Pop Culture Trends From the Early 2000s

28 Throwbacks That Will Leave You Crying Nostalgia-Filled Tears

When Apple creates a time machine, I'm not sure if I want the early '00s to be my first or last stop. So much of it is filled with questionable fashion choices, embarrassing moments, and less-than-quality television. Yet, though I would now never wear a skirt over jeans, I love it. I absolutely revel in the cringe. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling when I see pictures of Ashley Tisdale on a red carpet or listen to a teen-angst-filled Avril Lavigne song. Growing up at the turn of the 21st century was a gift that I wouldn't give up for the world. A sparkly, cheetah-printed, bedazzled gift.

If you're not crying at the end of this, then you might not be human. Whether those tears are from laughter or nostalgia, we may never know.

Image Source: Getty / Chris Polk

1. Degrassi: The Next Generation

I knew I was way too young to be watching a show about high school *gasp*, but it was the most rebellious thing my 11-year-old self had control over. And, yes, that is Drake.

Image Source: Getty / George Pimentel

2. Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Miranda Cosgrove probably got slimed that night, so she dressed appropriately. All love, Miranda, all love.

Image Source: Getty / SGranitz

3. Every Lindsay Lohan Movie

You know I wanted to be "that girl," and that girl was Lindsay Lohan. Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen . . . the list goes on. The '90s got baby Lindsay, but teenage Lindsay was our girl.

Image Source: Everett Collection

4. Tiger Beat, Bop, J-14 . . .

You'd rip out the posters, take the quizzes, and catch up on the latest hot gossip. Before the age of Instagram and Snapchat, this was how we got our insider information on our favourite stars, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Image Source: Getty / Sylvain Gaboury

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5. The Jonas Brothers and the Cheetah Girls

It's weird to see the Jonas Brothers with the Cheetah Girls, but also oh so right.

Image Source: Getty / Jeff Daly

6. The Last Season of Hannah Montana

When Hannah took off her wig, ours flew across the room with it. It was the end of an era.

Image Source: Disney Channel

7. Raven-Symoné and Her Sunglasses

Did no one have a stylist back then?

Image Source: Getty / L. Cohen

8. "Pieces of Me" by Ashlee Simpson

Two things this song taught me: 1. The days of the week and 2. The truest meaning of love. OK, it taught me neither, but I still loved it.

9. The Cast of High School Musical

I always think to myself: how much did we miss out on not growing up with social media in the same capacity as today? I wonder what my favourite stars would have posted, and I think this photo may be one of them. This photo was taken at Ashley Tisdale's birthday party, and even though I'd never seen this picture, it somehow took me right back.

Image Source: Getty / Michael Bezjian

10. Avril Lavigne

Her songs were the moodiest of the moods.

11. Disney Channel Games

It was akin to inception in my little brain seeing every Disney star in the world come together to play games for charity. TBH, the best part of Summer.

Image Source: Getty / Gerardo Mora

12. Aly & AJ's Jewellery

The peacock earrings. The butterfly necklace. The choker that I definitely begged my mom for at Claire's.

Image Source: Getty / Jeffrey Mayer

13. Best of Both Worlds Tour

This was my first concert ever, and it was basically two in one, right?! I am concerned, however, about how I thought this was the pinnacle of fashion.

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

14. Best of Both Worlds Concert Movie

This was one of the pioneers of the "concert movie" genre for Disney. I attended the concert in person and in theatres. Also, why was she barefoot? I am very disturbed.

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

15. Disney Channel Circle of Stars

The year 2003 marked the first generation of bona-fide "Disney Channel stars." This epic collaboration of "Circle of Life" from The Lion King just about cemented their status.

16. Zoey 101

Possibly the most iconic show on Nickelodeon — don't fight me on this — from PCA to Jet X to Sushi Rox to Blix (a lot of things ended in x in the '00s). I'm still waiting to find out what was in that time capsule, but in the meantime, I'll be enjoying the cast's reunion pics on my TekMate.

Image Source: Nickelodeon

17. "What Dreams Are Made Of" From The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Hey now! This is literally what my childhood was made of. When I heard Lizzie McGuire was ending, I wrote a letter to Hilary Duff. Unfortunately, my mom never sent it; she wanted to keep it for herself, and having seen it, I can understand why.

18. Bibble in Barbie Fairytopia

When I first saw Bibble, I certainly didn't think nearly 15 years later he would have become a meme. His iconic character in the Barbie: Fairytopia movies was so memorable, he is now considered the goalpost for adulthood in 2019.