Celebs Who Act Nothing Like Their Zodiac Sign
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One of the easiest ways to learn astrology is to analyze it through the lens of pop culture. Most pop-culture divas fall under the sign of Aries, Vogue points out. And loads of great rappers are Geminis, NME explains. These coincidences can make you believe that where the planets are located when we're born does impact our personalities.
But what about the celebrities who don't seem related to their signs whatsoever? For every textbook Gemini (Kanye West), there's one who seems like their polar opposite (Nicole Kidman). Astrology's not an exact science. In fact, it's not even a science at all — it's more a tool for analysis, a fun way to interpret people's actions and characteristics.
In that vein, we've compiled a list of celebs whose signs will make you go, "Huh?" But, keep in mind, your birth chart is way more complex than just your sun sign — so there's a way to explain every single one of these astrological stumpers.
Katy Perry has a sunny demeanor for a triple-Scorpio
What comes to mind first when you think of Katy Perry? Whipped-cream bras, California girls, and fireworks? Well, what if we told you Perry's astrological chart is dominated by the moodiest sign in the zodiac — Scorpio? Perry's sun, moon, and rising placements are in this sign, making her a self-proclaimed "triple Scorpio."
Scorpios tend to be quiet, reserved, and private, according to Astro.com. They're symbolized by the scorpion, a prickly insect known for stinging when provoked. This doesn't really gel with the singer's chipper public image and what Rolling Stone called her "kid-friendly" music. But, in Perry's opinion, her chart makes sense. In 2020, she released a single called "Scorpio SZN." "Who better to know (and write) songs for Scorpio Szn than a triple Scorpio herself?" she tweeted at the time.
But Perry's scorpionic nature is evident in her infamous decade-long feud with Taylor Swift. After they squashed their beef, they discussed how astrology may have affected their rapport. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Sagittarius Swift explained how she and Perry communicate differently. Perry is a Scorpio, known to "strike when they feel threatened." However, Swift is an archer. "We literally stand back, assess the situation, process how we feel about it, raise a bow, pull it back, and fire. So it's completely different ways of processing pain, confusion, misconception," she explained. Thank goodness for that misconception, because, without it, we wouldn't have had the "Bad Blood" era.
Amy Poehler is uncharacteristically goofy for a Virgo
Comedian and actor Amy Poehler was born September 16, 1971, which makes her a Virgo. People born under this sign, per Astro.com, are typically quiet and reserved — words few fans would use to describe the hilarious former "Saturday Night Live" dynamo. Virgos like singer Beyoncé and actors Michelle Williams and Zendaya seem guarded and serious, Cosmopolitan points out — two more traits that don't exactly scream "Amy Poehler."
Instead, Poehler gives off a warm and fuzzy vibe, in addition to her legendary sense of humor. Katie Couric described Poehler as "genuinely kind" in a column for Glamour. The New York Times called her work "comforting," saying it "comes from a place of empathy, of kindness."
But there are some unseen parts of Poehler's personality that do align with her chart. In an interview with astrologer Chani Nicholas, Poehler alluded to being "worried" that her astrological "peak" would be ending soon. Nicholas quipped, "As a Virgo, that makes sense."
Sagittarians are known to be hard to pin down, but Hailey Bieber is Justin's rock
Adventurous, wild, free — these are some of the words most used to describe Sagittarians, born from November 23 to December 22, according to Astro.com. Hailey Bieber, born November 22, 1996, may be that way behind closed doors. But quotes from her husband, Justin Bieber, portray her as the exact opposite. "Hailey's very logical and structured, which I need," Justin once told Vogue. "I've always wanted security — with my dad being gone sometimes when I was a kid, with being on the road. With the lifestyle I live, everything is so uncertain. I need one thing that's certain." Sagittarians, symbolized by the galloping mythical centaur, are rarely described as reliable.
What's more, Hailey married Justin at 21. In Hollywood terms, that's practically a teen bride — and it's safe to say people who marry young aren't usually known for their wild lifestyles. But celebrity astrologer Aliza Kelly wrote for Cosmopolitan, "Sagittarius has the extraordinary ability to transform even the most mundane pursuit (say, a quick trip to the corner store) into a full-blown adventure." Hey, if Hailey can transform marriage into an adventure, then she's definitely the ultimate Sag.
Pisces are dreamy and emotional, but Daniel Craig puts on a tough front
Pisces, born from February 19 to March 20, are known for chilling out, going with the flow, and being more than a little emotional. The famed astrologer Susan Miller says on her website that Pisces are "imaginative, caring, and enchanting" — so not exactly synonymous with actor Daniel Craig's most famous character, the emotionally detached and combat-ready James Bond.
Of course, Craig is not his character — but he doesn't come off as a major Pisces, either. GQ called Craig "a blond art-house thug" who "isn't exactly a submissive person," noting that he "left home as a teenager and never looked back" — a far cry from the typical emotional Pisces.
But Craig did prove his Pisces status with some remarks about needing a break between filming two "Bond" films. He told Time Out in 2015, "There was a conversation at one point that went: 'Let's film two movies back to back,'" in which he responded, "'You're out of your f****** minds.'" He explained how, after a shoot, he wants to "literally, just have a holiday. It's fair enough, no? I just want to switch my brain off." Now that's a Pisces remark.
Oprah is empathetic and emotional for an Aquarius
Aquarians, born from January 21 to February 20, are symbolized by the water-bearer. Celebrity astrologer Chani Nicholas calls Aquarius "the rational, cool, emotionally detached, innovative, humanitarian and socially idealistic sign." A group even took to Reddit to debate their sign's reputation for being "cold-hearted." "I'm only cold hearted to 98.9% of the world's population," one Aquarian quipped.
So how is Oprah Winfrey, one of America's most beloved figures, part of this emotionally-detached group? Winfrey talks and writes about things like gratitude and "bringing some much-needed coziness" into the lives of her fans. It doesn't get much more warm-and-fuzzy than that.
Still, Aquarians are also known for their ability to tap into the emotions and ideas of the masses — something Winfrey has clearly made a career out of doing. While The Washington Post took notice of Winfrey's "compassionate demeanor" during her interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the paper also pointed out her "focused skill" and capacity for "relentlessly circling back to emotional or newsmaking comments like a heat-seeking missile." Clearly, there's a steely Aquarian core underneath Winfrey's fuzzy demeanor.
Prince William is a Cancer, the sensitive, gentle, mothering sign
Prince William comes across as one of the royal family's more stoic members, especially since his brother, Prince Harry, has dropped bombshell after emotional bombshell since leaving the British royal family. But William may be more emo than he comes across: He was born under the uber-sensitive Cancer sign. Cancers, according to celebrity astrologer Chani Nicholas, are "sensitive to every new feeling that arises" and are "aware of everyone else's feelings and every feeling that has ever been felt." Sounds stressful.
It's no surprise then that the late Diana, Princess of Wales, known for her emotionality, was also a Cancer. And William has reportedly inherited not only his sun sign from his mom, but also his shyness, according to royal commentator Robert Jobson. Jobson wrote in his book, "William and Kate: The Love Story," via Express, that the prince's apparent shyness may have been an act of self-preservation. "In many ways, 'William the bashful' was a person he invented," Jobson wrote, adding, "a very effective cover for a boy who was growing in confidence daily."
Princess Diana's astrologer, Debbie Frank, said William's sign is especially compatible with his Capricorn wife, Kate Middleton. "There's definitely this big magnetic connection between Kate and William," she told Town & Country. Considering their seemingly solid marriage, their compatibility is less surprising than William's sensitive sun sign placement.
Nicole Kidman has had an unbelievably scandal-free career for a Gemini
Geminis — or people born between May 21 and June 20 — are known for being dramatic, to put it mildly. Kanye West and Donald Trump, for example, were both born under this sign. Astrologer Kerry Ward puts the sign's traits charitably, writing for Cosmopolitan, "They are super-fast, super-smart, super-adaptable and super-curious people. All of this super-ness makes them fascinating to be around, albeit usually only for short spells."
Nicole Kidman is one celebrity who also falls under this sign but who seems to have a much more placid demeanor. In fact, she actually struggles with shyness to this day. "If I haven't worked for a long time, my shyness comes back and I'm a little rigid almost and scared," she told Amy Adams in a conversation for Variety. Could you ever imagine a textbook Gemini like West or Trump saying that?
Still, at least one person thinks Kidman is the epitome of her sign: her husband, Keith Urban, who wrote a song for her called "Gemini." Urban's lyrics include the whammy of a couplet, "She's a maniac in the bed / But a brainiac in the head," per People, which does sound Gemini-esque. The sign is all about duality, after all.
Capricorns are known for being serious, but Kate Moss has made a career of having fun
Capricorns, born from December 22 through January 19, are known as the stern, hardworking taskmasters of the zodiac. "Capricorn is ruled by Saturn," celebrity astrologer Chani Nicholas writes. "Saturn is the planet of bounds, borders, barriers, constraints and confinements." None of these words probably come to mind when you think of Kate Moss, the supermodel and notorious party animal who has partied her way from the '90s to today, even trashing a hotel room or two. Capricorns are normally assumed to be accountants or CEOs, not fashion icons.
But there might be some astrological dark magic at work. Vogue — the unofficial fashion bible — decreed that Moss' birthday might be the most stylish day of the year. Style icons Aaliyah, FKA Twigs, and Sade also share Moss' special day. Normally, as astrologer Alice Bell told Vogue, goats veer toward "wardrobe basics like a cashmere sweater, a trenchcoat, or a pair of really nice-fitting slacks or jeans." Neither Moss nor the rest of these icons has worn anything even approaching the realm of "basic." Clearly, the astrology world is missing something about Capricorns and, as Vogue puts it, they might just be "secret fashion freaks underneath it all."
Taureans are usually gentle and loving, but somehow Adolf Hitler was one
People born under the Taurus sign, from April 21 through May 21, are known for their love of creature comforts and their hardworking nature. Most people think of Taureans as chilled out, even to the point of lazy. "Taureans love doing nothing," astrologer Kerry Ward writes for Cosmopolitan. "Just being kinda vacant. Let them be."
Well, one person who did a lot — arguably too much — and definitely shouldn't have been "let be" was Adolf Hitler. The former German chancellor is known as one of the most evil figures of the 20th century, and most astrologers agree he is so not a Taurus.
In fact, astrology enthusiasts are obsessed with Hitler's chart. His chart is constantly in the top 20 most popular on the website Astrotheme, and The Outline investigated why. Astrotheme asserted that, according to his chart, Hitler was "naturally inclined towards tolerance and moderation, as well as elegance and tact," which doesn't really sound like him. Astrologer Michelle Young told The Outline, "When you look at Hitler's chart, you don't see evil, unless you're totally picking it apart." Clearly, it would take a PhD in astrology to figure this one out.
Most Aries are boisterous and say whatever's on their mind, but Emma Watson has a quiet vibe
Aries, born from March 21 through April 19, are brave, confident, and unafraid of confrontation, Vogue India explains. This sounds a lot like the "Harry Potter" character Hermione Granger — but the actress who plays her, Emma Watson, doesn't really fit the typical Aries profile.
While guest-editing the magazine Wonderland, Watson confessed, "The truth is that I'm genuinely a shy, socially awkward, introverted person. At a big party, I'm like Bambi in the headlights." E! News said of the actor, "Emma Watson is a lot of things, but impulsive isn't one of them." A hot-headed, impulsive nature is central to the Aries identity.
Still, despite Watson's chilled out and relatively low public profile, she does speak up where it matters: in her activism. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations since July 2014, per UN Women, leaving her mark on everything from equal pay to fair trade. Any Aries would be proud.
Leos love the spotlight, but Kylie Jenner may be the most private person in her family
The only thing Leos, born between July 23 and August 22, value more than their glorious mane of hair is being the center of attention. As one Vice headline put it, "Leos are attention-starved narcissists who never stop talking about themselves." Tell us how you really feel!
So you'd think that the biggest Leo in the Kardashian-Jenner reality TV clan would be Kim Kardashian West, the one who put the family on the map, right? Wrong. It's Kylie Jenner, the youngest sister who's actually a quiet person. Jenner even confessed on her short-lived TV show, "Life of Kylie," that she had no desire to be famous. "I don't want my picture taken, I don't want people to see what outfit I'm wearing," she said, via the Mirror. "Every time there's paparazzi I cover my face. I would rather wear this hoodie and [sneakers] and sweats every day."
Still, even though Jenner doesn't seem like the archetypal Leo, let's face it: She's one of the most famous people of her generation, and she doesn't show any signs of going away. In fact, she actually relishes her status as a Leo. She incorporates her sign into her Instagram captions and even her cosmetics line, selling a maroon "Leo lip kit." When you think about it, complaining about your fame is a great way to gain even more fame. She may be the smartest Leo ever.
Kate Winslet is a major Libra who seems to have no problem making decisions
Libras, born from September 22 to October 22, are symbolized by two scales — so they tend to spend way too much time weighing their options. "One of the major stereotypes about Libras is that they're indecisive as heck," astrologer Nina Kahn writes for Bustle. "Whether it's picking a drink at the coffee shop or deciding whether or not they want to accept a new job offer, Libras have a tendency to waver back and forth between their options and struggle to choose a side."
Acting, meanwhile, is all about making decisions. One of the biggest mistakes an actor can make is "to try to play to the middle, never making a strong choice or not taking a stand, because you fear being wrong," acting coach Kimberly Jentzen writes in her book, "Acting With Impact," via Backstage. So it stands to reason that, while Libras like Kim Kardashian make great reality stars, their acting skills might not be up to snuff.
Kate Winslet, however, is one of the most respected actors of her generation. And she's not just a Libra. She's what's known as a "triple Libra," with her sun, moon, and rising signs all under that placement, per Glamour. This, the magazine posits, is what makes her so "likable" — and it makes her success at acting even more impressive.
Many Scorpios are incredibly secretive, but Whoopi Goldberg tells it like it is
Scorpios, born from October 23 through November 21, are known for being secretive and aloof, astrologer Kerry Ward writes for Cosmopolitan. Scorpios "often remain un-knowable to others," she adds, "because they guard themselves and their private lives fiercely."
Actor and co-host of "The View" Whoopi Goldberg might not put her private life on display these days in the same way she did during her '90s movie-star heyday, but she certainly isn't guarded. Goldberg lets all her opinions be known on her show and isn't afraid to be honest. This has even led to some famous beefs with peers like Oprah Winfrey.
So how is Goldberg so open? Astrologer Donna Cunningham did a deep dive on Goldberg's chart, and she thinks it makes complete sense. Because Goldberg's sun and moon are in Scorpio, she's extra-sure of her "perceptions" and "opinions," Cunningham writes, which leads to her outspokenness. "Not only can she be too sure of her opinions," the astrologer adds, "but to top it off, this all plays out in the [nin]th house, the house of opinionatedness!" At least when she expresses those opinions, she's incredibly entertaining.
Taureans love to work hard and play hard, but David Beckham seems to play more than work
Because Taurus is symbolized by the bull, many assume the sign is all about hard work and nothing else. As Taurus and pop culture astrologer Kyle Thomas writes for Cosmopolitan, "Tauruses are extremely hardworking. When we set our minds on a goal, we work until we accomplish it." This was true of soccer star David Beckham in his 20s and 30s. But what about now?
Today, Beckham makes more headlines for partying than sports prowess. In the U.K., he's got a reputation for "boozy behavio[r]," according to the Mirror. Beckham caught flack for celebrating a legal win with a $1,700 bottle of wine in Paris, noted the Mirror, and, in September 2020, he was accused of partying despite coronavirus restrictions and contracting the illness in Los Angeles, per Page Six.
But there's another side of the Taurus personality that prefers luxury to work, and decadent Beckham fits it to a tee. "I just want people to see me as a hardworking player," he told The Guardian in 2013 upon his retirement. But there's another side to Taureans' hardworking nature: They like to play hard. "So when we want to relax, we've earned it!" Thomas writes for Cosmopolitan. With Beckham's party-boy reputation, it's clear he feels the "work" section of his Taurus life is done.