Getty ImagesThey are talented, they are loved and they came back to make 2016 one special year.
While the past 12 months have had its ups and downs, we're here to focus on the stars who decided it was finally time to come back on the Hollywood scene in a big way.
Perhaps that's a new record with smash hit singles. Maybe it's two famous faces deciding life is better together than it is apart. Yes we're talking about you Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Or could it just be a reality star that is back on the small screen delivering both sass and drama week after week. Please Sheree Whitfield, don't check us boo.
As E! News looks back on the past year, we're taking a look at the best comebacks in 2016. Actors, singers, judges or reality stars: We are so happy to have you with us.
Bruno Mars: After a four-year wait, the Grammy winner returned to the studio and both the stage with his album 24K Magic. "As soon as you put this album on, you're going to be taken for a ride," Bruno recently shared with Carson Daly on 97.1 AMP Radio. "This album is the best album I've ever done. Out of all three of them this is the one!" The singer will travel across the country in 2017 for a tour. Spoiler alert: Tickets are flying out the door.
Teresa Giudice: After spending nearly a year in prison, the Bravo star was able to complete her sentence and return home to her family in Montville Township, New Jersey. Shortly after leaving the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Conn., Real Housewives of New Jersey cameras rolled as the mother-of-four reunited with her family. A best-selling memoir soon followed appropriately titled Turning the Tables.
Selena Gomez: During the 2016 American Music Awards, all eyes were on the "Come and Get It" singer who wowed in red while walking her first red carpet in several months. What really impressed fans, however, was the moment Selena took to the stage to share her personal truth. "I think it's safe to say most of you know my life whether I liked it or not. And I had to stop. Because I had everything—and I was absolutely broken inside. I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down," she shared after her self-imposed break from the spotlight. "Thank you so much to my fans, because you guys are so damn loyal, and I don't know what I did to deserve you."
Backstreet Boys: Long live the 2000s. While we can totally look forward to watching Nick Viall dance with the boys this upcoming season of The Bachelor, The Backstreet Boys really got fans excited when they announced a residency in Las Vegas. "We're going to call the show Larger Than Life, and we're taking that theme and we're going to run with it," Kevin Richardson shared with music lovers. Tickets for their shows at Planet Hollywood are on sale now.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's Romance: Absence sure does make the heart grow fonder. At the beginning of the year, fans freaked out when the couple was spotted displaying PDA at Australia's Falls Music Festival. Fast-forward to today and the pair are happily engaged (again) and planning a wedding. "Miley has never gotten over Liam and always hoped they would get back together," a source previously shared with E! News. "She doesn't know where it will go, but she definitely still loves him."
Simon Cowell: America's toughest judge is back! After keeping viewers glued to their TVs as one of the original American Idol judges, Simon decided to return to the small screen by judging America's Got Talent alongside Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. He helped find a superstar (Hello Grace VanderWaal) and he's back for more next year.
Gilmore Girls: What did we do to deserve this? One day after Thanksgiving, Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and the entire cast gave us another reason to be thankful when four all-new episodes appeared on Netflix. Instead of questioning what we missed more—Stars Hollow, Lorelai and Rory's banter or maybe Luke's Diner—we savored all four seasons. And yes, we're hoping for more in 2017.
Sheree Whitfield: We know this Real Housewives of Atlanta star prefers the term "takeover" over "comeback." But regardless of word choice, there's no denying the fact that the Bravo star has reenergized the Bravo franchise. Will she get back with ex-husband Bob Whitfield? Will Chateau Sheree be complete this season? Will she make peace with Kenya Moore? We can't wait to watch what happens.
Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia: As NBC's new series This Is Us continues to gain audience week after week, much credit has to be given for Mandy and Milo. Between their chemistry, parenting skills and family pep talks, audiences (including John Mayer) can't get enough week after week. It also doesn't hurt that viewers were treated to a naked Milo on the premiere. "He has a nice tush," Mandy shared on Today. "But there's only so much tush you want to look at."
Cuba Gooding Jr.: Before, the actor was best known for his Oscar-winning role in Cameron Crowe's film Jerry Maguire. This year, however, Ryan Murphy gave him a chance at a comeback. After portraying O.J. Simpson in FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, the actor received an Emmy and nothing but good attention.
Winona Ryder: While the actress received plenty of roles in the ‘90s, Winona admits that things got a bit quiet for a while. "I took some years off, and I didn't realize that was very dangerous in terms of my career," she told Time. "I was constantly being told, ‘You have to keep working so you stay relevant.' When I was ready to come back, I was like, ‘Oh, where did everyone go?'" Fortunately, she scored a special role in Stranger Things reminding fans why she is such a big star.
Frank Ocean: After so much suspense and speculation, Frank finally released a visual album titled Endless on Apple Music. He later experienced his first interview in three years. Instead of a tell-all, however, it was merely a minute-long conversation about shoes at President Barack Obama's final state dinner. He's to more Frank in 2017.