Ten Millennial Crushes of the 2000's

 

A crush is defined as a brief but intense infatuation, especially someone unattainable. I've done two previous blogs regarding crushes. The original blog covered all time Black celebrity crushes, while part two focused on top crushes of the 90's. So here we are with part III, covering the top  ten crushes of the 2000's. Let's kick it off and see who everyone was in awe of during the aughts.

Keisha Knight Pulliam

                                     

When Rudy from The Cosby Show showed up in Chingy's 2004 One Call Away music video all grown up....my, my, my guys lost their minds. After stepping away from the limelight when the show ended to enjoy her life, she returned with a bang. Pretty face and smile with a shapely figure, had many teens wanting to be Chingy in the music video. She used that comeback to join shows like House Of Payne, and movies like Beauty Shop. Even having some watch those project's just to see her on there.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox spent the early 2000's honing her craft, appearing in supporting roles in films like 2004's Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen the TV series Hope & Faith. It was 2007's Transformers opposite Shia Labeouf, where she instantly became a fan favorite. Dubbed "hot" and "fine" by many, she adored the desktop wallpaper of several "geeks". Then came Transformers 2 and the cult classic horror film Jennifer's Body, that had her as a crush of many heading into the 2010's.

Gabrielle Union

                                               

Gabrielle Union made her film debut in 1999's She's All That in a supporting role, followed by another supporting role in 10 Thing's I Hate About You. Then she had a small role in 2000's Love & Basketball, where she raised some eyebrows. Then in arguably her star making role playing Isis the leader of the Clover's cheerleaders, in the classic Bring It On.

From there she was the Hollywood "it" lady for Black films, and guys couldn't get enough of her. With a lovely smile and the dimples, she made even the toughest guy bend a bit in awe of Ms. Union. Now at 52, she hasn't aged a bit and still is top of the crush charts.

Angelina Jolie 

                                      

Angelina Jolie debuted in Hollywood in the mid-90's, but it wasn't until the 2000's when she really made her mark. Not only with her roles, but living rent free in guys heads as she became their crush. Quite simply Angelina Jolie was smoking hot in the 2000's.

Her appearance was a cross between goth and exotic, and it worked. She possessed striking blue eyes and natural plump lips before lip injections were a thing. Were more than enough to mesmerize any red blooded man. Actually Angelina Jolie just standing around somewhere, made guys fall into a trance. To this day she lives rent free in a lot of men's head.

Christina Milian

               

                                               

Christina Milian had very small role's in 1999 in two teen classic's The Wood and American Pie, in fact you will certainly miss her scenes if you're not being an eagle eyed viewer. So in 2000 she hit the music scene singing the hook on Ja Rule's hit song Between Me and You. And man did she make an impact.

Her foray into music had people fawning over this baby faced, caramel skin, mysterious young lady. Whether she wore her hair straight or in its natural curly state, no one could deny how pretty she is. Then once she played the popular girl Paris in 2003's Love Don't Cost A Thing, she became a "it girl" of the 2000's. Between music and movies in that decade, Christina Milian gave guys several reasons why she was their crush.  

While she has kept a lower profile, she still appears on Netflix and Hallmark films. I'm positive some guys tune into the cheesy movies, just to stare at Christina Milian on screen.

Kyla Pratt

                                                  

In the 90's a young Kyla Pratt appeared in films Babysitters club movie, Barney's Great Adventure, and the Dr. Doolittle movie. She also played Young Monica in Love & Basketball. Then in 2001 as a teenager, she starred in the UPN show One on One. As the seasons progressed and Kyla started transitioning to adulthood, fellow millennials took notice.

She was the first teenage crush of many kids her age and the younger millennials that were preteens at the time. That has to be a honor of some sort right? 

Naturally beautiful, she doesn't overdo the makeup and seems to haven't  conformed to the Hollywood lifestyle. Even though she has kept a semi low profile in adulthood, being selective about what roles she takes while raising a family. I know many people who say they were going to marry her after One on One. She was their wife, she just wasn't aware etc. Or they had the biggest crush on Kyla during those years to the present. Approaching 40, Kyla still has it going on.

Hilary Duff

                                          

Hilary Duff found fame in the early 2000's, starring in the Disney Channel hit show Lizzie Mcguire. A staple series for Millennials during that era. As such during the shows run from 2001-2004, many preteens and teens took a liking to Duff. As her star grew, and she was seen more places, she became a "it girl" of the 2000's.

Growing out of her Disney Channel persona, and hitting her twenties. Teenagers noticed a change in Duff's physical appearance and boom liked her even more. She was everywhere in the 2000's TV, music, film, and bedroom walls of teen boys. She's still a favorite among Millennial men at this point in life. Wild the attraction started close to 25 years ago.

Lauren London

                                                 

Lauren London first captured our attention in 2003's Frontin' video, with Pharrell and Jay-Z. It was her role in 2006's ATL, that made everyone fall in love with New New. She followed up with films like This Christmas, I Love You Beth Cooper, and Next Day Air. She's another actress that has dimples that make folks just fall head over heels for her.

She also has a real down to earth personality to her. Always coming across as someone who is very silly, and you could joke with all the time. Never letting her looks get to her head, as guys proclaimed she was their crush.

Beyonce

                                    

In the late 90' and early 2000's as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, Beyonce was always praised for her singing, dancing, and  beauty. When she released her solo album in 2003 and kicked it off with Crazy In Love, complete with a tank top, denim hotpants, and red heels. A lot of guys raised extra eyebrows at this new Beyonce.

By time 2007 rolled around for her 2nd album, that's when she started to morph into the Queen Bee. And show off her natural assets, as much as the ladies of the beyhive loved her. Teenagers and young men were hypnotized by her total package. She's at that Mrs. Parker (if you know, you know) status in 2025 and still got it going on.

Jennifer Lopez

                                     

When it come's to Jennifer Lopez you either are a fan that loves her. Or someone that could do without her. No matter what side you're on, everyone can agree J. Lo was everywhere in the 2000's. Particularly the early and mid 2000's, when she was all over film, TV, music, and the tabloids. While everyone acknowledged Jennifer Lopez was pretty, it wasn't until she wore her famous green dress at the Grammys in 2000's. That the decade became the age of J.Lo.

With traditional Puerto Rican features, she helped spearheaded attractive Hispanic woman to the mainstream. She became a romantic comedy queen during that time. A crossover star, as she was a main contributor to the Latin Pop music scene exploding in the 2000's. As well as blending hip hop and pop, and using her dance background to show off her curves. 

Now at 55 she has aged gracefully and still is and will always be fine! In the 2000's though she was uber fine, and became a legend amongst all time crushes.

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Regression Is The O's Theme This Year

 

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for this news brief, the Oriole's are crashing out! In fact they are crashing out HARD! A month into the 2025 season, and the O's are in last place in the division with a 10 and 17 record. 6 1/2 games back from first place, which if they get on a hot streak soon as in very soon, is not unattainable. However, it seems the theme for the Orioles this year has been regression.

Things started off hamstrung, with injuries to pitchers Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin just as the season was kicking off. Kyle Bradish is still recovering from Tommy John Surgery slated to return near the end of the summer. Same goes for Tyler Wells who is recovering from UCL surgery and also slated to return late summer. Charlie Morton who was bought in on a one year deal to kind of off-set the pain from losing Corbin Burnes, has made that pain even worse. He is 0-6 this season and seems to get hammered every outing.

While pitching is bad, the hitting is even more depressing. Adley Rutschman has not recovered from his late season and playoff slump last year. Gunnar Henderson and Ryan Mountcastle seem to have taken a step back as well. Jackson Holliday seems to be improving, but still has yet to live up to the hype. Jorge Mateo has been looking lost out there for some reason. Heston Kjerstad has been consistent, and Cedric Mullins has been Mr. Reliable. Yet the Oriole's are still plagued by their inability to manufacture runs, if they not hitting homers their not scoring. That was their downfall in the playoffs last year and was supposed to be resolved with the hiring of new hitting coach Cody Asche.

It look's like Cody's philosophy hasn't changed much thus far. Speaking of coach's Brandon Hyde's Achilles heel continues to be lineup and bullpen management. However, I'm starting to wonder if his methods of communicating and his message is losing reverence with the team. If by miracle we turn thing's around and make the playoff's, I don't believe he is the guy to get us over the hump.

Hyde isn't alone in who's to blame. Mike Elias has escaped a great of deal wrath during his time here. First it was because everyone was aware it would take time to rebuild the organization from the ground up. Then it was well known when he wanted to make moves, the Angelos family overruled him when the money got too high. Now, I'm not sure how much wiggle room David Reubenstein and his fellow owners have given him now. But he definitely didn't really look to make a impact signing in the off-season, and he seems to be playing things cool when it's obvious the club needs some help.

I don't know what's going on in the warehouse, but it seems across the board the entire organization has regressed in various aspects. I'm hoping it was just a rough April and May brings brighter days for the organization. If not it's going to be a long summer for us fans, as we try to make sense of what has gone wrong with the O's. 

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April '95 Bought Us Film Greats

 

Through the history of cinema, whether it was coincidental or on purpose there are certain months and years that just blessed movie goers with sheer classics. If you are one of those people like me, who enjoy finding out scenarios like that. You appreciate all the stars aligning to provide us with a certain amount of films of certain levels of greatness, in a short timeframe. April of 1995 is one of those times that somehow has fallen under the radar. It gave us films that are still loved to this day, and are classics in various genres. From cult classics, comedy classics to straight classics.

April is traditionally a slow month for film releases, ahead of the summer season. Though the tide is turning, back in the 90's it was dumping season. April of 1995 was ahead of the curve in being a blockbuster month.  We got cult classics like New Jersey Drive. A flawed but telling movie, about a group of teens products of their environment who steal cars for the hell of it. 

Romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping, starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman which is a hopeless romantics dream film. On the other end of the spectrum John Carpenter released Village Of The Damned. Which by all accounts is not a great movie, but has developed a cult following all these years later.

Drama Basketball Diaries which is still one of Leonardo Dicaprio's best films was released. He truly showed his acting range and depth in this film, which helped him gain bigger roles such as Jack in Titanic. Mark Wahlberg also is in the film in what I can recall was one of his first serious roles. I'm sure he learned alot from Dicaprio that helped him years later.

Besides those films, what that month and year bought us is three heavy hitter films that are still relevant and loved today. For families we were blessed with A Goofy Movie, featuring Disney's favorite R&B singer Powerline.

The film is so loved, a documentary was released earlier this month on Disney plus. While Disney is taking it on the road as part of a 30 year celebration. Visiting multiple cities playing the movie.

Bad Boys which debuted in theaters the same day as A Goofy Movie. The film catapulted Martin Lawrence and Will Smith into super stardom. If not for Bad Boys, Will Smith would not have been considered for Independence Day and start his July 4th reign in the late 90's.

The film sparked a franchise 30 years that is still going strong, evident by the widely praised fourth film in the series that released last summer. Besides the jokes and chemistry between the two leads, the film also had it's fair share of amazing action scenes. This particular one being a all time classic in my opinion.

Then we have Friday which is a stoner classic, a hood classic, and just a classic comedy. Ice Cube's writing debut and Chris Tucker's career launching role. Honestly who doesn't love Friday?

 

It's a very relatable comedy that hits all the right notes. Spawning two sequels and plans for a third. As well as a animated series and several copycat films. It's highly quotable and legendary and is beloved from grandma's to weedheads.

You can still watch it today and laugh like you haven't seen it. While still trying to figure out why Craig didn't have $200, if he got his check the day before? It's a all time classic film that has spanned generations.

And that my friends is April of '95, we as movie fans should be grateful to the film gods.

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Ten 2000 Movies That Are Millennial Classics

 

Millennial's the greatest and toughest generation to walk this earth, life keeps lifing and we keep rolling with it. Like other generation's there are several thing's that define or connect with a generation. So, with that in mind I started thinking about movie's that in the eye's of millennial's are classics. Whether it's because it's a stamp of a certain time, inspired us, or just is a good movie that came out during our prime years. Certain movies you just can't talk bad about to a millennial, and I'm here to give you ten of those.

10. Napoleon Dynamite 

Starting the list off is one movie I'm not crazy about, but my fellow Millennials love. The 2004 indie film stars Jon Heder as an socially  awkward high schooler Napoleon Dynamite, who help's his classmate foreign student Pedro run for class president. In the process surviving his home life and high school amongst the strange cast of characters in his life. 

The movie has developed a cult following, and is not for everyone as it's very dry humor based. The story of Napoleon coming out of his shell over the course of the movie, a great deal of people can relate to. Especially the Millennials who were in high school during that time.

9. Stomp The Yard

This 2007 film starring Columbus Short and Meagan Goode shine's a light on HBCU's, Greek life, and the art of stepping for Greek's. Short's character D.J. moves to Atlanta to start life over and attend's the fictional HBCU Truth University. There he pledge's and joins Theta Nu Theta, who are trying to take over from Mu Gamma Xi as the step king's on campus.

The movie shined light on HBCU life an the importance of HBCU's. Fraternities and Sororities, and the competition and art of steppin'. Much like A Different World and School Daze inspired previous generations to attend HBCU's, thanks to Stomp The Yard there were several Black Millennials who attended HBCU's and joined the Greek life because of this film. 

8. White  Chicks

This 2004 Shawn and Marlon Wayans film is one of their most beloved films, dare I say more beloved than Scary Movie I and II. The two star as FBI agents who go deep undercover, donning makeup and posing as a pair of socialite sisters. They have to keep the facade up while they investigate a criminal plot loading.

Thanks to this movie and Terry Crew's over the top performance, Michelle Branch's A Thousand Miles has become a timeless song. Though the player's are Gen Z, members of the Minnesota Vikings performed a dance from the movie during a touchdown celebration. Us Millennials had the movie first, and appreciated it for the gem it was soon as we saw it.

7. You Got Served

Another 2004 film, You Got Served was a starring vehicle for the boy band B2K and their associate Marques Houston. Upon the film's release it was dubbed corny by many people, mostly teenage male's because B2K was taking all the teenage females attention during that time. As the year's past the film has gained a cult classic status amongst all.

Amidst all the dancing and choreography, the film has a heart. It's about adversity, real friendship and brotherhood against the backdrop of dancing. And while we're on dancing there were several Millennials in living rooms and dance floors doing this routine, dancing in the rain or this one. For those reason's alone, and the fact when Millennials quote the movie we make extra facial expressions much like the actors. Make it a classic for our generation.

6. Mean Girls

The late 80's had the dark comedy Heathers, the 90's bought us the trendy comedy Clueless. 2004 (damn that was a good year for Millennials) bought us Mean Girls for the 2000's. Written by Tina Fey who also has a role in the film, and starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert. The film follows Lohan as a newbie to a school who befriends the popular superficial "Plastics" and eventually turns on them becoming a mean girl herself.

The film is a 2000's classic and still beloved to this day, just scroll through social media on October 3rd and see all the reference's to the scene. Or see someone wearing Pink on a Wednesday and become apart of the clique. The movie has spawned direct to DVD/streaming sequels, a Broadway musical, and a remake released last year based on the musical. In the eye's of Millennials nothing will compare to the original.

5. Bring It On

4 year's before Mean Girls caught the attention of teenage Millennials. 2000 Bring It On starring Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Eliza Dushku made cheerleading cool. Kirsten Dunst's character Torrance lead's the Rancho Carne Toro's cheerleading squad, who's world is turned upside down by Eliza's character Missy. When she learns their routine was stolen from the East Compton Clovers led by Gabrielle's Isis. What follows is a rivarly between the two cheerleading squads.

Until Mean Girls came out, Bring It On was thee movie for little girls in the new millennium. It still has a profound impact on the generation, just look up social media on Halloween and see how many woman dress as the Clovers and the Toro's. WWE superstars Bianca Belair and Naomi even wore Clover inspired ring gear. They even did a dance routine from the film. Which the routine is often copied all over social media just hashtag it. Millennials love us some Bring It On.

4. Drumline

Bring it on made cheerleading cool in 2000. Stomp The Yard bought the spotlight for Greek life and steppin' at HBCU's in 2007. In 2002 Drumline starring Nick Cannon introduced a generation either entering college or a few years away to the world of marching bands at HBCU's. Cannon star's as Devon Miles a talented drummer attending his first year at the fictional Atlanta A&T University, who has to work through some challenges. The movie showed the showmanship and dedication needed to be in a marching band, including drills that rival the military.

It is a fact Drumline inspired a bunch of kid's to join marching bands in high school on the way to college. Especially at Historically Black colleges and universities. When Millennial's switch thing's up from the plan, we always say we "put a little twist on it". During homecoming season, several Millennial's find time to watch the movie because it take's them back to their college years. What a time it was when this movie released.

3. The Hangover

2009's The Hangover is arguably one of the funniest film's ever. Starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms as three friends who lose their friend ahead of his wedding after a wild night in Vegas. They go through some wild scenarios and dangerous situations to find their friend and get him to his wedding. 

When the film was released the majority of Millennials were in their early-mid 20's, or late teenage years and we all loved the movie. In fact when we hit the town in the years following the movie, the aspiration however silly it may have been was to have a Hangover type night. Especially during bachelor parties. Zach Galifianakis in the eyes of us is and will always be Alan. And when groups of friends get together, especially after a while of not seeing one another one person may sing this little jingle.

2. ATL

2006's ATL which was as a starring vehicle for T.I. is our generations Purple Rain and House Party. Musician led film's that talk to a particular era of teen's and young adults. Following T.I. and his crew as they love skating at Cascade's, while they are all working through their individual situations as they look to graduate from high school and move to the next phase in life. Meanwhile T.I.'s character Rashad is busy trying to keep his younger brother Ant from falling in the wrong crowd. While also wooing the over the top cutie but mysterious New New played by Lauren London. Everyone learns some lessons through the course of the movie.

Like I said the film is important to Millennials like Purple Rain and House Party were for young Boomers and Gen X'ers. Kid's especially young urban kid's wanted to learn how to skate after seeing the movie. And we quote line's from the movie, most of them classic lines uttered by Big Boi's character Marcus in this scene. Or if you answer the phone and go "who this?" you may get this response. Millennials love us some ATL, and we turn it on every chance we get.

1. Superbad

The 80's had Fast Times At Ridgemont High, the 90's had Dazed And Confused at the beginning of the decade and American Pie at the end of the decade. 2007 bought us Superbad, written by Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg. It shot Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse into the A-list of young actors during that era. Following a trio aiming to get some beer to go to a party so Cera's character Evan can get close to his crush Jules (Emma Stone). They run into some wild situations including some unorthodox cops all in a quest to some action.

Mintz-Plasse's character's alter-ego McLovin was a pop culture icon during that time, until maybe 5 years after the film released. Jonah Hill's portrayal of Seth became the type of character he excelled at playing until he "grew up" a bit. People even to this day, will watch the movie and laugh like they have never seen it before. 

The film is a comedic classic but more importantly a Millennnial classic.

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Ten Fictional Songs That Are Bops Part II

 

I previously wrote a blog about fictional songs. More importantly fictional songs that are bops, and will have you loving it like it's a real song. So I decided to do a follow up blog, since you know the choices are endless. Without further ado, part II of Ten Fictional Songs That Are Bops.

10. Spell On You

The Hex Girls were a fictional band in 1999's Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost. Mistaken as witches, they are just goth girls trying to make an impact with their band. While they performed a few songs in the film, Spell On You is a bon a fide fictional hit. It goes triple platinum in my house during the fall leading up to Halloween.

9. You Belong With Me

Many people don't know this but Tyler James Williams of Everybody Hate's Chris and Abbott Elementary fame, actually has bars. He put them on display in 2012's Disney Channel Movie Let It Shine. A adaptation of the 1800's play Cyrano de Bergerac, CoCo Jones, Courtney B. Vance, and Trevor Jackson also star in the film. In this particular song You Belong With Me has a catchy teen bopper/hip hop beat to feed the ear's of the channels target audience. 

8. Dance With Me Tonight

The B-side of That Thing You Do in the universe of the film. It in itself is a standout track and tonally different from That Thing You Do. This song is more upbeat and has a mean guitar riff in the middle of it. The lyrics of the song are about asking a young lady to party on the dance floor, and that is exactly what this song could do. Get a party and whole lot of dancing started.

7. Friends Forever

In season 4 of Saved By The Bell, episode 22 Rockumentary features Zack having a dream about the group's band achieving worldwide success. Zack Attack the band is on top of the world, and are even subjects of a documentary by legendary Casey Kasem. As they achieve more success, the jealousy and infighting occurs until the group disbands.

Then in the magic of 30 minutes the group reunites, and releases a new episode about friendship. Friends Forever is quite campy looking back, but the show itself is campy so that's not shocking. However if you need a little reminder how important friends are, give it a listen.

6. Be Alone Tonight

People often forget that Tisha Campbell can actually sing, and she put her singing prowess on display in Spike Lee's School Daze. As the lead singer of the Gamma Ray's sorority and the quartet her and her groupmates strut across stage while beind sultry and seductive. As she belt's out her notes, clamoring for her man to stay the night with her.

The song is definitely a fictional song classic and has that old R&B feel to it. You can envision any R&B female singer hitting these same notes and providing the same feels to the listeners.

Side note Jasmine Guy sings backup on this track as a Gamma Ray, but it's a shame she didn't have a solo part. As she can sing pretty damn good herself.

5. Going Up

In 2010's Get Him To The Greek Jonah Hill's character Aaron Green has one job, get Rock Legend Aldous Snow played by Russell Brand to a concert. Despite some hijinks Aldous successfully get's to the concert and lays out his heart and soul to the audience. He kick's things off this song, that is actually inspiring. The song's message is about moving past life's punches and even when you feel down, you'll come back up.

A good message for anybody who's listening really, and that makes it a bop.

4. Make Up Your Mind

In season 5 two-part premiere of Fresh Prince, Ashley becomes a one-hit wonder through the success of her song Make Up Your Mind. The song is the personification of 90's era R&B, hip-hop infused and a perfect dance track. Tatyana Ali who is also a very talented singer really embodied the aura of a rising pop star every time she sung the track. Many fan's of the song have it on their playlists, which is a testament to how infectious the song is 30 years later.

3. Something He Can Feel

Legendary musician Curtis Mayfield composed this classic song that has become the centerpiece of 1976's Sparkle. Sung by the motown-esque trio of Sisters, Sister & The Sisters. Taking the tone of song's from that era, it's a sultry love R&B ballad with a hint of gospel in it (more common than you think). You really feel the cast putting their all into the vocals and the drumming background Mayfield crafted keeps you hypnotized the entire time. 

While Aretha Franklin performed the song for the original soundtrack, in the early 90's En Vogue did their own cover of the song. Which highlights how influential as a fictional song it is.

2. In The Middle

In my last blog I shouted out my favorite song from The Five Heartbeats, Night's Like This which is untouchable as far as fictional songs in my opinion. This blog I have to give credit to another favorite of mine from the movie, In The Middle. While Night's Like This is more 60's soulful doo-wop, this song is 70's inspired to fit the time period at that point in the movie. 

The opening keyboard riff let's you know it's time to get out your seats and dance, which most people do when hearing it. It is one of those song's that you can play on a Saturday while your cleaning and pass down to younger generations, as if it is a real jam.

1. He Still Loves Me

I have this song on my inspirational playlist, cause that's what it does for me. Sung by a chorus led by Beyonce, The O'Jays, Angie Stone, and Montell Jordan in the 2003 film Fighting Temptations, the song hit's you in the feels. Since the core of the movie focuses around a church choir, the song is of the gospel genre. You feel the pain of the chorus, as well as the weight being lifted off their shoulders as they sing about their imperfections. Knowing that although they are imperfect, God loves them regardless.

How can you not be moved by a song like that? So when I'm being hard on myself or just something to pick me up, I play this song. 

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