No surprise that Hollywood enjoys a good crossover. Many musicians have attempted acting, but few have been able to really excel on screen. Some failed, others discovered a new career, and a few redefined what it means to be an entertainer. Here are 10 music stars who transitioned from stage to screen and showed they had the talent to do it all.
10. Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore began as a late-’90s teen pop sensation with hits such as Candy, but soon showed the world she had much more to give. She landed her breakthrough acting role with A Walk to Remember, where she revealed a quiet emotional depth. Years later, she stole hearts playing Rebecca Pearson in This Is Us, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her powerful performance. Moore is not the most glamorous name on this list, but her steady rise to solid actor status has been one of the most impressive.
9. Ice Cube
Few comebacks are more iconic than Ice Cube’s. After shocking the music world with N.W.A., he broke into films, starring in Boyz N the Hood, a cultural sensation. He traded tou,gh dramatic performances for comedic gold, franchiseing Friday and Barbershop, and hauling laughs with 21 Jump Street. Cube showed that he could do more than pioneer hip-hop, er become an institution in Hollywood.
8. Justin Timberlake
Always the chameleon, Justin Timberlake also experienced the most dramatic metamorphosis when he stepped away from being a boy band idol to become the star of the show as a leading man. He won Emmys for his comedic Saturday Night Live performances and played it straight for films such as The Social Network and Inside Llewyn Davis. This breed is as rare as they come and can canter smoothly between music, comedy, and drama, keeping the audience on their toes.
7. SZA
The newest on the list, SZA, is already making waves outside of music. Best known for her Grammy Award-winning R&B, she made her mark in film with One of Them Days, featuring Keke Palmer, and initial reviews are glowing. Critics praise her effortless charm and range, speculating that her acting career is just as exciting as her music.
6. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has never hesitated to reinvent herself, and her career as an actress is the testimony. Although her over-the-top music videos foreshadowed her dramatic abilities, it was A Star Is Born that proved to the world that she can anchor a film, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She soon stunned audiences in House of Gucci and will next shock audiences as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux. Gaga’s bold creativity is easily transferred from performance to film.
5. Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson’s ascension is the stuff of legend: American Idol hopeful to Academy Award winner in a matter of years. Her showstopping turn as Effie in Dreamgirls not only won her an Oscar but introduced her as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. She’s since landed roles such as Aretha Franklin in Respect and started her own talk show, solidifying herself as a triple-threat star.
4. Cher
It’s true, when fans discuss genuine entertainment legends, Cher is always brought up. She was the queen of music for a long time, then she shocked the world with her Oscar for Best Actress for the movie Moonstruck. She had a lot of success in the Witches of Eastwick and Burlesque, showing that she was just as powerful on the screen as on stage. Cher’s career is the model of how to succeed in music as well as acting.
3. Beyonce
Beyoncé is such a strong personality that it was only logical for her to come into the movies. She had a few strong supporting parts in Austin Powers in Goldmember, Dreamgirls, and Cadillac Records. In addition, she has voiced Nala in the Disney remake of The Lion King. Indeed, music will always be the most important thing, but still, Beyoncé has all the time shown that she can entertain the viewers through the screen as well.
2. Madonna
Madonna’s career in movies may not be as impressive as her musical one, but her impact and legacy in Hollywood are still very much apparent. She was wonderful in Desperately Seeking Susan, seemed scandalous in A League of Their Own, and got a Golden Globe award for her work in Evita. Whether you love or hate her, she challenged all boundaries and proved herself to be way beyond the “Queen of Pop” title.
1. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand, first of all, is the one who set the gold standard for success for a singer to actor and thus is at the head of the list. She has been remarkable in the movies Funny Girl, The Way We Were, and Yentl – the last, she also directed and produced. With an EGOT to her name, Streisand is unparalleled. Her genewide function was not merely a transition; she dominated every room that she entered.
While they range from Oscar winners to pop stars, these performers are a testament to the fact that being great doesn’t mean staying in just one place. Whether it is through comedy, drama, or musicals, these artists have shown that the worlds of music and movies are not as far apart as we might think, and when the right person becomes a star in both, the result is unforgettable.