere.

Michael Strahan followed in Shatner's footsteps and suited up for his own space mission in December.

Billie Eilish pulled double duty on "SNL" in December when she was both the show's musical guest and host.

Steven Spielberg debuted a new "West Side Story" in December. Here, he speaks onstage in Hollywood during the premiere of his film.

Paloma Garcia-Lee, who plays Graziella in "West Side Story," looked firey on the red carpet.

Ansel Elgort takes on the role of Tony in "West Side Story" and looked spiffy at the premiere.

Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno take a photo together during the premiere of "West Side Story.

Machine Gun Kelly and his daughter Casie Colson Baker had a super cute moment during the American Music Awards red carpet in November.

Zendaya, once again, proved she can do no wrong on the red carpet. She arrived at the "Spider-Man: No Way Home" premiere in December, giving what needed to be gave.

Zendaya and Tom Holland posed together and looked flawless.

A well known face of the "Spider-Man" universe, Willem Dafoe, arrives at the premiere.

Fan favorite J.K. Simmons was also at the premiere.