If you ever spent hours agonizing over your Myspace Top 8 rankings like it was a life-or-death decision, congratulations—you’re old. And if you ever mastered the sacred art of the high-angle selfie (because, duh, flattering), you and Keke Palmer are practically soulmates.
The actress, singer, and undisputed queen of personality just hit us with a throwback so strong, we momentarily forgot what year it was. Palmer’s latest selfies look like they were ripped straight from a 2004 Myspace profile, complete with moody side bangs, an emo-chic baby tee, and nails that scream “I exclusively shop at Hot Topic and blast Paramore on repeat.”
The Myspace Angle Is Alive and Well
First, let’s talk about that pose. Every millennial with muscle memory intact knows the Myspace selfie formula: hold the camera (or, in this case, iPhone) as high as humanly possible, tilt your head just so, and let the side bangs do the heavy lifting. Keke nailed it—literally.
Her fiery red hair, styled long and straight with an aggressive-yet-iconic side bang covering one eye, is a certified throwback. It’s giving mysterious AIM away message energy, and we’re here for it.
Hot Topic Called—They Want Their Nails Back
If you thought Palmer’s nostalgia trip stopped at the hair, think again. Her nails—long, dagger-sharp, and dripping in emo kid-approved black and red—could have easily been spotted in the check-out line at Hot Topic between studded belts and Invader Zim backpacks. If you zoom in (because obviously, we did), you’ll notice a mesmerizing magnetic or cat’s-eye effect, shifting between red, black, and silver like a mood ring for your soul.
The Final Touches: Smoked-Out Perfection
To tie it all together, Keke rocked a classic early-2000s makeup moment: a sultry smoky eye, a bold red lip, and a soft wash of reddish blush that screams I just spent two hours on the phone with my crush analyzing their cryptic away message. Her hot pink graphic baby tee seals the deal. All she’s missing is a pair of striped arm warmers and an overuse of lowercase/uppercase text in her captions (“tOdAy Is A gOoD dAy ☠️”).
The Internet Agrees: This is a Certified Y2K Serve
Fans were quick to recognize Keke’s dedication to the bit. “She shops at Hot Topic & listens to Paramore,” one commenter declared. “Well, I thought this was from the 2000s,” another admitted. A third simply summed it up: “This Y2K serve.”
Honestly, if Myspace still existed (RIP), this look would absolutely be in its Top 8. Tom, you seeing this?
Now Listen up, time travelers and eyeliner hoarders: Before you start questioning reality and wondering if your old Myspace password still works (it doesn’t, let it go), let’s get one thing straight—this masterpiece of nostalgic perfection first appeared in Allure.
And who do we have to thank for this delightful emo-fueled throwback? None other than Kara Nesvig, a freelance writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Yes, she’s the one who dusted off her Sidekick, cracked her knuckles like she was about to update her Xanga blog, and transported us all back to the golden age of Myspace angst.
So, if you read this and suddenly feel the urge to rewatch Twilight, straighten your hair within an inch of its life, or make an emotional AIM status about your crush (again), blame Kara. She did this to us.
