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The noughties spawned some of the most pioneering musicby female artists that any decade has witnessed. The era of the empowered diva was born as trailblazing artists blended genres like bubblegum pop with hip hop, R&B and even punk - all delivered with a large helping of attitude.

It was a decade which saw many of the most successful acts ever begin their musical journeys and launch lifelong careers in entertainment. From the perfectly preened country-pop of Jessica Simpsonto the punk-inspired rebellion of Avril Lavigne, the charts of the 2000s were dominated by girl power.

Here’s where some of the biggest names in teen-pop who set the tone for 21st century music are now - from world domination, to babies and retirement.

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Christina Aguilera

After starting out as a child star on the Disney Channel, Christina, 45, signed a record deal and released her self-titled debut album in 1999. It was a huge success and spawned three US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles that perfectly showcased her incredible powerhouse vocals, Genie in a Bottle, What a Girl Wants and Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You).

Keen to escape from her good-girl image her next album Stripped saw her invent her new provocative alter-ego Xtina, complete with tattoos, body piercings and black hair. Her list of hits is as extensive as her vocal range with some of the most memorable including Lady Marmalade, Dirrty, Beautiful and Ain't No Other Man.

She went on to star in the film Burlesque, contributing to its soundtrack, won numerous awards, including five Grammys and was listed among the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. She released the live festive album Christmas in Paris in 2025 and has new "personal" music on the way as well as a documentary. She shares a son with ex-husband Jordan Bratman as well as a daughter with her current partner Matthew Rutler.

Jessica Simpson

American singer, actress and fashion designer Jessica was everywhere in the noughties. She took the charts by storm with her 1999 debut album Sweet Kisses which spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top three single I Wanna Love You Forever. Two more pop-country albums followed but she also became notorious for her personal life.

She was married to 98 Degrees frontman Nick Lachey and the couple starred in their own reality show on MTV, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica which played on her ditzy, girl next door image. Her most infamous moment from the series was when she confused tuna with chicken. Jessica, 45, has recently cashed in on the viral incident with a collaboration with Chicken of the Sea - a US tuna brand.

As well as music she launched a multi-million dollar fashion brand, The Jessica Simpson Collection and in 2024 she announced an exclusive line with Walmart. She returned to music in 2025 after a five year break with the release of two EPs. She has three children with former NFL player Eric Johnson who she married in 2014. Sadly they announced their separation last year.

Nelly Furtado

Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly, now 47, burst onto the scene with her debut breakout single I’m Like a Bird in 2000. The track earned her a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and she went on to release some of the most memorable earworms of the era such as Turn off the Light and Maneater.

Her third album Loose in 2006 became one of the biggest selling of the decade and marked a radical image overhaul. Working with producer Timbaland on tracks such as Promiscuous, it fused hip hop and R&B - a sound she described as ‘punk-hop’. She continued to release music and make festival appearances in the years that followed.

In 2024 she released her seventh studio album, 7, and last summer she embarked on a festival tour of the UK and Europe. Much to the dismay of her loyal fans and the new Gen Z devotees she gained from their viral discovery of her music on platforms such as Tik Tok, in October last year she announced her retirement from performance "for the foreseeable future". She plans to focus on other creative and personal pursuits in the next phase of her life.

Alicia Keys

Classically trained pianist Alicia Keys, 45, was signed by a record label at the tender age of 15 but her debut studio album, Songs in A Minor wasn’t released for another five years-- in 2001. It was a huge critical and commercial success selling over 12 million records worldwide, winning five Grammys and producing the beautiful blues and gospel inspired smash hit Fallin’.

More huge albums followed as well as collaborations with industry megastars such as Usher on My Boo and Jay-Z on Empire State of Mind. She also performed the James Bond theme tune Another Way to Die with Jack Black for Quantum of Solace.

She was Billboard’s Top Artist of the 2000s in the R&B / Hip-Hop category and having sold over 90 million records worldwide she is one of the world’s best selling music artists. Alicia is also well known for her philanthropic work and activism. She’s the co-founder and Global Ambassador of Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organization that provides medicine and support to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa and India. She shares two sons with husband, music producer Swizz Beatz, who she married in 2010. She is also step-mother to his three children from a previous relationship.

Avril Lavigne

Canadian singer-songwriter Avril, 41, was the noughties trailblazer for pop-punk music. Her rebellious skater-girl image shunned the perfectly preened style some of the other female stars promoted in favour of baggy pants, smudged eyeliner and messy hair. She became a global superstar aged just 17 with the release of her 2002 debut album Let Go with hit singles Complicated and Sk8er Boi.

Her image moved on with a gothic influence before she embraced a more feminine look but she eventually made a conscious effort to keep her music at the forefront. However she did pursue her interest in fashion with her own clothing line. Her last album Love Sux was released in 2022 and saw a return to her punk-pop roots.

She's been plagued by a years-long conspiracy theories for good that she supposedly died back in 2003 and was replaced by a lookalike named Melissa Vandella, who has continued performing as her.

The theory is widely believed to have started on a Brazilian Avril Lavigne fan-page called 'Avril Está Morta' ('Avril is Dead') back in 2011, however others have claimed that it began years earlier when she went on hiatus following the release of her album Let Go.

Avril herself has previously blasted the rumours as "dumb" and said she was "flabbergasted that people bought into it"during an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2019.

She married Sum 41 lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley in 2006 but they divorced in 2010. She went on to have a relationship with The Hills star Brody Jenner, and was married to Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger for three years. She briefly dated rapper and Kylie Jenner ’s ex Tyga in 2023 but is thought to currently be single.

Fergie

Although she was already known as a child actress in the eighties, Fergie, 50, shot to international fame when she joined the Black Eyed Peas in 2002. With hits such as Where is the Love and I Gotta Feeling showcasing her incredible vocals as well as her fearless, sexy attitude she released her debut solo album in 2006 while still with the band. The Dutchess featured chart-topping hits London Bridge, Glamorous, and Big Girls Don't Cry.

As well as more hit music with the Peas and another solo album, Fergie continued to act and appeared in movies such as disaster film Poseidon and comedy Marmaduke. She hosted TV shows and also released numerous fragrances, two footwear lines, handbag collections and a cosmetic line. Billboard ranked the eight-time Grammy winner as one of the top female artists of the noughties and she was named Woman of the Year in 2010. She is currently on a professional hiatus although in 2025 she filmed another London Bridge music video for the Netflix series Too Much and joined Ludacris on stage in Atlanta to perform Glamorous. She shares a son with ex-husband, actor Josh Duhamel.