50 Iconic Paparazzi Photos From the 2000s You Fully Forgot Existed
While the 2020s have given us many important paparazzi photos (Ben Affleck smoking under a mask, EmRata and Harry Styles sloppily making out next to a van, Shawmila's socially distant pap walks), truly nothing beats the early aughts when it comes to celebrity candids.
For starters, celebs were out and about way more—in Fred Segal, going on Jamba Juice runs, making out at public beaches. But also, there's no denying that paps didn't exactly have good boundaries and were just kinda...lurking everywhere? Truly, the typical paparazzi schedule appears to have been one of "no sleep, bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place." And we have some iconic moments as a result! (But! Note: This roundup is full of fun pics vs. creepy ones.)
Check out 50 of the best paparazzi photos from the 2000s, featuring couples we absolutely forgot dated, several truly harrowing outfits, and at least one picture of Matthew McConaughey doing yoga on the beach. Because it just wouldn't be right to do a pap roundup without him, ya know? Feels wrong.
Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend (2006)
Someone send to Siblings or Dating.
Kate Bosworth (2004)
Mostly including this so that society never forgets low-rise trouser shorts were a thing we lived through.
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore (2007)
JUST IN CASE you forgot that these two dated were married.
Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow (2005)
Truly can't believe society endured an entire year of men wearing beanies like this.
Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner (2009)
Never forget that Taylor Swift's lyrics "You gave me roses and I left them there to die" are about this man.
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long (2008)
Before he started a full-time job writing 40,000 word Instagram captions about his love for Kate Bosworth.
Julia Roberts (2002)
Oh this? Just the casual DIY shirt worn when her boyfriend Danny Moder's estranged wife Vera wouldn't grant him a divorce.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez (2002)
If you were a celeb in the early 2000s and weren't photographed wearing a Juicy Couture velour tracksuit on some random balcony, not sure what you were doing.
Meg Ryan (2000)
Meg Ryan just out here living life like it's an actual rom-com.
Debi Mazar, Madonna, and Gwyneth Paltrow (2001)
WILL NOT REST UNTIL SOMEONE EXPLAINS THIS FRIENDSHIP GROUP TO ME.
Katie Holmes and Chris Klein (2003)
Bootcut jeans. A wrinkled single-button blazer. That backwards newsboy cap. And a scarf I can only assume was stolen from my grandma's house.
It's all just working for me.
Mariah Carey (2001)
As a card-carrying member of Mariah's Lambily, I'm going to need this belt.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen (2000)
Briefly forgot these two dated and am now deep into a relationship history.
Elijah Wood (2002)
"One does not simply walk into Mordor" *takes drag of cigarette*
Cher (2002)
Wow, so me-in-2024-coded.
Kate Bosworth and Orlando Bloom (2005)
Choosing to ignore his facial hair choices because this pap walk is everything.
Lindsay Lohan (2005)
This one really speaks for itself.
Lenny Kravitz (2005)
"I don't know a better person" — Oprah / me, looking at this photo
Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow (2002)
Urgently need to know exactly what they were talking about.
Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes (2006)
You just don't get pics of celebs shoe shopping in public anymore, ya know?
Hilary Swank (2005)
The only acceptable way to celebrate one's Oscar win.
Drew Barrymore and Fabrizio Moretti (2005)
The Kourtney and Travis of their time, apparently!
Katie Holmes (2001)
2001 FAB alert.
Beyoncé (2003)
* patiently waits for ruched orange strapless dresses to come back *
Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer (2008)
A still from the 2008 NYC-set winter rom-com we never got, but truly deserved.
Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson (2003)
Jump scare!
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Coolidge (2002)
Historical BTS photo of the best movie ever made, taken from the Library of Congress.
Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz (2000)
The way I will be recreating Penelope's entire look.
Kim Kardashian (2006)
Literally just Kim Kardashian counting money.
Matthew McConaughey (2006)
While this looks like a still from a National Geographic doc about the behavior of celebs in the wild, it's actually just Matthew McConaughey doing public beach yoga.
Hilary Duff (2006)
The phone ❤️ The hat ❤️ The chipped black nail polish ❤️
Cameron Diaz and Jared Leto (2000)
Another example of celebs who date and slowly animorph into each other.
Halle Berry (2002)
If you're not pairing your tracksuit with a Coach bucket hat, might as well go home.
Robert Downey Jr. and Nicole Kidman (2005)
Before you frantically Google "Did Robert Downey Jr. and Nicole Kidman Date Question Mark," they were filming a movie! And looking hot while doing so.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens (2008)
Mentally, I'm still living in this timeline.
Leonardo DiCaprio (2002)
Nothing like growing a beard on just the underside of your chin!
Brandon Davis and Mischa Barton (2004)
Just everyone's fave naughty aughties oil tycoon nepo baby out for a pap walk.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick (2002)
Adding to 2024 wish list: Find someone who will wear matching clogs with me.
Tyra Banks (2004)
Would genuinely enjoy a photo roundup just of people's phones during this era.
David Duchovny (2006)
Starbucks iced coffee cups: the preferred celeb accessory since 2006.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham (2005)
Slouchy beanie, low-slung skirt, and functionless leather belt, incoming!
Sofia Vergara (2002)
I want one of whatever she's having.
Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani (2006)
Did you think you were escaping this list without a dress-over-pants moment? lol.
Jessica Simpson (2006)
Rare photo of me when I'm "sick" and "working from home."
Adam Brody (2006)
The Jacob Elordi of his time (I said what I said).
Paris Hilton (2005)
Just Paris Hilton sliving in the back of a sedan.
Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie (2000)
Forgot they dated, and frankly, would like to continue forgetting, so...moving on.
Cash Warren and Jessica Alba (2005)
Palate cleanser!
Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton (2006)
Things we've learned over the course of this: Celebs used to spend a ton of time at public beaches.
Travis Barker (2006)
Shame one never sees Travis Barker casually skateboarding through Los Angeles anymore.
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