2002 4ever

From Kirsten Dunst to Jennifer Garner.

The year 2002 was peak celebrity chaos: Britney Spears and Justin Timberlakebroke up.

Michael Jacksondangled his babyfrom the balcony of his hotel room.

Hilary Duff on the cover of Blast! in March 2002

Christina Aguilera kicked off herStrippedera by gettingfacial piercings.

And Avril Lavigne released her debut albumLet Go,uniting an entire generation of pop-punk girls.

In 2002, magazine covers were less high art, more high drama.

David Beckham on the cover of GQ in June 2002

The styling unbuttoned jeans and platinum hair stripe added a playful touch to the snap.

The tabloids vilified her, taking Timberlakes side afterone of his music videossuggested she cheated on him.

5Pink ForYM MagazineIn April 2002

Memo to Britney: Watch your back.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake on the cover of US Weekly in December 2002

Did Pink actually say this?

Did it make for a tantalizing cover line?

In the early 2000s, the press loved to stoke the fires of fictionalgirl feuds: Pink vs. Britney.

Jennifer Garner on the cover of Rolling Stone in February 2002

Hilary Duff vs. Lindsay Lohan.

By looking at this one cover, you immediately know who the years biggest pop stars were.

The pair were regulars on celebrity weeklies, likePeople.

Pink on the cover of YM Magazine in April 2002

This article was originally published onMay 12, 2022

Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Lance Bass, and Ashley Parker Angel on the cover of J-14 in January 2002

Jennifer Aniston on the cover of People magazine in August 2002

Kirsten Dunst on the cover of Seventeen in June 2002

Heidi Klum on the cover of GQ in September 2002