Many boy bands have come and gone, but a lot of them left a mark on our hearts, our minds, the margins of our notebooks during study hall, and, of course, the VMAs.
There’s no doubt this year’s only headlining boy band, 5 Seconds Of Summer, will do the same — just don’t call them a boy band, OK?
Related: 33 VMA Photos That’ll Make You Miss “TRL” More Than Ever
From memorable performances to questionable red carpet attire, these pop groups have consistently stood out above the rest of their peers — though unfortunately, not always for the right reasons. I’m looking at you, Justin Timberlake’s turtleneck. And ramen curls.
Before the 2014 VMAs kick off on Sunday, let’s take a trip down memory lane with a look back at some of the best boy band moments in VMA history.
New Edition, 1990: Sparkle, Neely! Sparkle!
Color Me Badd, 1991: Yes, these outfits were all “Badd.”
Boyz II Men, 1994: Please tell me they harmonized their way down the red carpet.
Backstreet Boys, 1998: First time at the VMAs, and we put Brian Littrell to work.
Hanson, 1998: Is there a more iconic visual of the year 1998 than Hanson presenting an award with Sarah Michelle Gellar?
Backstreet Boys, 1999: It’s not a coincidence that “The Matrix” came out this same year.
*NSYNC, 1999: *NSYNC and Britney Spears? Like, “Hit Me Baby One More Time” ’cause this performance was “Tearin’ Up My Heart.”
Backstreet Boys, 1999: Brian is thanking the higher powers above that he did not wear AJ’s pants.
2gether, 2000: Quick math lesson: U + Me = Us… It’s Calculus.
*NSYNC, 2000: *NSYNC walked home with three Moonmen that year. Sadly not one went to Justin’s turtleneck.
*NSYNC, 2000: Then they were all like, “Bye, Bye, Bye.”
98 Degrees, 2000: SO. MUCH. SPARKLE.
O-Town, 2001: Ashley Parker Angel, doesn’t this make you want to rejoin the group?!
112, 2001: The bad boys of boy bands.
*NSYNC with Michael Jackson, 2001: Dirty “Pop” with the King of Pop.
BBMak, 2002: Miss you, want you, need you so!
Jonas Brothers, 2008: I never thought that I’d get this “Love Bug” again… And I won’t, because you broke up and broke my heart.
The Wanted, 2012: 50 Shades of the Wanted.
One Direction, 2012: One Direction performed “One Thing,” and everyone fell in love all over again.
*NSYNC, 2013: It was only the best reunion of all time and arguably the greatest boy band moment in VMA history.
It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards! Vote now and tune in Sunday, August 24, at 9/8c ET to see who wins at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Plus, get the latest updates from all your favorite VMA artists on the MTV Artists App.
Christina Garibaldi
Christina Garibaldi has been an on-camera reporter for MTV News since 2011. When not interviewing or writing about her favorite stars, she keeps herself busy with baby animal videos and boy bands.
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