Now that May is here, there’s no ignoring it: our tackiest American teenage rite of passage is approaching. That’s right, it’s prom season. Whether this conjures up cringe-worthy memories or no memories at all for you, not to worry — hosts of your favorite cultural icons have gone through it too, with varying degrees of grace. Below, you’ll find a collection of some of the greatest photos of actors, politicians, musicians, and even writers in their prom-night finest.
RuPaul at prom at Northside High in Atlanta, 1983. [via]
Lady Gaga and friends heading to prom. [via]
An 18-year-old Michelle Robinson (soon to be Obama) at the Whitney M. Young High School in Chicago in 1982. [via]
And Sarah Palin in her signature color. Notice how similar her chair is to Michelle’s — what does it mean? [via]
Looks like Brad Pitt’s prom date kinda wanted to marry him. [via]
Verne Troyer: wore the homecoming crown, dated the prom queen. 1987. [via]
Betsey Johnson getting ready to go to prom at Terryville High School in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1958. [via]
Obviously, Will Ferrell. [via]
A lithe Paula Deen at her prom. [via]
Fact: Kobe Bryant and Brandy went to prom together in 1996. [via]
Dick Cheney and Lynne Vincent on prom night in 1959. [via]
George Clooney at his 1978 junior prom at Augusta High School in Kentucky. [via]
Mitt Romney at his senior prom. As always, not getting the joke. [via]
Bruce Willis (far left) was Homecoming King at his senior prom at Penns Grove High School in 1973. [via]
The ever-gorgeous Meryl Streep was homecoming queen at Queen Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ in 1967. [via]
Fact #2: Topanga (er, Danielle Fishel) went to prom with Lance Bass — who was her boyfriend at the time. [via]
Philip Roth at his senior prom at Weequahic High School, 1950. He’s all the way in the back. [via]
A super-adorable Snooki at prom. [via]
A very model-esque Tyra Banks at prom. [via]
Snoop [Insert Today’s Animal Here] at prom. [via and via]
Tiger Woods and Dina Parr at their high school prom. [via]
Angela Bassett matching her date at prom. [via]
Derek Jeter. [via]
Lizzy Caplan is the greatest. [via]
Katie Couric, her date, and some serious glare. [via]
Busta Rhymes! [via]
Ellen DeGeneres at her prom at Atlanta High School in 1976. [via]