Justin Timberlake
The former *NSYNC singer was still diving headfirst into his solo career, gracing the stage that evening to belt out the single that was everywhere, "Cry Me a River."
JC Chasez and Tara Reid
But Justin wasn't the only member of *NSYNC to attend the awards ceremony. JC Chasez was seen striking a pose on the red carpet with Tara Reid.
Avril Lavigne
Some call it the year 2002, others refer to it as the year things got, well, complicated. Earning nominations for Female Artist of the Year, New Pop Artist of the Year and Top 40 Track of the Year, Avril Lavigne proved that her debut album, Let Go, was a force to be reckoned with.
Nelly
Nelly, without a doubt, was an artist who ruled the charts in 2002 when he dropped his second album, Nellyville. ("Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" fans, stand up.) The rapper took home a notable six awards, including one for R&B/Hip Hop Male Artist of the Year.
Cher
The legendary icon was rightfully honored with the Artist Achievement Award that night. During her unforgettable acceptance speech, she said, "I've had critics for the last 40 years saying that I was on my way out every year. Right. So, f--k ‘em. I still have a job and they don't."
Ashanti
Yes, there were tons of winners that night, but Ashanti came out on top, walking away with eight Billboard awards, including one for R&B Artist of the Year. (This was the year that "What's Luv?" and "Always on Time" dropped after all.)
Jessica Biel
The actress arrived at the show in head-turning fashion, but little did she know that one of the night's biggest performers, Justin Timberlake, would become her husband a little less than 10 years later. Match made in (7th) heaven.
Nickelback
Three years before everything would change with "Photograph," the rock group took home the award for Single of the Year for "How You Remind Me."
Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon had quite a few projects in the works by the year 2002. After starring in All That, he landed his own titular show on Nickelodeon and the rest of his impressive career is history.
Lil Romeo
The rapper, who was only 13 years old at the time, had already released his first two albums before attending the big night. But that wasn't all since he would go on to land his own show on Nickelodeon the following year.
Nivea
In 2002, the singer was practically on top of the world—and the Billboard charts with songs like "Don't Mess My Man." Interestingly enough, in the music video for her hit single from that year, "Laundromat," Nick Cannon starred as her love interest.
Nick Carter
This was the year that Nick Carter decided to embark on his solo career after being part of the Backstreet Boys for close to a decade. ("Quit Playing Games With My Heart," anyone?) And although Nick had a few hits under his belt alone, fans everywhere were delighted when the group reunited in 2006 after a hiatus.
Fred Durst
The lead singer of Limp Bizkit—who may know a thing about climbing the charts during the early aughts—was front and center at the awards show, wearing his signature baseball cap backwards.
B2K
The boy band that helped usher in the start of the millennium captured the ultimate fashion trend of the early 2000s when all four members wore matching brown satin attire to prove that they were a unit!