When They Popped - A Y2K Pop Culture Podcast

Kelsey and Mary

Were you team Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? Britney or Xtina? Simple Life or Newlyweds? With When They Popped, you don’t have to pick a side, because we’re going to mention it all! When They Popped retells the stories of the late 90s and early 2000s biggest celebrities, trends, and phenomena like boy band mania, celebrity-based reality TV, and the rise of “famous for being famous” socialites who ruled the tabloids. Hosts Kelsey and Mary are discussing Y2Ks most impactful cultural moments, icons, and celebrities while chronicling their rise to stardom and discussing when they reached the pinnacle of pop culture, or, when they “popped!” The girls will also consider the cultural impact of Y2K on todays society and will look to see where our beloved Y2K stars are now. 

  1. 11/24/2025

    Celebrating the Pop Genius of In The Zone

    Send Mary and Kelsey a Message! In this episode, Mary and Kelsey rewind to 2003 for a nostalgic deep dive into Britney Spears’ In the Zone, the album that defined an era of frosted lip gloss, chrome eyeshadow, iconic hits and performances. In a track-by-[criminally underrated]-track listening party, this episode unpacks why In the Zone - with hits like Toxic, Me Against the Music, Everytime, Breathe On Me - wasn’t just a moment, it was the future of pop, planting the seeds for Britney’s foray into EDM with her subsequent album, Blackout, and so much more!   Britney Themed Epis:  Catching up With  Director Joseph Kahn - Spotify + Apple Songwriter Lauren Christy on Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Jason Mraz  - Spotify + Apple Tania Baron on Dancing with Britney Spears  - Spotify + Apple Andreas Carlsson on Writing I Want It That Way & Shaping the Pop Landscape - Spotify + Apple Britney Spears "The Woman In Me" Emergency Episode Pt 1 - Spotify + Apple 16 Years of Britney Spears' Blackout with Jesse Chambliss - Spotify + Apple  Catching up with Kelly Clinger, former Britney Spears Backup Singer on all things Britney - Spotify + Apple Best of MTV VMA Performances Part 1 - Spotify + AppleBritney Spears' Oops!...I Did It Again Turns 23 ft Troy McEady - Spotify + AppleSupport the show Instagram: @whentheypoppedpod TikTok: @whentheypoppedpod Email: whentheypoppedy2k@gmail.com Website: linktree.com/whentheypopped Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=85610411

    1h 13m
4.9
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Were you team Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? Britney or Xtina? Simple Life or Newlyweds? With When They Popped, you don’t have to pick a side, because we’re going to mention it all! When They Popped retells the stories of the late 90s and early 2000s biggest celebrities, trends, and phenomena like boy band mania, celebrity-based reality TV, and the rise of “famous for being famous” socialites who ruled the tabloids. Hosts Kelsey and Mary are discussing Y2Ks most impactful cultural moments, icons, and celebrities while chronicling their rise to stardom and discussing when they reached the pinnacle of pop culture, or, when they “popped!” The girls will also consider the cultural impact of Y2K on todays society and will look to see where our beloved Y2K stars are now. 

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