Some artists find creative fulfillment in just one field: art, music, or acting. On the other hand, there are stars whose thirst for artistic excellence can only be quenched by branching out all over. Particularly, many pop stars have taken a shine to the glittering lights of the silver and small screens.
These stars already have copious amounts of money, fame, fortune, and admiration. What does a set or screen in Hollywood have that stages like Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Bowl don’t? Well, get cozy and comfortable because we are going to find out!
US Magazine/Clay Enos/Warner Bros.
Acting is an Antidote for the Ages
Acting is often seen as therapeutic for many. It is a powerful way for people to navigate their traumatic experiences and healthily deal with them. During an actors-on-actors chat with Jake Gyllenhaal, Lady Gaga says, “Since I was a little girl, I was so mercilessly bullied, and I had a really strict upbringing. So acting for me was a way to totally escape who I was.”
For this pop titan, acting has not been just a net to catch attention or earn money but a way for her to liberate herself from the darkness inside of her. Films like “A Star is Born” and “House of Gucci” illustrate Gaga’s acting chops and her ability to impressively disappear into the unique worlds of her characters.
Viewing how she has always created different fashion-forward personas to express herself, it is safe to say that acting has always been an essential part of Lady Gaga’s illustrious music career. For her, these two disciplines are not separate; they are two sides of the same artistic coin.
IMB/Dreamgirls
Singing and Acting are Two Peas in a Pod
While singing and acting are often considered separate entities, they share many similarities. For instance, both require a high level of dedication and center around emotions and storytelling. For many pop stars, acting is a natural extension of their singing abilities. Many movies with songs or full-on musicals allow artists to tap into their musical and acting talents effectively.
Renowned EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson has expertly chosen projects that have allowed her to tap into her musical and acting abilities. In her Oscar-winning role in the 2006 smash hit Dreamgirls, her performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” received rave reviews for her soul-stirring singing and poignant acting showcase.
Why keep these two dynamic art forms separate when they can blend so seamlessly? Many stars on Broadway and the screens, big and small, have given compelling answers to this question through their genre-defying performances. While some artists commit to either singing or acting, some find the fulfillment that comes from combining both, leading to a unique and deeply satisfying artistic expression.
Vogue/Craig Blankenhorn
Some First Loves Never Die
Some pop singers’ backgrounds were not in school choirs or local music competitions; they were in acting workshops or auditions for kids’ TV shows. For these stars, music was something they chose while pursuing acting, which was their originally desired path. For instance, Selena Gomez, one of the most prominent pop stars in the world, started her career by acting on Barney and Friends and then the iconic Wizards of Waverly Place. She only started seriously pursuing music when she recorded various soundtracks for Disney Channel.
Recently, her acting career was rejuvenated owing to her starring role in the hit Hulu comedy Only Murders in Building, which earned her historic Emmy nominations for both acting and producing. On an episode of the Smartless podcast, Gomez indicated she wanted to find just one thing to settle on, stating “I do feel like I have one more album in me, but I would probably choose acting.” In 2024, she received some of the ravest reviews of her career for her performance in the musical crime comedy Emilia Pérez, which is hotly tipped to accrue a slew of Oscar nominations next year.
While music is an integral part of artists like Gomez’s identities and careers, it is not the only thing that defines them. Some musicians, feeling oversaturated by the fluorescent lights and pounding vibrations of big stages, find comfort in acting, which offers them more stability. For many, acting has been their true love since they were little children, and it has never really let them go.
Buzzfeed/Nickelodeon
Getting an Early Industry Leg-Up
Acting is an excellent way for fresh artists to get exposed to wider audiences. When people are constantly exposed to actors on their TV or movie screens, they form strong connections with them. Successful pop stars like Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande were exposed to large audiences through TV shows they performed in.
The hit Nickelodeon show Victorious catapulted Grande into the limelight and offered her great support when pursuing her music career. While on the show, she uploaded musical covers on YouTube, which were soon discovered by the CEO of Republic Records. Impressed by her vocal prowess, he offered her a recording contract in 2011; the rest is history.
Ariana Grande’s journey from a Nickelodeon star to a global pop sensation is a testament to the power of television exposure. Her loyal fan base, many of whom discovered her through Victorious, played a crucial role in her success. This highlights that no matter how talented an artist is, their success largely depends on the exposure they receive. The viewers watching television in their living rooms are not just passive spectators; they are the fans who form the foundation of some of the most successful musical artists in the world.
Audiences Win When Artists Expand Their Horizons
At the end of the day, there are a plethora of reasons why pop stars choose to pursue acting. However, one thing is certain: as audience members, we are the ultimate winners because we get to experience more incredible showcases of talent when they do. In a world where so many feel pressured to stay in their lane and have the odds stacked against them, it is admirable how some choose to break the mold and shoot for the stars!
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