By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
May 25, 2000
Like, ohmigod. The June/July issue of Teen People is too rad for words … if you’re a teenager in love with ‘N Sync’s Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears’ wannabe Mandy Moore or, heck, Spears herself.
The magazine’s cover story boasts “the 25 hottest stars under 25,” which excludes the geriatric set, such as 26-year-old Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees (whose teenage girlfriend Jessica Simpson made the cut).
And if you want to get technical, not all of the stars are under 25. Some are downright 25 (Enrique Iglesias, Drew Barrymore, the Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell, Juvenile).
Heck. Even teen idols grow old. And the age cap was upped from last year’s “the 21 hottest stars under 21” to accomodate them.
In 2001, the magazine may have to institute a hall of fame for folks like Drew Barrymore (who’ll be 26), according to managing editor Christina Ferrari. (No, not that Christina Ferrari.)
This issue is the 2-1/2 year old magazine’s version of People’s “most beautiful” or “sexiest man alive” issue.
“We don’t want to do a `most beautiful’ issue ’cause that gives the wrong message to our readers,” says Ferrari. “We want to send the message that we’re all beautiful and it doesn’t really matter what we look like on the outside.”
But hot does seem to imply the same thing.
“I think hot is a combination of many things,” she says. “Beauty certainly factors into it, but sex appeal, talent and personality are more important. Also, all of the people on our list are really good role models.”
Even Sisqo, whose “Thong Song” celebrates the merits of that undergarment?
“Yes,” Ferrari says, laughing. “He is actually a very smart guy. And Justin started a foundation for music in schools.”
The young stars were selected six months ago by a panel of Teen People editors, who also took into consideration what projects these hotties would have out this summer.
“It’s about timing,” she says. “98 Degrees don’t have an album out so they’re not in it. We wanted to feature celebs that all the teens would be talking about.”
Teen People’s 25 Hottest Stars Under 25:
‘N Sync members
Justin Timberlake, 19
Lance Bass, 21
JC Chasez, 23
Backstreet Boys members
Brian Littrell, 25
Boy bands that aren’t ‘N Sync or the Backstreet Boys
Hanson (14 to 19)
Rich Cronin of (LFO), 23
Britney Spears wannabes
Mandy Moore, 16
Britney Spears, 18
Jessica Simpson, 19
Christina Aguilera, 19
Singers
Charlotte Church, 14
Pink, 20
Mya, 20
Eve, 21
Sisqo, 24
Enrique Iglesias, 25
Juvenile, 25
Actors
The cast of “That ’70s Show” (16 to 24)
Carly Pope (“Popular”), 19
Jason Biggs (“American Pie”), 21
Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”), 21
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 21
Brendan Fehr (“Roswell”), 22
Freddie Prinze Jr., 24
Drew Barrymore, 25
Chicago’s Under 25:
Chris Klein. 21. Born and raised in Hinsdale, Klein romanced Leelee Sobieski in “Here on Earth” and played a clueless heartthrob in “Election.” Currently working with Heather Graham on the Farrelly brothers’ “Say It Isn’t So,” the actor (who looks like Keanu Reeves’ baby brother) in real life is wooing “Dawson’s Creek” cutie Katie Holmes (who’s also under 25).
Jonathan Hoenig. 24. The Glencoe native gained early fame with his “Capitalist Pig” radio show on Northwestern University’s WNUR-FM (89.3) before moving onto WLUP-AM (1000). He now contributes market commentaries on WFLD-Channel 32. Hoenig left Northwestern in 1998, before graduating, to start trading bonds and soybeans on the Chicago Board of Trade as a “local” (independent). “One reason I started trading is simply because, growing up in Chicago, I always wanted to be on the floor. Floors will be gone in couple of years (replaced by computer technology). I thought I’d put school on hold for a while and have that experience and prove to myself I could succeed on the floor, and have a real Chicago experience. I’ll trade on the floor until that dries up.”
Rachel Barton. 25. The classical violinist won nearly $30 million over a 1995 accident in which her violin case strap got caught in a train door, leading her to get caught, too, and causing the loss of her left leg and the maiming of the other. Until the accident, Barton’s talent was taking her on a trajectory that augured good things to come. She was making a name for herself in all the right places, especially on the European front. By age 19 she had won first prize in the J.S. Bach International Violin Competition, the first American and youngest performer to do so. When she’s not touring or practicing, Barton likes to listen to music of a different kind: heavy metal. Loud.
Talk about missing in action.
Sure, you’ve got your Britneys, Christinas and Justins covered in Teen People’s hot issue. But where are Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes of “Dawson’s Creek”? Natalie Portman anyone? Or how about Claire Danes?
Cast your vote for your favorite stars under 25 who aren’t featured. Write or e-mail us (showcase@suntimes.com). We’ll post the results next week:
Anna Paquin • Brandy • Claire Danes • Elijah Woods • Joshua Jackson • Katie Holmes • LeAnne Rimes • Michelle Williams • Monica • Natalie Portman • other
Wanna know what Sisqo of “Thong Song” fame did for a living before striking it big in the music world?
Then tune into “25 Under 25,” which will air at 7 p.m. Friday on WLS-Channel 7.
The hour-long special will feature interviews with all 25 of the hot young celebrities showcased in this year’s hot issue of Teen People.
Hosted by ‘N Sync hottie Justin Timberlake–who ad libbed most of the material and danced and sang–the program will feature his former Mickey Mouse Club castmate Christina Aguilera singing from (where else?) Walt Disney World. Pint-size diva Jessica Simpson will talk to fans from a tranquil beach.
The show will also reveal who the hottest star of them all is, as voted by fans online.
Timberlake, last year’s winner, has a good chance of winning the honors again this year–especially if fans haven’t caught his new hair don’t: corn rows.
