Supermodels Heidi Klum, Helena Christensen, and Daniela Peštová became international icons thanks to their dominance in Victoria’s Secret. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit turned models into mainstream celebrities. Icons like Daniela Peštová graced its covers, reinforcing the global fascination with supermodel beauty. Meanwhile, German sweetheart Heidi Klum’s emergence in the late ‘90s established her as one of the decade’s most recognizable faces.

The ‘90s saw an explosion of celebrity-driven fitness and entertainment culture. Personalities like Brooke Burke and Anna Kournikova became household names. Burke’s work as a TV host on Wild On! (© 1997-2009) embodied the era’s fascination with exotic travel and luxurious lifestyles. Anna Kournikova, reached #8 in professional tennis, proving that media influence was as powerful as athletic success. Canadian artist Shania Twain revolutionized country music, breaking industry barriers and redefining female empowerment with hits like “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (© 1998) and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (© 1999). Her signature style and confidence helped shape feminine independence and strength.

Ashley Judd became a key figure in the suspense genre with films like Kiss the Girls (© 1997) and Double Jeopardy (© 1999). The industry unjustly ostracized Ashley due to Harvey Weinstein’s alleged systemic black listing of women who refused his advances. Over the next two decades, over 100 women would accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Justice arrived with the rise of the #MeToo movement in a 2017 New York Times article, where Judd accused Weinstein of sexual harassment in 1996.

In cinema, the decade saw the rise of actresses like Denise Richards, Jennifer Connelly, and Kate Beckinsale, who defined Hollywood’s shift toward dynamic female leads. Denise Richards’ roles in Starship Troopers (© 1997) and Wild Things (© 1999) cemented her as a quintessential sex symbol. Jennifer Connelly transitioned from her ‘80s teen stardom to dramatic roles in Requiem for a Dream (© 2000) and A Beautiful Mind (© 2001). Connelly continues to be an A-lister in Hollywood, appearing with Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick (© 2022). Meanwhile, Kate Beckinsale’s breakout performance in Much Ado About Nothing (© 1993) set her on the path to international fame. These women blended sex appeal with strong female roles and outstanding performances.