View source for Teen idol

{{Short description|Celebrities with large youth fan bases}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Teen Idle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
[[File:Beatles ad 1965 just the beatles crop.jpg|thumb|[[The Beatles]] in 1965]]

A '''teen idol''' is a [[celebrity]] with a large [[Adolescence|teenage]] [[fan base]]. Teen idols are generally young but are not necessarily [[teenager]]s themselves.<ref name="am1">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/d2392 |title=Teen Idol |publisher=All Music Guide |access-date=13 October 2009 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318073437/http://allmusic.com/explore/style/d2392 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.allmusic.com/explore/essay/| title=Essay: Teen Idol| last=Unterberger| first=Richie| publisher=All Music Guide| access-date=13 October 2009| archive-date=13 November 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113053923/http://allmusic.com/explore/essay}}</ref><ref name="gtrps">{{cite book | last=Bogdanov| first=Vladimir| author2=Chris Woodstra | author3=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=All music guide to rock: the definitive guide to rock, pop, and soul|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2002|pages=1309–10|isbn=0-87930-653-X}}</ref> An idol's popularity may be limited to teens, or may extend to all age groups.

== By region ==
=== Asia ===
{{main|Japanese idol|Korean idol|Chinese idol}}

East Asia possesses a robust [[fan culture]] centered around idols, one that spans both genders and generates broad appeal. East Asian idol culture, which first began in Japan in the 1960s, would spread to neighboring countries in later decades: in South Korea and Taiwan, for example, it took root in the 1990s, and in China the 2010s. Idols are also not limited to singing, and may take part in more explicitly image-focused venues such as [[pin-up]] photography ([[gravure idol]]s) and pornography ([[AV idol]]s).

There are many different idols and idol groups spread across many countries. In Japan, there are pop stars [[Ayumi Hamasaki]] and [[Namie Amuro]] as well as [[Kana Nishino]] and music groups such as [[Momoiro Clover Z]], [[Morning Musume]], [[AKB48]], and [[Perfume (Japanese band)|Perfume]] and [[Johnny & Associates]] [[boy band]]s [[Arashi]], [[News (band)|NEWS]], [[KAT-TUN]], and [[Hey! Say! JUMP]] among others. In Taiwan, there are pop icons such as [[Jay Chou]], [[Jolin Tsai]], music groups [[Mayday (Taiwanese band)|Mayday]], [[F4 (band)|F4]], and [[S.H.E]]. In South Korea, notable K-pop personalities include singers [[BoA]] and [[Rain (entertainer)|Rain]] and groups [[BTS]], [[Blackpink]], [[Twice]], [[Exo (group)|Exo]], [[TVXQ]], [[2PM]], [[2AM (band)|2AM]], [[Beast (South Korean band)|Beast]], [[Shinee]], [[Super Junior]], [[2NE1]], [[Big Bang (South Korean band)|Big Bang]], [[Wonder Girls]], [[T-ara]], [[Kara (South Korean band)|Kara]] and [[Girls' Generation]].<ref>{{cite news|date=25 March 2002|title=TIME Asia: The Empress of Pop|publisher=Benny Labamba|url=http://bennylabamba.com/Ayumi-Hamasaki-Time_interview|access-date=6 March 2014|archive-date=18 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018134731/http://bennylabamba.com/Ayumi-Hamasaki-Time_interview}}</ref> In Vietnam, there are the singers [[WanBi Tuấn Anh]],<ref>{{cite web|last=|title=Wanbi Tuấn Anh muốn vượt qua chính mình|url=https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/wanbi-tuan-anh-muon-vuot-qua-chinh-minh-1234176010.htm|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Báo điện tử Dân Trí|date=8 February 2009 |language=vi}}</ref> [[Sơn Tùng M-TP]], [[Đông Nhi]], [[Bảo Thy]] and [[Tóc Tiên]].<ref name="tuoitre">{{cite web|author=Trung Nghĩa|date=21 February 2007|title=Tóc Tiên: nụ cười như nắng mai|trans-title=Tóc Tiên: the smile as bright as sunshine|url=http://tuoitre.vn/toc-tien-nu-cuoi-nhu-nang-mai-187933.htm|access-date=15 October 2017|work=[[Tuổi Trẻ]] Online|publisher=[[Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union]]|language=vi}}</ref><ref name="breakup">{{cite interview|last1=Nguyễn|first1=Khoa Tóc Tiên|interviewer=Quân Ngọc|title=Nhiều người xui chúng tôi bỏ nhau|url=https://ngoisao.net/tin-tuc/hau-truong/nhieu-nguoi-xui-chung-toi-bo-nhau-2541650.html|access-date=15 October 2017|work=Ngôi Sao|publisher=VnExpress|date=7 August 2009|trans-title="People told us to break up"|language=vi}}</ref> 

Even if they succeed as idol singers, they still have to cover the training, accommodation, and post-debut promotional expenses from their earnings, leaving them with no income until they break even. If they don't succeed, they end up in debt.

Their fans are mostly [[teenagers]], often lacking in maturity. Extreme fans can even cause social problems, such as insulting celebrities with whom they're involved in dating scandals or have hostile relationships.

[[SM Entertainment]] CEO Lee reportedly sought advice from Han Baek-hee, the singer and aunt of [[Kim Wan-sun]], who debuted in 1986 and led her through three years of rigorous, Spartan training. [[Hyun Jin-young]], who debuted in 1990, also underwent two years of training under Lee's direction before making his debut. Kim Wan-sun recently revealed numerous anecdotes on TV, including her harsh confinement training and 13 years of slave-like life.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=ko:점쟁이말 듣고 가수데뷔 고백|url=http://xportsnews.hankyung.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=164520}}{{dead link|url=http://xportsnews.hankyung.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=164520|date=August 2025}}</ref>

<gallery class="center" widths=200 heights=200>
File:Tóc Tiên (cropped).png|Tóc Tiên (Vietnam) in 2015
File:1203咪咕音乐盛典 （8）.jpg|Jay Chou (Taiwan) in 2016
File:Ax10akb18 (cropped).jpg|AKB48 (Japan) in 2010
File:BTS for Dispatch White Day Special, 27 February 2019 01.jpg|BTS (South Korea) in 2019
</gallery>

=== Europe ===
[[File:Bill Kaulitz 2010.JPG|thumb|upright=0.6|Bill Kaulitz in 2010]]

European teen idols include [[German people|German]] popstar [[Bill Kaulitz]] of the pop-rock band [[Tokio Hotel]]<ref>Deutsche Welle [http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3626595,00.html German Pop Sensation Tokio Hotel Wins MTV Video Music Award]. Retrieved 17 September 2008.</ref> and the members of the Anglo-Irish [[Pop music|pop]] [[boy band]] [[One Direction]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ross On Radio: One Direction Avoids The Story Of Many Teen Idols' Lives|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/5885444/ross-on-radio-one-direction-avoids-the-story-of-many-teen-idols-lives|access-date=2021-03-27|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref> and [[Girls Aloud]], another Anglo-Irish band. In Spain, [[Quevedo (singer)|Quevedo]], [[Rosalía]] and [[C. Tangana]] all enjoy teen-idol status. In the Balkans, the late Macedonian singer [[Toše Proeski]] was considered a teen idol. 

=== Latin America ===
In Latin America, idols ranges from [[Mexico|Mexican]] pop stars [[Timbiriche]] (including their members, [[Paulina Rubio]] and [[Thalía]]), [[Lynda Thomas]], [[Magneto (band)|Magneto]], Puerto Rican born Mexican [[Luis Miguel]], [[Colombia]]n [[Shakira]] and the popular Puerto Rican boy band [[Menudo (band)|Menudo]] in the 1980s and 1990s, and [[Paty Cantú]], [[Anahí]], [[Belinda]], and [[RBD]] in the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teenidols4you.com/picture/1154/4/menudo.html |title=Pictures of Menudo in General Pictures, Page 1 |publisher=Teen Idols 4 You |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> Besides, former Menudo member [[Ricky Martin]], their chief rivals [[Los Chicos]] and former member [[Chayanne]], Venezuelan actor and singer [[Guillermo Davila]] and more, to Argentina, where telenovela, ''[[Chiquititas]]'', ushered in a new era of teen-idols for that country, including actors [[Benjamin Rojas]], [[Felipe Colombo]], [[Luisana Lopilato]], and [[Camila Bordonaba]], who went on to form teen band [[Erreway]], precursors to Mexican band RBD. [[Quinceañera (1987 TV series)|''Quinceañera'']] (1987), starring by [[Thalía]] and [[Adela Noriega]] became the first ''[[telenovela]]'' made for teenagers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nuevamujer.com/espectaculos/2022/02/18/protagonista-de-quinceanera-podria-volver-a-las-telenovelas-este-ano/|title=Protagonista de "Quinceañera" podría volver a las telenovelas este año|publisher=Nueva Mujer|access-date=October 20, 2024|language=es|date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> 

{{Gallery
| align             = center
| File:Ricky Martin Golden Globe Awards 2018.jpg|Ricky Martin in 2018
| File:ThaliaSodi cropped.jpg|Thalía in 2006
}}

=== North America ===
Often teen idols are [[actor]]s or [[musician]]s. Some teen idols began their careers as [[child actor]]s, such as [[Britney Spears]], [[Hilary Duff]], [[Raven-Symoné]] and [[Miley Cyrus]]. There were teen idols before there were [[teen magazine]]s, but idols have always been a permanent feature in magazines such as ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]'', ''[[16 (magazine)|16]]'', ''[[Tiger Beat]]'' and ''[[Right On! (magazine)|Right On!]]'' in the United States, and in similar magazines elsewhere. With the advent of television, teen idols were also promoted through programs such as ''[[American Bandstand]]'', ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', ''[[Soul Train]]''. Today's teen idols have spawned an entire industry of [[gossip magazines]], [[television shows]], [[YouTube]], [[social media]], and whole [[television channels]] such as [[E!]].

== By era ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2024}}

=== Early teen idols ===
{{Weasel|section|date=July 2024}}

The first known person to have been treated as a teen idol was [[Franz Liszt]], the Hungarian pianist who, in the 1840s, drew such a following among teen girls that the term "[[Lisztomania]]" soon came to describe the phenomenon. The kind of idolizing following Liszt drew in Europe would not be followed for several decades. American-born [[Roger Wolfe Kahn]] became, arguably, America's first modern-day teen idol, when, in 1924 at the age of sixteen he launched his first jazz band. Throughout his teens, he became dubbed the 'Millionaire Maestro.'<ref>Was Roger Wolfe Kahn America's first popular music teen idol? {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230726211856/https://www.thekahnsoffifthavenue.com/the-kahns-blog/was-roger-wolfe-kahn-americas-first-popular-music-teen-idol The KAHNS-Blog]}}</ref> [[Geraldine Farrar]], American opera singer, had a large following of young women nicknamed "Gerry-flappers" in the early 20th century.<ref>''New York Times'' (23 April 1922) p. 20</ref><ref>Rosenthal and Warrack (1979), p. 161</ref> [[Rudy Vallée]], who became a major success in 1929 with hits like "[[Honey (Rudy Vallée song)|Honey]]" and "[[Deep Night]]", may have been the first American [[popular singer]] to have been idolised by hundreds of teen-aged girls at sold-out concerts. He was also possibly the first popular singer to have a [[star vehicle]] created for him: ''[[The Vagabond Lover]]''.

[[Frank Sinatra]], whose early career in the 1940s is often linked to his appeal to [[Bobby-soxer|bobby soxers]],<ref name="gtrps" /> who got that name because they were forced to dance in their bobby socks so that their shoes would not damage the dance floor, is also regarded as having been amongst the first teen idols.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=May 11, 2021|title=The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments|work=The Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/teen-idol-breakouts-158080/frank-sinatra-1942-169439/|access-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019065155/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/teen-idol-breakouts-158080/frank-sinatra-1942-169439/|archive-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref>

<gallery class="center" widths=200 heights=200>
File:Franz-liszt-in-hungarian-costume-watercolour-by-josef-friehuber-1838.jpg|Watercolour of [[Franz Liszt]] in 1838, the first known teen idol
File:Roger Wolfe Kahn on the cover of Time magazine (September 19, 1927).jpg|[[Roger Wolfe Kahn]] on the cover of ''TIME'' magazine (September 19, 1927, America's first teen idol)
File:Rudy Vallée - Photoplay, June 1930.jpg|1930 caricature of [[Rudy Vallée]]
</gallery>

===1950s–1960s===
[[File:1950s in retrospect - Modern Screen, Jan. 1960.jpg|thumb|upright|Teen idols of the 1950s include Elvis Presley, [[Fabian Forte]], [[Tommy Sands (entertainer)|Tommy Sands]], and [[Ricky Nelson]], as pictured.]]

Although he had only three major movie roles, [[James Dean]] earned two Oscar nominations. He also had the image of a rebellious youth, something that was popular among girls and young women. His performance in ''[[Rebel Without a Cause|Rebel Without A Cause]]'' (1955) and his untimely death in a road collision in 1955 cemented his status as an icon. Contemporary teenagers still wear white T-shirts and jeans in his style.<ref name=":3">{{cite magazine|date=2008|title=James Dean - Top 10 Teen Idols|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1853419_1853382_1853363,00.html|access-date=May 20, 2021|magazine=Time}}</ref>

Selected by [[Walt Disney]] in 1955 for his new show ''[[The Mickey Mouse Club]]'', [[Annette Funicello]] became popular among viewers by the end of the first season.<ref>{{cite web|date=2008|title=Annette Funicello - Top 10 Teen Idols|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1853419_1853382_1853364,00.html|access-date=May 20, 2021|website=Time Magazine}}</ref> [[Elvis Presley]] made his debut in the mid-1950s and became a sensation. Deemed too dangerous to be filmed except from the waist up because of his sexually suggestive dance moves, he became popular among teenagers.<ref name=":2" /> The success of young rock stars like Presley, film stars like [[Marlon Brando]], [[Paul Newman]], [[James Dean]], [[Tab Hunter]], and [[Sal Mineo]] in the 1950s, as well as the wider emergence of [[youth subculture]]s, led promoters to the deliberate creation of teen idols such as singers [[Frankie Avalon]], [[Frankie Valli]], [[Frankie Lymon]], [[Fabian Forte]], [[Bobby Rydell]] and [[Connie Stevens]]. The two most popular female vocalists of the late 1950s and early 1960s for teenagers were [[Connie Francis]] and [[Brenda Lee]], who appealed to both pop and rock audiences.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brenda Lee, a teen idol at 14, is now a satisfied 33|first=Alanna|last=Nash|work=The Courier-Journal|page=16|date=January 14, 1978}}</ref> Even crooners like [[Frank Sinatra]] were still considered idols and rather handsome. Actors [[Edd Byrnes]] and [[Troy Donahue]] and other artists deliberately cultivated a (safer) idol image, like Canadian musician [[Paul Anka]].
[[File:Connie Francis - The Times (1961).jpg|thumb|upright|Connie Francis]]

{{blockquote|Anka initially modelled himself on a particular generic type, the teen idol [who] carried on the process ... of ''changing the image of male youth ... from wild to mild'', by providing a cleaner, more wholesome image of masculinity than that of the previous era's rebellious rockabilly heroes [and ([[working-class]]) so-called [[Juvenile delinquency|juvenile delinquents]], like those in [[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]]]....<ref>Jim Leach, Jeannette Sloniowski, ''Candid eyes: essays on Canadian documentaries''. University of Toronto Press, 2003, pp.50–60. [Emphasis mine]</ref>}}

[[File:Gramofon z czterema predkosciami ubt.jpeg|thumb|Portable phonograph]]

Post-war teens were able to buy relatively inexpensive phonographs—including portable models that could be carried to friends' houses—and the new [[Single (music)|45-rpm singles]]. Rock music played on 45s became the soundtrack to the 1960s as people bought what they heard on the radio. The great majority of the music being marketed to 1950s teens was being written by adults, but 1960s teens were increasingly appreciating and emulating artists closer to their own age, to teen fashion, and to lyrics which addressed their own concerns. Their parents worried about their attraction to artists (and DJs) who were edgy and rebellious. Faces on magazines fed fans; fans buy records, see films, watch TV and buy fashions.

{{blockquote|Marketing of the teen idol generally focuses on the image.... The teen idol is structured to appeal to the pre-teen and young teen female pop audience member and children in general.... [They] are commodified in forms and images that are relatively non-threatening to this young audience and to the ancillary market of parents.... The teen idol never appears to be autonomous and therefore never appears to be threatening as an adult; he remains, as long as he is popular, perpetually childlike and dependent.<ref name="dmarsh">P. David Marshall, ''Celebrity and power: fame in contemporary culture''. U of Minnesota Press, 1997, pp. 168ff. {{ISBN|0-8166-2725-8}}.</ref>}}

Some marketers turned to film and TV for fresh, 'safe' faces. [[Tommy Sands (entertainer)|Tommy Sands]]'s debut in a [[television film]] about the phenomenon, ''The Idol'', made a teen idol out of Sands himself.

Teen idol [[Ricky Nelson]] rose to stardom on the hit show [[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet|''<u>The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet</u>'']] and the show was successfully used to promote his songs, making him one of the biggest stars in music. His wholesome image was a stark contrast to the uproar caused by Elvis Presley, with parents often approving of Nelson. 

Rick's popularity continued to grow as Elvis and the [[The Everly Brothers|Everly Brothers]] were in the military, [[Chuck Berry]] was imprisoned, and [[Buddy Holly]] and [[Ritchie Valens]] died. However his popularity declined as the [[British Invasion]] hit the United States when [[the Beatles]] arrived in 1964.<ref name=":2" /> They had already been famous in the United Kingdom.<ref name=":18" /> But after making their debut in the U.S. on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' on February 9, 1964, the Beatles soon became the most successful and influential band in modern musical history,<ref name="bbc41012" /> staying at the top of Billboard charts for a grand total of 58 weeks between 1964 and 1970. Adolescent hysteria was so loud that the band had trouble performing at concerts.<ref>{{cite web|date=2008|title=The Beatles - Top 10 Teen Idols|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1853419_1853382_1853377,00.html|access-date=May 20, 2021|website=Time Magazine}}</ref> The level of stardom they achieved in the U.S.—dubbed [[Beatlemania]]—was never before seen in that country, not even during the heyday of Elvis Presley.<ref name=":2" /> Many teenage girls waited outside the hotels the Beatles were staying at, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite musicians.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Intimate documentary captures the Beatles goofing around as they take America by storm in 1964 |url=https://apnews.com/article/1964-beatles-sullivan-documentary-b8ce82825d00317907f33d1df0e82ec2 |access-date=November 28, 2024 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> It is believed that a part of their success in the U.S. was because they brought hope and joy to a nation that was still recovering from the shock of the assassination of President [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Leopold |first=Todd |date=January 31, 2014 |title=Beatles + Sullivan = Revolution: Why Beatlemania could never happen today |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/30/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/beatles-ed-sullivan-50-years-anniversary/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |work=CNN}}</ref> Another possible reason was that the Beatles were young, energetic, good-looking, and witty, which made it easy for them to become famous in the age of television.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |last1=Wareing |first1=Dan |last2=Long |first2=Chris |date=November 29, 2024 |title=Did JFK's assassination help The Beatles break the US? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86qx7gep86o |access-date=November 30, 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Some young TV stars were being hustled into studios to make recordings; for example, ex-Mousketeer Annette Funicello became one of the first big female idols as well as [[the Lennon Sisters]] whom had cut out dolls and were always on the covers of the gossip magazines; another, [[Johnny Crawford]] of ''[[The Rifleman]]'', had five Top-40 hits.<ref name="gtrps" /> In 1963, [[Luke Halpin]] made a big splash as a teen idol in the television program ''[[Flipper (1964 TV series)|Flipper]]''. After ''[[Bye Bye Birdie (1963 film)|Bye Bye Birdie]]'' was released in 1963, [[Bobby Rydell]] became an instant teen idol.

In the 1960s as situation comedies and dramas on television using child actors became more popular, actors [[Paul Petersen]], [[Patty Petersen]], and [[Shelley Fabares]] from ''[[The Donna Reed Show]]'', [[Dwayne Hickman]] from ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]'', [[Sally Field]] of ''[[Gidget (TV series)|Gidget]]'', [[Jon Provost]] of ''[[Lassie (1954 TV series)|Lassie]]'', [[Jay North]] from ''[[Dennis the Menace (1959 TV series)|Dennis the Menace]]'', and [[Keith and Kevin Schultz]] known as the "Schultz Twins" on ''[[The Monroes (1966 TV series)|The Monroes]]'' all became younger preteen idols and grew into being teen idols.

[[Herman's Hermits]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hermanshermits.com/articles/misc/flashback10_p2.html |title=Herman's Hermits – Magazine Articles |publisher=Hermanshermits.com |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-date=14 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514091742/http://www.hermanshermits.com/articles/misc/flashback10_p2.html }}</ref> [[the Rolling Stones]], and [[the Beach Boys]] were teen idols, especially during the earlier part of their careers, although they quickly grew out of that status. The Rolling Stones did it through a more rebellious image, [[the Beatles]] did it through their more developed (or "grown up") music. Similarly, [[Neil Sedaka]] had two distinct eras of his career, with about a decade in between: one as a teen idol in the 1960s, and a later career in [[adult contemporary music]]. [[Roy Orbison]] was known for his songs "[[Oh, Pretty Woman]]," "[[Only the Lonely]]," and "[[Crying (Roy Orbison song)|Crying]]." From the family band [[the Cowsills]], [[Susan Cowsill]], [[John Cowsill]] and [[Barry Cowsill]] became teen idols.  Many of the teen idols of the era were the sons of older, established stars; [[Dino, Desi & Billy]] were active as teen idols during the mid-sixties. The group included [[Dean Paul Martin]] (son of singer [[Dean Martin]]), and [[Billy Hinsche]] (a mutual friend whose parents were not famous). [[Gary Lewis (musician)|Gary Lewis]], son of comedian [[Jerry Lewis]], fronted [[Gary Lewis and the Playboys|the Playboys]] during this era.

All of [[the Monkees]] became instant teen idols in the late 1960s after [[The Monkees (TV series)|their TV show]] became an overnight success, especially for [[Micky Dolenz]] and [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]]. The British-born Monkee [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] was regularly featured in [[Teen magazine|teen fan magazines]]. In 2008, ''[[Yahoo Music]]'' named Jones the number one teen idol of all time,<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Connor |first=Rob |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/listoftheday/104315/the-top-25-teen-idols-of-all-time/ |title=The Top 25 Teen Idols Of All-Time |work=New.music.yahoo.com |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> and in 2009 he was ranked second in a list compiled by ''[[Fox News]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/then-now-10-best-teen-idols-of-all-time |title=Then & Now: 10 Best Teen Idols of All Time |publisher=Fox News |date=1 January 2009 |access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref>

Teen fan magazine ''[[TeenSet]]'' began publishing in 1964, focusing on youthful bands and musicians. ''[[Tiger Beat]]'' magazine began competing for the same audience in 1965.

===1970s===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| image1            = David Cassidy 6 Allan Warren (cropped).jpg
| width1            = 160
| image2            = Jackson 5 1974 (Michael).jpg
| width2            = 160
| footer            = David Cassidy (left) and Michael Jackson (right) were well-known teen idols of the 1970s.
}}

After Davy Jones came [[Bobby Sherman]] and [[David Cassidy]], who held the title of Teen Idols from the late 1960s until the mid-1970s. Both Sherman and Cassidy were [[actor]]s on television and chart topping musicians in the [[pop-rock]] category at the time; with [[David Cassidy]] in particular enjoying immense international fame and success. Sherman was on hit TV shows ''[[Shindig!]]'' and ''[[Here Come the Brides]]'' among many others. Musical series such as Cassidy's ''[[The Partridge Family]]'', the animated series ''[[The Archie Show]]'', and (to a lesser extent) ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' integrated television and teen-[[pop music]] to significant success during this time frame. The Brady Bunch's [[Barry Williams (actor)|Barry Williams]] and [[Christopher Knight (actor)|Christopher Knight]], as was tennis pro/actor [[Vincent Van Patten]] all were constantly in the fan magazines at the time. Popular actors such as [[John Moulder Brown]], [[Leonard Whiting]], [[Ray Lovelock (actor)|Ray Lovelock]] (Raymond Lovelock), [[Leif Garrett]], [[Mark Hamill]], [[Mark Lester]], [[Jan-Michael Vincent]] and [[Jack Wild]] were the talk of the teenagers in the 1970s as well. Musical group the [[Hudson Brothers]] were on many teen magazine covers for a number of years as teen idols. They had two shows on TV during the 1970s and recorded many albums.

One of the features of many teen idols is that their fans (and, in some cases, the musicians themselves) tended to develop a hate for the music once they became adults, and it is not much listened to by adults, except for nostalgia: the legacy of [[bubblegum pop]]. Teen idol performers in this category would include [[Shaun Cassidy]], [[Leif Garrett]], [[the Osmond Brothers]] (particularly [[Donny Osmond]] and their teen idol sister [[Marie Osmond]]),<ref name=":0" /> [[Andy Gibb]], [[Tony DeFranco]] of the Canadian band [[the DeFranco Family]], and [[the Bay City Rollers]] (UK). Even modern [[classic hits]] and [[oldies]] outlets, which cover this time period, rarely play cuts from the teen idols of the era. A notable exception is [[Michael Jackson]] of [[the Jackson Five]], who began his career as a teen idol along with his brothers, but whose individual career eventually evolved far beyond the limitations of that description and into superstardom.

The Jackson Five were the first African-American music group to become national teen idols,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mansour|first1=David|title=From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century|date=2011|isbn=978-0-7407-9307-3|page=241|publisher=Andrews McMeel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7GN0E_diWbAC&pg=PA241}}</ref> appearing along with famous white idols in magazines such as ''16'' and ''Tiger Beat''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Teen Magazines, 1973|url=http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/1973mags.htm|website=Stuck in the 70s|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref> In addition, the charismatic appeal, showmanship and flurry of fans towards lead [[Michael Jackson]] made him a teen idol and heartthrob amongst teens; his success as a soloist continued into the 1980s and early 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Cross|first=Alan|date=November 22, 2017|title=With David Cassidy gone, let's look back at the teen idol era|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3874767/teen-idols-david-cassidy/|access-date=3 November 2019|website=[[Global News]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejacksons.com/history/the-jackson-5-1970/|title=The Jacksons: A History|website=The Jacksons.com|language=en|access-date=3 November 2019|archive-date=26 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726211742/https://www.thejacksons.com/history/the-jackson-5-1970/}}</ref>

===1980s===
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In 1985, actress [[Alyssa Milano]] from ''[[Who's the Boss?]]'' became a major teen idol.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/whos-the-boss-revival-as-progressive-as-original/|title= Alyssa Milano Says Who's The Boss? Revival Has to Be as Progressive as the Original|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=4 January 2024|date=2 December 2022|first=André|last=Joseph}}</ref> In the mid-1980s there was a group of young actors called [[Brat Pack (actors)|the Brat Pack]]; the whole group collectively and separately became teen idols. They were [[Emilio Estevez]], [[Anthony Michael Hall]], [[Rob Lowe]], [[Andrew McCarthy]], [[Demi Moore]], [[Judd Nelson]], [[Molly Ringwald]], and [[Ally Sheedy]]. They starred in many coming of age films together in some fashion and became very popular without being musicians. Molly Ringwald entered the limelight with the films ''[[Sixteen Candles]]'' and ''[[The Breakfast Club]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=2008|title=Molly Ringwald - Top 10 Teen Idols|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1853419_1853382_1853350,00.html|access-date=May 20, 2021|magazine=Time}}</ref>

Actors [[Corey Feldman]] and [[Corey Haim]] also became teen idols during the later part of the 1980s with films ''[[The Goonies]]'' and together ''[[The Lost Boys]]'', ''[[Dream a Little Dream (film)|Dream a Little Dream]]'' and ''[[License to Drive]]'' among other films. They were dubbed "the two Coreys".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/corey-feldman-corey-haim-everything-to-know/|title=Everything to Know About Corey Feldman and Corey Haim: '80s Heartthrobs at Center of Hollywood Abuse Allegations|website=People|access-date=4 January 2024|date=4 November 2022|first=Maria|last=Pasquini}}</ref> Before Corey Haim's death in 2010, they did a reality TV show for two seasons (2007–08) on A&E named ''[[The Two Coreys]]'' after their 1980s moniker. Actor [[River Phoenix]] during his teen years became a teen idol during the later part of the 1980s, as did [[Christian Slater]]. Australian singer-actor [[Rick Springfield]] was regarded as the teen idol in the 1980s with such hits as "[[Jessie's Girl]]" and "Don't Talk to Strangers". The [[Grammy Award]]-winning musician Springfield was known for playing Dr. Noah Drake on the daytime drama ''[[General Hospital]]''. He originated the character from 1981 to 1983. He left acting after his music career took off.

During this decade, Puerto Rican boy band [[Menudo (band)|Menudo]], caused a sensation in [[Latin America]] compared to Beatles' [[Beatlemania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/tele/1/menudo-fue-la-pionera-de-las-boy-band-latinas|title=Menudo fue la pionera de las 'boy band' latinas|website=[[El Telégrafo (Ecuador)|El Telégrafo]]|access-date=4 January 2024|date=25 March 2013|language=es}}</ref> At the end of the 1980s, actor [[Kirk Cameron]] became a major teen idol. Cameron was best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television situation comedy ''[[Growing Pains]]'' from 1985 to 1992. Also [[Scott Baio]] and [[Willie Aames]] of ''[[Charles in Charge]]'' fame found themselves regulars in teen magazines. One of the most popular female singers of the 1980s, with teen idol status was [[Madonna]],<ref name="STraubhaar">{{harvnb|Straubhaar|1997|pp=188}}</ref><ref name="Heller">{{harvnb|Heller|1998|pp=130}}</ref> especially among youth female audience which was later named [[Madonna wannabe]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Gabbi|title=The dreamiest teen idol from the year you were born|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-idols-icons-throughout-history-2019-6|access-date=3 November 2019|website=Insider}}</ref>

In popular music, the late 1980s was the boom of teenagers dominating the music charts. [[Debbie Gibson]] became the youngest person to write, perform and produce a number-one single, "[[Foolish Beat]]", and also had many hits from her first two albums. [[Tiffany Darwish|Tiffany]], another teen icon, became a pop sensation at 15 years old thanks to an aggressive marketing strategy. She promoted her [[Tiffany (album)|debut album]] in shopping malls of the US. She is also the youngest person to have a debut album hit number one and have multiple number one singles from that album ("[[I Think We're Alone Now]]" and "[[Could've Been (Tiffany song)|Could've Been]]"). Having become a household name, she had then-unknown band [[New Kids on the Block]] as an opening act for her shows. However, the sudden popularity of the New Kids caused their roles to be reversed. Gibson and Tiffany's careers had stalled by the early 1990s; so had NKOTB by the mid-nineties. The other boy band from Boston, [[New Edition]], was popular with the teen set by the end of the 1980s.

=== 1990s ===
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The manufacturing of teen idols has been marketed more aggressively and with greater sophistication since the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/d7232 |title=Teen Pop |publisher=All Music Guide |access-date=13 October 2009 |archive-date=6 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506134550/http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/d7232 }}</ref> Many of the major teen idols in the 1990s were bands and musical acts. The rise of [[MTV]] in the 1980s and the success of the [[boy band]]s and [[girl group]]s during the 1990s and 2000s continued to fuel the phenomenon.<ref name="dmarsh"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://iomusic.com |title=MTV Teen Idol |work=Iomusic News |access-date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116212634/http://iomusic.com/ |archive-date=16 January 2008}}</ref> Besides a combination of good, clean-cut looks and a ubiquitous marketing campaign, such bands typically include a variety of personality types (e.g. "the shy one", "the smart one", etc.)  These idols were often found on the covers and pages of teen magazines during the 1990s as teen idols as well. Classic examples of boy bands include [[Menudo (group)|Menudo]], [[New Kids on the Block]], [[Take That]], Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC, all becoming the best-selling pop groups of the decade. [[Hanson (band)|Hanson]] was initially marketed as such a band, but eventually outgrew this label to become a successful indie band. [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Mandy Moore]], [[Jessica Simpson]], and Britney Spears, along with female bands such as the [[Spice Girls]],<ref name=":2" /> [[TLC (group)|TLC]], and [[Destiny's Child]], also became very popular at the end of the decade. Even though the Spice Girls split in 2000, they remain fairly popular in England.<ref name=":2" />

During this decade, the Latin artist [[Shakira]] was described as a "teen idol", her songs reached number 1 on Latin radio, her videos were among the most viewed, while her hair and clothing style was emulated by girls and young women. from the continent identifying with their songs, this was called "Shakiramía" or "Shakira Fever"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiempo |first=Casa Editorial El |date=1996-03-29 |title=SHAKIRA, FENÓMENO EN MÉXICO |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-326924 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=El Tiempo |language=spanish}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ochoa Flash |first=Edgard García. |title=Shakira: nueva diosa del rock |date=2001 |publisher=Planeta |isbn=958-42-0103-4 |location=Bogotá |oclc=47789713}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Diego |first=Ximena |title=Shakira: mujer llena de gracia |date=2001 |publisher=Libros en Español |isbn=0-7432-1599-0 |location=New York |oclc=47201284}}</ref>

The [[Backstreet Boys]]' popularity grew in 1997 with "[[Everybody (Backstreet's Back)]]," a song produced by [[Max Martin]].<ref name=":2" />  Opting against joining a girl band, [[Britney Spears]] released the music video "[[...Baby One More Time]]" in 1998 on MTV, which pushed her into the public consciousness.<ref name=":2" /> Her first album [[...Baby One More Time (album)|of the same name]] made its debut at the top of ''Billboard''{{'}}s charts,<ref>{{cite web|date=2008|title=Britney Spears - Top 10 Teen Idols|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1853419_1853382_1853375,00.html|access-date=May 20, 2021|website=Time Magazine}}</ref> and became the world's best-selling album by a teenage solo artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/74327-best-selling-album-by-a-teenage-solo-artist|title=Best-selling album by a teenage solo artist|publisher=Guinness World Records|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref> Before she turned 20 years, Spears was also recognized by the [[Guinness World Records]] as the best-selling teenage artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/77579-best-selling-artist-teenage|title=Best-selling artist, teenage|publisher=Guinness World Records|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/91237-youngest-female-to-have-five-no-1-studio-albums-in-the-usa|title=Youngest female to have five No.1 studio albums in the USA|publisher=Guinness World Records|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref> Spears and [[Billie Piper]] also became the youngest artists to have accumulated more number-one songs in the UK singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/74641-most-no-1-singles-on-uk-chart-teenage-female-solo-artist|title=Most No.1 singles on UK chart - teenage female solo artist|publisher=Guinness World Records|access-date=October 20, 2024}}</ref>

After the movie ''[[Clueless (film)|Clueless]]'' (1995), [[Alicia Silverstone]] became a teen idol.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=July 24, 2019|title=The eight best teen films to watch before Booksmart|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-eight-best-teen-films-to-watch-before-booksmart/ECUMSUP7B35DEMXPUYZJMKC4ZU/|access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref> The 1997 film ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' made [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] a teen idol; during "Leo-Mania" his face appeared on many teen magazines.<ref name="winston19980505">{{cite news|author=Winston, Sherri|date=5 May 1998|title=Leomania / Like Sinatra, Elvis And The Beatles Before Him, The Young Star Of Titanic Is Turning The World Of Teen-age Girls Upside Down.|work=Sun-Sentinel|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-05-05/lifestyle/9805010394_1_leonardo-dicaprio-pet-pig-leo-mania|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023024708/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-05-05/lifestyle/9805010394_1_leonardo-dicaprio-pet-pig-leo-mania}}</ref> Fraternal twin sisters and actresses [[Ashley Olsen]] and [[Mary-Kate Olsen]] were major tween idols and as they grew up they later became teen idols during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Copel|first=Lib|date=June 2, 2004|title=Power of Two|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/06/02/power-of-two/97f1729a-20c9-4bca-ba32-e5864d0094ad/|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521005622/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/06/02/power-of-two/97f1729a-20c9-4bca-ba32-e5864d0094ad/|archive-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
{{overly detailed|section|date=June 2022}}
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| footer = (From left to right) [[Hilary Duff]], [[Avril Lavigne]], [[Miley Cyrus]] and [[Raven-Symoné]] became teen idols in the early to mid 2000s.
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The 2000s would be a decade of transition due to increasing amount of media platforms coming from TV and the internet, though Hollywood would still be a spring board for many names in the early years of the decade. Actors such as [[Josh Hartnett]], [[Heath Ledger]] and [[Ashton Kutcher]] would dominate the teen idol scene for the early 2000s. Hartnett  become the most prominent face of the young Hollywood actors entering the 2000s. He appeared on dozens of major magazine covers and was the subject of a [[Vanity Fair (magazines)|''Vanity Fair'']] cover story remarking on his meteoric rise to fame. The intense attention he received during this time period caused him to turn down high-profile roles, including a reported $100 million offer to play [[Superman]], before temporarily leaving Hollywood.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

[[The Walt Disney Company]] and its numerous outlets (e.g. [[Disney Channel]], [[Radio Disney]] and [[Walt Disney Pictures]])  were the first to successfully develop a new generation of teen idols in this period, starting with the careers of actresses and singers [[Hilary Duff]] and [[Lindsay Lohan]], initially targeting youth and female teen audiences. While still teenagers, Duff became famous for her starring titular character in the [[Disney Channel]] [[teen sitcom]] ''[[Lizzie McGuire]]'' and her multi-Platinum second studio album ''[[Metamorphosis (Hilary Duff album)|Metamorphosis]]'' (2003), with which she became one of the youngest artists to reach the top of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and Lohan became famous for her starring roles in many successful [[teen movie]]s, including ''[[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|Freaky Friday]]'' (2003), ''[[Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen]]'' (2004), ''[[Mean Girls]]'' (2004) and ''[[Herbie: Fully Loaded]]'' (2005), and her platinum debut studio album ''[[Speak (Lindsay Lohan album)|Speak]]'' (2004). The success of this marketing led to further development of the genre, including new teen idols such as [[Amanda Bynes]], [[Raven-Symoné]], [[Dylan and Cole Sprouse]], [[Zac Efron]], [[Aly & AJ]], [[Jesse McCartney]], [[Vanessa Hudgens]], [[Ashley Tisdale]], [[Corbin Bleu]], [[Brenda Song]], Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, [[Demi Lovato]] and the [[Jonas Brothers]]. Disney has also used another one of its own TV channels, [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], to develop shows and stars popular among teen girls. ''Mean Girls'', a well-known comedy written by [[Tina Fey]], also saw the performances of [[Rachel McAdams]] and [[Amanda Seyfried]] (in her first role).<ref name=":4" />

[[Raven-Symoné]] had already gained popularity as a child actor for her roles on ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' (1989–1992) and ''[[Hangin' with Mr. Cooper]]'' (1993–1997) along with appearing in the ''[[Dr. Dolittle (franchise)|Dr. Dolittle]]'' films, but became a household name from being the titular character on the extremely popular and successful Disney Channel show ''[[That's So Raven]]'' (2003–2007) as well as being a part of [[The Cheetah Girls (group)|The Cheetah Girls]] and the [[The Cheetah Girls (franchise)|films]] (2003–2006). She also had a supporting role in ''[[The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement]]'' (2004), a leading role in ''[[College Road Trip]]'' (2008) and voiceover roles in ''[[Kim Possible]]'' and ''[[Tinker Bell (film series)|Tinker Bell]].''

[[Miley Cyrus]] claimed her fame by playing a fictionalized version of herself on the television show ''[[Hannah Montana]]'' (2006–2011). Her 2009 singles "[[The Climb (song)|The Climb]]" and "[[Party in the U.S.A.|Party in the U.S.A]]" were both mega hits. However, as she began metamorphosizing into something more mature, her popularity fell as parents considered her new materials inappropriate for their children.<ref name=":2" />

[[Selena Gomez]] made her debut by starring in the Disney situational comedy ''[[Wizards of Waverly Place]]'' (2007–2012) and released her first album ''[[Kiss & Tell (Selena Gomez & the Scene album)|Kiss & Tell]]'' in 2009. She became an icon for adolescent girls and women, yet details of her personal life put her under public scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=He|first=Richard S.|date=January 9, 2020|title=Selena Gomez's Road to 'Rare': How Pop's Quietest Singer Began to Raise Her Voice|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/selena-gomez-rare-career-review-8547671/|access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>

[[Demi Lovato]] made her Disney Channel debut in the musical film ''[[Camp Rock]]'' and released her first album, ''[[Don't Forget]]'', in 2008, before starring in the series ''[[Sonny with a Chance]]'' (2009–2011). She became an icon for teenagers by addressing issues related to mental health.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=April 19, 2011|title=Demi Lovato Interview: Teen Star Opens Up on Bulimia, Cutting Issues|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/demi-lovato-interview-teen-star-opens-bulimia-cutting/story?id=13405090&page=1 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Washington|first=Arlene|date=March 3, 2017|title=Demi Lovato to Be Honored for Mental Health Advocacy |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-honored-mental-health-advocacy-7710060/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

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[[ViacomCBS]]-owned [[Nickelodeon]], a competitor to Disney Channel, has also developed its own slate of stars for its television shows, including [[Amanda Bynes]], [[Drake Bell]], [[Josh Peck]], [[Emma Roberts]], [[Miranda Cosgrove]], [[Jennette McCurdy]], [[Nathan Kress]], [[Jamie Lynn Spears]] (sister of Britney Spears), [[Ariana Grande]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=May 22, 2014|title=How Ariana Grande and Max Martin Made 'Problem' the Song of the Summer|work=The Rolling Stone|department=Music News|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-ariana-grande-and-max-martin-made-problem-the-song-of-the-summer-85685/|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521034735/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-ariana-grande-and-max-martin-made-problem-the-song-of-the-summer-85685/|archive-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> [[Victoria Justice]], [[Elizabeth Gillies]], and groups [[The Naked Brothers Band (band)|the Naked Brothers Band]] and [[Big Time Rush (group)|Big Time Rush]], many of whom have not only starred in TV shows, but recorded songs as well. Many of the modern-day teen idols are females marketed as "role models" to teen and tween girls, a departure from the traditional role of the male teen idol marketed as the idolized teen "heartthrob". Actress [[Mischa Barton]] became a teen idol through her role on ''[[The O.C.]]'', with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' naming her character [[Marissa Cooper]] "[[It Girl]]" of 2003.

In 2002, Canadian singer [[Avril Lavigne]] dominated the music scene and eventually became a worldwide teen idol. Listed at #4 on Yahoo!'s Top 25 Teen Idols of all-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/the-top-25-teen-idols-c1410558151225.html|title=The Top 25 Teen Idols of All Time|website=yahoo.com|date=12 September 2014 |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref>

During the popularity of her sister [[Jessica Simpson]]'s [[MTV]] [[reality television series]] ''[[Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica]]'' with then-husband [[Nick Lachey]], ''[[7th Heaven (TV series)|7th Heaven]]'' actress [[Ashlee Simpson]] developed a music career through her own [[MTV]] spin-off reality series ''[[The Ashlee Simpson Show]]'' in 2004, and soon became a teen idol.

American musician [[Taylor Swift]] entered the scene at age 16 by co-writing the song "[[Tim McGraw (song)|Tim McGraw]]" with [[Liz Rose]] in 2005, after which she became a well-known and successful artist<ref>{{Cite news|last=Thanki|first=Juli|date=September 24, 2015|title=Taylor Swift: Teen idol to 'biggest pop artist in the world'|work=The Tennessean|publisher=USA Today Network|department=Entertainment|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/09/24/taylor-swift-teen-idol-biggest-pop-artist-world/72744548/|access-date=May 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Yahr|first=Emily|date=June 16, 2016|title=Taylor Swift's first song came out 10 years ago. Here's what she was like as a teen songwriter.|newspaper=The Washington Post|department=Arts and Entertainment|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/06/16/taylor-swifts-first-song-came-out-10-years-ago-heres-what-she-was-like-as-a-teen-songwriter/|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513182351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/06/16/taylor-swifts-first-song-came-out-10-years-ago-heres-what-she-was-like-as-a-teen-songwriter/|archive-date=May 13, 2021}}</ref> as well as a teen idol.<ref>{{Cite news|last=NPR Staff|date=November 2, 2012|title=Taylor Swift: 'My Confidence Is Easy To Shake'|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/11/03/164186569/taylor-swift-my-confidence-is-easy-to-shake|access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>

Before reaching the age of 20, [[Ariana Grande]] had already been popular among secondary schoolchildren by starring in the teen comedy show ''[[Victorious]]'' (2010–2013)''.'' She left acting for singing, and although her singing career had a difficult start, she did capture the attention of producer and songwriter Max Martin, who had worked with many successful artists before.<ref name=":6" />

Teen idols were also popular in the R&B and Hip-Hop realm throughout this decade, including [[Chris Brown]], [[JoJo (singer)|JoJo]], [[Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow]], [[3LW]], [[Ciara]], [[Mario (American singer)|Mario]], [[B2K]], [[Joss Stone]], and [[Rihanna]], among others.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

In the late 2000s, bands like [[Lillix]], [[KSM (band)|KSM]], [[Everlife]], and [[Clique Girlz]] became teen pop idols and have a teenage fanbase.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Discovered on YouTube by media entrepreneur [[Scooter Braun]] at the age of 13, [[Justin Bieber]] was ushered into fame with his 2009 album ''My World''.<ref name=":2" />

=== 2010s ===
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In Japan, more and more [[Japanese idol]] groups have appeared. In Japanese culture, persons called "idols" are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly [[Kawaii|attractive or cute]] and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g. as singers for [[Pop music|pop]] groups, bit-part actors, TV personalities, models in photo spreads published in magazines, advertisements, etc. One of the most successful groups is [[Momoiro Clover Z]]. Their performances incorporate elements of ballet, gymnastics, and action movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/aj201208290008|title=Momoiro Clover Z dazzles audiences with shiny messages of hope|work=[[The Asahi Shimbun]]|date=29 August 2012|access-date=9 August 2013|archive-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024003154/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201208290008}}</ref> During 2014, about 486,000 people attended their live concerts, which was the highest record of all female musicians in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO79804640X11C14A1000000/ |title=AKB48よりももクロが上 コンサート動員力2014 |work=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]|date= 4 December 2014|access-date = 16 September 2015|language=ja}}</ref> Momoiro Clover Z has been ranked as one of the most popular female idol groups from 2013 to 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFK17032_X10C13A6000000/ |title=ももクロ、初のAKB超え タレントパワーランキング|work=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]|date= 24 June 2013|access-date = 26 July 2013|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | date=4 May 2013| journal=Nikkei Entertainment |script-title=ja:タレントパワーランキング トップ100|issue=June 2013|pages=48–49| publisher=Nikkei BP| language=ja}} - the largest public opinion survey in Japan (see [[:ja:タレントパワーランキング]])</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | date=2 May 2014|script-title=ja:タレントパワーランキング トップ100| journal=Nikkei Entertainment| issue=June 2014| publisher=Nikkei BP| language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | date=2 May 2015|script-title=ja:タレントパワーランキング トップ100| journal=Nikkei Entertainment| issue=June 2015| publisher=Nikkei BP| language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | date=4 May 2016|script-title=ja:タレントパワーランキング トップ100| journal=Nikkei Entertainment| issue=June 2016| publisher=Nikkei BP| language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | date=4 May 2017|script-title=ja:タレントパワーランキング トップ100| journal=Nikkei Entertainment| issue=June 2017| publisher=Nikkei BP| language=ja}}</ref>

In the late 2010s, many young actors developed large followings amongst teenagers after portraying famous contemporary literary characters. The most notable among these were [[Ansel Elgort]] ([[The Fault in Our Stars|Augustus Waters]]), [[Timothée Chalamet]] ([[Elio Perlman]]), and [[Nick Robinson (American actor)|Nick Robinson]] ([[Love, Simon|Simon Spier]]). These actors were referred to by the media and general public as "White Boys of the Month", with the term becoming a popular [[meme]] since.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bergado|first=Gabr|title=Twitter's White Boy of the Month Meme Is a Match Made in Heaven Between Celebrity and Internet Culture|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/twitter-white-boy-of-the-month-meme/amp|access-date=28 August 2019|website=[[Teen Vogue]]|date=26 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ilagen|first=Elyse|title=Every 'White Boy of The Month' This Year: A 2018 Round Up|url=https://meg.onemega.com/every-white-boy-of-the-month-2018-round-up/|access-date=19 December 2018|website=W Magazine|language=en|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026045834/https://meg.onemega.com/every-white-boy-of-the-month-2018-round-up/}}</ref> [[Noah Centineo]] became popular among teenagers and young adults following the release of ''[[To All the Boys I've Loved Before (film)|To All the Boys I've Loved Before]]'', having amassed over 15 million [[Instagram]] followers within eight weeks of the film's release; he was dubbed an "internet boyfriend" by the media.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marine|first=Brooke|title=Noah Centineo, AKA Peter Kavinsky, on Being the Internet's Newest Boyfriend|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/noah-centineo-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-peter-kavinsky-instagram|access-date=27 August 2019|website=W Magazine|date=21 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=7 September 2018|title=Noah Centineo Is the Internet Boyfriend We've Been Waiting For|url=https://www.eonline.com/au/news/966471/noah-centineo-is-the-internet-boyfriend-we-ve-been-waiting-for|access-date=27 August 2019|website=E! News|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Grady|first=Constance|date=28 September 2018|title=Noah Centineo and the rise of the wholesome internet boyfriend, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/9/28/17902232/noah-centineo-peter-kavinsky-rise-wholesome-internet-boyfriend-explained|access-date=27 August 2019|website=Vox}}</ref>

Although the future members of the boy band [[One Direction]] got elimated as solo acts on the third season of [[The X Factor (British TV series) series 3|''The X Factor'']], guest judge [[Nicole Scherzinger]] suggested that they form a group together. The result was much fame and fortune for the band, who burst onto the scene in 2012.<ref name=":2" /> The group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=December 16, 2019|title=Camila Cabello and Harry Styles, Teen-Pop Alumni, Think Bigger|work=The New York Times|department=Arts|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/arts/music/harry-styles-camila-cabello-review.html|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213112259/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/arts/music/harry-styles-camila-cabello-review.html|archive-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> and since 2017, its members have been pursuing solo projects.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|date=25 May 2017|title=Every One Direction Solo Single, Ranked|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/one-direction-solo-singles-ranked-list-7808577/|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

[[Kylie Jenner]] rising to prominence in the mid-2010s can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, her appearances on her family's hit TV series ''[[Keeping Up with the Kardashians]]'' gave her a platform to showcase her unique personality and relatable experiences. Additionally, her bold and ever-changing sense of fashion, coupled with her flawless makeup looks, made her a style icon for many teenagers. Moreover, her active presence on social media platforms like [[Instagram]] and [[Snapchat]] allowed her to connect with her fan base on a more personal level, giving them a glimpse into her glamorous lifestyle. In 2014 & 2015 she was named among ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's 100 most influential people in the world citing her considerable influence among youth on social media.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 13, 2014 |title=The 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014 |url=https://time.com/3486048/most-influential-teens-2014/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128145617/http://time.com/3486048/most-influential-teens-2014/ |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2015 |work=Time. |url=https://time.com/4081618/most-influential-teens-2015/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001041/http://time.com/4081618/most-influential-teens-2015/ |archive-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref> Kylie's influence in the beauty industry with her lip kits and cosmetics brand [[Kylie Cosmetics]] also contributed to her teen idol status.

Similarly, in 2016 the Cuban-born American singer [[Camila Cabello]] left the girl group [[Fifth Harmony]], which went on indefinite hiatus in 2018, in order to pursue a solo career. She makes use of her Latin American heritage in her rhythms.<ref name=":7" /> At age 18, American musician [[Billie Eilish]] won four Grammy Awards in 2020, and was commissioned to perform the [[No Time to Die (song)|theme song]] for the James Bond movie ''[[No Time to Die]]'' (2021).<ref name=":1" /> The song topped the charts in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=September 28, 2021|title=Writer's block, betrayal and tremolo guitars: The making of Billie Eilish's Bond theme|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58680995|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref> She wrote it with her brother, [[Finneas O'Connell|Finneas]], becoming the youngest artist to do so. She has tens of millions of followers on social media,  and is well known for her lyrics concerning mental health such as depression and anxiety.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Ryan|first=Patrick|date=January 27, 2020|title=Who is Billie Eilish? Everything to know about the teen who won big at the 2020 Grammys|work=USA Today|department=Music|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/01/27/billie-eilish-teen-pop-star-winner-grammy-awards-2020/4586132002/|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521042357/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/01/27/billie-eilish-teen-pop-star-winner-grammy-awards-2020/4586132002/|archive-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref>{{clear}} [[Millie Bobby Brown]] rose to fame from her role as [[Eleven (Stranger Things)|Eleven]] in the [[Netflix]] series ''[[Stranger Things]]''. Her co-stars [[Finn Wolfhard]], [[Gaten Matarazzo]], [[Caleb McLaughlin]], [[Noah Schnapp]], and [[Sadie Sink]] have also achieved fame from their roles in the series.

=== 2020s ===
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American artist [[Olivia Rodrigo]] had previously worked as a child actress on the Disney comedy series ''[[Bizaardvark]]'' (2016–19) and starred in the first three seasons of ''[[High School Musical: The Musical: The Series]]'' (2019–22).<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last=Smyth|first=David|date=May 21, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo Sour album review: the biggest new star in the world is the perfect teller of teen tales|work=The Evening Standard|department=Culture|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/olivia-rodrigo-sour-album-review-teen-disney-actress-singer-b936094.html|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522230840/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/olivia-rodrigo-sour-album-review-teen-disney-actress-singer-b936094.html|archive-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> In January 2021, she released her debut single, "[[Drivers License (song)|Drivers License]]", which went on to become one of the most streamed songs on [[Spotify]] at the time and spent eight weeks on top of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Garvey|first=Marianne|date=January 18, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' breaks new record|publisher=CNN|department=Entertainment|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/18/entertainment/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-spotify-trnd/index.html|access-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=May 2021|title=Pop's Buzziest New Songwriter Knows Exactly What to Say|work=The Atlantic|department=Culture|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/05/olivia-rodrigos-sour-album-review/618963/|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522224923/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/05/olivia-rodrigos-sour-album-review/618963/|archive-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> She sings with profanities in an emotionally charged manner of the struggles of an adolescent and commands a large following on social media networks, including [[TikTok]], where she has many teen-aged supporters.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=May 20, 2021|title=Review: Olivia Rodrigo delivers flawless Gen Z pop on her debut album|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|department=Music|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-05-20/olivia-rodrigo-sour-debut-album-review|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523000252/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-05-20/olivia-rodrigo-sour-debut-album-review|archive-date=23 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite news|last=John|first=Sarah|date=May 22, 2021|title=New Olivia Rodrigo album 'Sour' stakes her claim to being the voice of Gen Z: Raw and real|work=NBC News|department=Culture & Lifestyle|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/new-olivia-rodrigo-album-sour-stakes-her-claim-being-voice-ncna1268211|access-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> Some sources consider Rodrigo to be a representative of [[Generation Z]].<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" />

Italian rock band [[Måneskin]] was ushered into international attention after winning the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2021]], with their winning track "[[Zitti e buoni]]" as well as "[[I Wanna Be Your Slave]]" and their cover of [[The Four Seasons (band)|The Four Seasons]]' "[[Beggin'#Måneskin version|Beggin']]" reaching the top 10 on the [[Billboard Global 200#Billboard Global Excl. US|''Billboard'' Global Excl. U.S.]] chart, supported by a growing following on TikTok and other social media platforms.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|date=July 7, 2021|title=Maneskin Hits No. 1 on Rock Streaming Songs, Makes Hot 100 Debut With 'Beggin'<nowiki>'</nowiki>|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9597708/maneskin-beggin-tops-rock-streaming-songs-makes-hot-100-debut|access-date=July 7, 2021|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2021-07-14|title=Eurovision Champion Maneskin Hits No. 1 on Emerging Artists Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9600700/maneskin-tops-emerging-artists-chart/|access-date=2021-09-23|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en}}</ref> Prior to their Eurovision win, the band finished as runner-up in the [[X Factor (Italian season 11)|eleventh season]] of the Italian ''[[X Factor (Italian TV series)|X Factor]]'' in 2017. Måneskin are credited as one of the first rock bands to heavily appeal to Generation Z.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Laffranchi|first=Andrea|date=2021-08-11|title=I Måneskin riempiono un vuoto e parlano alla Generazione Z|trans-title=Måneskin fills a void and speak to Generation Z|url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/21_novembre_08/riempionoun-vuotoe-parlanoalla-gen-z-e1133716-3ffe-11ec-a86a-9c702b71a66e.shtml|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Corriere della Sera|language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Shalvoy|first=Jessica|date=2021-11-09|title=Meet Måneskin: The Italian Band That Defied the Odds and Brought Rock Back to the U.S.|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/maneskin-italian-rock-band-roxy-interview-1235108380/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-21|title=Måneskin live in London: embrace the Eurovision winners' rock'n'roll circus|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/maneskin-london-live-islington-academy-review-radar-3076159|access-date=2021-10-22|website=|publisher=[[NME]]|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lynch |first=Joe |date=2022-12-06 |title=Måneskin Is Making Live Rock Thrilling (And Sexy) Again |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/maneskin-concerts-live-rock-tour-1235181996/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Impact and influence ==
{{See also|Vinyl revival}}
[[File:JaDean-cropped.jpg|left|thumb|upright|James Dean in ''[[Rebel Without a Cause]]'' (1955)]]

In the West, the Beatles, [[Bob Dylan]], and the Rolling Stones were extremely popular among the [[Baby boomers|Baby Boomers]] when they were growing up.<ref name="Owram1997xiv">{{Cite book |last=Owram|first=Doug|title=Born at the Right Time|url=https://archive.org/details/bornatrighttimeh0000owra/page/|page=[https://archive.org/details/bornatrighttimeh0000owra/page/ xiv]|year=1997|location=Toronto|publisher=University of Toronto Press|isbn=0-8020-8086-3}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite journal|last=Suri|first=Jeremi|date=February 2009|title=The Rise and Fall of an International Counterculture, 1960-1975|journal=American Historical Review|volume=114|issue=1|pages=45–68|doi=10.1086/ahr.114.1.45|jstor=30223643|doi-access=free}}</ref> Parents, by contrast, saw their influence greatly diminished.<ref name=":29">{{Cite book|last=Hobsbawn|first=Eric|title=The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991|publisher=Abacus|year=1996|isbn=978-0-349-10671-7|chapter=Chapter Eleven: Cultural Revolution}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, for instance, a combination of the [[R v Penguin Books Ltd|Lady Chatterley trial]] (1959) and the first long-play of the Beatles, ''[[Please Please Me]]'' (1963) triggered a change public perception of [[Human mating strategies|human mating]], a cause subsequently taken up by young people seeking sexual liberation.<ref name=":29" />{{Efn|See [[R v Penguin Books Ltd#Legal and cultural consequences|this 1974 poem]] by the poet [[Philip Larkin]].}}

During the 1960s and 1970s, the music industry made a fortune selling rock records to people between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five. This era was home to many youthful stars—people like [[Brian Jones]] of the Rolling Stones or [[Jimi Hendrix]]—who had lifestyles that all but guaranteed early deaths.<ref name=":29" />{{Efn|Also see [[life-history theory]].}} The death of a (former) teen idol can have a serious impact on fans, leading to outbursts of emotions. This was certainly the case when people like Davy Jones or Michael Jackson died.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Stephanie|date=March 1, 2012|title=Why we grieve teen idols: A tribute to Davy Jones|work=CNN|department=Entertainment|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/showbiz/davy-jones-teen-idol|access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref> And if an artist who reached fame at a young age were to die prematurely, he or she could spark conversations about the cost of fame.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Laura |date=October 28, 2024 |title=Should there be a ban on teenage popstars? |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20241025-should-there-be-a-ban-on-teenage-popstars |access-date=October 28, 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref> This has been a recurring theme following the deaths of [[Amy Winehouse]] (at age 27), [[Avicii]] (at 28), or [[Liam Payne]] (aged 31). These stars lacked a stable home environment, had an extremely busy and stressful schedule, were exposed to an adult environment as a teenager, face frequent and intense public scrutiny, and were prone to [[alcoholism]] or [[substance abuse]].<ref name=":13" /> Their deaths also fuel the myth that such endings are common among talented musicians, an idea that could be traced back to the antique world. In the fourth century B.C., Greek playwright [[Menander]] claimed, "Whom the Gods love die young." But the myth that they die at the age of 27 is a modern phenomenon.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal |last=Nuwer |first=Rachel |date=November 4, 2024 |title=The Myth that Musicians Die at 27 Shows How Superstitions Are Made |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-myth-that-musicians-die-at-27-shows-how-superstitions-are-made/ |journal=Scientific American}}</ref> Statistical analysis has debunked this myth; there is no peak risk of dying at around age 27 for famous individuals, even if those who die at this specific age may garner more attention.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite journal |last1=Wolkewitz |first1=Martin |last2=Allignol |first2=Arthur |last3=Graves |first3=Nicholas |last4=Barnett |first4=Adrian G. |date=November 11, 2011 |title=Is 27 really a dangerous age for famous musicians? Retrospective cohort study |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7799 |journal=British Medical Journal |volume=343 |article-number=d7799 |doi=10.1136/bmj.d7799|pmid=22187325 |pmc=3243755 }}</ref> However, famous young artists face an elevated risk of dying in their 20s and 30s relative to the general population. In the United Kingdom, the risk is two to three times higher.<ref name=":16" /> 

[[File:‘LG Q7 BTS 에디션’ 예약 판매 시작 (42773472410) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|BTS (pictured 2018) were found to be a valuable music act for the South Korean economy.]]

But even as their fans age, the audience of idols does not necessarily shrink, as the fans who became parents can introduce their children to their music. People tend to be nostalgic about music from their youth.<ref name=":5" /> In the twenty-first century, (former) teen idols can continue to be highly successful years after they made their debut as can be seen from the number of streams, digital downloads, CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records shipped.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=October 11, 2021|title=Taylor Swift Returns to No. 1 With Autographed 'Fearless' CDs|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-billboard.html|access-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211011183652/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/arts/music/taylor-swift-fearless-billboard.html|archive-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Okon|first=Wongo|date=October 10, 2021|title=Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded Version Of 'Fearless' Returns To No. 1 On The 'Billboard' Albums Chart|work=UProxx|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/taylor-swift-re-recorded-version-fearless-returns-no-1/|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref> To-date, the Beatles remain one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|best-selling bands of all times]].<ref name="bbc41012">{{cite web |last=Hotten |first=Russell |date=4 October 2012 |title=The Beatles at 50: From Fab Four to fabulously wealthy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-19800654 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923142215/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-19800654 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |access-date=20 August 2020 |work=BBC Business}}</ref><ref name="insider">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Travis |date=10 March 2020 |title=The 50 best-selling music artists of all time |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/best-selling-music-artists-of-all-time-2016-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830191133/https://www.businessinsider.com/best-selling-music-artists-of-all-time-2016-9 |archive-date=30 August 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> Their success is unlikely to be replicated in the twenty-first century because trends have much shorter lifetimes and musical genres have splintered.<ref name=":8" />

The charm and charisma manifested by American actor James Dean onscreen proved strongly appealing to the audience,<ref name="Tanitch2014">{{cite book|author=Robert Tanitch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0U2_CAAAQBAJ&pg=PT21|title=The Unknown James Dean|date=October 30, 2014|publisher=Pavilion Books|isbn=978-1-84994-249-2|page=21}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and his persona of youthful rebellion provided a template for succeeding generations of youth to model themselves on.<ref name="Springer201317">{{cite book|author=Claudia Springer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U8-ok0mQF-wC&pg=PA17|title=James Dean Transfigured: The Many Faces of Rebel Iconography|date=May 17, 2013|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-75288-7|page=17}}</ref><ref name="Robins2016">{{cite book|author=Wayne Robins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfvdCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40|title=A Brief History of Rock, Off the Record|date=March 31, 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-92345-7|page=40}}</ref> Various artists, including Leonardo DiCaprio,<ref>{{cite web|title=Leonardo DiCaprio On 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' And Looking For Positives In Disruption That Has Turned The Movie Business On Its Ear – The Deadline Q&A|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/leonardo-dicaprio-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-career-future-interview-1202813571/|website=deadline.com|date=19 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> [[Buddy Holly]],<ref name="Howlett2016">{{cite book|author=John Howlett|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MKFsDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT5|title=James Dean: Rebel Life|date=November 1, 2016|publisher=Plexus Publishing|isbn=978-0-85965-867-6|page=5}}</ref> and [[David Bowie]],<ref name="Spitz2010">{{cite book|author=Marc Spitz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=40E4NTy26qYC&pg=PA25|title=Bowie: A Biography|date=October 2010|publisher=Crown/Archetype|isbn=978-0-307-71699-6|pages=25–26}}</ref> cited Dean as an influence. Musician Taylor Swift referenced him in "[[Style (Taylor Swift song)|Style]]" (2014).<ref name="Kornhaber">{{cite web|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=February 13, 2015|title=Reading Taylor Swift's Lips|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/taylor-swifts-style-video-read-her-lips/385483/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415045857/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/taylor-swifts-style-video-read-her-lips/385483/|archive-date=April 15, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2019|work=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> Meanwhile, wearing white T-shirts and jeans remains iconic among young people today.<ref name=":3" />

The [[K-pop]] band [[Girls' Generation]] has generally been considered as a cultural icon of not just South Korea,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Stewart|date=July 19, 2012|title=SNSD Becomes First Korean Celebrity on Official Stamps|publisher=CJ E&M|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/8950/snsd-becomes-first-korean-celebrity-on-official-stamps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012803/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/8950/snsd-becomes-first-korean-celebrity-on-official-stamps|archive-date=December 13, 2014}}</ref> but also a part of the [[Korean Wave]], the rising popularity of Korean culture on the international stage.<ref>{{cite web|last=M|first=Kristy|title=K-Pop Expands the Hallyu Wave|url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=11469|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003350/http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=%2FST%2Fdb%2Fread.php%3Fidx%3D11469|archive-date=March 4, 2016|work=The Seoul Times}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite web|date=November 4, 2013|title=K-pop group Girls' Generation beats Miley, Lady Gaga at first YouTube awards|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/04/showbiz/youtube-awards-girls-generation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722235045/http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/04/showbiz/youtube-awards-girls-generation|archive-date=July 22, 2015|access-date=April 30, 2015|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 2, 2010|title=Girls' Generation Make Cover of Nikkei Business|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/02/2010100200238.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105091501/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/02/2010100200238.html|archive-date=November 5, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2012|work=The Chosun Ilbo}}</ref> As of 2019, another K-pop band, [[BTS]], was reportedly worth more than US$4.65 billion, or 0.3 percent of the GDP of their home country.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news|date=June 9, 2019|script-title=ko:BTS가 창출한 80만 관광객…"5조 원 넘는 경제 효과"|language=ko|work=SBS News|url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005301820|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref>  They attracted one in every 13 foreign visitors to South Korea and were cited as one of the key acts in boosting global music sales to US$19 billion in 2018.<ref name=":22">{{cite web|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=December 18, 2018|title=The BTS billions: K-pop superstars 'worth more than US$3.6 billion a year' to South Korea's economy|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2178540/bts-billions-k-pop-superstars-worth-more-us36-billion-year-south|access-date=December 18, 2018|website=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> Data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]]) shows that BTS became the best-selling artists of 2020 worldwide, ahead of Taylor Swift, Drake, the Weeknd, and Billie Eilish.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=March 4, 2021|title=BTS named world's best-selling artists of 2020|work=BBC|department=Entertainment & Arts|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56283259|access-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref>

A 2023 report by the [[Federal Reserve]] estimated that Taylor Swift's [[The Eras Tour|Eras Tour]] was responsible for $4.6 billion of consumer spending in the United States alone; local economies were significantly boosted by her presence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shin |first=Rachel |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift is so important to the economy that she's in the latest Fed report |work=Fortune |url=https://fortune.com/2023/07/14/taylor-swift-eras-tour-local-economy-boom-fed-report/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230715021052/https://fortune.com/2023/07/14/taylor-swift-eras-tour-local-economy-boom-fed-report/ |archive-date=July 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |date=July 18, 2023 |title=The Federal Reserve says Taylor Swift's Eras Tour boosted the economy. One market research firm estimates she could add $5 billion |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-boosted-economy-tourism-federal-reserve-how-much-money-made/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |work=CBS News}}</ref> Besides the Fed, various state and local authorities have credited Swift with increasing demand for their tourism and hospitality industries,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wile |first=Rob |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Federal Reserve credits Taylor Swift with boosting hotel revenues through her blockbuster Eras Tour |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/taylor-swift-federal-reserve-credits-eras-tour-boosting-hotels-tourism-rcna94046 |access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Petrillo |first=Lisa |date=October 17, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to bring excitement, economic boost to South Florida |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-to-bring-excitement-economic-boost-to-south-florida/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |work=CBS News Miami}}</ref> despite the slow recovery following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Kate |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift is boosting the economy with her Eras Tour, Federal Reserve says |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2023/07/14/federal-reserve-taylor-swift-eras-tour-boosting-economy-hotels/70413533007/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241019182635/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2023/07/14/federal-reserve-taylor-swift-eras-tour-boosting-economy-hotels/70413533007/ |archive-date=October 19, 2024 |access-date=October 19, 2024 |work=USA Today}}</ref> During the early 2020s, a number of American universities offered courses pertaining to Taylor Swift, her music, and her cultural impact.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Attridge |first=Margaret |date=June 25, 2024 |title=You Can Study Taylor Swift at These Colleges |url=https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/these-colleges-have-taylor-swift-classes/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |work=Best Colleges}}</ref> Taylor Swift is also seen as a positive role model for young people on [[prosocial behavior]] and on dealing with [[Body image|body-image]] issues and unrealistic cultural expectations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hammond |first1=Alison B. |last2=Johnson |first2=Sara K. |last3=Weiner |first3=Michelle B. |last4=Lerner |first4=Jacqueline V. |date=March 16, 2022 |title=From Taylor Swift to MLK: Understanding adolescents' famous character role models |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03057240.2022.2041409 |journal=Journal of Moral Education |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=157–175 |doi=10.1080/03057240.2022.2041409|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pope |first1=Lizzy |last2=Rose |first2=Kelsey L. |date=August 2024 |title="It's All Just F*cking Impossible:" The influence of Taylor Swift on fans' body image, disordered eating, and rejection of diet culture |journal=Social Science & Medicine |volume=355 |issue=117100 |article-number=117100 |doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117100|doi-access=free |pmid=39094218 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|1960s|1990s|2010s|Film|Pop music|Society}}
* [[Celebrity worship syndrome]]
* [[Junior idol]]
* [[K-Pop idol]]
* [[Korean Wave]]
* [[Matinee idol]]
* [[MTV Generation]]
* [[Pin-up]]
* [[Sex symbol]]
* [[Teen pop]]
* [[Youth culture]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Book sources==
* {{Cite book |last=Heller|first=Steven|author-link=Steven Heller (design writer)|title=Teenage Confidential: An Illustrated History of the American Teen|publisher=[[Chronicle Books]]|year=1998|isbn=978-0-8118-1584-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Straubhaar|first=Joseph|title=Communications Media in the Information Society|publisher= [[Wadsworth Publishing Company]]|year=1997|isbn=978-0-534-52128-8}}

[[Category:Teen idols| ]]
[[Category:Adolescence]]
[[Category:Celebrity]]
[[Category:Youth culture]]