Coachella isn’t just about the music and headlining acts. Every April the festival draws a scene of A-listers to the desert landscape of Indio, Calif. From 2000s icons to the celebrities that defined the 2010s, here’s a look back at some of the notables who have defined the music festival.
While Coachella is synonymous with spring, the first Coachella was held in the fall of 1999, headlined by Beck and Rage Against the Machine. The festival found its groove when it returned for its second edition in April two years later, in 2001. In 2006, Daft Punk took the stage for their iconic set — marking a major turning point for music and Coachella.
Celebrities soon followed suit. In 2007, Cameron Diaz and Jessica Alba were spotted taking in performances amongst the crowds, while Danny DeVito was photographed meeting performer Amy Winehouse backstage. DeVito also later got a photo with subversive singer Peaches — because the festival is never short on surprises.
Paris Hilton became an early Coachella fixture, rocking a fishtail side braid and boho tunic in 2007, then graduating to flower crowns (blue in 2012, classic in 2014). In 2015, she traded the floral headpieces for bedazzled cat ears, as she was photographed walking across the festival grounds hand-in-hand with sister Nicky Hilton.
Coachella also documents relationship history. In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon were spotted taking in Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis’ performance. Beyoncé and Maria Shriver watched Jay-Z’s 2010 set side-by-side, while Katy Perry and Rihanna’s BFF friendship was on full display at the festival in 2012.
Coachella has also been a launchpad for trends. In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens helped kick off the flower crown craze, which has since become a Coachella mainstay.
The 2010s saw the rise of branded events, bringing even more celebrities to the desert with them. Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas played ping-pong at a Guess party in 2013, while H&M’s parties have drawn stars like Darren Criss, Aaron Paul, Gigi Hadid and the Haim sisters. Revolve became a favorite stop for influencers and Kardashians alike — in 2023, even Timothée Chalamet stopped by — and in 2018 the Levi’s brunch offered up a Bella Hadid and Snoop Dogg pairing. During Jeremy Scott’s tenure as creative director of Moschino, the brand’s parties were a buzzy nighttime stop for A-listers like Fergie, Gigi Hadid, Cardi B and Diplo.
Click through WWD’s gallery to see celebrity highlights from Coachella throughout the years, from Clint Eastwood posing with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich in 2015 to Billie Eilish riding a scooter in 2019.
