The early 2000s were the golden era of pop music, with tons of iconic “It” girls who dominated the music industry and inspired a generation of girls with their songs (and fashion). Here are the top 10 pop princesses who defined and ruled the era, and where they are today.
1. Britney Spears
Songs like “…Baby One More Time” and “Oops!… I Did It Again” brought Britney up to the top of the charts consistently, and when paired with her memorable choreography and costumes, this hit-making blonde pop star was hard to forget. Today, after a historic conservatorship battle, she’s stepped back from music and written a bestselling memoir but is dealing with mental health issues and posting some questionable videos on social media.
2. Christina Aguilera
This Latina powerhouse is known for reinventing herself time after time (“Stripped” era anyone?) as well as her powerful, belting voice on tracks like “Genie in a Bottle,” “Marmalade,” and “Dirrty.” Today, she’s still releasing music, touring occasionally, and setting the vocal benchmark in the industry, paving the way for artists like Ariana Grande. She also embraces advocacy work and has completed several Latin projects.
3. Jessica Simpson
While she didn’t quite reach the fame of her peers, Christina and Britney, she still sold millions of copies of “In Her Skin” in the US. The 2003 album made her a wholesome-meets-glam icon in this era, as did her relationship and marriage to Nick Lachey (and their reality show), which led to crossover fame. Today, she’s stepped back from music and into entrepreneurship with her brand.
4. Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee, who started her career as a backup dancer for her sister Jessica Simpson, was the pop-rock alternative to her sibling, with hits like “Pieces of Me.” With a slightly less wholesome aesthetic and sound. Today, she’s still performing and tackling creative projects, but her main focus is on family life.
5. Avril Lavigne
While Avril was technically a pop princess, she was more of a skater-punk princess in reality. The Canadian singer-songwriter offered something for the bad girls who didn’t quite identify with the ultra-girly, sanitized vision of pop. Today, she’s still very much active, performing and touring, doing collabs with the new generation of pop-punk musicians.
6. Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo is known for blending Latin rhythms with dance pop and infusing influences from R&B and hip hop into her tracks like “Jenny from the Block.” Instead of being solely recognized as a pop princess, Jennifer Lopez is a multifaceted superstar, demonstrating her relevance in movies, fashion, and music.
7. Fergie
Fergie started her career as a member of The Black Eyed Peas, who then went solo, dominating clubs and the radio with her edgy style, genre-blending style, and ability to bridge hip-hop with mainstream pop. Songs like “Fergalicious,” “London Bridge,” and “Glamorous” helped define the era. Today, she’s reconnected with her former band, runs Ferguson Crest Winery with her father, and spends time with her son, Axl.
8. Beyoncé
After the success of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé launched an epic solo career that’s still very much going strong and helped to shape the music industry. Her projects defy genres, her tours set a new standard, and she’s become a symbol of Black and female empowerment with her stunning vocals and groundbreaking albums like “Lemonade” and “Renaissance.” Today, she’s regarded as a pop god but is also focusing on family life with her children as well as her activewear line.
9. Kylie Minogue
Few pop princess careers have lasted as long as Kylie Minogue’s. It all started with the 1980s hit “The Loco-Motion” and peaked at her “Fever” era, which transformed her into an international club icon. Dance-pop songs like “Spinning Around” and “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” helped cement her as an LGBTQ+ icon, and she’s released a whopping 17 studio albums.
10. Shakira
This Colombian superstar embraced multicultural pop stardom, bringing cultural fusion and international crossover into her career. She was known for incorporating belly dancing into her music and signed with Sony Music Colombia at just 13. While she started as a pop-rock icon in Latin America, the 2001 album “Laundry Service” made her a mainstream pop princess. Today, she’s still touring with her huge, ongoing “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” World Tour, which is the second-highest-grossing Latin tour of all time. She’s also worked on projects like Zootopia 2 and is an activist who speaks out on immigration issues.
