Here at Cult Status, we LOVE Rolling Stone Magazine! Their legendary covers broke the internet before there was even an internet to break.
This is the Cult Status tribute to the ladies who owned the cover of Rolling Stone.
MADONNA (1987)
Madonna defined the 1980s pop culture landscape with her bold fashion, provocative image, and boundary-pushing music. She challenged norms around gender, sexuality, and fame, becoming a symbol of female empowerment and reinvention. Her influence shaped not just music, but the entire decade’s attitude toward self-expression and rebellion.
LISA BONET (1988)
Lisa Bonet’s 1988 Rolling Stone cover, photographed by Matthew Rolston, became iconic for its bold sensuality and artistic flair. Posing partially nude but tastefully styled, Bonet broke away from her wholesome TV image on The Cosby Show, asserting her independence and challenging conventional beauty standards. The cover marked a defining moment in ’80s pop culture, blending art, rebellion, and Black female empowerment.
JANET JACKSON (1993)
Janet Jackson’s Rolling Stone cover is an iconic piece of ’90s pop culture. Trust me when I say this cover got people buzzing. With this image, Jackson asserted herself as an independent, sexy, and confident woman for the first time in her career. Initially known as Michael Jackson’s little sister and child actress, she blazed her way to a successful pop career in the ’80s. It was evident from this cover that Janet had bigger plans for herself in the ‘90s. She was going to build her own destiny, becoming a pop music icon. With this cover, Janet made a statement, and that statement was: I have arrived.
WINONA RYDER (1994)
Winona Ryder was the QUEEN of the 80s AND 90s. With leading roles in hits like Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, Reality Bites, and Girl, Interrupted, she became the “it girl” for two decades – not an easy task. She is currently experiencing a career resurgence following her roles as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things and the Beetlejuice sequel. Welcome back to the top, Winona! Once an icon, always an icon.
ALICIA SILVERSTONE (1995)
Before you knew her as Cher, our favorite Beverly Hills rich girl with a bitchin’ fashion sense, Alicia Silverstone was already a member of the pop culture elite. Aerosmith chose Silverstone to be the face of a trilogy of hit music videos for their 1993 album “Get a Grip“. As Aerosmith’s “it girl,” Silverstone became the fashion icon for ’90s teen angst, a grunge movement characterized by ripped jeans, flannel, and a brooding, anti-authority attitude. Double icon status. That’s pretty badass, Alicia.
DREW BARRYMORE (1995)
Nothin’ says the ‘90s more than bad girl Drew Barrymore. Barrymore owned the ‘90s stage, and her daisy-inspired fashion sense became just as important as her movies.
JENNY MCCARTHY (1996)
The world didn’t know what was coming when this Playboy Playmate and sexy comedic star of MTV’s “Singled Out” first hit the scene. Jenny McCarthy did not fashion herself into the dumb blonde. She was goofy, irreverent, fun, and, to put it plainly, crude and rude. Audiences ate it up. McCarthy was the blonde bombshell they never knew existed. She burped and cursed unapologetically, a career strategy that catapulted her to the top of the ’90s IT girl list. She paved her own way, no apologies necessary.
JENNIFER ANISTON (1996)
Jennifer Aniston became a 1990s icon through her role as Rachel Green on Friends, capturing the decade’s style, humor, and spirit. Her “Rachel” haircut sparked a global trend, and her relatable charm made her a pop culture staple. Aniston helped define ’90s television and remains a symbol of that era’s cool, effortless appeal.
SPICE GIRLS (1997)
GIRL POWER. That was the Spice Girls’ creed. The Spice Girls, a girl group based in England, crossed the pond and achieved international fame following the release of their debut album, Spice, which sold more than 23 million copies worldwide, largely due to their pop hit “Wannabe.” No question about it, Spice Girl mania swept the globe in the ’90s.
FIONA APPLE (1998)
Fiona Apple burst onto the scene with her angsty sound and heroin chic style. And the EYES. Besides Apple’s musical genius, her’s were the eyes that represented the nineties.
LAURYN HILL (1999)
Lauryn Hill reshaped ’90s music with her powerful blend of hip-hop, soul, and reggae, bringing raw emotion and social consciousness to the mainstream. As the frontwoman of The Fugees and with her solo masterpiece The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, she broke barriers for women in rap.
BRITNEY SPEARS (1999)
Britney Spears’ 1999 Rolling Stone cover, shot by David LaChapelle, featured the 17-year-old in lingerie holding a Teletubby, sparking major controversy. The image blurred the lines between innocence and sexuality, igniting debates about the sexualization of young female pop stars. While critics and parents voiced concerns, the provocative cover cemented Spears’ status as a pop culture lightning rod and marked her transition from a teen idol to a global icon.
JESSICA SIMPSON (2003)
Jessica Simpson’s 2003 Rolling Stone cover, dubbed “Housewife of the Year,” showcased her in heels, lingerie, and holding a Swiffer—blending sex appeal with suburban satire. Boosted by her hit MTV show Newlyweds, Simpson became a pop culture idol, known for her humor, glam-girl image, and unforgettable one-liners that made her both relatable and iconic in early 2000s reality TV fame. We just have one question: Is this chicken or is this tuna?
BEYONCÉ (2004)
In the early 2000s, Beyoncé emerged as a powerhouse, transitioning from Destiny’s Child frontwoman to solo superstar. With the release of Dangerously in Love in 2003, she dominated charts and redefined pop and R&B with her vocal strength, stage presence, and empowering image. Her influence shaped fashion, music videos, and female representation in the industry, cementing her status as a global icon and trailblazer for a new era of artists.
AMY WINEHOUSE (2007)
Amy Winehouse’s soulful blend of jazz, R&B, and raw, honest lyrics revolutionized 2000s music. Her 2006 album, Back to Black, earned critical acclaim and commercial success, showcasing her powerful voice and her troubled vulnerability. Despite her immense talent, Amy’s career was tragically cut short by struggles with addiction, leading to her untimely death at 27, leaving a lasting impact on music and a legacy of emotional authenticity.
RIHANNA (2011)
Rihanna transformed music and pop culture with her versatile sound, fearless style, and entrepreneurial spirit. Breaking out in the mid-2000s, she pushed genre boundaries—from pop to R&B to dancehall—while setting new standards for fashion and beauty. Rihanna’s boldness and business ventures, such as Fenty Beauty, have redefined what it means to be a global superstar and cultural icon.
KATY PERRY (2011)
Katy Perry burst onto the music scene in the late 2000s with catchy, colorful pop anthems like “I Kissed a Girl” and “Teenage Dream.” Known for her vibrant style and playful persona, she quickly became a global pop icon, blending fun, empowerment, and memorable hooks that shaped the sound and look of mainstream pop for over a decade.
LANA DEL REY (2011)
Lana Del Rey captivated audiences with her haunting vocals, nostalgic Americana imagery, and cinematic, melancholic sound. Emerging in the 2010s, her unique style blends vintage glamour with modern vulnerability, creating a dreamy, noir-pop aesthetic. Del Rey carved out a distinct space in music, influencing a generation with her poetic lyrics and ethereal presence.
MILEY CYRUS (2013)
Good Golly, Miss Miley! Miley Cyrus’ career has been defined by her constant reinvention. This Rolling Stone cover was taken during Miley’s most controversial reinvention to date. Long gone was her alter-ego, Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana. Not only was Hannah Montana gone, but Miley also revolted against her. Like many Disney kids before her, Miley’s goal was to shed her goody-goody image; to get as far away as possible from the character that made her famous. She has certainly accomplished that goal. No doubt about it: Miley’s just being Miley.
ADELE (2015)
Adele is a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and emotionally powerful ballads. Bursting onto the scene with 19, she became a global icon with hits like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Hello.” Her albums, often named after her age at the time of creation, chronicle her personal growth and heartbreak with raw honesty. With multiple Grammys and record-breaking sales, Adele remains one of the most celebrated artists of her generation.
CARDI B (2017)
Cardi B is a Grammy-winning rapper and former reality TV star who rose to fame with her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow.” Known for her bold personality, unfiltered humor, and fierce style, she became a pop culture powerhouse. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy was critically acclaimed and cemented her status as a leading voice in hip-hop.
ZOë KRAVITZ (2018)
Does this image look familiar? It should, because it is Zoe Kravitz’s homage to her mother, Lisa Bonet, and her iconic 1988 Rolling Stone Cover.
BILLIE EILISH (2019)
Billie Eilish is a genre-defying singer-songwriter who gained global fame as a teenager with her haunting hit “Ocean Eyes.” Known for her ethereal vocals, dark aesthetic, and boundary-pushing sound, she became the youngest artist to win the four major Grammy categories in one night. With her brother, Finneas, as a collaborator, Billie has reshaped pop music with a moody, intimate style.
LIZZO (2020)
Lizzo is a singer, rapper, and flutist known for her empowering anthems and bold embrace of body positivity. With hits like “Truth Hurts” and “Good as Hell,” she blends pop, soul, and hip-hop into feel-good music that celebrates self-love and confidence. Lizzo has become a cultural icon for challenging beauty standards and promoting radical self-acceptance.
DUA LIPA (2021)
Dua Lipa is a British pop star known for her sleek voice, retro-modern style, and dancefloor-ready hits. Bursting onto the scene with “New Rules,” she solidified her status with the disco-infused album Future Nostalgia. Blending pop, funk, and electronic influences, Dua has become a global fashion and music icon, praised for her confident sound and bold stage presence.
Note: If you love Rolling Stone Magazine as much as we do, make sure to check out their documentary, Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge on HBO.