Remember the good old days when instead of reading CNN for depressing news of the economy you were pouring over the pages of BOP magazine for posters of JTT? It was a simpler time filled with non-drug-abusing heartthrobs and obsessive crushes. It was a good time for girly girls everywhere.

Personally, you couldn’t even tell that my room was wallpapered thanks to the pages and pages of famous teen stars covering my walls. There was Jonathan, Devon and Andrew staring back at me whenever I lovingly glanced their way. When they weren’t busy decorating my adolescent room, these were the guys talking to me on the TV, smiling back from the movie screen and serenading me on the radio. But what’s become of them? Where are the Pacey Whitters of the world today?

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Oh JTT, you were my first crush. Jonathan gained fame as Randy Thomas on Home Improvement and as the voice of Simba on the Lion King, and boy was he cute. Lately, though, he hasn’t done as much acting, just guest starring on Veronica Mars in 2005 and playing  a director in The Extra in 2006. What he’s been doing instead is focusing on his education. Jonathan attended Harvard and, as of last year, was enrolled in Columbia University’s School of General Studies.

Devon Sawa

Many a Tiger Beat featured this guy’s beautiful face. The teen star made a big impression on girls everywhere with roles in films like Casper, Little Giants and Now and Then. In recent years, Devon has continued to work on films, though many have been direct-to-video and independent projects. His latest role was in the 2008 movie Creature of Darkness.

Hanson Brothers

Their 1997 infectious single MMMBop launched brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson into full-on heartthrob status. The combination of their cute looks and prepubescent voices made them a success. Even after a fall-out with their label Def Jam Records, the boys have continued to record music and their latest album is titled The Walk. The band recently announced another album will be released by the end of 2009. Meanwhile, the boys have all married and Taylor Hanson just joined Tinted Windows, a pop super group featuring the unlikely combination of Hanson, Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger, former Smashing Pumpkins’ guitarist James Iha and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos.

Andrew Keegan

With looks like his, Keegan was destined to make girls swoon. And he did just that in films like Camp Nowhere, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Broken Hearts Club and O, as well as roles on TV shows Party of Five, 7th Heaven, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Thunder Alley and Related. These days, Andrew’s still acting with roles in Fast Glass (in post-production) and The Riot (in pre-production). In his spare time, he’s also a drummer in a post-pop/punk band “The Gaze,” which is recording their third album, and a surf instructor.

Mark Paul Gosselaar

Even after many other roles, you can’t help but think of Zack Morris when you see Mark Paul Gosselaar. During the Saved by the Bell years, every girl in America wanted to date Zack Mark Paul. Since then, Gosselaar has grown up, playing a detective on NYPD Blue and starting a family. Most recently, he’s taken on roles in TNT’s Raising the Bar and HBO’s John from Cincinnati, but he’ll always be Zack Morris to me.

Joshua Jackson

There was no teen girl in the country who didn’t know Joshua Jackson, either from his starring role in the Mighty Ducks movies or his time as the lovable screw-up Pacey Whitter on Dawson’s Creek. As a side note, I always rooted for Pacey over that whiney Dawson, and I firmly believe Katie Holmes would be much better off had she stuck with Joshua in real life. Since the Creek, Joshua has continued to act, appearing in films, TV shows and even a play on the London West End. You can now see Joshua as Peter Bishop on the Fox show Fringe.

Joey Lawrence

Joey got his start as a child star on Gimme a Break, but reached heartthrob status on Blossom where he could be heard saying “Whoa” on a frequent basis. He followed Blossom with a forgettable recording career and the show Brotherly Love, featuring himself and his two brothers. Since then, Joey, who now goes by Joseph, has continued to act. You’ve probably seen him either on Dancing with the Stars (sadly without his trademark locks and instead sporting the bald look) or on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

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