Popstars the rivals! How 2024 has seen a surge in pop girlies dominating the charts - with Charli XCX bringing in British indie sleaze while Barbie-like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo divide the American camps

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From 'brat girl summer' to being in various 'eras' of our lives and proclaiming that 'that's that me espresso' at any mild inconvenience, it's undeniable that the pop charts have been dominating every part of our life (and vernacular) this past year.

With not only countless song releases and stage tours, kicking off with Olivia Rodrigo's GUTS tour in February and Sabrina Carpenter releasing the single of her Short n' Sweet album in the spring, it truly has been, as Vogue has declared, 'The Year of the Pop Girlie'.

However, within the powerhouse performers dominating the airwaves - there appear to be varying tribes at play.

On the one hand, the world - but the UK in particular - has been obsessed with Charli XCX's modern day twist on the Matty Healy-esque indie sleaze culture marked by debaucherous parties, smudged eyeliner and ladders on your tights.

It's clearly resonated with us Brits, as her song Guess, featuring fellow 'indie sleazer' Billie Eilish has become the first first chart-topper of 2024 by a UK act.

We have also loved her bestie Troye Sivan's latest hits, Rush and One of Your Girls, similarly emblematic of tunes that would encourage your friends to make bad decisions on a night out.

But across the pond, Americans face more Barbie-esque performers - complete with sky-high heels and faultless choreography - from stars including Taylor Swift, Tate McRae and Chappell Roan.

And even then, the performers draw in different crowds based on their focus on ballads, theatricality, lyrics or vocals.

It may be the year of the pop girlie indeed - but which one? 

Here, FEMAIL looks at the four camps inhabited by the chart-toppers of the season...

MATTY'S INDIE SLEAZERS

Matty Healy

Matty Healy and the 1975 are perhaps one of the best examples of how indie sleaze has been winning over fans since the 2010s.

The band's frontman's antics on stage can most certainly fall into a grungy 'sleaze' category, with the singer, 35, drinking, smoking, and even kissing fans on stage.

But despite the aesthetic being a throwback, Matty's aura is no less in demand today. 

Last year, he was going viral on TikTok for his salacious behaviour, with a newfound fandom asking who the grungy yet charismatic persona was.  

Matty Healy and the 1975 are perhaps one of the best examples of how indie sleaze has been winning over fans since the 2010s

Writing about Matty's band in a Medium blog, Sagnik Bhowmik offered: 'The 1975 seem to be the logical conclusion of indie sleaze - the band is based out of Manchester, birthplace of the Smiths, and get their name from the date that was scribbled onto a copy of On the Road that Healy owned.

'Their music, in turn, is all that you might conjure from the previous examples - intensely, annoyingly narcissistic, irredeemably retro, often sophisticated, with a gilstening pop sheen and a widescreen focus on all of life's problems: ageing, capitalism, contemporary society, romance, and the internet (but mostly the last two). An updated, less subtle version of Vampire Weekend, if you will.'

Even Taylor Swift appeared to poke fun at Matty's manufactured persona, with fans speculating that songs on her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, gently mocked his built up persona. 

And it's not just the 1975 and its main vocalist's behaviour - or their nostalgic hipster-pop songs - it's also Matty's style.

Speaking to Vogue in 2016, he explained: 'I always have my shirt off in this joking/not joking/joking frontman way.

'We decided no shirt was the best way to go—no shirt and leather trousers.

'If we're going for the garish rock star who's bought into his own self-constructed kind of mythology, then that's kind of the outfit.'

But despite years of controversy and falling in and out of favour with the public, it would seem Matty's hold over the indie sleazers camp is still strong, especially with his being engaged to It Girl Charli XCX's pal Gabbriette Bechtel.

The band's frontman's antics on stage can most certainly fall into a grungy 'sleaze' category, with the singer, 35, drinking, smoking, and kissing fans on stage

Last year, he was going viral on TikTok for his salacious behaviour, with a newfound fandom asking who the grungy yet charismatic persona was

But despite years of controversy and falling in and out of favour with the public, it would seem Matty's hold over the indie sleazers camp is still strong, especially with his being engaged to Charli XCX's pal Gabbriette Bechtel (pictured)

Last month, the model, 26, posed for a stunning new shoot with British Vogue, and opened up on her relationship and having kids with the singer. 

Speaking to the publication, she gushed: 'I love being in love,' after hanging up the phone to her fiancé.  

She added: 'When I thought that I was in love before it was just me being a person of service to somebody else.'

Vogue reported that the couple are preparing to move into their new Hollywood Hills home, where Gabbriette one day hopes to have a family. 

She said: 'When I have kids, it's going to be: dinner every night – no phones – to celebrate the smaller things and recognise people's happiness.'

Hinting at how her and Matty first connected, when answering what her advice to anyone still looking for love is, she replied: 'Answer all your DMs and listen to your closest friends.

'When they like somebody, you should listen to them.' 

Charli XCX 

Following the release of her sixth studio album, brat, singer-songwriter Charli XCX, 31, from Essex, has made Gen Z do a 180 on the once-fashionable clean girl aesthetic - and became one of the strongest catalysts behind the indie sleaze resurgence.

But there's more to the star than her music, it's her brat aesthetic, characterised by her air of recklessness, eccentric behaviour, and risqué attitudes - traits that her brat friends, Julia Fox and Gabbriette Bechtel, also possess.

Now, Gen Z want to follow in their footsteps and adopt brat behaviours, meaning the trend is on every corner of social media, with over five million Gen Zers taking to TikTok to share snippets of their brat girl summer.

Following the release of her sixth studio album, brat, singer-songwriter Charli XCX, 31, from Essex, has made Gen Z do a 180 on the once-fashionable clean girl aesthetic - and became one of the strongest catalysts behind the indie sleaze resurgence

But there's more to the star than her music, it's her brat aesthetic, characterised by her air of recklessness, eccentric behaviour, and risqué attitudes - traits that her brat friends, Julia Fox and Gabbriette Bechtel, also possess

Brats are edgy, or in the words of Charli XCX during a BBC interview, they are: 'Trashy. Just like a pack of cigs and, like, a Bic lighter. And, like, a strappy white top. With no bra. That's, like, kind of all you need.'

The album, released in June, received universal acclaim, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart, as well as reaching the top ten in multiple other countries, including America.

The 15-song album encompassed various trademark features - from its slime green colour theme to its title - brat - all being in lowercases.

In a matter of days, Charli XCX spearheaded a new movement, with slime green flags waving in the crowds of Glastonbury declaring the start of brat girl summer.

Her hit track 365, with over 25 million streams on Spotify, encapsulates brat-like behaviours, with the lyrics reading: 'No I never go home, don't sleep, don't eat, just do it on repeat, when I'm in the club, I'm a 3-6-5 party girl'.

Billie Eilish 

Packing a more American twist on indie sleaze, in comes Billie Eilish - who in May released her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, in digital, CD, vinyl, and cassette formats with no preceding singles.

'Dude 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' my third album is f***ing out now I don't even know what to say!' the 22-year-old pop star exclaimed.

'[My brother] @finneas and I put so much into this album and have never ever, ever loved something more. We hope you enjoy it so much and I'll see you on the other side. Eeeek HMHAS out now everywhere love you all to death!'

In May, Billie released her third studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft in digital, CD, vinyl, and cassette formats with no preceding singles

Billie even got 'Hard & Soft' tattooed on her hip as far back as December in honor of the record, which features 10 tracks with titles like Skinny, Lunch, and The Greatest.

And while Billie's signature breathy vocals and melancholy melodies are still present throughout the work, fans were wowed by her more openly sexual and carefree lyrics in the tracks.

'I could eat that girl for lunch, she dances on my tongue,' the pop star sings in the song Lunch. 'Tastes like she might be the one/ And I could never get enough/ I could buy her so much stuff/ It's a craving, not a crush.' 

The hitmaker previously said the song was 'part of what helped her' realize that she's 'been in love with girls her whole life.'

In another part, she continues, 'Now she's coming up the stairs / So I'm pullin' up a chair / and I'm putting up my hair.'

While Billie has aesthetically opted for a 90s vibe over a 2010s indie sleaze one, she has, while collaborating with Charli XCX on Guess certainly leaned into the chaotic tongue-in-cheek that comes with the movement.

The English singer, 31, and the Ocean Eyes hitmaker, 22, released the highly-anticipated music video for the remix earlier this month.

The video features a lingerie-filled house party, with Billie making a dramatic entrance as she crashes in on a tractor.

While Billie has aesthetically opted for a 90s vibe over a 2010s indie sleaze one, she has, while collaborating with Charli XCX on Guess certainly leaned into the chaotic tongue-in-cheek that comes with the movement

The duo's playful chemistry and provocative lyrics have sent fans into a frenzy, with Billie — who's previously discussed her 'queer identity' — declaring at one point, 'Charli likes boys but she knows I'd hit it.'

The music video made a positive impact, as all the bras and panties used in it — which looks to be hundreds — were donated to I Support the Girls, a charity supporting homeless women.  

The clip starts out with Charli wearing a short white skirt, a t-shirt and knee-high black boots, as she walks into a dimly lit room with bottles strewn on the floor.

She beings to sing the cheeky lyrics: 'You wanna guess the color of my underwear/ You wanna know what I got going on down there/ Is it pretty in pink or all see-through?/ Is it showing off my brand new lower back tattoo?'

The room then suddenly fills with people, as they all begin dancing and showing off their bras and underwear.

And while Billie's signature breathy vocals and melancholy melodies are still present throughout the album, fans were wowed by her more openly sexual and carefree lyrics in the tracks

Billie then crashes through the wall on a tractor, sporting an oversized t-shirt and jeans.

She playfully sings her suggestive verse: 'Don't have to guess the color of your underwear/ Already know what you've got goin' on down there/ It's that lacy black pair with the little bows.'

'The ones I picked out for you in Tokyo/ Saw them when you sat down, they were peekin' out/ I'm gonna tell you right now, they're all I'm thinkin' about.'

She then joins forces with Charli as they climb up a mountain of lingerie.  

She keeps the playfulness going with the chorus, singing, 'I wanna try it, bite it, lick it, spit it/ Pull it to the side and get all up in it Kiss it, bite it, can I fit it?/ Charli likes boys, but she knows I'd hit it.' 

'Charli, call me if you're with it,' she adds at the end. 

The duo continue rolling around in underwear and dancing, with Billie holding a number of bras in her hand at some point, before the clip comes to and end.

Troye Sivan 

Yet another pal of Charli's, Troye has been putting a modern and more saucy twist on the old-school indie sleaze aesthetic that leaned heavily into grunge.

The Australian performer has more focused on the party vibes of the movement, often characterised by his sultry X-rated performances.

He has been dividing the internet with his racy on-stage antics during his recent tour.

Yet another pal of Charli's, Troye has been putting a modern twist on the old-school indie sleaze aesthetic that leaned heavily into grunge

The Australian performer has more focused on the party aesthetic of the movement, often characterised by sultry X-rated performances

In a choreography to Got Me Started, the 28-year-old kneeled to the floor while one of his dancers held the microphone in an X-rated position.

What's more, many fans of the singer will remember Troye as being part of the quintessential 2014-Tumblr era that goes in hand in hand with indie sleaze beginnings.

When he was a YouTuber, Troye's melancholy music covers, artistic Instagram photos and preppy-yet-distressed fashion was the very definition of what the movement meant.

So it's perhaps no wonder that he's evolved the aesthetic and grown with it into his current music.

Speaking to TIME about his YouTube days last year, Troye reflected: 'It almost feels like my high school experience. I made my first video when I was 12 and then kept doing it until I was 18 or 19.

'We were maybe the second wave of YouTubers and we would all go to VidCons, traveling the world, doing meet and greets.

'I met all these great friends and it was a really special time. It was never a conscious decision to make the switch to music because music has been in my life since the day I was born—that felt very genuine to me. I look back at that time fondly, with maybe a bit of embarrassment, the way you'd feel looking at a picture of you when you were 15.'

TAYLOR'S POP PRINCESSES

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is perhaps bigger than a pop princess - but is definitely music royalty, after this year officially reaching billionaire status - 17 years into her illustrious career as the biggest superstar. 

In April, Forbes released their 2024 billionaire list and Taylor climbed to fourteenth place with a $1.1billion fortune.

The singer, who is the most famous newcomer on the list, amassed an estimated $1.1 billion fortune, based on earnings from her blockbuster Eras tour, the value of her music catalog and her real estate portfolio.

Taylor Swift is perhaps bigger than a pop princess - but is definitely music royalty, after this year officially reaching billionaire status - 17 years into her illustrious career as the biggest superstar

This is on top of huge earnings from her first six albums, which she re-recorded as she negotiating with streaming platforms how her music is monetized.

The accomplishment is particularly monumental as she is among a small few who've achieved the milestone 'through music and performing alone.'

Taylor's Eras Tour is the first tour to cross the $1 billion mark, according to Pollstar’s 2023 year-end charts.

Not only was her landmark Eras Tour the number one tour both worldwide and in North America, but she also brought in a whopping $1.04 billion (£831.6 million) with 4.35 million tickets sold across 60 tour dates, the concert trade publication found.

Pollstar data is pulled from box office reports, venue capacity estimates, historical Pollstar venue ticket sales data and other undefined research, collected from November 17, 2022 to November 15, 2023.

Representatives for the publication did not immediately clarify if they adjusted past tour data to match 2023 inflation in naming Taylor the first to break the billion-dollar threshold.

Her tour kicked off in March in Arizona - and has been wowing delighted fans with her sleek choreography, non-stop energy and flashy, glitzy outfits.

Pollstar also found that Taylor brought in approximately $200 million (£159.8 million) in merch sales.

And her blockbuster film adaptation of the tour, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, has reportedly earned approximately $250 million (£199 million) in sales.

That makes it the highest-grossing concert film of all time.

According to their estimates, Pollstar predicts a big 2024 for Taylor as well.

In April, Forbes released their 2024 billionaire list and Taylor climbed to fourteenth place with a $1.1billion fortune

The magazine projects the Eras Tour will once again reach $1 billion (£799 million) within their eligibility window.

That means Taylor is likely to bring in more than $2 billion (£1.5 billion) over the span of the tour.

Worldwide, her tour was followed by Beyonce in second, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in third, Coldplay in fourth, Harry Styles in fifth, followed by Morgan Wallen, Ed Sheeran, Pink, The Weeknd and Drake.

In North America, there was a similar top 10: Taylor, followed by Beyonce, Morgan Wallen, Drake, P!nk, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Ed Sheeran, George Strait, Karol G and RBD.

Beyond Taylor, 2023 was a landmark year for concert sales: worldwide, the top 100 tours of the year saw a 46% jump from last year, bringing in $9.17 billion (£7.31 billion) compared with 2022’s $6.28 billion (£5.06 billion).

Earlier this year, Taylor was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.

And while one could argue that Taylor is a genre-bender, who has also experimented with folk and acoustic sounds, few can deny that the performance resilience of her choreographed three hour Eras show is anything short of pure popstar material

Apple Music had also recently named her its artist of the year; Spotify revealed she was 2023’s most-streamed artist globally, raking in more than 26.1 billion streams since January 1 and beating Bad Bunny’s three-year record.

Consider 2023 a year of incredible pop music dominance — (Taylor’s Version).

And while one could argue that Taylor is a genre-bender, who has also experimented with folk and acoustic sounds, few can deny that the performance resilience of her choreographed three hour Eras show is nothing short of pure popstar material. 

Sabrina Carpenter

As she was one of the opening acts of the Eras tour, few will be surprised to see Sabrina Carpenter, 25, being dubbed Taylor's 'mini me'. 

Earlier this month, she was in a celebratory mood as she reacted to her smash hit, Espresso, reaching a billion streams on Spotify.

The hitmaker shared a story announcing that the single had reached the 'billions club' to her Instagram last week.

As she was one of the opening acts of the Eras tour, few will be surprised to see Sabrina Carpenter, 25, being dubbed Taylor's 'mini me'

'Holy s**t!!! Thank you for streaming,' the star — whose fans slammed her 2025 tour ticket prices as 'scandalous and appalling' — wrote, adding a heart emoji.

The catchy pop song was released in April 2024 as the lead single from her upcoming album Short n' Sweet.

The song, and its music video, directed by Dave Meyers, quickly gained global popularity, with the chart-topper reaching number one on the Billboard Global 200, making it her first number-one single.

In the United States, Espresso peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Espresso is an anthem about feeling confident and irresistible, with the star comparing herself to coffee and suggesting that she's so stimulating she keeps people up at night thinking about her. 

'Now he's thinkin' bout me Every night, oh/ Is it that sweet? I guess so/ Say you can't sleep, baby, I know/ That's that me espresso,' Sabrina sings. 

The energetic music video features her and a male lead star in captivating scenes set against a beach backdrop. 

Espresso was written by Sabrina, along with Amy Allen, Steph Jones, and Julian Bunetta. 

As well as her undeniably powerful live vocals, Sabrina always wows fans with her on stage presence, and pop princess-worthy outfits

She also has another chart-topper under her belt - Please Please Please, which became her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The song is her second single from her upcoming sixth album, Short n' Sweet. 

The record is set to be released on August 23.

Her previous five studio albums are: Eyes Wide Open (2015), Evolution (2016), Singular: Act I (2018), Singular: Act II (2019), and Emails I Can't Send (2022). 

As well as her undeniably powerful live vocals, Sabrina always wows fans with her on stage presence, and pop princess-worthy outfits.

Just this weekend, she put on a dazzling display in an eye-catching ensemble as she took to the stage during the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco on Saturday.

The Espresso songstress stunned as she belted out lyrics amidst the festivities which were held at the Golden Gate Park.

Sabrina pictured performing onstage during KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One 

The performer flaunted her figure while donning a fitted, black bodysuit that clung to her frame and was made of a glittering material that sparkled under the bright lights.

She additionally slipped into a pair of over-the-knee, fishnet socks with a lace trim as well as a pair of closed-toed, black pumps.

Tasseled details could be seen on the sides of her outfit as Sabrina moved about on the stage while singing for fans.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto her forehead. 

Sabrina - who launched her own Erewhon smoothie - opted for minimal accessories for her look to be the main focal point, and added a pair of mini rhinestone earrings as well as a chunky ring on her left hand. 

The star's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes. 

A warm blush was added to better accentuate her cheekbones, while a nude-colored, satin tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. 

The singer flashed a cheerful smile while on stage, and easily held a bejeweled microphone in her hand during the set at the festival - which comes to an end on Sunday, August 11. 

Gracie Abrams

At 24, Gracie Abrams - daughter of hit director JJ Abrams, has already had a career high most people can only dream of - recording a song with Taylor Swift.

She offers  a more subdued - but equally polished - take on a pop princess that's more focused on lyrics, melancholy tones and heartfelt reflections. 

Last month, she announced that she is set to hit the road around the UK and Europe for her The Secret Of Us tour. 

The Grammy-nominated singer will take to the stage in an 18-date run. She will be kicking off her shows in Madrid on February 9 before heading to other European cities including Lisbon, Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg.

The star, who recently opened the Eras Tour, will then perform in the UK cities; Nottingham, London, Manchester, Cardiff and Dublin before wrapping in Glasgow.

She has also been romantically linked to Hollywood's latest hit star, Paul Mescal - with the pair being spotted shopping in Mayfair over the summer.

The Grammy-nominated singer will take to the stage in an 18-date run. She will be kicking off her shows in Madrid on February 9 before heading to other European cities including Lisbon, Amsterdam, Berli n and Hamburg. Pictured in June

Gracie is the daughter of Star Wars filmmaker legend JJ Abrams - while her mother is producer Katie McGrath.

After being put into the 'nepo baby ' category Gracie was quick to acknowledge earlier this year how lucky she is and to explain that her parents are kept far away from her music career.

In an interview with iHeart Radio, she said, 'There's a privilege in having even grown up around the knowledge of what the entertainment world looks like at all...

'But I definitely kept them so far out of it. 

'Songwriting, for me, was always just a personal outlet to deal with my experiences without having to talk to anyone, especially my parents for many years.'

Jeffrey is an American filmmaker and composer best known for his works in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction.

Last month, she announced that she is set to hit the road around the UK and Europe for her The Secret Of Us tour

Abrams wrote and produced such films as Regarding Henry (1991), Forever Young (1992), Armageddon (1998), Cloverfield (2008), Star Trek (2009), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). 

Abrams' films have grossed over $4 billion worldwide, making him the eighth-highest-grossing film director of all time. 

Reviewing Gracie's latest album, Rolling Stone wrote: 'The folky-pop LP is a proper showcase of Abrams’ songwriting, sharpening up some of the clichés and adolescent metaphors from her debut.

'The songs are a complex picture of a relationship gone sour, full of heartbreak songs that capture the messiness of dating in your early twenties.'

And NME, giving it four stars out of five, penned: 'On her second album "The Secret of Us", there's a new intimacy.

'Here Abrams is crying on the dancefloor and sharing her inner thoughts with her closest pals in the smoking area. But she isn’t shrinking her sound.'

OLIVIA'S BALLAD ROCKSTARS 

Olivia Rodrigo 

Olivia Rodrigo has become a global sensation since releasing her hit driver's licence in 2021. 

She has since gone on to inspire millions with her heart-wrenching songs, confessional-style lyrics and theatrical performances.

But unlike the catchy pop tunes or lyrical hooks many pop princesses operate in, Olivia's camp specialises in music that makes you want to scream out loud.

Olivia Rodrigo has become a global sensation since releasing her hit driver's licence in 2021. She has since gone on to inspire millions with her heart-wrenching songs, confessional style lyrics and theatrical performances

Evocative of 80s icons like Madonna, Bon Jovi and Cher, Olivia has both the booming voice, devastating heartbreak lyrics and glitzy outfits to stage-defying choreography.

In February, she kicked off her 77-date Guts World Tour at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, CA while perched atop a crescent moon.

The celestial moment happened as the Cali-born pop star - who turned 21 this year - sang Logical and Enough for You while floating through the 11,000-capacity venue.

'I'm so happy to be in Palm Springs. I've never played here before. But I grew up in Temecula, which is not too far,' Olivia told the audience.

'So um there's sort of a Riverside karmic system. Did anyone go to my last tour, my Sour Tour? That's so cool. Well it's nice to see you guys again. Y'all look prettier than I remember. Is it anybody's first concert in the house? Really, that's so cool. Thanks for spending it with me.'

Olivia wore the same black Alex Perry bra-top and high-waisted shorts beneath a fishnet mini-dress to perform her track Happier while seated onstage with a guitarist.

The three-time Grammy winner - who performed zero cover songs - also sang her tracks Jealousy, Jealously and Lacy wearing the fishnet frock. 

In February, she kicked off her 77-date Guts World Tour at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, CA while perched atop a crescent moon

One major difference between the Sour Tour and this tour in support of her second studio album was Olivia hired eight back-up dancers to perform alongside her.

She performed her tracks Love is Embarrassing and Pretty Isn't Pretty with the fleet of professional hoofers.

The star began her concert wearing a silver sparkly bra-top and matching mini-skirt selected by styling duo Chloe & Chenelle Delgadillo.

Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins gave a bit of wave to Olivia's signature waist-length natural mane and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez applied her bedazzled eyes and bright red pout.

She wore the eye-catching costume to perform her tracks Vampire, Traitor, and Bad Idea, Right?

The self-described 'Spicy Pisces' later showcased her prowess on the piano while belting her tracks Teenage Dream and Drivers License.

Olivia also got to show off her skills on the electric guitar during her 95-minute inaugural show.

Olivia - who's dating Argylle actor Louis Partridge - then donned a red-sequin halter romper to perform Brutal and bonus track Obsessed. 

According to Rolling Stone, the former Disney Channel star replaced the sanitized line 'perfect all-American hips' to 'perfect all-American t**s' while running her hands over her breasts during All-American Bi***.

For the encore, Olivia emerged clutching a bright red megaphone while clad in a white 'Just a Girl' tank top as a tribute to No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani.

Her finals songs of the night were Get Him Back and Good 4 U as star-shaped confetti rained down on the roaring crowd.

In 2022, Olivia celebrated her fame launching song Driver's License on its first anniversary, with a video taken just days after writing it.

Additionally Olivia snagged a whopping seven nominations at the 2022 Grammys — including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Solo Pop performance for Driver's License

The 18-year-old superstar wished a happy birthday 'to the little song that changed my whole life,' with unseen footage of her singing her debut single at home — before she became a household name. 

'I made this video a day or two after I wrote drivers license in my living room (with a very squeaky sustain pedal lol). crazy to think how quickly life changes.'

Driver's License was released on January 8, 2021 and minted the former Disney star as a superstar overnight. 

It broke Spotify's record twice for most daily streams ever for a non-holiday song within the week it was released, and also became the first song to hit 80 million streams in just seven days. 

Olivia had opened up about how the song came to be. Fresh from a breakup (rumoured to be from former High School Musical co-star Joshua Bassett) she sat down at her piano after shedding many tears. 

She took the first line: 'I got my driver's license last week' from her diary and also created the song with TikTok culture in mind.

'To see it do really well — to have this really painful moment in my life, and turn it into something beautiful that can maybe help people through a tough time that they're having, like I was having a tough time — it's just so empowering,' Olivia told Billboard after its release. 

The song won two MTV VMAs, and she herself won two New Artist of The Year awards at the American Music Awards and the People's Choice Awards. 

Additionally Olivia snagged a whopping seven nominations at the 2022 Grammys — including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Solo Pop performance for Driver's License.   

She celebrated her nods writing in excerpt: 'many dreams have come true for me this year but this one is probably the most meaningful.' 

Chappell Roan 

Chappell Roan's meteoric rise to fame is one of the top stories of the year in the music industry.

From playing Coachella, to rising up the charts, and even a viral interview and performance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon in June, the 26-year-old music artist's - born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz - name is seemingly everywhere.

Chappell - who gave herself the moniker 'your favorite artist's favorite artist' in the spirit of RuPaul's Drag Race season 15 winner Sasha Colby - has earned a staggering 68.36M streams to date.

Chappell Roan's meteoric rise to fame is one of the top stories of the year in the music industr. Pictured this month

In September 2023, the rising star  - who identifies as a lesbian - released her debut album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess which earned just 2.51million on-demand streams through January 4, 2024 in the US according Luminate via Billboard. 

However her profile expanded beginning with touring with Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS World Tour from February to April before releasing single Good Luck, Babe! and  performing at Coachella that same month.

Then in May and June her streams saw a massive jump as she performed at three festivals: Boston Calling in Boston, Governors Ball in New York, and Bonnaroo in Tennessee.

In June, Chappell's streams have reached more than 20 times greater than they did at the star of the year with her catalog earning a whopping 68.36 million streams in the week ending June 20 according to the site.

Her aforementioned debut album also did not chart on the Billboard 200 upon release back in September as it earned just 7,000 equivalent album units according to Luminate.

However after Chappell's run on Olivia Rodrigo's tour and the release of her single Good Luck, Babe! she finally debuted at No. 127 on April 6 with just over 9,000 equivalent album units.

However her profile expanded beginning with touring with Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS World Tour from February to April before releasing single Good Luck, Babe! and performing at Coachella that same month

And that was only the beginning as it continued rising on the charts before earning 46,000 equivalent album units in the week ending on June 20 for a grand total of 423,000 equivalent album units. 

Chappell has been dubbed 'Gen Z's Madonna' as fans have been won over by her powerhouse vocals, experimental costumes and theatrical performances.

The rising sensation has sparked comparisons with the 80s icon on social media, with many citing her bold fashion, retro ballads and fierce stage presence as emulating the 'Queen of Pop'. 

TikToker @waitingforthehook compared the singer's performance on Jimmy Fallon live with Madonna's MTV VMA performance of Like A Virgin in 1984, writing both had the 'same energy'.

From playing Coachella , to rising up the charts, and even a viral interview and performance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon in June, the 26-year-old music artist's - born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz - name is seemingly everywhere

'History repeats itself,' the caption added, as footage showed both women donned in eccentric all-white ensembles dominate the stage.

Elsewhere, sharing a carousel of the star's make-up looks, social media user @allthatglittersissour called Chappell 'the next Madonna'. 

The images harked back to the 80s icon - who, along with Cyndi Lauper - was renowned for her bold eyeshadow and bright lipstick. 

In another video, influencers Terry and Kaniyia - who react to vocalists - were blown away by their listening to Chappell's hit Good Luck, Babe!

Renee Rapp 

While less theatrical in her performances - choosing most often to dress in loose clothing or baggy 90s style ensembles - Renee has undeniably emerged as one of the powerhouse vocalists of her generation, and is no less dramatic when it comes to the stories told by her music.

The 24-year-old garnered fame as an actress in The Sex Lives of College Girls, the Mean Girls Broadway musical - and later, the movie adaptation of said musical.

Her theatre-trained vocals mean that she is able to deliver show-stopping vocals injected with emotion in tracks like Poison Poison and Tummy Hurts - which leave fans in tears.

While less theatrical in her performances - choosing most often to dress in loose clothing or baggy 90s style ensembles - Renee has undeniably emerged as one of the powerhouse vocalists of her generation

 Her debut album - Snow Angel - was released last year. 

In an interview with Women in Pop, she opened up into her writing process.

'It's always been lyrics for me,' she explained. 'Good lyrics bring a good melody, in my opinion. I grew up a theatre kid, so if you're feeling something, the melody is there. 

'I have a song ‘Too Well’, that does well, and people really like it, therefore, I like it. But I don't love it, because when I was writing it I was having a really tough time feeling what I was saying, it just wasn't an awesome experience.

'So for me, the melody comes from the lyrics, because a good lyric will create a good melody.'

RAYE

She once described herself a 'little girl from Croydon with a dream' - and at this year's Brit Awards, they all seemed to finally come true for Raye.

Despite facing challenges - including being sexually assaulted by a producer and turning to drugs to cope - the star's comeback has been nothing short of incredible.

Her jazzy voice and soothing vocals have sparked comparisons to ballad heartstring-pullers like Amy Winehouse as she has cemented herself as a voice of a generation.

She once described herself a 'little girl from Croydon with a dream' - and at this year's Brit Awards , they all seemed to finally come true for Raye

The singer-songwriter, 26, from South London, made Brit Award history when she scooped six accolades in one night - beating records set by Blur, Harry Styles and Adele. 

Raye, whose full name is Rachel Agatha Keen, won Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Act, Artist of the Year and Mastercard's Album of the Year.

For the final award, the star - who was forced to release her music independently after being restricted by a previous record label - was in floods of tears as she was joined by her grandmother on stage.

She said: 'You just don't understand what this means to me. I'm ugly crying on national television.

'All I ever wanted to be was an artist, and now I'm an artist with an album of the year. Thank you so much, this is too much - come on Grandma, let's go.'

Raye, whose full name is Rachel Agatha Keen, won Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Act, Artist of the Year and Mastercard's Album of the Year

As a teenager, Raye attended BRIT school for two years before then dropping out because she 'hated being told how to write a song'. 

When she was 17-year-old, the rising star was assaulted by a music producer - and revealed how she turned to alcohol and drugs to cope. 

Since then, Raye has appointed her father as her manager while she also works closely with her sister. 

In June 2021, Raye revealed that her record label, Polydor Records, had been withholding her debut album for several years - forcing her to then release her music independently. 

Despite her music's sudden surge in popularity, Raye told The Times she does her own makeup and hair while on tour

In January 2023, Raye's single 'Escapism' went to UK number one and became a huge hit on TikTok. The single now has been used in over 700,000 videos on the social media platform.

The star partnered up with TikTok for the launch of their #ElectronicMusic campaign in September and her single Call on Me was also named the platform's Song of the Summer in 2021.

Speaking to Cosmo Middle East, Raye explained how she never expected to gain such success on TikTok.

She said: 'I think my sister pointed it out [it was blowing up on TikTok]. I checked, and it had like 1000 videos made to the sound.

'I was like “oh that’s exciting!” and then the next day it was 2000 and it just kept doubling out of nowhere and I was like “wow!"

'It’s the kind of thing you can’t plan. You can’t be like “Okay I’m gonna have a viral hit”. You know, it just doesn’t work like that. I’m just grateful that TikTok was like “Yeah we like that. Let’s make so many videos to it”. I was very overwhelmed.'

Despite her music's sudden surge in popularity, Raye told The Times she does her own makeup and hair while on tour.

ADDISON'S Y2K BADDIES

Addison Rae

Addison - who was only a teenager when she found fame on TikTok with dance videos - has emerged as the fun, Britney Spears-esque voice American answer to the UK's indie sleaze scene.

While still maintaining the energetic pop and prowess that comes with being a pop princess, Addison's camp embodies a playfulness and carefree attitude that defined the pop girlies of the 2000s.

It's also more raunchy and sensual than their more clean-cut alternative. 

Addison recently dropped the music video for Diet Pepsi, in which she oozes sensuality as she writhes around in the passenger's seat of a car with a hunky man behind the wheel

Addison recently dropped the music video for Diet Pepsi, in which she oozes sensuality as she writhes around in the passenger's seat of a car with a hunky man behind the wheel.

She's seen wearing a different cone bra and tiny shorts as she throws herself at the young man — even sticking her whipped cream-covered toes in his mouth as he drives.

Later in the video, Addison gets out of the car and flaunts her curves in a tiny jeweled bra and panties in the street. 

She chugs a can of Pepsi, gawks at a banana split and wraps herself in an American flag as the video changes from black-and-white to color.

The Diet Pepsi video is earning high praise with the TikTok star's devout fanbase, with many comparing her style and sound to 11-time Grammy nominee Lana Del Rey.

Addison seemingly began teasing the track back in April by sharing a racy topless image lying on a lounge chair with two cans of Pepsi held strategically on her breasts.

Addison - who was only a teenager when she found fame on TikTok with dance videos - has emerged as the fun, Britney Spears-esque voice American answer to the UK's indie sleaze scene

While still maintaining the energetic pop and prowess that comes with being a pop princess, Addison's camp embodies a playfulness and carefree attitude that defined the pop girlies of the 2000s

Referencing Lana Del Rey's 2012 song Cola — in which she provocatively sings, 'My p***y tastes like Pepsi cola' — Addison captioned the picture, 'I love Lana.'

Earlier this week, she uploaded two teaser clips for the Diet Pepsi music video — which earned an excited reply from fellow pop star Charli XCX.

The star first entered the music space with the release of her song Obsessed, which came out on March 18, 2021.

Her debut album, simply titled AR, was released on August 18, 2023.

Tate McRae 

Tate McRae first gained attention on social media after her song Greedy went viral on TikTok.

The Canadian singer, 21, however has since shown her prowess as a powerhouse performer, with intricate choreography that has wowed fans at concerts.

It's perhaps no surprise, given her first career was in the world of dance competitions.

Tate McRae, pictured, first gained attention on social media after her song Greedy went viral on TikTok

Speaking to British Vogue last year, Tate opened up about how the aesthetics of the 2000s have helped her cement her image and identity

She has also paid homage to the Y2K 'baddies' of decades past - including a shoutout to Christina Aguilera's 'Dirrty' in her music video for the song Exes.

Speaking to British Vogue last year, Tate opened up about how the aesthetics of the 2000s have helped her cement her image and identity.

'I feel like those were some of the most iconic music videos of all time: Britney, Christina, Madonna,' she explained.

'There are so many videos that I look back at and it’s really the full production – the singing, the dancing, the visuals. I think people miss that.'

'I like wearing comfortable basketball shirts and boys’ shorts, and super high socks and baggy T-shirts and jerseys. But as I’m getting older, I do want to show a bit more of my feminine side.

'And so I’ve been working with my genius stylist Joanie [Del Santo] to create this sporty but sexy style – that maybe sometimes feels a little strange and all over the place, but it feels 100 per cent like me for the first time.'

Madison Beer

Madison Beer has been making music for years, ever since she began putting out YouTube covers in the 2010s.

In 2012, one of the videos famously garnered Justin Bieber's attention, and she has since gone on to slowly but surely cut our her own persona on the music scene.

As her recent style of music has recently leaned into the gentle DJ-synth-laden stylings of the 2000s, including her TikTok viral hit Make You Mine, so has her stage presence and style. 

The hitmaker officially released the music video for Make You Mine - and it includes incredibly graphic scenes. The imagery appears to be laden with references to the 2009 cult classic movie Jennifer's Body mixed in with nods to the 2004 flick Mean Girls

Madison Beer has been making music for years, ever since she began putting out YouTube covers in the 2010s

Recently, the 25-year-old flaunted her jaw-dropping physique while floating in a swimming pool in her new music video, which dropped in April.

The hitmaker officially released the music video for Make You Mine - and it includes incredibly graphic scenes.

The imagery appears to be laden with references to the 2009 cult classic movie Jennifer's Body mixed in with nods to the 2004 flick Mean Girls.

 Inside the clip, Madison dresses up as a school girl and a cheerleader to lure and kill a boy in the shower.

In what appears to be an innocent video at the star, it quickly takes a turn for the worse. 

The singer looked incredible as she slipped into the cheerleading costume, with a tiny mini skirt and crop top. 

After strutting through the school hallway in her skimpy outfit, Madison strips off and sports a skimpy bikini to take a dip in the swimming pool. 

The end of the video sees Madison climb out of the water, wrapping a white towel around her covered in blood, penning 'The End'.

Madison, who is a platinum-selling singer, made her music debut at the age of 12.

She has become a dynamic and versatile artist whose sound blends pop and R&B.

Her second studio album, Silence Between Songs, released in September 2023, earned the Jericho, New York native her first career GRAMMY nomination for Best Immersive Album.

'I’m a very big fan of music from every decade. And I think music that really stands the test of time is what I’ve been drawn to most, and so I wanted to capture the essence of that,' she said of her latest music, while speaking to British Vogue.

'I definitely did want someone to pick up the record and be like, What year is this from? That was kind of the goal.'

Ice Spice

Being born on January 1, 2000, Ice Spice is perhaps one of the most quintessentially Y2K performers out there today. 

In fact - it's even the name of her debut album, which came out on July 26, and features 10 new hits from Popa to TTYL.

She announced her debut full-length project in late January, sharing the title with her millions of online followers.

And her performances have since shown a commitment to the aesthetic in her ensembles, which have featured crochet crop tops, cutesy accessories and gravity-defying platform shoes.

'I always had a passion for music and I feel like whatever people are passionate in, they’re going to end up doing something along those lines,' she told the TODAY show.

Being born on January 1, 2000, Ice Spice is perhaps one of the most quintessentially Y2K performers out there today

In fact - it's even the name of her debut album, which came out on July 26, and features 10 new hits from Popa to TTYL