Spice Girls exploded onto the pop scene in the mid-‘90s with Wannabe, championing the message of "girl power". Each member had a distinct persona making them one of the first groups to embrace branding in pop music. Their debut album remains the best-selling album by a girl group, but what many fans don’t know is that their original name was Touch, and they had a completely different image before rebranding into the fun and energetic Spice Girls the world fell in love with.

Little Mix became the first group to win The X Factor UK, proving that girl bands still had a place in modern pop with hits like Shout Out to My Ex and Black Magic. Their seamless harmonies helped them become one of the longest-running girl groups in history. Despite their glamorous stage presence, they once revealed that they had to sneak into hotels through back entrances early in their career because they weren’t given the same star treatment as male winners of the show.

Sugababes constantly reinvented themselves with their ever-changing lineup and diverse sound, proving their longevity with hits like Push the Button and Too Lost in You. Despite multiple member swaps, they remained successful for over a decade, a rarity in pop music. Their original lineup eventually reunited years later, showing that true chemistry never fades.

Destiny’s Child dominated the late ‘90s and early 2000s with their empowering anthems like Survivor and Say My Name. Their ever-changing lineup saw several members come and go before settling on the iconic trio of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group was formed almost by accident—originally, Beyoncé and Kelly were in a group called Girl’s Tyme, which lost on Star Search, and led to their eventual rebranding as Destiny’s Child and their rise to superstardom.

Fifth Harmony emerged from The X Factor USA and quickly gained popularity with hits like Work from Home and Worth It. Their harmonies and strong vocal performances made them stand out in the pop landscape. Despite their manufactured beginnings, they struggled with behind-the-scenes tensions, with Camila Cabello eventually leaving the group—but even after her departure, they continued to find success, proving that they were more than just a reality show creation.

The Pussycat Dolls turned burlesque-inspired performances into mainstream pop success with Don’t Cha and Buttons, blending sensuality and powerhouse vocals. Their original concept as a dance troupe eventually transformed into a chart-topping girl group. Many don’t realize that Nicole Scherzinger recorded almost all of the vocals on their albums herself, with the other members often contributing primarily to choreography and stage performances rather than studio recordings.

Girls Aloud blended pop and electronic sounds to create some of the most innovative UK hits of the 2000s, including Sound of the Underground and Love Machine. They were assembled on the reality show Popstars: The Rivals, and unlike most manufactured bands, they were given creative freedom and took risks with their music, with their producers once joking that their unconventional song structures were like “five songs in one,” making them stand out from other pop acts.

All Saints brought a more mature, R&B-infused sound to the girl group scene with hits like Never Ever and Pure Shores, setting themselves apart from the bubblegum pop of their era. Their style was effortlessly cool, blending streetwear and attitude long before it became mainstream. While many girl groups relied on outside songwriters, they fought to have more creative control, leading to a sound that felt more authentic and personal than many of their contemporaries.

The Supremes became Motown’s most successful girl group with hits like Stop! In the Name of Love and Baby Love. Their glamorous image and smooth harmonies helped them cross over to mainstream audiences, breaking racial barriers in the 1960s. Diana Ross’s rise to solo stardom was legendary, but what many don’t know is that the group was originally called The Primettes and had to beg Motown founder Berry Gordy for a contract, as he initially thought they were too young to succeed.

Red Velvet became one of K-pop’s most versatile girl groups, shifting seamlessly between quirky, experimental sounds and smooth, elegant ballads with hits like Red Flavor and Psycho. Their dual-concept approach allowed them to explore multiple genres. Unlike many K-pop acts that follow rigid training paths, Wendy was discovered through an online audition tape that she recorded in her bedroom, proving that sometimes raw talent alone is enough to make it in the industry.

Salt-N-Pepa broke new ground as one of the first all-female rap groups, bringing hip-hop to mainstream audiences with hits like Push It and Shoop. Their fearless lyrics about female empowerment and relationships challenged industry norms. Unlike many artists at the time, they took full control of their image and business decisions, even becoming some of the first rappers to land lucrative endorsement deals, proving that hip-hop could be both powerful and profitable for women.

BLACKPINK became the biggest girl group in the world with their high-energy performances and addictive hits . Their sleek image and powerful stage presence helped redefine the modern K-pop era. While many think of them as polished superstars, they trained rigorously for years before debuting, with Lisa once holding the record for the longest trainee period among non-Korean idols in her company, proving her dedication to becoming the performer she is today.

The Ronettes captivated audiences with their sultry vocals and the iconic "Wall of Sound" production on songs like Be My Baby and Baby, I Love You. Their dramatic eyeliner and beehive hairstyles became their signature look. While they were seen as glamorous stars, their lead singer Ronnie Spector later revealed that she had to escape an abusive marriage by literally running away barefoot, proving that her real-life resilience was just as powerful as her voice.

Girls’ Generation became the face of K-pop worldwide with their catchy hooks and synchronized performances, dominating the industry with songs like Gee and I Got a Boy. Their influence extended beyond music, shaping fashion and trends across Asia. They were so popular that their Gee music video once held the record for the most-watched K-pop video online for several years, proving their early dominance in the global K-pop explosion.

TLC blended R&B, hip-hop, and pop in a way that no girl group had before, creating timeless hits like No Scrubs and Waterfalls. Their bold fashion choices and strong personalities made them icons, but behind the scenes, they faced financial struggles despite selling millions of albums. At the height of their fame, they shocked the world by declaring bankruptcy, highlighting the exploitative contracts that even successful artists could fall victim to in the music industry.

En Vogue redefined vocal harmonies in R&B with their sophisticated sound on hits like Don’t Let Go (Love) and Free Your Mind. Their blend of old-school soul and modern production set them apart. Unlike many girl groups, they were originally brought together through an audition process designed to find singers who could rival the greatest vocalists of any genre, ensuring that their harmonies were as tight as their fashion sense.

TWICE took over K-pop with their irresistible energy and bright, catchy songs like Cheer Up and Fancy, becoming one of the biggest girl groups in the world. Their ability to blend cute and mature concepts has kept them relevant for years. Though they are known for their flawless performances, their leader Jihyo spent ten years as a trainee before debuting, making her one of the longest-trained idols in K-pop history before finally achieving success.

2NE1 revolutionized K-pop with their fierce energy and edgy style, breaking stereotypes with songs like I Am the Best and Fire. Unlike many girl groups that focused on cute or glamorous concepts, they brought a punk-inspired, rebellious spirit to the industry. Their leader, CL, was so multilingual that she often wrote lyrics in multiple languages on the same track, helping the group gain international recognition long before K-pop’s global explosion.

Wonder Girls introduced K-pop to global audiences with their infectious hit Nobody, becoming the first Korean act to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Their retro-inspired sound and synchronized dance moves set them apart from their peers. While many K-pop groups train for years before debuting, Wonder Girls were initially formed so quickly that some members had only a few months of preparation before their first single, proving their raw talent and adaptability.

The Pointer Sisters became known for their genre-crossing hits, effortlessly blending funk, jazz, and pop with songs like I’m So Excited and Jump (For My Love). Their ability to adapt to different musical styles kept them relevant for decades. While many fans know them for their upbeat songs, they originally started as a jazz and gospel group, only shifting to pop after realizing their harmonies could transcend genres and reach a wider audience.

The Shirelles were one of the first girl groups to achieve mainstream success, pioneering the “girl group” sound with hits like Will You Love Me Tomorrow and Mama Said. Their music laid the foundation for countless artists that followed. Their song Will You Love Me Tomorrow was groundbreaking not only for its sound but also for its subject matter, as it was one of the first pop songs to openly discuss female vulnerability and romantic uncertainty, something rarely heard in the early ‘60s.