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Wired Headphones Make a Comeback Among Celebrities and Athletes
From LeBron James to Zendaya, stars are ditching Bluetooth for old-school corded earbuds
Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:15am
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After years of wireless headphones dominating the market, wired earbuds are making a surprising comeback among celebrities, athletes, and fashion influencers. Driven by nostalgia, affordability, and a desire for a more analog lifestyle, the humble wired headphone is being embraced by A-listers like Drake, Lily-Rose Depp, and Steph Curry, as well as up-and-coming stars like Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. The trend has been fueled by social media accounts like "Wired It Girls" and the growing popularity of "dumbphones" and other analog tech, as people seek a break from constant digital connectivity.
Why it matters
The resurgence of wired headphones reflects a broader cultural shift, as younger generations seek out more tangible, offline experiences in an increasingly digital world. This trend speaks to a longing for nostalgia and a desire to disconnect from constant connectivity, with wired earbuds serving as an accessible and stylish way to embrace a more analog lifestyle.
The details
The wired headphone comeback has been driven by a mix of celebrity influence, affordability, and a growing cultural movement towards analog living. Celebrities like LeBron James, who helped popularize Beats by Dre in the 2000s, are now opting for wired earbuds, setting a trend followed by stars like Drake, Lily-Rose Depp, and Zendaya. Influencer athletes like Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams have also embraced the wired look, making it a part of their pre-game routines. The trend is further fueled by the relative affordability of wired headphones compared to premium wireless models, as well as the perception of wired earbuds as a symbol of effortless cool and a rejection of constant digital connectivity.
- In 2008, LeBron James helped popularize Beats by Dre headphones at the Beijing Olympics.
- In 2023, Emma Watson told Vogue magazine that she "really just likes the old school plug-in ones".
- In 2024, the "Brat girl summer" trend, inspired by Charli XCX, further embraced imperfection and a more analog aesthetic.
The players
LeBron James
An NBA superstar who helped popularize Beats by Dre headphones in the 2000s.
Caleb Williams
A Chicago Bears quarterback who is known for his pregame ritual of a matcha drink and corded headphones.
Shelby Hull
The founder of the "Wired It Girls" Instagram account, which has been documenting and celebrating the revival of wired headphones.
Chad Brown
The founder of the NBA Fashion Fits Instagram account, which has observed the growing trend of players wearing wired headphones.
Charli XCX
A pop star whose "Brat girl summer" trend in 2024 embraced imperfection and a more analog aesthetic.
What they’re saying
“She's obviously wealthy, she can afford AirPods, but she always stuck to the wire. And there was something so effortless about it: very cool, very unbothered to keep up with the latest tech trends. She didn't care, and that's kind of what the article touched on.”
— Shelby Hull, Founder of the Wired It Girls Instagram account
“The Bluetooth ones are a little difficult. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they fall out, sometimes they disconnect, sometimes they lose power, sometimes you forget to charge them.”
— Marcus Smart, Los Angeles Lakers guard
“Everything goes in cycles ... It's nostalgic. It's an accessory, it's part of the fit ... Any guy that's recently drafted is probably going to be wearing wired headphones.”
— Chad Brown, Founder of the NBA Fashion Fits Instagram account
What’s next
The growing popularity of wired headphones among celebrities and athletes is likely to continue, as the trend reflects a broader cultural shift towards more analog and nostalgic experiences. As more young stars embrace the wired look, it could further solidify the comeback of corded earbuds in the fashion and tech spheres.
The takeaway
The resurgence of wired headphones among celebrities and athletes is a reflection of a larger cultural movement towards a more analog lifestyle. In an increasingly digital world, people are seeking out tangible, nostalgic experiences, and wired earbuds offer an accessible way to embrace this trend. The trend speaks to a desire for a break from constant connectivity and a longing for a simpler, more tactile existence.
