The 1990s was a golden age for popular culture—one in which films, television shows, and popular music launched icons into the world who seemed bigger than life but strangely familiar too. These women, for many young girls in the 1990s, represented something much bigger than themselves: *crushes*. They embodied ‘charm,’ ‘confidence,’ and ‘cool.’ Here are “five female crushes of the 1990s” that impacted the decade in a way that had never been seen before.
- Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is the woman every teenager in the 90s has had a crush on, thanks to playing the character “Rachel Green” in “Friends.” Jennifer Aniston was the epitome of a combination of warmth and friendliness, akin to the girl next door, coupled with the poise and confidence that only comes with living in the big city.
What made Jennifer Aniston so crush-worthy was more than just her beauty. In fact, it was her accessibility. She seemed real. Sometimes awkward, always emotional at the right moments, and just downright funny. In an age where celebrities seemed too perfect, she seemed like a person that one could relate to. This made her one of the most revered stars of the decade, and definitely well beyond.
- Britney Spears
But by the late 90s, Britney Spears was impossible to ignore—and impossible to forget. When “…Baby One More Time” burst onto the music scene in 1998, she literally became a worldwide sensation overnight. Britney Spears symbolized youth and confidence and pop stardom in a way that no one else did.
She was a crush, as well, because of her looks, of course, as well as because of her presence. Britney had a natural charm that commanded attention no matter where she was: performing onstage, as well as when doing interviews. In many ways, Britney epitomized freedom, fun, and excitement, which were all qualities associated with a new era emerging with Britney as part of that new group of performers. She didn’t just represent pop music at the end of the decade; she also represented *the moment*.
- Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder was the crush for those who liked their leading man intelligent, sensitive, and a little offbeat. Acting in films such as Reality Bites, Heathers, and Edward Scissorhands, she was the face associated with cerebral and emotionally nuanced heroines.
Her appeal was in her subtlety. Winona Ryder wasn’t a glamorous actress; she appealed with her expressive eyes and her quiet fire. It is because she embodied the introspective decade of 90s and was right for fans in search of someone like themselves because they feel a little different and perhaps a little misunderstood. It was a decade when individuality was welcomed.
- Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek emerged on the Hollywood screen with a bang in the mid-90s, and her arrival in *Desperado* (1995) showcased her presence that could not, and did not, go unnoticed.
“What set Salma Hayek apart as a crush was the way she embodied strength and beauty.” She broke conventions in Hollywood and brought much-needed diversity to the big screen. It was not just Salma’s physical looks that impressed. She exuded intelligence and confidence. People were not just impressed with Salma. They respected her.
- Gillian Anderson
Playing the character Scully on the popular TV series “The X-Files,” Gillian Anderson singlehandedly turned the concept of a TV crush on its head. With Scully, the TV crush became intelligent, doubtful, and daring.
Gillian Anderson’s appeal came from her intelligence and authority. She portrayed a smarter-than-everyone-else scientist who could hold her own in a man’s world. These traits of intelligence and quiet confidence make her highly desirable. She wasn’t merely a crush object for many women, but she introduced them to the concept that intelligence can itself be a huge turn-on.
Final Thoughts
The female crushes of the 90s were so much more than their looks. A new concept of what constitutes beauty and confidence was being explored. This started and ended with the likes of Jennifer Aniston and the intelligent and talented performances of Gillian Anderson. The effect that these women have on the way that a whole new generation looks at the concept of crushes and inspiration is still being felt today.
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