Vintage StarTracks: This Time in 1990, See Photos of Sinéad O'Connor, Madonna & More Big Stars

Mar. 15, 2025

Barry King/Alamy

Hollywood’s biggest celebs and rising young stars were living it up 34 years ago.

Take a trip back to September 1990 to see what the hottest stars of the decade were up to at the VMAs.

01of 19Three’s CompanyWilson Phillips in 1990.Lester Cohen/GettyWendy Wilson,Chynna PhillipsandCarnie Wilsonof Wilson Phillips posed for a pic. The trio introduced the winners of the International Viewer’s Choice Award alongsideTears for Fears' Curt Smith.

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Three’s Company

Wilson Phillips in 1990.Lester Cohen/Getty

Lester Cohen/Getty

Wendy Wilson,Chynna PhillipsandCarnie Wilsonof Wilson Phillips posed for a pic. The trio introduced the winners of the International Viewer’s Choice Award alongsideTears for Fears' Curt Smith.

02of 19Big SmileSteven Tyler in 1990.Lester Cohen/GettySteven TylercelebratedAerosmith’s two wins for “Janie’s Got a Gun.”

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Big Smile

Steven Tyler in 1990.Lester Cohen/Getty

Steven TylercelebratedAerosmith’s two wins for “Janie’s Got a Gun.”

03of 19The Whole CrewFresh Kid Ice in 1990.Lester Cohen/GettyFresh Kid Ice,Brother Marquis, DJ Mr. Mixx and Luke Skyywalker of 2 Live Crew performed their hit “Banned in the U.S.A.”

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The Whole Crew

Fresh Kid Ice in 1990.Lester Cohen/Getty

Fresh Kid Ice,Brother Marquis, DJ Mr. Mixx and Luke Skyywalker of 2 Live Crew performed their hit “Banned in the U.S.A.”

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In with the New

New Edition in 1990.Lester Cohen/Getty

05of 19Rock RoyaltyDanny Keough and Lisa Marie Presley in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicLisa Marie Presleyattended the show with then-husbandDanny Keough.

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Rock Royalty

Danny Keough and Lisa Marie Presley in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Lisa Marie Presleyattended the show with then-husbandDanny Keough.

06of 19Meet-and-GreetMariah Carey in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicMariah Careywaved to fans as she arrived at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

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Meet-and-Greet

Mariah Carey in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Mariah Careywaved to fans as she arrived at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

07of 19Strike a PoseMadonna in 1990.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/GettyMadonnatook the stage for what would become an iconic performance of her hit single “Vogue.”

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Strike a Pose

Madonna in 1990.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty

Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty

Madonnatook the stage for what would become an iconic performance of her hit single “Vogue.”

08of 19With the BandKim Basinger in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicHeadbands were hot in 1990.Kim Basinger, who presented the award for Best Dance Video, wore one.

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With the Band

Kim Basinger in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Headbands were hot in 1990.Kim Basinger, who presented the award for Best Dance Video, wore one.

09of 19Rock OnChristina Applegate in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/AlamySo did Best Metal/Hard Rock Video presenterChristina Applegate.

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Rock On

Christina Applegate in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

So did Best Metal/Hard Rock Video presenterChristina Applegate.

10of 19Colour GuardLiving Colour in 1990.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/GettyLiving Colour took the stage to present the award for Best New Artist in a Video.

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Colour Guard

Living Colour in 1990.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty

Living Colour took the stage to present the award for Best New Artist in a Video.

11of 19Mötley MagicVince Neil and Magic Johnson in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicMötley CrüefrontmanVince Neilposed for a pic with NBA starMagic Johnson.

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Mötley Magic

Vince Neil and Magic Johnson in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Mötley CrüefrontmanVince Neilposed for a pic with NBA starMagic Johnson.

12of 19Hog WildBilly Idol in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, IncBilly Idolarrived in style on a purple Harley Davidson.

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Hog Wild

Billy Idol in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Billy Idolarrived in style on a purple Harley Davidson.

13of 19TwinsiesChristian Slater and Whoopi Goldberg in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicChristian SlaterandWhoopi Goldbergposed in strikingly similar looks.

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Twinsies

Christian Slater and Whoopi Goldberg in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Christian SlaterandWhoopi Goldbergposed in strikingly similar looks.

14of 19Hammer TimeMC Hammer in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/AlamyIn addition to performing his hits “Let’s Get It Started” and “U Can’t Touch This,“MC Hammertook home awards for Best Rap Video and Best Dance Video.

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Hammer Time

MC Hammer in 1990.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

In addition to performing his hits “Let’s Get It Started” and “U Can’t Touch This,“MC Hammertook home awards for Best Rap Video and Best Dance Video.

15of 19Rapper’s DelightQueen Latifah in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicQueen Latifahwas on hand to present the award for Best Rap Video.

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Rapper’s Delight

Queen Latifah in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Queen Latifahwas on hand to present the award for Best Rap Video.

16of 19Quality TimeFlavor Flav and Phil Collins in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicElsewhere, her co-presenterFlavor Flavhad a quality moment withPhil Collins, who also performed his hit “Sussudio.”

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Quality Time

Flavor Flav and Phil Collins in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Elsewhere, her co-presenterFlavor Flavhad a quality moment withPhil Collins, who also performed his hit “Sussudio.”

17of 19Winner’s CircleSinéad O’Connor in 1990.Barry King/AlamySinéad O’Connorposed with her two of the Moonman statuettes she took home for her hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

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Winner’s Circle

Sinéad O’Connor in 1990.Barry King/Alamy

Sinéad O’Connorposed with her two of the Moonman statuettes she took home for her hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

18of 19Star StuddedSarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicSarah Jessica Parkerattended the VMAs withRobert Downey Jr., who presented the award for Best Video from a Film to Billy Idol.

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Star Studded

Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Sarah Jessica Parkerattended the VMAs withRobert Downey Jr., who presented the award for Best Video from a Film to Billy Idol.

19of 19Hot OnesThe Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, IncFlea, Chad Smith,Anthony Kiedisand John Frusciante of theRed Hot Chili Peppersscored three nominations for their “Higher Ground” video.

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Hot Ones

The Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1990.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Flea, Chad Smith,Anthony Kiedisand John Frusciante of theRed Hot Chili Peppersscored three nominations for their “Higher Ground” video.

source: people.com