10 Musical Superstars Who Slayed the Transition to Acting

01of 10ANDRA DAYAndra Day as Billie Holiday.Paramount PicturesThe “Rise Up” singer did exactly that when she rose to the occasion and portrayed Billie Holiday inThe United States vs. Billie Holiday, stepping into Lady Day’s legendary shoes and earning herself two Golden Globe nominations.She is nominated for a best actress in a drama motion picture for her role and for best original song for “Tigress & Tweed.”

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ANDRA DAY

Andra Day as Billie Holiday.Paramount Pictures

The “Rise Up” singer did exactly that when she rose to the occasion and portrayed Billie Holiday inThe United States vs. Billie Holiday, stepping into Lady Day’s legendary shoes and earning herself two Golden Globe nominations.

She is nominated for a best actress in a drama motion picture for her role and for best original song for “Tigress & Tweed.”

02of 10LADY GAGASuzanne Tenner/FXLady Gagaknows how to make a debut. The pop sensation’s first foray into professional acting inAmerican Horror Story: Hotelearned her a Golden Globe win for best performance in a miniseries or television film, proving her theatrics are just as impressive on camera as they are onstage. But it was her role in 2018’sA Star Is Bornthat really got people talking, earning her Golden Globe, Screen Actors GuildandOscar nominations.In 2019, she won a Golden Globe and Academy Award for one the most memorable songs from the film, “Shallow.” The song also earned her and costarBradley CooperGrammys for best pop duo/group performance and best song written for visual media. The following year, she and Cooper won another Grammy for best compilation soundtrack for visual media and Gaga took home the Grammy for best song written for visual media for “I’ll Never Love Again.”

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LADY GAGA

Suzanne Tenner/FX

Lady Gagaknows how to make a debut. The pop sensation’s first foray into professional acting inAmerican Horror Story: Hotelearned her a Golden Globe win for best performance in a miniseries or television film, proving her theatrics are just as impressive on camera as they are onstage. But it was her role in 2018’sA Star Is Bornthat really got people talking, earning her Golden Globe, Screen Actors GuildandOscar nominations.

In 2019, she won a Golden Globe and Academy Award for one the most memorable songs from the film, “Shallow.” The song also earned her and costarBradley CooperGrammys for best pop duo/group performance and best song written for visual media. The following year, she and Cooper won another Grammy for best compilation soundtrack for visual media and Gaga took home the Grammy for best song written for visual media for “I’ll Never Love Again.”

03of 10JENNIFER HUDSONDavid James/Dreamworks/Paramount PicturesThe formerAmerican Idolfavorite roared into the acting world inDreamgirls, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.“It was like I had blinders on. I had no time to be scared,” Hudson toldThe Guardianabout stepping onto set with no acting experience. “I didn’t really realize how important my character, Effie, was to the film until it finished, somehow. I just wanted to keep up, make sure I did my best.” In 2015, she made her Broadway debut inThe Color Purple.

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JENNIFER HUDSON

David James/Dreamworks/Paramount Pictures

The formerAmerican Idolfavorite roared into the acting world inDreamgirls, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

“It was like I had blinders on. I had no time to be scared,” Hudson toldThe Guardianabout stepping onto set with no acting experience. “I didn’t really realize how important my character, Effie, was to the film until it finished, somehow. I just wanted to keep up, make sure I did my best.” In 2015, she made her Broadway debut inThe Color Purple.

04of 10MADONNAAlamyBest known as the pop queen of the ’80s, Madonna blew away expectations for her role as Eva Perón in 1996’sEvita, taking home the Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture comedy or musical. She’s had additional successes throughout her career in movie roles, including inDesperately Seeking SusanandA League of Their Own.

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MADONNA

Alamy

Best known as the pop queen of the ’80s, Madonna blew away expectations for her role as Eva Perón in 1996’sEvita, taking home the Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture comedy or musical. She’s had additional successes throughout her career in movie roles, including inDesperately Seeking SusanandA League of Their Own.

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WHITNEY HOUSTON

The vocal powerhouse first stepped in front of movie cameras for a starring role inThe Bodyguardin 1992. The film was a smash at the box office, and the lead single, “I Will Always Love You,” became one of Houston’s most enduring hits. Although critics weren’t as enchanted with Houston’s performance as audiences were, they largely praised her acting in her second feature,Waiting to Exhale.

06of 10QUEEN LATIFAHFrank Masi/HBOThe rapper and singer garnered attention as an actress during her five years on the sitcomLiving Single. In 2002, she earned an Oscar nod for her role inChicago. In 2016, theBessiestar went head-to-head withLady Gagain the Golden Globes best performance in a miniseries or television film race (Gaga won).

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QUEEN LATIFAH

Frank Masi/HBO

The rapper and singer garnered attention as an actress during her five years on the sitcomLiving Single. In 2002, she earned an Oscar nod for her role inChicago. In 2016, theBessiestar went head-to-head withLady Gagain the Golden Globes best performance in a miniseries or television film race (Gaga won).

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MARIAH CAREY

Courtesy Lionsgate

Critics may have panned Carey’s performance in 2001’sGlitter, but her acting credentials were redeemed with an unglamorous, spot-on performance in 2009’sPrecious.

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DOLLY PARTON

Although she dabbled in variety shows in the ’70s, the country legend didn’t make her feature film debut until 1980’s9 to 5. Parton held her own alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the comedy, even scoring a Golden Globe nomination for the role. Since then, she’s owned the screen in movies likeThe Best Little Whorehouse in TexasandSteel Magnolias.

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CHER

More than a decade after starring inThe Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Cher took home the Best Actress Oscar for 1987’sMoonstruck. “I don’t think that this means that I am somebody, but I guess I’m on my way,” she said during her acceptance speech.

10of 10DIANA ROSSEverettRoss' film debut as Billie Holiday inLady Sings the Blueswas so killer that she received an Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe for the role.“I never studied acting. I had never read I script before. I made it my story, not Billie Holiday’s story. I made it real for me — as if I was living each of those moments,“she saidabout her performance. Ross went on to star inMahoganyandThe Wiz.

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DIANA ROSS

Everett

Ross' film debut as Billie Holiday inLady Sings the Blueswas so killer that she received an Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe for the role.

“I never studied acting. I had never read I script before. I made it my story, not Billie Holiday’s story. I made it real for me — as if I was living each of those moments,“she saidabout her performance. Ross went on to star inMahoganyandThe Wiz.

source: people.com