BOOMBAYAH Posted July 15 Posted July 15 And not just regular or part-time actresses, but oftentimes acclaimed, Oscar-winning actresses. I've noticed this ambition among many pop girls, and what's funny is that I don't think many actresses want to have serious music careers. In fact, some, like Zendaya, actively avoid it, choosing to pursue acting instead. Why is this? Quote In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Michael Caine says Beyonce told him it was her dream to win an Oscar back in 2002. Quote When I interviewed Aaliyah in 2001, not long before her passing, she was full of hope and ambition. She wanted to star in more movies Quote "I wanted to be an actress, I never really intended on being a singer full-time but apparently that hobby turned into something else" - Selena Gomez Quote "It's so unequivocally (sic) frustrating to read that Whitney Houston has the music career I wish I had and Sharon Stone has the film career I'll never have." - Madonna
Virgos Groove Posted July 15 Posted July 15 (edited) It's an extremely prestigious job (if you're successful at it) and can be a safety net when your music career declines. Edited July 15 by Virgos Groove 9
Burn Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Going on a closed movie set, having limited interaction with people and showing up to the odd premiere is a lot more appealing than having to perform on stage night after night in front of a bunch of rabid fans. 5
BOOMBAYAH Posted July 15 Author Posted July 15 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Virgos Groove said: It's an extremely prestigious job This is interesting. I feel like when you're a singer, it's harder to be revered and acclaimed if you don't write, produce, and/or direct every part of your projects alongside being the vocalist. However, in the acting world, an actress is encouraged to just get to set and be one piece of a larger project, yet she still receives reverence. Being part of a team in the acting world is not as taboo as it is in the singing world. It seems like it's harder to be taken seriously as a singer, especially a pop singer, than as an actress in this way. Edited July 15 by BOOMBAYAH 5
perfectillusion204 Posted July 15 Posted July 15 It's probably somewhat easier to "make it" in the music industry vs the film industry. So I feel like some people use a music career as stepping stone to their acting career. Actors get paid waaay more though, so that might also sound appealing to a singer signed to a record label.
suburbannature Posted July 15 Posted July 15 17 minutes ago, Bloodflowers. said: J.Lo's impact JLo was an actress first.
Zylo Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Imo, being an actor is a lot more lucrative than being a pop star in terms of social credit and being immortalized by society (music wins in terms of economic gain). Music is too ofc, but there is more acclaim and respect to be achieved by actors compared to big pop stars (by the GP). It's not just that either, but the level of accomplishment by the person themselves. It's easy to discredit an artist by saying anyone with a semi-decent voice can make a cute & catchy 2-4 minute song, with autotune even. Captivating an audience with your livelihood by bringing a character to life is probably more satisfying. Not to mention you have people like Josh Brolin writing poems about being captivated by Timothy Chalamets cheekbones and gaze just by being on set with him I would gather actors have an even bigger halo effect on people than artist. 1
unclefloprry Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Most of them do it just to boost their brand power and image. Look at JLo, nobody listens to her music, nobody streams her or fills her concerts, but her celebrity power is big compared to 90% of artists
Sazare Posted July 15 Posted July 15 More career stability probably. You're less destined to be washed-up and irrelevant by your mid-30s
jeffersonairplanes19 Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Most musicians get into acting as a form of marketing because it boots their brands. And for a long time from the 40s-60s being a Popstar and being in movies went hand in hand. thats why Elvis, The Beatles and a lot of stars from those eras starred in so many movies especially the artists marketed towards teens.
Fitzswiftie Posted July 15 Posted July 15 56 minutes ago, BOOMBAYAH said: and what's funny is that I don't think many actresses want to have serious music careers. In fact, some, like Zendaya, actively avoid it, choosing to pursue acting instead. Why is this? The music world is far more crueler towards interlopers from other mediums of entertainment (not just actors - has any Broadway actor successfully had a genuine crossover pop career since Streisand? but how many reality stars and influencers have crossed over to music successfully? I can only recall Cardi & Troye?). Signing with a major label is extremely risky because you could end up risking your reputation in both fields if it flops or put out bad music, so unless your 100% commit yourself to it (Kylie, J.Lo, Jamie Foxx, Hailee Steinfeld, Childish Gambino, ex-acts) then actors actors typically just self feud their music "career" as a vanity project (Kevin Bacon, Johnny Depp, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto etc). Whereas musicians being able to perform naturally on stage is an easily transferable (again see Broadway and theatre) whilst acting as a skill is something is known to be more easily taught than being a talented musician.
Tylerbv Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Actors are seen as classier and more prestigious than singers. You can somewhat learn to act and be popular with minimal talent, but if you're not a singer, you'll never really learn. For women especially, being 35+ isn't exactly prime time as an actress, but it's not a death sentence like it is in music (see: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, June Squibb, Maya Rudolph, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, etc.) 3
Aston Martin Posted July 15 Posted July 15 57 minutes ago, perfectillusion204 said: It's probably somewhat easier to "make it" in the music industry vs the film industry. So I feel like some people use a music career as stepping stone to their acting career. Actors get paid waaay more though, so that might also sound appealing to a singer signed to a record label. I feel like it's actually the opposite if you factor in touring. If you're a strong touring force, then you can probably make way more money in a year than an actor at a comparable level of fame. But in terms of money made from recording and releasing an album vs acting in a movie or successful TV show, the latter pays better. Touring is also a much bigger and more laborious time commitment, so I'm sure an actor would have to work less. That may be part of the appeal, along with actors generally having a longer shelf life than singers.
teresaguidice Posted July 15 Posted July 15 1. some pop stars are entertainers more than musicians who never had particular passion for music, its just the avenue through which they were able to succeed. so they try to pivot when they can. 2. music is not super profitable anymore unless you can lead a big tour (which is extremely grueling). acting is like a makeup brand for some pop stars, just a path to diversify the revenue streams and help grow their personal brand. 3. like others have said, hollywood is seen as more prestigious. the grammys feels like the VMAs when you compare it to the oscars or even a disgraced show like the golden globes. some pop stars want to be a part of that. 1
A Million Lights Posted July 15 Posted July 15 They be copying Lady Gaga as they always did since 2008 1 1
ericcartman Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Movies > music I love music but the general public views movies as bigger. The Oscars are bigger than all those little music awards. Everyone loves movies. And there are plenty of blockbuster films in which everyone will watch (eg Titanic). Meanwhile music is more subjective and everyone has their own favorite genre. Not everyone likes pop. Also, most people in the general public stop looking for new music when they grow up and get married. They just go back to their oldies and faves. But they will watch the current big blockbuster. 1
Rotunda Posted July 15 Posted July 15 (edited) Musicians can be drowning in Top 40 hits but be raking in pennies because of a bad deal they signed a decade ago. With movies your pay most instantly reflects your current star power. Beyond that, a music artist's career is much more financially reliant on the public's sustained interest in them as an individual. If they start flopping, their whole career is in jeopardy. if an actor is in a movie that flops, that isn't necessarily an indictment of their place in the industry. If an actor isn't covering tabloids that doesn't mean they aren't still right for a role. Edited July 15 by Rotunda 1
Infernal Paradise Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Movies in general have a significantly wider reach than music. The film industry is also far more lucrative and respects and rewards their talents more. Also, ageism is a big factor, and while both industries are plagued by it, pop stars tend to have a certain shelf life after which it becomes much harder to sustain your status and relevance as younger acts start thriving and label priorities change whereas you can still get meaty roles and be an acclaimed, bankable actor, even in your 50s and 60s.
BrokenMachine Posted July 15 Posted July 15 (edited) Better paychecks and way less stressful environments Singers only get paid if their projects sell well or if they get good sponsors. Also they're in the middle of too many lights and noise from instruments, speakers and fans night after night, which can be exhausting for anyone. They also get too many responsibilities and have to respond to many teams, if you get sick for a few days, many people depend on you and millions of dollars might get lost, also if you flop, many people could lose their job. If you work in the film industry as an actress you just have to care about being on time while filming, learning your lines and get paid for it, doesn't matter if the movie sells or not and you're free from the many responsibilities the music industry might get you Edited July 15 by BrokenMachine
Soda Pop Queen Posted July 15 Posted July 15 lol not y'all putting actors, especially Hollywood actors, on such a high pedestal, not with all the nepotism that runs that place. More prestigious than musicians? Pfft, absolutely not. Both industries have as many untalented and mediocre folks as they have critically acclaimed ones. The girls all want to be Streisand but fail to realize that Babs was not a pop singer turned actress but an actress who sings. She cut her teeth on Broadway. The only upside to the girls wanting to act is you MIGHT have a longer shelf life if successful at it but it's all in how you are marketed. Ageism still affects women in the film industry too. 2
CityPop Posted July 15 Posted July 15 It can revitalize careers. Mandy went from releasing cute bops to being an Emmy-nominated actress with her talent. One generation of fans know her for Candy, I Wanna Be With You and Cry while another knows her from A Walk to Remember, Tangled and This Is Us. But not everyone has the talent to transition like Amanda Leigh Moore.
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