16 Crushes Every '90s Kid Had

1. The Girls of Saved by the Bell

If you grew up in the heyday of this teen comedy, there was almost certainly someone on this show for you. Lisa Turtle, the bubbly and materialistic shopaholic of the group was brought to life by Lark Voorhies, a marvelous and likeable young woman. Jessie Spano, the self-styled crusader of the group was played by Elizabeth Berkley, a statuesque beauty who seemed to have an inner beauty. Last but not least, Kelly Kapowski, the cheerleader who loved her family and school was played by Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, was arguably the most alluring of the group.

2. Rachael Leigh Cook

Acting since 1995, when she took one of the lead roles in The Baby-Sitters Club movie, it wasn't until She's All That that Rachael truly became famous. A character that was spoofed for years afterwards, she was played by a hot girl who is remade to look like a goofy nerd, only to shock her peers when her true beauty was revealed afterwards. Her character in the film seems far more sincere than the trope she has become known for. A career made off a single role, she was tapped to appear in many underperforming films afterwards.

3. Danica McKellar

The Wonder Years was designed to be a seminal series for everyone in the late 80s and early nineties, and for the children of that era the series' stars are largely unforgettable. Winnie Cooper, the preeminent girl next door and the show's biggest love interest was played by Danica and was the embodiment of the girl you wanted to spend time with.

4. Hayden Panettiere

Save the cheerleader, save the world. Hayden was perfectly cast as Claire Bennet, a character that looked like a typical popular girl but held a secret tight to her chest that made her so much more. Playing the role on television for four years and 74 episodes, she had begun to gain movie roles by the time it came to an end. I Love You Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and appearing in a television movie as Amanda Knox were all important performances for her.

5. Danielle Fishel

When Boy Meets World debuted, it was built around a tight-knit family, the boy's best friend Shawn and an unorthodox teacher-student relationship. By the time it came to an end, however, a young woman who began the show as a strange free spirit, had grown into one of the show's three leads. A family show at its heart, Danielle's Topanga was the very picture of class and we know we can't blame anyone for developing a crush on her.

6. Alicia Silverstone

The "It girl" of the mid-1990s, Alicia went from a newcomer in The Crush to the star of Clueless in just two years. First introduced to the world at large in three Aerosmith music videos, Alicia portrayed a streetwise young woman who embodied the rock lifestyle the band wanted to portray again and again. Arguably reaching the zenith of her star power in Batman & Robin, one of the most lambasted films of all time, none of her other films or shows could redeem that massive misstep.

7. Katie Holmes

Ok, you know Katie married Tom Cruise, but there is more to her life than that. Long before she was best known as a wife, Katie was the girl next door type that everyone wanted to be with on Dawson's Creek. Joey Potter was the type of girl who was pretty but smart and perhaps, more importantly, wanted someone who had something to say instead of the school hunk. For many viewers, that was the type of person they'd dreamed of.

8. Eliza Dushku

There is something about Eliza that makes her seem both cool and bada$$ in a PG kind of way, much like her role in the cheerleader comedy Bring It On. Based off the strength of that film and most importantly the all-important nuance her unique charisma lent it, she was cast in The New Guy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Wrong Turn, Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

9. Britney Spears

When Britney's first music video featuring the teen in a schoolgirl outfit was released, young people who appreciated her for more than her voice would never forget it. Unquestionably one of the best-selling musicians of all-time, she continued to release sex-drenched music videos for years and posed for erotic photos at every turn. Then her public breakdown, outrageous marriages and awkward interviews took a toll and her Midas touch dried up.

10. Elisha Cuthbert

When 24 debuted way back in 2001, it relaunched Kiefer Sutherland's career and introduced us to a lovely young lady named Elisha Cuthbert. A mainstay of lists of the best-looking women in the world, her turn as a former adult film actress, in The Girl Next Door, made sure she remained fodder for many young people's fantasies for many years to come.

11. Jessica Alba

Tapped by producer James Cameron to anchor an expensive sci-fi drama show for Fox, Dark Angel's commercials had many young people salivating to see more. Cancelled after two seasons, Jessica Alba was unleashed afterwards on the film world and it was a lot more attractive for it. Idle Hands, Sin City and Into the Blue are but a few of the roles that she took on that allowed her to show off her natural assets.

12. Larisa Oleynik

Most likely to best remembered for her starring role in The Secret World of Alex Mack or her performance in 10 Things I Hate About You, Larisa seemed like the prettiest girl next door on any street. Reported to have dated her 10 Things co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, she co-starred alongside him in 3rd Rock from the Sun as well.

13. Hilary Duff

A former Disney star, Hilary Duff first came to prominence as Lizzie McGuire, the star of a hugely popular series with many fans, many of whom can safely be assumed may have developed a little crush on her. After that series came to an end, she became a staple of teen comedies for several years. Movies like Cheaper by the Dozen, A Cinderella Story and Raise Your Voice were released alongside her hit albums.

14. Lacey Chabert

A former child actress, Lacey Chabert played Claudia Salinger on the show Party of Five, where she showed poise and maturity far beyond her early age from the get go. Maturing before the audience's eyes, by the time the show's run ended, she'd matured into an elegant young woman who was a complete package of talent and good looks. Afterwards appearing as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, she continued to show off the fact that she could work in nearly any genre.

15. The Spice Girls

One of the biggest groups of all time, the Spice Girls were a juggernaut in the 1990s. Selling more than eighty million records worldwide, the band consisted of five good-looking young ladies, all of whom adopted a different persona. Using their massive popularity to turn themselves into movie stars, spokespeople and pop culture icons, they stepped off the world stage before people were sick of them.

16. Jennifer Love Hewitt

When Jennifer Love Hewitt was added to the show Party of Five as the girlfriend of series regular Bailey, her sensitive character won the hearts of many fans. Capitalizing on her new-found fame, she turned more heads when she became a scream queen in I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel.

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