Every so often, a famous face from TV or film decides to trade scripts for songs. While plenty have tried, only a handful have truly managed to carve out legitimate music careers (or at least unforgettable pop moments). Here are some of the most fun and fascinating examples of celebrities who successfully made the leap into music.
Ariana Grande
Before topping charts, Ariana was Cat Valentine on Victorious and Sam & Cat. Once her debut album Yours Truly dropped in 2013, she quickly became one of the defining pop voices of her generation. What started on Nickelodeon turned into a powerhouse music career.
Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
Donald Glover went from Community’s Troy Barnes to Grammy-winning rap superstar. Under the name Childish Gambino, he blended sharp lyrics with genre-bending sounds, proving he could juggle comedy, acting, and music with equal brilliance. “Redbone” and “This Is America” sealed his legacy.
Drake
Long before ruling hip-hop, Drake was Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Trading high school drama for the recording booth, he became one of the biggest names in rap and pop. From “Best I Ever Had” to global anthems like “Hotline Bling,” he turned crossover into dominance.
Eddie Murphy
Already a comedy megastar, Eddie Murphy surprised everyone with his 1985 hit “Party All the Time,” produced by Rick James. The song cracked the Billboard Top 10 and became a quirky but beloved slice of ’80s pop. Murphy may not have built a lasting music career, but he proved comedians can groove, too.
Hailee Steinfeld
Known first as an Oscar-nominated actress in True Grit and later in Pitch Perfect, Hailee stunned audiences when she stepped into the pop arena. Songs like “Love Myself” and “Starving” showed she had both vocal chops and charisma to thrive in music.
Jennifer Lopez
Starting as a dancer and actress, J.Lo broke through as Selena in the 1997 biopic. Two years later, her debut album On the 6 turned her into a pop phenomenon. With hits like “If You Had My Love” and “Jenny From the Block,” she became a true triple threat.
Joji
Fans once knew him as YouTube’s outrageous Filthy Frank, but George Miller reinvented himself as Joji. Trading memes for moody ballads, he carved out a serious place in alternative pop with songs like “Slow Dancing in the Dark” and “Glimpse of Us.”
Kylie Minogue
Australia first loved Kylie as Charlene on the soap Neighbours. When she released her debut single “Locomotion” in 1987, she became a pop sensation almost overnight. Decades later, with “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and beyond, she remains a global icon.
Miley Cyrus
Disney’s Hannah Montana made Miley a household name, but she broke out of that role with her own pop identity. From “Party in the U.S.A.” to Bangerz to Flowers, she has constantly reinvented herself, proving she’s more than a teen TV character.
Selena Gomez
As Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena won over young audiences with her charm. Transitioning into pop, she led Selena Gomez & the Scene before going solo. With hits like “Come & Get It” and “Lose You to Love Me,” she became one of today’s most-streamed artists.