There were certain ubiquitous markers of a Bad Bitch™️ in the '90s and early 2000s. She had highlights. She wore choker necklaces. She listened to Mariah Carey. Her parents were probably divorced. She rocked a "Rachel" haircut inspired by Jennifer Aniston or microbraids inspired by Brandi. She liked low-rise jeans and crop tops. And of course, she had a belly button ring—the ultimate signifier of an It Girl.
Every early aughts celebrity who kept US Weekly in business wore one: Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Beyoncé, Jessica Alba, Christina Aguilera, even Dennis Rodman. Spears specifically carried the trend into the 21st century with her I’m a Slave 4 U performance during the 2001 VMAs, where she donned a tiny bra, even tinier shorts, a massive abdominal ring, and a live albino python (of course).
