Today, we are going to talk about some successful mainstream artists who began their careers not in music but in another art.
Some of the most successful artists today, especially in our generation, demonstrated their performance skills as actors on television. The small screen launched the young actors to stardom as they left it behind to pursue a career in music, and they were incredibly talented! Some of them made millions, broke records, and became icons and an inspiration for others. From Nickelodeon’s âVictoriousâ star Ariana Grande to the Grammy-winning Disney Channel star Olivia Rodrigo, we look at 13 Child Actors who made it big in the music industry.
Ariana Grande
Although the âPositionsâ singer, Ariana Grande, has been lauded for her singing, she wasnât always a full-time musician. One of the most successful pop stars of our time – Grande, began singing and acting when she was quite young. Ariana bagged a role in the Broadway play â13â in 2008. Soon, she began appearing on the telly in bits but her big break came in 2010.
Ariana Grande landed a role in Nickelodeonâs television series âVictoriousâ as Cat Valentine. She played a teenager attending a performing arts school in the show. After the sitcom starring Victoria Justice was canceled in 2013, Grade starred in the spin-off show âSam & Catâ.
She released the single âPut Your Hearts Upâ in the midst of pursuing her acting career in 2011. Grandeâs debut album, âYours Trulyâ, came two years later. It included the popular single âThe Wayâ, a collaboration with rapper Mac Miller. However, this wasn’t her only collaboration on the album, the other two were âRight Thereâ with rapper Big Sean, and âAlmost Is Never Enoughâ featuring The Wantedâs English singer Nathan Skyes.
âYours Trulyâ debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The singer was widely praised for her R&B-infused pop music and impressive vocal range.
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She then decided to focus on her music as she was gaining more and more success with her sophomore album, âMy Everythingâ, establishing her as a pop star. This album was released in 2014 and gave us several hits like – the uptempo-dance pop song âProblemâ featuring rapper Iggy Azalea, âOne Last Timeâ the dance-pop song which gained a whole new meaning after the attack at the singerâs Manchesterâs show, âBreak Freeâ, an EDM track she did with the popular DJ, Zedd; another hit with The Weeknd called âLove Me Harderâ; and the smash hit that can still be heard at parties and events today – âBang Bangâ featuring Jessie J and Nicki Minaj.
This album also debuted at number 1. Apart from the above-mentioned hits, it also included collaborations with artists like Big Sean, Cashmere Cat, and Childish Gambino. The singerâs sophomore album as well as the hit song âBang Bangâ earned her the Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy nominations, respectively.
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Grande went on to release four more albums – âDangerous Womanâ (2016), âSweetenerâ (2018), âthank u, nextâ (2019), and âPositionsâ (2020), with all of them going on to become Best Pop Vocal Album nominees at the Grammy awards.
Arianaâs first Grammy win was the Best Pop Vocal Album award for her 2018 album âSweetenerâ. The singer has collaborated with many artists over the years, including Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Victoria Monet, and Megan Thee Stallion. One such collaboration with the iconic Lady Gaga won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy Award for the song âRain On Meâ in 2021.
After several successful years in the music industry, Grande made a comeback in her acting career in Netflix’s film âDonât Look Upâ. The star also became a coach on âThe Voiceâ 2021 and thatâs not all! Grande is set to star in the movie adaptation of âWickedâ, alongside Cynthia Erivo as the musical’s leads: Enemies-to-best friends Elphaba and Glinda. The roles were originated by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
Miley Cyrus
We have all known of Miley Cyrus ever since her titular character in âHannah Montanaâ. The star took singing and acting lessons and she bagged her first acting role as Kylie in her father’s television series âDocâ. At thirteen, Cyrus auditioned for the role of the title character’s best friend for the Disney Channel television series âHannah Montanaâ but was called to audition for the lead role instead.
The show gained a large audience. The success of the series caused the pop star to be labeled a âteen idolâ at the time, even touring with the Cheetah Girls as Hannah Montana in September 2006. She performed songs from the show’s first season and Walt Disney Records released a soundtrack credited to Cyrus’s character’s commercial success.
Cyrusâ highly successful 2007-2008 Best of Both Worlds Tour led to the theatrical release of the 3D concert film Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (2008).
Miley released two studio albums – âMeet Miley Cyrusâ (2007) and âBreakout’ (2008) before offering âThe Climbâ in 2009, which served as a single from the soundtrack to the Hannah Montana feature film. It was met with a warm critical and commercial reaction.
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It became a crossover hit in both pop and country music formats with the soundtrack becoming the singerâs fourth entry to top the Billboard 200. Cyrus’ âParty In The U.S.A.â off âThe Time Of Our Lives’ remains the starâs most successful single to date, which has garnered over 900 million streams on Spotify and more than 866 million views on YouTube. After her 2010 album, âCanât Be Tamedâ, Miley worked with several hip-hop artists.
The singer saw worldwide commercial success with her single âWe Can’t Stopâ off her fourth studio album âBangerzâ which also featured another hit song âWrecking Ballâ. Her âWe Cant Stopâ music video set the Vevo record for most views within twenty-four hours of release. It became the first to reach 100 million views on the site.
In 2015, Cyrus released her fifth studio album titled âMiley Cyrus & Her Dead Petzâ. She was a key advisor during the tenth season of the reality singing competition âThe Voiceâ, signing on as a coach for the eleventh season as a replacement for Gwen Stefani. Miley became the youngest coach to appear in any incarnation of the series. Her next album came in 2017 with hits like the title track âYounger Nowâ and âMalibuâ. She is also returning as a coach on the thirteenth season of âThe Voiceâ.
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Featuring vocal collaborations with RuPaul, Swae Lee, Mike Will Made It, and Ghostface Killah, Mileyâs âSHE IS COMINGâ was released in 2019. âMothers Daughter’ was one of its popular songs and its original music video won two MTV Video Music Awards.
Miley had an acting comeback starring in the episode “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too,” of Netflixâs popular science fiction series âBlack Mirrorâ in 2019 playing fictional pop star Ashley O. She also provided the voice for her AI doll extension, Ashley Too. Cyrus lent her voice for two songs âOn A Rollâ, and âRight Where I Belongâ.
Her latest studio album âPlastic Heartsâ marked a step into rock and glam rock music. It spawned three hits: âPrisonerâ featuring the âLevitatingâ and the âDonât Start Now’ hitmaker Dua Lipa and ‘Angels like You’, along with âMidnight Skyâ. Cyrus has also received a nod at the Grammy Awards in 2015 in the category âBest Pop Vocal Albumâ for âBangerz.
Hillary Duff
Hillary Duff, just like the âHannah Montanaâ star Miley Cyrus, was quickly labeled as a âteen idolâ for her stardom in her acting career at a young age. She was the title character of the television series âLizzie McGuireâ (2001), and in the film based on the series, âThe Lizzie McGuire Movieâ (2003). The star also appeared in numerous mainstream films such as âCadet Kellyâ (2002), âAgent Cody Banksâ (2003), âCheaper by the Dozenâ (2003) and ‘A Cinderella Story‘ (2004).
Duff also appeared in independent films. She played a wider range of adult-themed roles. Her works included âWar, Inc.â (2008), âAccording to Gretaâ (2009), and âThe Haunting of Sharon Tateâ (2019), inspired by the real-life TateâLaBianca murders. She also starred as Kelsey Peters in TV Landâs longest-running original series ‘Younger‘ (2015-2021). Hillary received two People’s Choice Awards nominations for it.
Her musical career came to prominence in 2002. This was the year she released her Christmas-themed debut studio album âSanta Claus Laneâ. She has been hailed as an inspiration by her subsequent Disney stars. This included Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato.
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Duffâs sophomore album âMetamorphosisâ, which was out in 2003, saw much success. It topped the Billboard 200 chart. âMetamorphosisâ earned Hillary a 3Ă Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
This was just the beginning for Duff. The singer enjoyed significant commercial success with her subsequent albums. The albums were her self-titled âHillary Duffâ (2004), âMost Wantedâ (2005), and âDignityâ (2007) was Platinum and Gold-certified. Her latest and fifth album âBreathe In. Breathe Out.â came in 2015.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Duff has sold an estimated 15 million records worldwide, earning two platinum certifications. The starâs current and latest project is âHow I Met Your Fatherâ. She produces and stars in the Hulu series in the lead role, Sophie.
Britney Spears
The pop icon who sold nearly 150 million records worldwide started out very young. She auditioned for Disneyâs television series âThe All New Mickey Mouse Clubâ. However, she was deemed too young. In this period, she started making television commercials. In 1991, she appeared in Ruthless, an Off-Broadway play where she was hired for her first professional role as the understudy for the lead role of Tina Denmark in it.
Two years later, the star finally became a cast member of the aforementioned show. She starred alongside future stars Ryan Gosling, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake in âThe All New Mickey Mouse Clubâ.
The show was canceled in 1995 but this only meant new beginnings for the future pop star.
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She made a demo tape that earned her a development deal with Jive Records when she was 15, and she went on to release her first single, ââŠBaby One More Timeâ in 1998. Spearsâ album titled â…Baby One More Timeâ released in 1999. It skyrocketed to number one on the charts. Britney Spears made an album that sold more than 10 million copies in the United States. Her second album âOops!… I Did It Againâ was successful too.
The release of her third album came in 2001 and the star signed a multimillion-dollar deal to be a spokesperson for Pepsi. Her third album, âBritneyâ, sold over four million copies domestically with its follow-up âIn The Zoneâ album selling nearly three million. This could partly be because of the timeless hit single âToxicâ.
The star went on to release five albums over the years – âBlackoutâ (2007), âCircusâ (2008), âFemme Fataleâ (2011), âBritney Jeanâ (2013), and âGloryâ (2020). In 2012, she appeared as a judge in the televised talent competition âThe X Factorâ. In the following year, Spears began a residency show. It was titled âBritney: Piece of Meâ at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Christina Aguilera
Much like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, too, auditioned for a position on âThe Mickey Mouse Clubâ. She, too, did not meet its age requirements and joined the show two years later. Aguilera performed musical numbers and sketch comedy until its cancellation in 1994 with fellow cast members including Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake.
The singer, who has been known for her four-octave vocal range and ability to sustain high notes, began her musical career with “All I Wanna Do”, a duet with Japanese singer Keizo Nakanishi In 1998.
Christina was selected to sing the theme song âReflectionâ for Disneyâs animated film âMulanâ (1998). It charted on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart at number 15. Aguileraâs rise to stardom was her lead single from the album, âGenie in a Bottleâ. It is a trendy pop and R&B track released in June 1999 and peaked atop the US Billboard Hot 100 and on charts of 20 other countries.
Xtinaâs self-titled debut album âChristina Aguileraâ was released in 1999. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified eight times platinum by the RIAA. The album also featured hits like âWhat a Girl Wantsâ and âCome On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)â, and âI Turn to Youâ.
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In February 2000, Aguilera won a Grammy award for Best New Artist. Aguilera’s two following studio albums were âMi Reflejoâ and âMy Kind of Christmasâ, with the first being a Spanish-language album consisting of re-recorded versions of tracks on Aguilera’s debut album and several original songs. It topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums for 19 consecutive weeks. The album was certified six times platinum in the Latin field by the RIAA and won Best Female Pop Vocal Album at the 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2001.
âMy Kind of Christmasâ contains covers of popular Christmas songs. It also included a few original dance-pop tunes and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
âStrippedâ came in 2002, incorporating various genres revolving around the theme of self-esteem while also discussing sex and gender equality which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Hit songs from the album included âBeautifulâ, a ballad that received universal acclaim; âFighterâ, âCan’t Hold Us Downâ, and âThe Voice Withinâ. âBeautifulâ went on to win a Grammy award for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2004.
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Aguileraâs 2006 album âBack to Basicsâ was a successful album, too, it debuted atop the Billboard 200. The singer won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for âAin’t No Other Manâ off her fifth studio album – âBack to Basicsâ at the 2007 Grammy awards. This album also featured top-ten singles: âHurtâ and âCandymanâ. Christinaâs subsequent albums âBionicâ (2010), Lotusâ (2012), and âLiberationâ (2018) did extremely well too.
Aguilera served as a coach on the first three seasons of the television competition series âThe Voiceâ and although she skipped the fourth season, the singer returned for the showâs fifth installment.
Christina has worked on songs for soundtracks and worked with many artists throughout her career, and one such collaboration was with âA Great Big Worldâ on the ballad âSay Somethingâ. It earned a six-time platinum certification from the RIAA. âSay Somethingâ also won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2015 Grammy Awards. Aguilera has been an influence to many and she continues to shine on!
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, another of our Disney stars, began her acting career on the children’s television series âBarney & Friendsâ (2002â2004) alongside another pop star – Demi Lovato. She rose to prominence for her lead role as Alex Russo in the Disney Channel television series âWizards of Waverly Placeâ (2007â2012) when she was a teenager.
Gomez has also appeared in the films âAnother Cinderella Storyâ (2008), a sequel to âA Cinderella Storyâ (2004) starring Hillary Duff and One Tree Hillâs Chad Michael Murray; âPrincess Protection Programâ (2009) alongside her âBarney & Friendsâ co-star Demi Lovato, âWizards of Waverly Place: The Movieâ (2009), âRamona and Beezusâ (2010), and Monte Carloâ (2011), among others. Selena replaced Miley Cyrus and voiced the character Mavis in the âHotel Transylvaniaâ film franchise.
She also executive produced the popular Netflix television series â13 Reasons Whyâ and âLiving Undocumentedâ (2019). The âLose You To Love Meâ singer produced these through her production company, July Moonhead Productions. She also executive produces and stars in the HBO Max cooking series âSelena + Chefâ and the Hulu mystery-comedy series âOnly Murders in the Buildingâ co-starring Steve Martin and Martin Short.
The Hulu television series earned Gomez critical praise. She also received a nod at the Criticsâ Choice Television Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy series.
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The star released three albums with her former band, âSelena Gomez & the Sceneâ. They were: âKiss & Tellâ (2009), âA Year Without Rainâ (2010), and âWhen the Sun Goes Downâ (2011). They all reached the top ten of the US Billboard 20. All of their albums were certified gold by the RIAA. Popular songs on Gomezâs former bandâs albums include: âNaturallyâ, and âTell Me Something I Donât Knowâ (âKiss & Tellâ); âRound & Roundâ, and âA Year Without Rainâ (âA Year Without Rainâ); âLove You Like A Love Songâ, âWho Saysâ, and âHit The Lightsâ (âWhen The Sun Goes Downâ).
Gomez eventually went on to pursue a solo career in music. She released three solo studio albums – âStars Danceâ (2013) featuring hits – âCome & Get Itâ and âSlow Downâ; âRevivalâ (2015) with popular songs like âKill Em With Kindnessâ, âHands To Myselfâ, âSame Old Loveâ, and âGood For Youâ; and âRareâ (2020) featuring tracks – âLose You To Love Meâ, and âLook At Her Nowâ. Each of the pop starâs albums debuted atop the Billboard 200.
Last year, the singer released the Spanish-language EP – âRevelaciĂłnâ and received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. Selena Gomez has seen much success with singles that have charted inside the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. These include âCome & Get Itâ, âThe Heart Wants What It Wantsâ, âGood for Youâ feat. A$AP Rocky, âSame Old Loveâ, âHands to Myselfâ, âWe Don’t Talk Anymoreâ feat. Charlie Puth, and âIt Ain’t Meâ by Selena Gomez & Kygo. Her first number-one song was âLose You to Love Meâ.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato, although known for their role in Disney channelâs âSonny With A Chanceâ in her teenage years, started out as a child actor appearing on the children’s television series âBarney & Friendsâ (2002â2004). They rose to prominence for playing Mitchie Torres in the musical television film âCamp Rockâ (2008). Lovato was also in the sequel âCamp Rock 2: The Final Jamâ (2010). The soundtrack of âCamp Rockâ (2008) featured the track âThis Is Meâ. This was the singerâs debut single and duet with Joe Jonas. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lovato starred as the titular character on the sitcom Sonny with a Chance for two seasons. They also served as a judge on the music competition series âThe X Factor USAâ for its second and third seasons. Demi appeared as a recurring character in the musical comedy âGleeâ (2013â2014).
Similarly, she was also on the sitcom âWill & Graceâ (2020). The pop star starred alongside Selena Gomez in the television drama film âPrincess Protection Programâ (2009). They voice the character of âSmurfetteâ in the 2017 animated comedy film âSmurfs: The Lost Villageâ. Lovato also appeared in the musical comedy âEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Sagaâ (2020).
Demi Lovato had signed with Hollywood Records. They released their pop-rock debut album, âDon’t Forgetâ in 2008 with âLa La Landâ being one of the popular songs. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and follow-up, Lovatoâs second album âHere We Go Againâ (2009), debuted at number one in the U.S. This albumâs title track reached number 15 on the Hot 100.
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Lovato’s third studio album, âUnbrokenâ was released in 2011. It experimented with pop and R&B and featured songs like âSkyscraperâ and âGive Your Heart A Breakâ. âUnbrokenâ spawned the U.S. platinum-certified single âSkyscraperâ. The singerâs fourth studio album came in 2013. This self-titled album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
The singerâs fifth and sixth albums, âConfidentâ (2015) and âTell Me You Love Meâ (2017), infused soul and mature themes. The former included songs like âConfidentâ, âCool for the Summerâ, and âStone Coldâ, and the latter featured the hits âSorry Not Sorryâ and the title track âTell Me You Love Meâ. Lovato earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2017 for âConfidentâ.
This wasnât her only Grammy nomination. The second one came in 2019 for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for âFall in Lineâ with Christina Aguilera. This was also an especially memorable career milestone for Demi.
I grew up in Texas, singing to @xtina everyday, DESPERATELY trying to hit her high notes.. if you wouldâve told me Iâd have a Grammy nod with her I wouldâve laughed in your face!! This is so surreal..
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 7, 2018
âSorry Not Sorryâ the lead single from âTell Me You Love Meâ, became the starâs highest-charting single in the U.S. It reached number six. Lovato released their seventh album in 2021. It was titled âDancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Overâ and reached number two on the Billboard 200.
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Lovato has sold over 24 million records in the United States. They have also received numerous accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, and fourteen Teen Choice Awards. Furthermore, she has won five People’s Choice Awards and two Latin American Music Awards.
The singer also has a Guinness World Record and has been known to be an activist for several social causes. Their struggles with eating disorders and substance abuse have received considerable media attention. In response to this, she published the self-help memoir âStaying Strong: 365 Days a Yearâ (2013). Lovato has even released the documentaries ‘Demi Lovato: Simply Complicatedâ (2017) and âDemi Lovato: Dancing with the Devilâ (2021).
Fergie
Fergie was a member of the children’s television series âKids Incorporatedâ. She was also in a girl group called âWild Orchidâ and left it in 2001. In 2002, she joined the hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas and worked with them on two albums, achieving chart success as a part of it. Fergie released her debut album in 2006. It was titled âThe Dutchessâ and saw commercial success.
Fergieâs debut album spawned three Billboard Hot 100 number one singles: âLondon Bridgeâ, âGlamorousâ, and âBig Girls Don’t Cryâ. She then continued her collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas. The singer released two more albums with the group: âThe E.N.D.â (2009) and âThe Beginningâ (2010). Fergieâs second solo album âDouble Dutchessâ, came in 2017. She also appeared in various films. These include âPoseidonâ (2006), âGrindhouseâ (2007), and âNineâ (2009).
Fergie launched her first fragrance, âOutspokenâ, under Avon in May 2010. Since then, the star has released four more fragrances and her footwear line, Fergie Footwear, was launched in 2009.
Janet Jackson
One of the most popular recording artists of the 1980s and â90s, Janet Jackson, the tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family appeared as a regular on the 1970s television comedy series âGood Timesâ. The iconâs eponymous debut came in 1982, followed by a 1984 album âDream Streetâ. She then took control of her career, moved out on her own, developed her own sound and influential style, and reemerged in 1986 with her breakthrough record âControlâ.
It featured five singles that topped the rhythm-and-blues charts. It also includes two Top Ten pop hits, âWhat Have You Done for Me Latelyâ and âNastyâ. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious, and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her fierce independence struck a chord with the youth of the day.
Jackson rose to a level of stardom. She collaborated with the production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (based in Minneapolis, Minnesota). They produced bold, beat-heavy, catchy songs that defined the punch and power of 1980s dance and pop music. The singer returned in 1989 with her most diverse work. It was her fourth studio album – âJanet Jacksonâs Rhythm Nation 1814â that delivered seven pop Top Ten hit singles. It included âMiss You Muchâ, âEscapadeâ, and âLove Will Never Do (Without You)â.
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The singer continued to enjoy worldwide popularity and critical acclaim in the 1990s. Her subsequent albums were âJanetâ (1993), âDesign of a Decadeâ (1995), and âThe Velvet Ropeâ (1997), âAll for Youâ (2001), which continued in the sensual vein of ‘Janet’, and âDamita Joâ (2004).
Her later albums included â20 Y.O.â (2006), âDisciplineâ (2008), and âUnbreakableâ (2015). The latter was billed as a comeback album. It used contemporary electronic arrangements to bolster the velvety vocals. It established Jackson as an R&B star and in 2019, Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Drake
The popular rapper Drake started gaining recognition by starring as Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001â08) as a teenager. He pursued a career in music by releasing his debut mixtape âRoom for Improvementâ in 2006. The star subsequently released the mixtapes âComeback Seasonâ (2007) and âSo Far Goneâ (2009).
Drake then signed with Young Money Entertainment and released his debut studio album, âThank Me Laterâ, in 2010. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 but the star achieved major critical success with his sophomore album âTake Careâ (2011) containing songs âShot For Meâ, âCrew Loveâ feat. The Weeknd, and âTake Careâ feat. Rihanna.
The star then saw much commercial success with his third album âNothing Was the Same (2013)â which featured âHold On. Weâre Going Homeâ, a track he did with Majid Jordan. Drake’s also achieved commercial success with his 2015 mixtape âIf You’re Reading This It’s Too Lateâ, which contained collaborations with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Lil Wayne, and Travis Scott. Both, âNothing Was The Sameâ and âIf You’re Reading This It’s Too Lateâ was certified multi-platinum in the US.
The rapperâs fourth album, Views (2016), sat atop the Billboard 200 for thirteen nonconsecutive weeks. It became the first album by a male solo artist to do so in over a decade. The album contained âToo Goodâ feat Rihanna, âHotline Blindâ, and chart record-setting lead single âOne Danceâ.
Drake’s second commercial mixtape came in 2017. It was titled âMore Lifeâ and set then-multiple streaming records. It saw hits like âPassionfruitâ and âFake Loveâ and in 2018, the star released the double album âScorpionâ. This album featured the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles âGod’s Planâ, âNice for Whatâ, and âIn My Feelingsâ.
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The âOne Danceâ rapperâs third commercial mixtape was âDark Lane Demo Tapesâ (2020). It featured the chart-topping âToosie Slideâ and in the subsequent year, the EP âScary Hours 2â included the number one âWhat’s Nextâ. The track set chart records. In 2021, the rapper released his sixth album, âCertified Lover Boyâ. It set the record for most U.S. top-ten entries from one album. This albumâs lead single âWay 2 Sexyâ debuted at number 1.
Drake also founded the OVO Sound record label with longtime collaborator 40 in 2012. The rapper is among the world’s best-selling music artists. Drake has sold over 170 million records. He is ranked as the highest-certified digital singles artist in the United States by the RIAA with his collection of trophies, including four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, a record 34 Billboard Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and three Juno Awards.
The star also holds several Billboard Hot 100 chart records. They are:
- The most top 10 singles (54)
- The most charted songs (258)
- The most simultaneously charted songs in one week (27)
- The most Hot 100 debuts in one week (22)
- The most continuous time on the Hot 100 (431 weeks).
In addition to this, he has the most number-one singles on the:
- R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts
- Hot Rap Songs charts
- Rhythmic Airplay charts.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue, the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, began her career with a minor role in the soap opera âThe Sullivansâ (1979). In the subsequent year, she took on another small role in âSkywaysâ (1980). Five years later, the singer was cast in one of the lead roles in âThe Henderson Kidsâ but achieved recognition while starring in the Australian soap opera âNeighboursâ. She played a tomboy mechanic named Charlene Robinson.
Minogue rose to prominence as a recording artist in the late 1980s. She released four bubblegum and dance-pop-influenced studio albums and nearly a decade later amassed several top ten singles in the UK and Australia. These included âI Should Be So Luckyâ, âThe Loco-Motionâ, âHand on Your Heartâ, and âBetter the Devil You Knowâ.
Kylie released âKylie Minogueâ (1994) and âImpossible Princessâ (1997), and then returned to mainstream dance-oriented music with 2000’s âLight Yearsâ. This includes the number-one hits âSpinning Aroundâ and âOn a Night Like Thisâ.
The international breakthrough for Minogue was the 2001 album âFeverâ. It became her best-selling album to date, with two of its singles, âLove at First Sightâ and âIn Your Eyesâ, becoming hits. The albumâs lead single, âCan’t Get You Out of My Headâ became one of the most successful singles of the 2000s. It sold over five million units.
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Minogueâs subsequent albums spawned successful singles. She continued reinventing her image and experimenting with a range of genres on them. The tracks included âSlowâ, â2 Heartsâ, âAll the Loversâ, âSanta Babyâ, âTimebombâ, and âDancingâ.
The singer became the first female artist to have a chart-topping album in the UK for five consecutive decades. This was because of the release of her 2020 album âDiscoâ.
Minogue made her film debut with âThe Delinquentsâ in 1989. The star portrayed Cammy in âStreet Fighterâ (1994) and has also appeared in the films âMoulin Rouge!â (2001), âJack & Diane, Holy Motorsâ (2012) and âSan Andreasâ (2015).Â
The star appeared as a judge on the third series of âThe Voice UKâ and âThe Voice Australiaâ in 2014. The singer has sold over 80 million records worldwide and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2008 New Year Honours. This was for services to music. The 2011 ARIA Music Awards, saw Kylie Minogue being inducted by the Australian Recording Industry Association into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo, who made a smash hit with her debut single âDriverâs Licenseâ, first appeared onscreen in an Old Navy commercial, shortly before making her acting debut at age twelve. Rodrigo portrayed the lead role of Grace Thomas in the direct-to-video film âAn American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Successâ, however, she only received recognition in 2016. It began when she starred in the Disney channel series âBizaardvarkâ as Paige Olvera. Her character was a guitarist, a role she played for three seasons.
February 2019 saw the young pop star cast in the starring role of Nini Salazar-Roberts on the Disney+ series âHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesâ alongside her co-star Joshua Bassett. The singer wrote âAll I Wantâ for the show’s soundtrack. She also co-wrote âJust for a Momentâ with Bassett.
In 2020, Rodrigo signed with Geffen and Interscope Records. She released her debut single âDrivers Licenseâ. It broke various records. âDriverâs Licenseâ went on to become one of the best-selling songs of 2021. It propelled her to mainstream fame which she followed up with subsequent singles singles âDeja Vuâ and âGood 4 Uâ that were hits too!
The singerâs highly anticipated debut studio album, âSourâ was released in 2021. It topped charts globally. âSourâ was met with widespread critical acclaim. It earned Rodrigo a Brit Award and three Grammy Awards. This included the Best New Artist Grammy award. Time named the star the 2021 Entertainer of the Year. Billboard named Olivia Rodrigo Woman of the Year in 2022.
Sabrina Carpenter
The last artist on our list of âMusicians Who Started Out As Child Actorsâ is another Disney Channel star – Sabrina Carpenter, who made her acting debut with an appearance in the crime series âLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitâ. She received much recognition for her recurring role as a young Chloe Goodwin in âThe Goodwin Gamesâ but her breakthrough role was in a Disney Channel television series. She starred as Maya Hart in the Disney Channel series âGirl Meets Worldâ.
The star starred in multiple feature films. They were: âHornsâ (2013), âAdventures in Babysittingâ (2016), âThe Hate U Giveâ (2018), âThe Short History of the Long Roadâ (2019), âCloudsâ (2020) and âEmergencyâ. Carpenter has also starred in the Netflix films. These included âTall Girlâ (2019), its sequel âTall Girl 2â and âWork Itâ (2020). The singer was a voice actress too, with recurring roles as Princess Vivian in âSofia the Firstâ (2013â2018), and as Melissa Chase in âMilo Murphy’s Lawâ (2016â2019).
To launch her music career, Carpenter signed to Hollywood Records and released her debut single, âCan’t Blame a Girl for Tryingâ, and EP of the same name. Carpenter, then released her debut album, âEyes Wide Openâ, in 2015.
The star has gone on to release three studio albums since then: âEvolutionâ (2016) featuring âThumbsâ, âSingular: Act Iâ (2018) including songs like âAlmost Loveâ, âSue Meâ, and âBad Timeâ and âSingular: Act IIâ with songs like âI Canât Stop Meâ feat. Saweetie, and âLooking At Meâ (2019). Carpenterâs popular songs also include âWhyâ and âOn My Wayâ, a song she did with a Norwegian DJ Alan Walker and a Puerto Rican singer – Farruko.