Being a teenager in the 2000s definitely had its ups and downs. Having to make executive decisions about your Myspace Top 8 was just too much pressure for our little puberty-addled brains to handle. But thats okay, because when your friends were totally leaving you out on their trips to the mall to go buy butterfly clips, you could just sit at home and watch your copy of What A Girl Wants for the 1230958th time. The best part about that movie? Teen musician heartthrob, Oliver James, who was guaranteed to chase away any angsty teenage blues you might have.
Ever wondered what happened to your 2000s teen crushes? We sure did! So, we've put together a list of all your favorite 2000s heartthrobs then and now. From the stars of the hottest Disney Channel Original Movies, to the musical talents behind the cringe-worthy 2000s teen pop wave, we've got updates on all that they're up to nowadays.
Check out this list of teenage heartthrobs from the 2000s: then and now below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.
http://www.ranker.com/list/2000s-teenage-boy-celebrity-crushes/westcoastin,
Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter first rose to fame in the late '90s as a child pop singer and rapper. Throughout the 2000s, he continued to rap and produce catchy pop tunes that made teenage girls swoon all over the world. He was also involved in a messy love triangle with Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff in the mid-2000s.
In 2001, he starred in an episode of Lizzie McGuire alongside Hilary Duff, which is how the two met and began dating. In 2014, Carter made an announcement on Twitter that Duff had been the love of his life, and that he was willing to try again with her, if only she let him. Duff basically gave a polite "no thanks," and carried on with her life.
In 2013, Aaron Carter filed for bankruptcy on his birthday. He fixed all of his taxes by 2014. In 2015, he released his new single, "Ooh Wee," and has started performing his new material on his Wonderful World Tour.
Adam Brody
Adam Brody is best known for playing Seth Cohen on The O.C. The 2000s loved his character's nerdy, quirky tendencies, as well as his great sense of humor. He was so cute and playful on the show - it's easy to see why so many teenagers swooned over him.
He's now married to Gossip Girl star, Leighton Meester. The couple welcome their first baby girl in August 2015. You can catch Brody on his new TV series, Billy & Billie.
Bow Wow
In the year 2000, Lil' Bow Wow has released his first rap album at age 13, aptly titled Beware of Dog. He followed that up with 2001's Doggy Bag, and the rest is history. He also starred in the adorable basketball comedy, Like Mike, in 2002. Following the press tour for his first film role, he decided to drop the "Lil'" from his name and go by "Bow Wow" instead. In April 2002, he told MTV News: "I changed my name because I'm getting older now, and it's too many Lil's. All these Lil' rappers, I'm just kind of getting irritated by it. I said, 'You know what? Drop the Lil'. Forget it. I'm Bow Wow."
In 2014, Bow Wow had a cameo in CBS's crime drama series, CSI: Cyber.
Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray was arguably one of the hottest teen heartthrobs of the 2000s. We first started drooling over him for his role on One Tree Hill, but once he took to the silver screen with films like Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story, we all but melted.
Most recently, Murray landed a role on the TV series Chosen, and is married to co-star Sarah Roemer. They had their first child in May 2015.
Drake Bell
Drake Bell first captured our attention on The Amanda Show, but later went on to become a Nickelodeon super star on Drake & Josh. If you ever stumble on a rerun of the show it'll probably still make you crack up - those jokes went over our heads in the 2000s, but now that we get them, they're totally hilarious. Teen girls (and boys) melted every time he picked up his guitar and started singing.
He's not on TV anymore, but its good to know that he still performs and sells out shows across the world. He has a pretty active Twitter account, and is known for calling out celebrities and making witty jokes.
Jesse McCartney
Looking back at those streaky blond highlights and side swept bangs probably makes you you cringe today, but back in the 2000s, that was basically the go-to hairstyle for any teeny bopper. Jesse McCartney was no exception. He first arrived on the scene as a part of the boy band Dream Street, but began a lucrative solo career soon after they split up. His hit single, "Beautiful Soul," was the anthem of many Jr. High girls back in the day.
Nowadays, you can find him performing a few concerts here and there, and starring on ABC's Young & Hungry TV series.
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer managed to pull off dreadlocks in the sexiest way possible in the 2000s. He was best known for playing Eminem's best friend, Proof, in 8 Mile, and Dr. Greg Pratt on ER.
TMZ reported in 2014 that Phifer had filed for bankruptcy.
Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey became famous for being the lead singer of popular boy band, 98 Degrees. His relationship with Jessica Simpson from 2002-2006 furthered his fame with their reality show, Newlyweds. When they divorced, Lachey was officially back on the market, and back in every teen girl's fantasies. He's now married to Vanessa Minnillo, and they have two children together. He also has a docu-series on A&E called Lachey's: Raising the Bar.
Oliver James
Oliver James was always typecast as the hot, sensitive musician in his early 2000s film roles. He starred alongside Amanda Bynes and Hilary Duff in What a Girl Wants and Raise Your Voice, respectively. He was definitely one of the biggest teen crushes at the time, because he could pull off that spiked hair and puka shell necklace look like no one else.
His most recent role was in the TV movie Black Forest in 2012.
Shane West
Shane West stole our hearts in 2002's A Walk To Remember with his chiseled good looks and romantic charm. More recently, you can find him on WGN's hit new TV series, Salem, rocking that whole 17th-century-witch-hunting-look.