15 Stars From the ’90s Millennials Won’t Ever Let Go

The 1990s remain all that and a bag of chips whenever pop culture celebrities enter the spotlight. Songstresses, chiseled actors, and drama queens solidify their public personas through fan admiration and chunks of dead presidents. With incredible technological advancements to help broadcast various mediums, the ‘90s ushered in a critical epoch of mainstream entertainment.

Though the Nineties live on as a nostalgic decade for many, plenty of icons continue to fascinate fans through work or social media. Some resort to more private homes, yet the Millennial generation clings to their favorite personalities no matter the occasion. Certain streaming services, such as Disney+, even cater to the Millennials for lucrative sentimentality.

In the entertainment business, audiences quickly move on from one star to the next. However, these specific celebrities fail to leave the Millennial radar.

Britney Spears

The teen pop genre notes Britney Spears as an influential figure. Her early work with Jive Records established her hip presence among the younger crowd. Because of this, Spears cultivates a dedicated following into the 21st century by garnering immense fan admiration and critical reception.

The “Princess of Pop” stirred public attention several times, and she maintains a level of musical relevance today. Her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, explores the pop icon’s tribulations throughout her life and career. Moreover, her publicized conservatorship case keeps fans in check with the Spears family drama.

Justin Timberlake

Speaking of Britney Spears, the “Womanizer” artiste once shared intimate threads with Justin Timberlake. The NSYNC member rocked nearly ever music chart in the 1990s and 2000s.

Today, Timberlake releases new tunes incorporating updated motifs of emotional change and love. His friendship with late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon also keeps him in the headlines.

On the other hand, the “Prince of Pop” circles headlines with inebriated driving activities; a publicized arrest nearly derailed his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. When encountering the police, Timberlake expressed, “This is going to ruin the tour.” Moreover, whenever May rolls around, the internet prepares to endlessly share the “It’s gonna be May” meme.

Mariah Carey

The holiday season aptly rings in Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at almost every department store. Though synonymous with the joyous times, the pop and R&B songbird stamped her mark in the music business.

Carey remains in the spotlight today with concert residencies, department stores, and personal plights. Throwback radio stations supply her old-school hits for any hungry Generation Y member yearning for the good ol’ days. Though the 2024 “The Celebration of Mimi” residency encompasses older material, a new Mariah Carey album fulfills the craving for fresh tunes.

Beyoncé

While Mariah Carey moves away from new material, Beyoncé Knowles continually reinvents herself. Before donning cowboy attire, the former Destiny’s Child lead dominated award shows and music charts. Her film appearances also contribute to the artist’s extensive résumé, such as Austin Powers in Goldmember and Dreamgirls.

With new ventures and philanthropic efforts, Beyoncé’s projects remain an essential topic for discussion among fans and critics. Her “Queen Bey” status examines how high the public places her on a pedestal. The country music genre even welcomed her talents after she successfully launched Cowboy Carter in 2024. With an incredibly active career, fans live for any news surrounding Beyoncé.

Jennifer Lopez

Several entertainers from the 1990s garner success differently in the 21st century, and Jennifer Lopez’s creative turns ignite big numbers. A particular Selena picture acknowledges her acting skills, too, yet J.Lo’s musical steps impress the fans more. Some even remember her stint as a Fly Girl for Fox’s In Living Color series.

Shockingly, Lopez’s recent projects receive less favorable outcomes. An unfortunate cancelation of her “This Is Me… Live” tour drilled in many buzzkills for fans. In addition to her marriage with Ben Affleck, some Millennials can’t seem to let go of J.Lo’s harsh personal troubles and professional disappointments.

Jennifer Aniston

The Hollywood landscape generated numerous talents, many starting with “Jennifer”, namely Connelly, Garner, and Love Hewitt, though Jennifer Aniston’s past and current work remain highly relevant. The Friends television show began airing in the mid-1990s, and Aniston’s reputation was propelled to dependable proportions in entertainment.

Friends stands as a popular television show among a few generations. Aniston’s presence in the media stays active, as does her dedicated fanbase, who follow her every project. Some of her work today includes the Murder Mystery movies, The Morning Show on Apple TV+, and television specials.

Matthew Perry

Though Friends features many distinct characters, Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing remains the most quotable. Perry’s role as the witty Bing allowed the actor to showcase his comedic talents elsewhere, though personal troubles hindered his growth.

However, Perry’s filmography stretches only so thin compared to his companions on Friends. With periodic appearances, fans instilled some interest in the actor long after his Bing days. Living under a certain limelight, Perry faced additional miseries until his death in 2023. Some perils he endured before passing away included his numerous stomach surgeries and rehab stays.

Adam Sandler

Individual Saturday Night Live legacies traject in many directions when cast members leave NBC’s late-night program. For Adam Sandler, his admirers eat up just about any joke he throws at the world. With stand-up routines, comedy films, and silly collaborations, Sandler delivers on anything-comedy, for good or ill.

Even today, with some serious acting roles, Sandler continues remixing his unique comedy brand. Some entertainment outlets note a lucrative multiple-picture deal with Netflix as a perk of his modern relevance, though Sandler fans protect their SNL Opera Man ‘till the very end.

Mike Myers

Another SNL alumni who produced and starred in famous 1990s projects involved Mike Myers’ ventures as Wayne Campbell and Austin Powers. Some films include Myers in lesser-known roles, yet Myers’ filmography before the 21st century showcased his neverending ability to make folks laugh.

While Myers surrounds himself with new activities, his early success doesn’t mirror his current path. Despite mixed reception, Myers continues to expand his comedic universes, with Shrek 5 accomplishing pre-production duties. As fans on social media express their enthusiasm for the new projects, Myers embraces his Dr. Evil character with Saturday Night Live appearances and General Motors takeovers.

Kenan Thompson

Of course, some SNL masters still work annual magic at Studio 8H, and everyone points to Kenan Thompson. Since 2003, Thompson starred in the popular NBC program, making him the show’s longest-running cast member. His earlier televised and cinematic goodies include All That, Kenan & Kel, and Good Burger.

Thompson continues to rock the house at Studio 8H whenever a new SNL season premieres. While some side projects fell apart for Thompson, his fans tune in whenever he’s live from New York on a Saturday night.

Robin Williams

The 20th century produced an astonishing number of comedians who carried their talents into the subsequent century. One such talent many reference is Robin Williams and his incredible range of works in film, television, theater, and gaming. From Mork & Mindy to Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin, every corner of the world knows Williams to some extent.

Even after his death in 2014, Williams’ fans embrace his presence through creative references, social media, and general praise for his past work. His daughter, Zelda, notably keeps audiences interested with a touch of her father’s influence in her work.

Winona Ryder

Romantic interests come and go in life, yet Winona Ryder remains settled in many hearts, both aging and young. Her previous horror and comedy outings in the 1990s unite crowds to enjoy works of macabre and terror. Some of her best-known projects in the 1980s and 1990s include Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Girl, Interrupted.

While Ryder stole young hearts in the 20th century, her current roles captivate even more today. Her relatable panic as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things walks as a familiar character for many. Moreover, she’s returning as Lydia Deetz for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; its initial trailers already startle Millennials and other generations alike.

Kate Winslet

James Cameron’s Titanic provides the biggest reason why Kate Winslet’s career skyrocketed to the Millennial radar. Though Heavenly Creatures introduced audiences to Winslet’s talent, Titanic allowed her to acquire a tremendous following into the 21st century.

Since her stretch in the 1990s, Winslet obtained various opportunities and accolades, including a Best Actress Oscar for The Reader (2008). Additionally, fans rush to the movie theaters to see her as Ronal in Avatar: The Way of Water and its sequel. Though she dabbles in voice-over work, Winslet leads HBO’s The Regime as Elena Vernham, a role that garners considerable praise from television show reviewers.

Snoop Dogg

The Dogg Father stands out as an icon across many entertainment platforms. His rap ventures in the 1990s supplemented his dynamic range in the following century, with notable name changes signifying creative shifts. No matter the facts, hip-hop music and pop culture are generally associated with Snoop Dogg.

Today, Snoop Doggy Dogg dabbles in many delightful pursuits that don’t involve tunes and characters. Snoop does it all in the 21st century: Commercials, wines, cookbooks, video game streaming, and plenty more. Snoop can’t let go of his amusing activities, and Millennials can’t let go of him.

Mario Lopez

Almost every actor from Saved by the Bell stays in the memory of every Millennial, especially Mario Lopez. His portrayal of A.C. Slater interested countless producers, who cast him in various projects.

Since then, Lopez dove into the hosting business, with eminent positions in Extra and Access Hollywood. Lopez usually stars as himself in other works, mainly due to his 1990s stardom. Though Slater returned for the 2020 Saved by the Bell series, Lopez gets by with his presence alone.