Is the relatable, messy imperfection of the early 2000s making a comeback?

We live in an era of pop culture plagued by perfection. See it for yourself by taking a scroll through Instagram, TikTok, or any other major social media platform. What is it that you’ll notice? Most likely, it’s the polished, perfected nature of celebrities’ and influencers’ lives. Whether it’s a creator’s day-in-the-life vlog, consisting of their pilates routine, their green juice recipe, and their fourth “preventative” botox appointment of the year, or a model’s latest airbrushed Instagram post, it’s clear that we’re surrounded by a need for perfection. To be fit, wealthy, and in possession of a meticulously curated skincare or makeup collection is to align with the status quo. Aside from the obvious exclusivity of this notion, I also think it makes social media and pop culture painfully boring. No, I don’t want to hear about Hailey Beiber’s latest clean-girl manicure. Where’s all the drama?

In rejection of this current state of inauthenticity, a wave of nostalgia for earlier eras of pop culture has risen in the past few years. Whether it’s 90s fashion trends or the revival of 70s music, our longing for past years is indicative of our desire to return to a time when media portrayals of young people’s lives were far more messy and imperfect- the ultimate markers of relatability. One era in particular has taken Gen Z by a chokehold: the early 2000s. Seen in the resurgence of shows like The Simple Life, or the recent idolization of brands like Juicy Couture, our obsession with this period is fuelled by nostalgia. The bedazzled, low-waisted, bubblegum pink visuals of the time provide a direct contrast with our current fixation on wellness and “clean-girl” aesthetics. Our generation’s adoption of this aesthetic sends a clear message: we’re looking for something fun; something that we can relate to.

This sentiment has been reflected in the TV-watching habits of my roommates and I. Last year, I tried desperately to make watching The Kardashians a thing in our household. This never really caught on. When one of my roommates expressed an interest in watching Jersey Shore earlier this year, I was surprised. I already loved Jersey Shore, but my failed efforts in introducing The Kardashians made me think that my roommates just weren’t into reality TV. I assumed we’d probably watch an episode or two before their interests fizzled out. My roommates’ reaction to the show’s pilot proved me wrong, however. They were fully immersed, and by the end of the episode, we were all declaring which cast members we loved and hated.

What was the difference? As my one friend put it, the Jersey Shore cast members were “genuinely that crazy.” I suppose it’s only natural that a group of university students would prefer a series about a group of semi-alcoholic, hookup-obsessed club rats over one that focused on experiences so different from our reality (one episode of The Kardashians was centred almost entirely around what Kim would wear on her next trip to Paris Fashion Week- who can relate to that?). Where The Kardashians was clean-cut and scripted, Jersey Shore was messy and unpredictable. The Kardashians presented a world of monochromatic model homes and designer cars; Jersey Shore captured its cast members in some of their worst, but most hilarious, moments (remember when Snooki got arrested on the beach?). Aside from being endlessly entertained, my roommates and I appreciated how Jersey Shore never strayed away from shamelessly portraying the chaotic, imperfect aspects of young people’s lives.

The authenticity of Jersey Shore is representative of the attitudes displayed by most media from the early 2000s. Pop culture at the time was distinguished by its carefree outlook on all kinds of decadence- look at any tabloid cover or late-night paparazzi picture from the era. This presents a stark contrast from the contrived, perfected media that dominates our current world. Still, in resistance to this stifling perfection, the attitudes and aesthetics of the early 2000s are making a slow comeback. Brands like Praying and OGBFF are reviving graphic tees and printed trucker hats, which were hallmark styles of the era. Popular series like Euphoria have also been influenced by the boldness of early 2000s fashion (look at Maddy Perez’s denim-on-denim moment, reminiscent of Britney Spears’ and Justin Timberlake’s 2001 AMA look.)

Celebrities have also promoted the return of the early 2000s. Whether it’s Addison Rae sporting a graphic tee or Megan Thee Stallion partnering with True Religion, it’s evident that these retired styles are gaining new traction. Reality shows from the time have also regained some popularity- soundbites from the original Keeping Up With The Kardashians have fuelled online culture, and Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie recently announced their upcoming spin-off of The Simple Life. This growing prominence of early 2000s aesthetics has inevitably had an impact on our daily lives as well- remember how many people dressed up as Kesha this Halloween? Low-rise jeans have also become a staple in many of our closets, and major retailers like Garage have begun selling Juicy Couture apparel (which is always sold out, of course.)

Gen Z’s eagerness to accept the revival of trends from the early 2000s shows that we’re ready to move past the monochromatic, polished, slicked-back “clean-girl” aesthetic. The dominant trends of our time idealize a lifestyle that is unattainable and unrelatable to many of us (realistically, who gets up at 5:00 every morning to go to hot yoga?). The early 2000s were focused far more on fun. Characterized by bright colours, scandalous celebrity gossip, and carefree attitudes, pop culture at the time was more widely representative of the interests of young people. In adopting some components of the time, our generation is bringing this fun back into our daily lives.