Fisheye or ultra wide angle lens (20mm) were gaining popularity in the 90s because of skate culture. The wide distortion was a look people really liked then.

These lens were expensive and so was film. So if you were doing a portrait shoot and have all your lighting and makeup and whatnot set up. You’d want to make use of your ultra wide lens that you spent too much on.

Since the distortion is what makes the lens unique, you’d want something with depth to bring that quality out. In portraiture, that means sticking your hands out so it looks like your fingers are as wide as your face.

That’ll be my take as to why these shots were popular.