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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
14 / 25
15Disney 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.
15 / 25
16Zoey 101
Image Source: Nickelodeon
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.
16 / 25
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.
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.
Not sure how Paris Hilton became the face of the Motorola Razr and Sidekick, but the phones were definitely on my Christmas list, and I definitely didn't get either one. I got a Firefly (you know, the phone that only called two people: your mom and your dad). Enough said.
Were you obsessed with mermaids as a kid? I can almost guarantee this movie is why. For a while there, I only ate Ben & Jerry's Phish Food despite hating it because "it's what mermaids eat."
Because that's Ned from Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (spoiler alert: middle school was nothing like that) and Quinn from Zoey 101! And . . . is that . . . coconut head?!
The Barbie vs. Bratz debate could go on forever, but I say, why not both? Pretty sure my coworkers have walked by and seen me listening to their soundtrack on Spotify. I have no shame.
The miniseries that played between shows were some of my favourites. Mike's Super Short Show, As the Bell Rings, and Disney 411 — they were the perfect way to keep our short attention spans all the way through.
