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85 Photos From MTV Spring Break That’ll Take You Back

Caution: You cannot unsee Mandy Moore’s tank top.

By and Charlotte Chilton
Fashion, Fun, Summer, Shorts, Muscle, Vacation, Event, Photography, Leisure, Gesture,
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I don't know about you, but my spring break plans typically involve laying horizontal on the couch, binge-watching old seasons of Love Island, and scrolling through Instagram in a dark room. It's fine, I'm not bitter. Who needs things like sunlight and R&R when there are pizza bagel bites to be microwaved? Exactly. But back in the early aughts, spring break was a giant party that went down in Cancun every year hosted by the one and only MTV.

If you grew up watching MTV between 2000-2010, you likely have fond memories of Carson Daly hosting everyone from Destiny's Child to Mandy Moore to Lindsay Lohan, while a bunch of barely-dressed college students frolicked in, IDK, pits of foam. It was truly the best of times and the most questionable of times. And while Spring Break MTV-style isn't really an all-caps THING anymore, its memory will live on in our hearts forever. And um, there will always be these completely harrowing photos to look back on. Please be prepared because some of the fashion you're about to see may cause irreparable damage to your eyeballs.

1

Carmen Electra: 2000

lingerie, clothing, brassiere, undergarment, bikini, swimsuit bottom, swimwear, thigh, beauty, navel,
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Hello, where can I get a star-shaped rhinestone belly button decal? Asking for a friend who has my same name, thx.

2

Sisqo, Pink, and Tyrese: 2000

People on beach, Vacation, Muscle, Fun, Barechested, Summer, Beach, Chest, Spring break, Leisure,
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I have many questions, including but not limited to when will knee pockets become a thing again? Because I'd like to make sure it's not in my lifetime.

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3

Destiny's Child: 2000

People on beach, Fun, Vacation, Bikini, Spring break, Friendship, Summer, Beach, Leisure, Swimwear,
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The perfect photo does exi—.

4

Rebecca Romijn and Destiny's Child: 2000

People on beach, Clothing, Fun, Social group, Vacation, Shorts, Friendship, Fashion, Jeans, Leg,
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Based on the historical evidence that is this photo, 2000 was truly a great time for denim. Its personal brand has never been stronger.

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5

Enrique Iglesias: 2000

Clothing, Orange, Fashion, Street fashion, Cool, T-shirt, Sunglasses, Vacation, Sportswear, Trousers,
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I'd like to interrupt our scheduled Bey content to take a moment of silence for Enrique Iglesias' pants. Praying he unzipped the lower half at some point and put these things out of their misery.

6

Beyoncé: 2000

Pink, Jeans, Navel, Leg, Abdomen, Leisure, Human body, Barechested, Trunk, Denim,
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Kay, back to Beyoncé. Is that...is that a G-string made out of diamonds, or am I hallucinating?

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7

Jay-Z: 2000

Barechested, Crowd, Event, Performance, Muscle, Tourism, Vacation, Leisure, Festival,
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FYI, Jay-Z was also at Spring Break 2005, but he and Beyoncé hadn't started dating yet. Gonna assume they have MTV to thank for their entire relationship.

8

Rebecca Romijn: 2000

mtv's spring break 2000
Frank Micelotta Archive//Getty Images

Honestly, I respect Rebecca for keeping it simple with a zebra print bikini. She didn't even need shoes for her hosting gig!

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9

Tony Kanal: 2000

no doubt on mtv's total request live in las vegas
Ethan Miller//Getty Images

Impressive muscle tee, Tony. But where is Gwen Stefani!?

10

Gwen Stefani: 2000

no doubt on mtv's total request live in las vegas
Ethan Miller//Getty Images

There she is! The pink hair, blonde bangs, and painted-on eyebrows are a *lewk*.

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11

Carson Daly: 2000

no doubt on mtv's total request live in las vegas
Ethan Miller//Getty Images

New personal goal: Find myself someone who looks at me the way Carson Daly looks at a camera.

12

Eminem: 2000

Recreation, Sports, Competition event, Leisure, Kung fu,
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"Must. Stop. Pants. From. Falling. Off. Curse. This. Trend."

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13

Dr. Dre: 2000

Barechested, Muscle, Athlete, Competition, Event, Recreation, Competition event, Vacation, Performance,
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Attention @ Eminem: This is how to wear pants.

14

Eminem: 2001

mtv's spring break 2000
Frank Micelotta Archive//Getty Images

When you make it through your set and YOUR PANTS DIDN'T FALL DOWN!

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15

Carmen Electra and Ja Rule: 2001

Abdomen, Clothing, Navel, Undergarment, Muscle, Stomach, Fun, Trunk, Bikini, Fashion,
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Wow, what a totally useful and not at all function-less belt Carmen Electra is wearing! You love to see it!

16

Carmen Electra and Tyrese: 2001

Clothing, Bikini, Fashion, Vacation, Fun, Summer, Leg, Swimwear, Thigh, Smile,
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Sorry, I need another look at this outfit in an attempt to understand its intended habitat—the beach? The mall? A rodeo? Nope, sorry, still confused, moving on!

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17

Tyrese: 2001

Jumping, Balance, Recreation, Photography, Shoe, Running, Sportswear, Exercise,
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Also, let's take a moment to acknowledge Tyrese feeling himself on the dance floor. Love him in linen.

18

Carson Daly: 2001

Crowd, People, Fashion, Fashion show, Event, Performance, Public event, Audience, Street fashion, Human,
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Remember when Carson Daly was the host of literally every single show? Yeah, me neither, it's fine.

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19

Molly Sims: 2001

mtv spring break 2001
Scott Gries//Getty Images

Can someone explain the statement belt/jean short trend to me? Because it was everywhere in the early aughts and I don't get it.

20

Dream: 2001

Fun, Performance, Dance, Dancer, Event, Performing arts, Friendship, Cheering, Happy, Tourism,
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If I learned one thing from Dream's Spring Break performance in '01, it's that wrapping your arm in a random piece of plaid fabric was socially acceptable, nay, encouraged.

Headshot of Mehera  Bonner

Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm, She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade. 

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