Every generation has its pop culture sensations – individuals who rise above the rest and immortalize their works for posterity. You can learn a lot about a decade’s zeitgeist by its stars, and perhaps that’s why some of them remain relevant (or even controversial) to this day. On this list, we’ll take a tour through pop culture history, as we shine a light on the celebrities that defined each decade, from the flower power of the sixties, to the AI-powered revolution of the 2020s (so far!)
‘60s — John Lennon (The Beatles)
There’s no better example of the cultural transformation the world went through in the sixties than witnessing John Lennon’s evolution as a pop culture sensation. Starting as an “angry young man” and ending up as the voice of nonviolent resistance, Lennon was the epitome of what every hippie aspired to become.
‘70s — David Bowie
The seventies were a decade of rediscovery in many forms, and no one embodied that spirit of change and fluidity better than David Bowie. From his androgynous onstage presence to his versatile songs, Ziggy Stardust capitalized on the sci-fi fascination of the ‘70s with his out-of-this-world persona.
‘80s — Michael Jackson
The King of Pop dominated every aspect of mainstream culture in the ’80s, no contest. From the moonwalk to Thriller, Jackson was everywhere — even in cinemas and video game consoles, with Moonwalker surpassing even the most optimistic box office expectations.
‘90s — Will Smith
Gen X was fueled by all things edgy: from angsty grunge bands in Seattle to explicit lyrics straight out of Compton. However, one of the most notorious celebrities of the decade built his reputation as a “family-friendly” entertainer who avoided swearing in his songs at a time when that was considered taboo. From becoming the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to starring in Men in Black, Smith was at the top of his game at the turn of the millennium.
‘00s — Britney Spears
With the rise of the internet, “fame” became more toxic than ever. Speaking of Toxic, Britney had to deal with the pressure of early online tabloids, obsessive fans, inspiring some of the first internet memes, and the constant gaze of the world 24/7. Still, her legacy as the new Princess of Pop lives on.
‘10s — Taylor Swift
Many would argue that Taylor Swift’s golden age is still going strong. However, the 2010s really showed how powerful the pop diva could be, cementing a legacy that will likely span decades – or, shall we say, Eras? Even now, Swifties compose one of the largest fanbases in pop culture history, and Taylor herself shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
‘20s — Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast)
We’re halfway through the decade now, and it’s safe to say that in this new age of internet fame, no one plays the game like MrBeast. Jimmy dominates the algorithm in virtually every social media platform, with each of his videos racking up millions of views in mere hours. Culturally speaking, he’s the Walt Disney of the digital age – making masterpieces for the instant gratification generation.
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