Party Like It's 1999! How Christina Aguilera, Blink-182, Gwen Stefani & More Stars Rang in the New Millennium

12/31/2024 06:30 PM

Find out what the biggest stars of the '90s were up to on New Year's Eve 1999 with throwback photos from Hollywood's bygone era

Twenty-five years ago, the world was poised to celebrate the start of the new millennium!

While the (ultimately bogus) threat of the Y2K bug loomed, that didn't stop people from ending the 20th Century in style — including Hollywood's biggest stars. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted a star-studded event at the White House, while Queen Elizabeth II attended the gala opening of London's Millennium Dome. In Times Square, MTV put on a major show, featuring performances by Blink-182, No Doubt, Christina Aguilera and other pop acts.

From London to N.Y.C., see how the biggest stars of the '90s closed out the decade and entered the 21st century.

Get This Party Started

Comedy legend Carol Burnett kicked the New Year's festivities off early when she was photographed on Dec. 18 in a pair of now-iconic 2000 glasses.

Showstopper

Along with 1999, Celine Dion closed out her Let's Talk About Love tour with a Dec. 31 show at Montreal's Molson Centre with special guest Bruno Pelletier.

Heavy Weight in the House

President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton posed with boxing champ Muhammad Ali at the New Year's Eve White House Millennium Dinner.

Diamond Jubilee

The First Family's star-studded New Year's Eve guest list included screen legend Elizabeth Taylor — in diamonds, naturally.

Italian Job

Film star Sophia Loren hobnobbed with A-listers at the White House New Year's Eve event.

Host With the Most

Elsewhere in Washington, D.C., Will Smith hosted the America's Millennium Gala event at the Lincoln Memorial.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey braved the cold for MTV's New Year's Eve bash live from Times Square.

Warm It Up

Lachey also performed live with 98 Degrees on the MTV 2 Large Millennium Countdown special.

Pink Lady

Gwen Stefani and No Doubt geared up for the year ahead — which would see the release of their 2000 album Return of Saturn — with a New Year's Eve performance on MTV.

Rock God

British rock band Bush — fronted by Gavin Rossdale — represented the decade of grunge with their performance on MTV's New Year's Eve countdown special.

Skater Boys

The year 1999 saw pop punk band Blink-182 break through to mainstream success with hits like "What's My Age Again?". So naturally, they celebrated New Year's Eve on MTV.

Crowning Glory

Christina Aguilera did double duty as musical guest and host of the MTV 2 Large Millennium Countdown special.

New Year's Kiss

It wouldn't be New Year's Eve without a midnight KISS. Bassist Gene Simmons took the stage with his shock rock band for a Dec. 31 show in Vancouver.

Red Hot

The Red Hot Chili Peppers — including frontman Anthony Kiedis — brought their Californication tour to Inglewood, Calif., for a New Year's Eve show.

Raise a Glass

Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair toasted the year 2000 at the gala opening of London's Millennium Dome.