When we remember the 90s, that life might seem a little like a dream. It was a simpler time, but one that was pretty awesome as well. In particular, it might seem like pop culture then was much more interesting than it is today, at least for many 90s kids.
Most of us who grew up in this decade might think that they know the pop culture of this time like the back of their hand. However, there are always some facts about a certain time, place, or show that one might not have known about at the time. These little-known 90s facts might make you rethink some of the pop culture references that scream 90s:
Jackie Chan’s Singing in Mandarin
The movies and impressive skills of Jackie Chan were a major part of the 90s, as was the classic cartoon ‘Beauty and the Beast’. You might be wondering what these two things have in common; what if we told you that Jackie Chan actually voiced the Beast in one version? This isn’t some fan fiction fantasy, but an actual fact! Jackie Chan dubbed the Beasts’ voice in Mandarin in Chinese release of this classic film.
What’s even more surprising and delightful is than Chan even sang some of the soundtrack. We know that he insisted on performing his own stunts, so singing his part isn’t quite so far-fetched. If this little pop culture tidbit was better known, it might go down as one of the important musical moments of the 90s.
The Significance of Choker Necklaces
Choker necklaces are quickly coming back into vogue, but they were one of the iconic fashion trends of the 90s. These were worn by celebrities such as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen when the two were still the cutesy-pie twin act, and are now seen on some of the influential Kardashians. If you’re thinking about getting one for your collection, though, it might be best to find out the necklace’s original purpose.
Choker necklaces go back all the way to the 1800s, when they were used for identifying prostitutes. However, such necklaces were also chosen by the royal family during the Victorian era. In the 1700s, chokers were a sort of tribute to the dead who had been executed
Aniston’s Take on ‘The Rachel’
‘The Rachel’ was one of the most popular hairstyles in the world to date. British women would go to salons with pictures of Jennifer Aniston in her character as Rachel Green from the hit TV series ‘Friends’. There was even a spoof of the Friends’ theme song that mainly talked about how the hairstyles on that show made everyone want to emulate them.
While the hair was a favorite with her fans, the actress behind it actually hated the style. We may not like to hear it, but Aniston defined the cut as being ‘cringe-y’ and compared its maintenance to surgery. She even theorized that her hairdresser might have been doing drugs when they came up with the style. The actress apparently had to go through several hours of styling and spraying to make the cut sit in just the right manner. This alone should be enough to help us understand why ‘The Rachel’ was the bane of her life.
An 80s Icon As Monica
The faces of the ‘Friends’ cast are probably as familiar to 90s kids and teens as their own siblings. We also know the names of the actors and might be continuously on the lookout for a reunion at some point.
However, the casting of the group was very complicated. At times, it even came down to two very similar choices; namely, that of Courtney Cox or Nancy McKeon as Monica. We all know what the final decision was now, but McKeon was actually an 80s icon hailing from the long-running series “The Facts of Life”. Some even credit her for playing the character ‘Jo’ that turned the series around and helped it to last nine whole years on the air. Today, even McKeon has acknowledged that Courtney Cox was probably the best choice for the ‘Monica’ character.
Power Rangers Too Violent
Children of the 90s remember the campy, innocent fun of the Power Rangers when it was aired in that decade. There must have been some violence in that show, though, because it was banned for viewers in New Zealand. This is somewhat ironic, as a major chunk of the action was filmed in the same country. Fortunately, New Zealanders now have the option to watch all the old episodes online.
The Spears’ Weird Duo
Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’ was a massive hit back in the 90s, and is even regarded as a kind of classic today. Both the video and the song are the epitome of the 90s, but there’s one weird fact that we might have missed the first time around.
On this debut single from the queen of 90s pop, the love interest in the music video was actually her one cousin! Chad Spears was a model in those days, but the choice is still pretty strange.
The Voice of T. Rex
The terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur in Jurassic Park had a roar that matched its exterior, but in reality the voice belonged to a small animal. This was a tiny Jack Russell Terrier who belonged to Gary Rydstrom, the sound designer for the movie.
Rydstrom got the idea of using a dog’s voice for the roar from the T. Rex itself, who he saw as being very dog-like. The dinosaur even picks up a character in its mouth at one point and shakes them like a dog would do. The sound designer saw his dog doing the same thing with a rope toy and was inspired enough to record his voice. He also slowed down the recording to produce the hair-raising dino sounds we know so well today.
Conclusion
A lot of 90s pop culture is embedded into our minds, perhaps even our personalities. Many pop culture references still scream 90s to us even if we’re middle-aged and jaded now. Knowing about the facts above might have breathed new life into the way we remember that glorious decade. Keep revisiting the 90s by getting these nostalgia-inducing items for your home. The 90s weren’t just about groundbreaking music and iconic TV shows; animation from this era also left a lasting mark on fashion and broader cultural trends. In How Do Animations Influence Fashion and Pop Culture?, we delve into the dynamic relationship between animation and the fashion world, highlighting how animated characters and themes from the 90s continue to inspire contemporary style and cultural expressions.