Awkward Times In Pop Culture When Some Actors Tried To Be Musicians And Vice Versa

Some celebrities can sing, act, and dance without breaking a sweat, but plenty of others have taken a swing at a second career and missed the mark. That is exactly what makes these pop culture detours so memorable, from musicians trying their hand at acting to actors chasing music stardom.

The lineup here includes big names like Robert Downey Jr., Rihanna, Britney Spears, Madonna, and 50 Cent, along with a few others who tested their range in a very public way. Some of these moves were brief, some were ambitious, and some became the kind of career detour people still talk about years later.

Here are six musicians who tried to be actors and six actors who tried to be musicians.

1. Robert Downey Jr. – Music

Before he landed his most iconic role as Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. actually tried to pursue a music career and even released an album called "The Futurist."

“Downey displays neither a supple voice nor the ability to at least keep the beat,” says Entertainment Weekly.

Good thing his stint with Marvel erased that from people's memories, but here we are reminding you of it once again!

Spotify

2. Mick Jagger – Acting

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones has been featured in some movies as he tried his luck with an acting career. However, his particular performance in "Ned Kelly" was described by the director as "as good as having a stillborn child."

Alamy

3. Ryan Gosling – Music

The Ken Adams of the roaring 20s, Ryan Gosling actually has a background in music—he has played the keys and guitar and even sang with the goth rock band called "Dead Man's Bones." Honestly speaking, he wasn't all that bad, but his acting career is what truly propelled his fame to new heights.

Wikimedia

4. Rihanna – Acting

Rihanna, the icon that she is, also tried her luck with acting. Her most significant role was in "Battleship," but many people did not appreciate her performance as much as they loved her music.

Alamy

5. Jeremy Renner – Music

Yes, Jeremy Renner actually released an album called "Medicine" in the midst of—wait for it—the Coronavirus pandemic. As it turns out, it wasn't really the kind of medicine we needed at that time.

GQ

This fits the same vibe as celebrity tell-alls that ditch the Hollywood gloss for raw, unvarnished honesty.

6. Britney Spears – Acting

Britney has been featured in many movies, but things took a downward turn when she signed on for "Crossroads," especially when she was at the peak of her career back then. It flopped at the box office, and many people questioned the director's choice to cast her.

She did appear in one episode of Glee, though, and it was an iconic one, so it kind of makes up for everything.

Alamy

7. Lindsay Lohan – Music

The 2000s "It" girl Lindsay Lohan was a Disney star, so she was bound to have a singing career. Her album "Speak" was a success in 2004, but her second one didn't gain much attention, leading her to say goodbye to music.

Wikimedia

8. Bruce Willis – Music

Bruce Willis was a performer in the 1980s, playing a character named "Bruno." His album, "The Return of Bruno," released in 1987, didn't receive much support, and many people said Bruno shouldn't have returned at all.

Alamy

9. Adam Levine – Acting

Many Maroon 5 fans were thrilled when Adam Levine was cast in "Begin Again," but it only led to disappointment, prompting Levine to decide not to pursue acting again.

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10. Scarlett Johansson – Music

Yes, ScarJo has always been a goddess—but honestly speaking, her album "Anywhere I Lay My Head" in 2008 wasn't nearly as marvelous as her acting credits. People went as far as calling her a karaoke enthusiast.

Spotify

11. Madonna – Acting

Everybody loves some good Madonna, but apparently not the movie critics. It seems she's only fit for films when her music is involved, unfortunately!

Olixe

12. 50 Cent – Acting

50 Cent tried his luck with acting when he debuted in "Get Rich Or Die Tryin," which is his own biopic. However, he didn't have much luck at all, nor was he able to capture a lot of cents—even Samuel L. Jackson turned down a role in the movie because he believed the singer was inexperienced.

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Well, it seems like not everyone can be a Zendaya or a Justin Timberlake, after all. These artists may have been phenomenal as actors or musicians, but they are also a living testament that sometimes, it's better to just be a master of one.

Do you know any other celebrities who tried to experiment with their careers? Comment down your thoughts, or share this article with all your family and friends to see!

Want more awkward Hollywood moments, like the stars who looked like they wanted the earth to swallow them whole? Read 10 Times Hollywood’s Biggest Stars Wanted The Earth To Swallow Them Whole.