When Two become One

Did you know it’s been scientifically proven that over time, couples will start to look like each other? Back in 1987, noted psychologist Robert Zajonc did a study that compared the faces of spouses before and after their 25-year marriage. The conclusion? Couples do develop similar facial features as the years go by. Dr Robert and his team attributed this phenomenon to empathy; when your partner is happy, you’re happy, and when your partner is sad, you’re sad. You’d mimic their facial expression to show empathy, and thus, it’s possible to develop the same pattern of wrinkles as the years go by. Accordingly, the study also found that the more a couple looks alike, the happier they are. Even the rich and famous aren’t exempt from this. Here are some notable celeb couples who resemble each other – for better or for worse – from the past and present.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Did you know it’s been scientifically proven that over time, couples will start to look like each other? Back in 1987, noted psychologist Robert Zajonc did a study that compared the faces of spouses before and after their 25-year marriage. The conclusion? Couples do develop similar facial features as the years go by. Dr Robert and his team attributed this phenomenon to empathy; when your partner is happy, you’re happy, and when your partner is sad, you’re sad. You’d mimic their facial expression to show empathy, and thus, it’s possible to develop the same pattern of wrinkles as the years go by. Accordingly, the study also found that the more a couple looks alike, the happier they are.

Even the rich and famous aren’t exempt from this. Here are some notable celeb couples who resemble each other – for better or for worse – from the past and present.

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Britney Spears + Justin Timberlake

We’re sorry, but Brit-Brit and JT had one of the best couple outfits of all time. So iconic was their matching double denim look at the 2001 American Music Awards that countless couples – famous or otherwise – have gone on to don the Texas tuxedo.

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Kim Kardashian + Kanye West

Kim’s fashion style can be split into two distinct categories: before Kanye and after Kanye. The rapper/fashion designer notoriously vetted her wardrobe when they first started dating in 2012, throwing out most of her clothes and buying her racks of new designer threads. But hey, you can see some of Kim’s influence on him too. Check out their matching cleavages at the Lanvin show during the 2014 Paris Fashion Week.

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Kristen Stewart + Robert Pattinson

They’re both incredibly fast, and
strong. Their skin is pale white and ice cold. Their eyes change colour
and sometimes – OK, we’re just repeating dialogue from Twilight, but
there’s no denying that R-Patz and K-Stew started twinning during their
ill-fated romance. The same tousled hair, the same rock ’n’ roll vibe,
their mirroring wardrobes… you get our drift.

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Beyoncé + Jay Z

The hip-hop artistes are both powerhouses in their own right – Beyoncé has 20 Grammys to her name while Jay Z has 21. The world got a taste of this power couple from their first collaboration on Jay Z’s 2003 single “’03 Bonnie and Clyde”. It’s been 13 years of creative partnership since, which has left us with gems like “Dangerously in Love”, “Déjà vu” and “Drunk in Love”. And have we mentioned their combined On The Run Tour? Ka-ching!