Five years ago was a wild time in entertainment history. These are the 23 most epic pop culture moments of the year ...

Psy's massive dance tune, "Gangnam Style," sparks a dance craze and international phenomenon. The music video is now the most-watched video on YouTube, with over 2.7 billion views and counting.

Whitney Houston, one of the best-selling pop artists of all time, passes away at the age of 48.

The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises are both huge hits at the box office. But The Avengers beats out Batman, earning over $1.5B worldwide.

Lena Dunham's acclaimed series about four 20-something women in NYC debuts.

The Vow, 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike plus the title of People's Sexiest Man Alive make Tatum the top hottie of 2012.

The CW series airs its finale and reveals the anonymous blogger behind Gossip Girl.

The "Fierce Five" U.S. women's gymnastics team become the darlings of the 2012 Summer Olympics, with Maroney becoming a breakout star thanks to a very judgy-looking pose.

The Twilight saga comes to a close with the fifth and final film of the series, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.

The pop singer makes a huge splash with the catchy summer song "Call Me Maybe."

Way back before that controversy-fueled cancellation, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo debuts on TLC. Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson quickly rises to fame with the help of viral GIFs and clips from the show.

Deceased rapper Tupac Shakur performs at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in hologram form.

The former child star goes up against some personal and professional challenges as she attempts a career comeback, including the poorly received Liz & Dick.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, aka. "TomKat," join the list of failed celebrity marriages.

The phrase YOLO, "you only live once," is on everyone's lips after Drake's song "The Motto" popularizes the term.

Famed songstresses Britney Spears and Demi Lovato join the second season of the U.S. version of The X Factor.

E.L. James' BDSM-filled novel Fifty Shades of Grey, and its sequels, flies off bookshelves.

Madonna performs with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. at the halftime show during Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. M.I.A. ends up stealing the show by flipping off a camera.

Swift puts her exes on blast with songs like "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" on her fourth studio album, Red.

Beyoncé and Jay Z become the proud parents to daughter Blue Ivy, the couple's first child.

The comedy couple, parents of two, call it quits.

ShondaLand debuts its latest hit series, Scandal, on ABC.

Is Kerry Washington amazing? You bet Kerry Washington is amazing.

Justin Theroux liked it, so he put a ring on it. "It" being Jennifer Aniston.

The Artist wins Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards, which are hosted by Billy Crystal.