Your high school yearbook photo can come back stronger than a ’90s trend.
Yearbook photos are often looked back at with embarrassment, cringing over the awkward stages of our teenage years. But thanks to artificial intelligence, you have the opportunity for a redo.
A new trend on TikTok allows users to recreate their high school yearbook snaps — with a ’90s twist.
With over 60 different identities available to transform into, the AI generator can help you see what your high school alter ego could have looked like — you could even be captain of the football team if you so desire.
Celebrities and influencers hopped on the trend, sharing the AI versions of their yearbook photos on social media.
Actress Keke Palmer, 30, shared a slideshow of yearbook photos to Instagram with the caption, “Idk y’all.. I feel like mine ain’t me fr” with laughing emojis.
One person commented that “it’s like.. it’s you… but not,” while another said that this is what Palmer’s daughter would look like.
Palmer also tested the feature with her as a man, and she said it “looks more correct.”
YouTuber James Charles, 24, joined in, writing “I’m scared” alongside his generated photos.
Other commenters seemed scared as well. A fan wrote, “Yeah I don’t think everyone that can join the trend should…” while another admitted, “This is the first one I’ve seen where I didn’t love it lol.”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager also shared their AI-generated yearbook photos to their official “Hoda & Jenna” Instagram page.
Even the Mayor of Flavortown had to get in on the action. Guy Fieri posted a TikTok video of his new yearbook photos with the caption, “90’s Yearbook Guy = too cool for school.”
If you want to see what you would’ve looked like in high school with a different persona, here’s how you can do it:
The app being used to create these AI-generated yearbook photos is called “Epik – AI Photo Editor.” It’s available on the App Store and Google Play store and is free to download.
When you first open the app, there will be a little icon that says “AI Yearbook” — select that one.
Some photos on the app are free to generate, but the yearbook photos require an in-app purchase for either 24-hour or two-hour delivery.
To get started, select eight to 12 photos of yourself, which need to be clear with good lighting, and select your gender. The app suggests uploading different angles and expressions for accuracy.
However, probably not so surprisingly, the feature on the app is “delayed” as of Friday morning due to a “rapid increase in users using the service.”