’90s magazine covers we will never, ever get over

Remember in the ’90s, way back before constant Internet, when most of our pop reading happened in magazines? And remember when those magazines landed our favorite musicians and movie stars on their covers, and it was basically the best thing to happen to us all week or month, and we’d count down the days until the issue with JTT or Winona Ryder went on sale?

Some of those magazine covers meant SO much to us that we could never possibly forget them. Not only because of the real-life celebrity stories behind the covers, but also because our walls were probably covered in said covers. We loved our magazines, and our magazines loved us. It was a beautiful time.

So. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable magazine covers of the ’90s, because we’re feeling nostalgic, and we want you to feel nostalgic with us.

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love on the cover of Sassy 

Sassy was arguably the greatest teen magazine ever to have lived. The April 1992 issue featured the king and queen of grunge love. The magazine scored Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love at the height of their careers (a cover that Rolling Stone couldn’t even land), just seven months after Nirvana’s Nevermind was released. RIP Sassy. RIP Kurt Cobain.

Michael Jackson and Madonna on the cover of People 

Madonna and Michael Jackson attended the Oscars together, and the world went crazy. And the April 1991 issue of People made sure we knew about it. Were they lovers? Was it a date? Was it the best thing to ever happen to pop music fans? No. No. And yes. It was a publicity stunt between two friends, and it was amazing.

Janet Jackson on the cover of Rolling Stone 

For the September 1993 cover of Rolling Stone, we got Janet Jackson and her boobs. BOOBS. On a magazine cover that wasn’t Playboy! It certainly brought a lot of attention to Janet, Jackson’s first album on her new label. Controversial? Sure. Iconic? Absolutely.

Tupac Shakur on the cover of Vibe

I think it’s pretty clear what was happening during the time of the November 1996 issue of Vibe. The music community suffered one of its greatest losses, sadly it was just the beginning of too many genius lives cut short.

Hanson on the cover of Smash Hits

The October 1997 issue of Smash Hits featured our favorite brothers — the brothers who we kinda, sorta, initially thought were sisters. The three Hanson boys really captured our hearts (and our magazine covers) with their massive hit, “MMMBop.” Ba du bop, ba duba dop.

Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair

In August 1991, Demi Mooreprobably had no idea that her cover of Vanity Fair would be the inspiration for so many other celebrity nude pregnancy shots just like this one. The cover caused a huge controversy for its “offensive” image, but ultimately helped launch Moore’s extremely successful career and taught people that there’s nothing offensive about a woman’s pregnant body.

Ellen Degeneres on the cover of TIME

Yep, she’s gay. In April of 1997, most gay celebrities didn’t talk about their sexuality, because it could have been detrimental to their careers. For Ellen, at the time, it was. Her sitcom, Ellen, was canceled, but her career was just beginning. She opened the door for gay people all over the world to feel unashamed of who they are. Thanks, Ellen.

Jennifer Aniston on the cover of Rolling Stone

This March 1996 issue defines our YA existence, because Jennifer Aniston’s hair and career 100% sum up the ’90s.

Macaulay Culkin on the cover of Disney Adventures

Obviously we couldn’t leave out this September 1991 issue of Disney Adventures. Dentist and doctor offices would have been unbearable without the mag. In 1991, Macaulay Culkin was the biggest movie star on the planet (under the age of 12), and we were his biggest fans.

How’s that for a walk down memory lane?

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