Top 10 Iconic Celebrity Couples of the 2000s
#10: Nick Lachey & Jessica Simpson
After a fateful night meeting through their shared manager in the late ‘90s, Nick and Jessica showed us a whole new world. The world of reality television, to be exact. First the two gifted us with breathtaking footage of their 2002 fairytale wedding, as seen in VH1’s “All Access” Celebrity Weddings special. When “Newlyweds” aired, Nick and Jess set the blueprint for reality tv gold. In it, they were portrayed as the odd couple, the type A and the dumb blonde. Sadly, this odd couple proved to be too different. In 2006, Nick and Jessica were divorced.What can we say? The chicken was by the sea, but their hearts weren’t in the relationship.
#9: Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon
In 2005, Nick Cannon presented Mariah Carey with a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Music: R&B Artist,” where they were apparently already saying “nice things” about each other. Three years later, Mariah chose Nick to star in her “Bye Bye” music video. Though their scenes together were brief, the sparks were palpable. Two proposals and a 2008 wedding a few weeks later, the married couple showed off how well they worked in an “Access Granted” episode. What followed was a seemingly extravagant, fairytale life. Seriously, who gives their wife a diamond encrusted ring pop for their anniversary? But besides their extravagance, Nick and Mariah were authentic. Mariah opened up about her pregnancy struggles and Nick's support. When she gave birth to twins, everyone was rooting for them. Maybe they didn't Belong Together, but we loved them while they lasted.
#8: Hilary Duff & Aaron Carter
The relationship between Hilary and Aaron will go down as one of the most iconic pop culture moments in Disney Channel history. Pre-teens in America experienced Hilary's first love with her in 2001: starting from when Lizzie McGuire screenwriters added a kiss to his guest appearance episode because they knew the actress thought he was cute, to their adorable subsequent red carpet appearances. When Aaron started seeing Lindsay Lohan while he was still dating Hilary, fans around the world were shocked. The tabloid fodder was endless and we still can't stop thinking about what could have been. Apparently, neither can Aaron. In 2014, Aaron took to Twitter to publicly declare his love for Hillary and vowed to win her back.
#7: Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling
When we think about this couple, all we hear in our heads is ["it isn't over, it still isn't over".] Honestly, where else would we get such a cinematic romance? We worship their on-screen love story every Valentine’s Day and indulge in their classic enemies-to-lovers trajectory off-screen. They were genuinely everything we needed out of a celeb couple in the 2000s. They actually only started dating in 2005, quite some time after “The Notebook” was released. Fans were so upset about their 2007 breakup that one allegedly came up to Ryan and almost smacked him. Years later, we're still holding out hope. Maybe one day, they’ll grow old and reminisce about their relationship , right? Right? Please?
#6: Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake
Britney’s love life in the 2000s was always… interesting. Her mid-2000s show with then-husband Kevin Federline was literally called “Britney and Kevin: Chaotic”. But it’s her earlier relationship with Justin Timberlake that was our biggest heartbreak. Justin and Britney gave us so much: their iconic denim red carpet appearance (eat your heart out, Met Gala 2021) , an insane Super Bowl performance and hit break up songs. Sure, we felt for Justin when one half of America's Sweetheart couple allegedly cheated. But now it's 2021, and we are starting to re-examine the breakup with a fresh, more critical lens and how Britney was villainized by the media. We only have one thing to say, Justin: “Bye Bye Bye”.
#5: Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise
At least you couldn't say that this relationship wasn't entertaining! What started as Katie Holmes admitting to crushing on Tom Cruise to a reporter for “Seventeen Magazine” in 2004 escalated to Tom’s 2005 interview with Oprah, which became one of the most infamous moments on the show. And just like that... we were so in love with Katie Holmes, too. The limelight didn't just disappear after they married the next year, either. There were stories about the duo's escapades with their daughter for years. If magazines weren't running stories about Suri, they were quoting Tom, who continued to give interviews praising Kate. But we truly fell in love with Katie when she shocked everyone by divorcing Tom and reportedly standing up to the Church of Scientology. You go, girl!
#4: Michelle Williams & Heath Ledger
There is nothing more iconic and upsetting in Hollywood than a tragic love story. Ironically, this love story began on the set of “Brokeback Mountain”, and apparently the chemistry between Michelle and Heath was instantaneous. Case in point: when Michelle accidentally injured herself on set, and Heath began tending to her. The two had the classic Hollywood romance: instant sparks on set, glamorous red carpet appearances and a beautiful child. Allegedly, Heath's party lifestyle drew them apart and Heath tragically overdosed in 2008. Today, Heath is sometimes portrayed as Michelle's lost love, the man who loved her before she became successful
#3: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
While Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were a golden couple of the 2000s, Brad and Angelina were the ultimate scandal of the 2000s. After the pair electrified audiences with their crazy chemistry in their film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, it wasn’t too surprising to learn of Pitt and Jolie’s relationship amid his and Aniston’s divorce proceedings. It didn't take long for Brad and Angelina to transition to being Hollywood's it couple. These two were often seen as the height of glamour, romance and intrigue during their time together, ultimately having 3 biological children together and 3 adoptive ones. Despite finally marrying in 2014 though, Brangelina’s union ended in divorce in 2019.
#2: Beyoncé & Jay-Z
It almost feels wrong for us to call Beyonce and Jay Z an iconic couple of the 2000s because they are timeless. Nonetheless, the 2000s era of Bey-Z holds a special place in our hearts because we watched them fall in love. When Bey and Jay collaborated on “'03 Bonnie & Clyde” in 2002, they were so in harmony that it was impossible to not speculate that they were “Crazy In Love”. In the years that followed, we watched their relationship weather cheating accusations with Rihanna, the critical panning of “The Pink Panther”, and the rise of Sasha Fierce, among others. Before the end of the decade, Jay-Z finally and quietly “Put a Ring on It” and we remain “Crazy In Love” with them to this day.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody
We Don’t Care What Anyone Says: Seth & Summer Forever
Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter
He Had Us At: “You Are the First Person I Thought of to Play a Chimpanzee”
Carson Daly & Tara Reid
Tara Survived the Sharknado, but She Couldn’t Fare This Storm
Tara Reid https://youtu.be/GOMfmAzW9a0
Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon
We Don’t Have Any Cruel Intentions When We Say We Love These Co-Parents
Kirsten Dunst & Jake Gyllenhaal
Kiss Me, Mary Jane
#1: Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck
Sure, Jennifer looked hot with P. Diddy in the few on-and-off years they were dating (xref), but let's be honest, Bennifer was a pop culture phenomenon of the 2000s. The two met on the set of “Gigli”, and while the movie wasn't successful, their relationship became a category onto its own. It had all of the hallmarks of an iconic Hollywood relationship. A couple name: check, a music video: check, a movie: check, a South Park episode: check, a Wikipedia page: check, check, check. And in the midst of a revival of 2000s nostalgia, Bennifer has blessed us by getting back together in 2021! There is truly nothing more iconic than a revival.