9 Epic Moments Right Before Your Favorite Pop Star Slayed It

Photo: Album Art (Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Madonna), Getty Images (J. Lopez)

If you are a pop junkie like us, then you live for they few times a year when you are truly blown away by your favorite pop singer. And there is that special moment, right before she sings the first note, that you realize you are about to fangirl out.

That moment before she slays it...

The Artist: Legendary Miss Britney Spears
The Year: 2000
The Scene: Although Baby One More Time was a major success, but Britney Spears was still known as the girl in the Catholic school uniform and pigtails. That is, until she took the stage at the 2002 VMA’s and solidified herself as a sex goddess and pop icon. After the performance, it took gay teenagers across the country a full 30 seconds before they were able to take a breath.

The Artist: Mother Monster, a.k.a. Lady Gaga
The Year: 2009
The Scene: “Just Dance” was on repeat at the gay clubs and “Poker Face” was a mainstream smash, but the public was still unsure what this GaGa was all about. Was she a real artist, or just a pop gimmick that was here today and gone tomorrow? And it was pitch perfect rendition of “Papparazzi” that proved that she wasn’t just a real artist, but an artistic genius as well. The live vocals, that body and the blood… The blood!

The Artist: Queen Bey, a.k.a Beyoncé
The Year: 2013
The Scene: Beyoncé was already one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But when she took the stage for the halftime show at the 2013 Super bowl, she let it be known that she was the Intergalactic Pop Star of the Universe with this mind-blowing performance. Ugly faces be damned, no one could take their eyes of the screen, let alone breath, until Yoncé dropped the mic.

The Artist: Janet, a.k.a Ms. Jackson
The Year: 2001
The Scene: Janet Jackson was back and better than ever, and her “All For You” tour was the stuff that Ciara’s dreams are made of. Her dance moves, her outfits and her abs had every gay man doing crunches and popping their neck in the club. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is how you give pop star face.

The Artist: Madonna
The Year: 1989
The Scene: It is practically impossible to pick a favorite Madonna era. But in 1989, the Queen of Pop gave the LGBT community the epic theme song, “Express Yourself,” and this gender-bending performance that solidified her as gay goddess. Way before Britney, Madonna owned the MTV VMA’s, and we have a feeling that she isn’t ready to give it up yet.

The Artist: Alicia Moore, a.k.a. P!nk
The Year: 2012
The Scene: P!nk has always been an LGBT favorite, but the pop powerhouse upped her game to the nth degree when she went all acrobatic on us. This performance at the 2012 AMAs is beautiful, breathtaking and beyond impressive. And then there is her dancing partner… Hello.

The Artist: Jennifer Lopez, a.k.a  J.Lo, a.k.a. Jenny from the Block
The Year: 2013
The Scene: You can usually find Jennifer Lopez lighting fires to the stage with amazing performance of her own songs, but for one special night, she was possessed by the spirit of Latina legend, Celia Cruz. With three outfit changes, her signature ass shaking and possibly the best live vocal she has ever delivered, this performance is one for the history books. And you knew it from the first note.

The Artist: Miley Cyrus
The Year: 2013
The Scene: Say what you want, but Miley Cyrus is probably one of the best live acts around today, both because she is an incredible singer and deliciously delirious in her style and taste. And in this awesomely awkward performance at the 2013 AMAs, both are represented beautifully.

The Artist: Adore Delano
The Year: 2014
The Scene: So she might not be as famous as the rest of the ladies on this list, but this drag superstar is redefining what a pop star looks like. Adore very well may be the first to break out of the “Drag” category and cross over as a legitimate pop artist. And with a voice and stage presence like this, we can see why.