Shawn Mendes 

 

Absolutely massive pre pandemic and then "Senorita" happened and he disappeared 

Shawn Mendes 

 

Absolutely massive pre pandemic and then "Senorita" happened and he disappeared 

TINASHE

Carrie Underwood

 

She really seemed like the next big thing but instead played it too safe with her sound and image. And, to make matters worse, she went full MAGA.

6 hours ago, Jotham said:

Carrie Underwood

 

She really seemed like the next big thing but instead played it too safe with her sound and image. And, to make matters worse, she went full MAGA.

But she's not wasted potential. MAGA Carrie had huge success in country genre. 

Edited September 22, 2025Sep 22 by Calvin

I truly believe Lights could've had a Halsey-esque career. She managed to secure some cute little moderate hits in Canada and has a very dedicated albeit small-ish fanbase in the states but I feel like she could've been much bigger. I feel like her main issue is that she was too pop for alt and too alt for pop, but she EASILY could've gotten some big hits with these songs if she and her label promoted them properly:

 

 

That being said, I think she's happy where she's at and very much enjoy stanning one of pop's best little kept secrets. I wonder what my fellow Lightsnators think of this though @jeauseph @Raphy @Bitter Aging Twink @Edibles. @Ciel

Doja: I think they haven't found the right songs for her this era 

Madison Beer: I feel like her image gives mpg but she just can't find her own sound

Emilia Mernes: she's massive in Argentina but they haven't even tried outside her home country, where are those A-list collabs? 

I thought about Zara Larsson. She has it all but she didn't happen…

37 minutes ago, YourFavoriteWeapon said:

I truly believe Lights could've had a Halsey-esque career. She managed to secure some cute little moderate hits in Canada and has a very dedicated albeit small-ish fanbase in the states but I feel like she could've been much bigger. I feel like her main issue is that she was too pop for alt and too alt for pop, but she EASILY could've gotten some big hits with these songs if she and her label promoted them properly:

 

 

That being said, I think she's happy where she's at and very much enjoy stanning one of pop's best little kept secrets. I wonder what my fellow Lightsnators think of this though @jeauseph @Raphy @Bitter Aging Twink @Edibles. @Ciel

Oh, 100%.  She has released so much good material since she debuted in 2008.  If there were justice in the world, she would be on her own Eras Tour right now.  I think people don't realize how excellent her songwriting is, how much she's experimented with different sounds, and how well she knows her way around a good hook.  Genuinely one of the most underrated people in modern music.

10 minutes ago, Bitter Aging Twink said:

Oh, 100%.  She has released so much good material since she debuted in 2008.  If there were justice in the world, she would be on her own Eras Tour right now.  I think people don't realize how excellent her songwriting is, how much she's experimented with different sounds, and how well she knows her way around a good hook.  Genuinely one of the most underrated people in modern music.

 

1 hour ago, longjohn9898 said:

Janet has been a megastar for more than an "era or two"…she's not relevant to this thread question 

You're right, she had more than 2 successful eras, nevertheless she was still a megastar that wasted her potential at maintaining her legacy intact instead of being referred to as just "the sibling" 

Charlie Puth cause Taylor Swift and Matty Healy declared he should be a bigger artist

I'll forever stand by the fact that Ava easily has the most potential out of the B-list pop girls on the scene right now, even if she may not be the most talented (you don't always have to rely on talent to succeed in the industry anyways). It's so sad that some management/personal issues throughout the years interfered with an otherwise immaculate pop music catalog and a potentially bigger career.

 

Madison Beer is a hot chick with boring music. Many people heard of her but can't name a single song. She could have taken the Sabrina/Dua path (cute face with good music) but I fear it's too late now.

 

Hilary Duff could have had a bigger career if she cared but tbf I don't think she ever wanted to succeed in music, she was already set with her acting royalties + contractual Disney teen pop album check.

 

I know she's not necessarily "wasted" but I think Avril should have squeezed one more post-grunge album (or maybe something in the vein of Evanescence) to get some real critical acclaim before going the sell-out route with Girlfriend.

 

Ashlee Simpson has some seriously good music for how unheard of she is these days.

 

And Holly Valance's second (and for some reason last) album is really solid.

Christina Aguilera literally had EVERYTHING going for her. If she had just fixed her attitude and been a little less lazy she would be a living legend rn instead of doing "Come On Over w/ Xtina" Grindr collabs 

3 hours ago, Swiftienator13 said:

Normani. There is big DEARTH of black POP stars (not r&b, not hiphop, im talking POP) and throughout the past 25 years on beyonce and rihanna have filled that lane and one of them's gone, the other is too busy making esoteric culturally critical works, we need a black pop girl that makes hits for RADIO.

 

Normani had EVERYTHING, industry backing, radio, an online audience willing to go bat for her. I know personal circumstances hit her hard but god I wish none of that happened.

 

 

Yes I agree Normani could've def filled that void for urban crossover black girly, however in retrospect (and she's alluded to this) it wouldn't have been what she truly wanted and would be just for a paycheck rather than actually being passionate about it. Although given how her career turned out it wouldn't have mattered anyway cause she gave up on her music career regardless. 

Kesha. 
She's actually a really good writer and she has such a loyal fanbase. She could've rivalled Katy and Gaga in terms of hits and had at least 2-3 more successful albums between 2013-2017. Her unfortunate circumstances kept her back from building a bigger legacy 

Azalea Banks

Azealia Banks. If she would've just gotten a psychiatrist that medicated her properly, she would've bodied Nicki Minaj. She would've been like Doja Cat x10.
 

Beautiful girl, killer rapper, great singer, tons of energy and obvious star power in the beginning years before she went absolutely nuts and just never regained sanity.

 

Britney Spears as well, for obvious reasons. She would've continued to be hugely successful into her late 40's if the conservatorship didn't happen the way it did.

Leona Lewis if she didn't say no to every mega smash that was offered to her. 

let me add Cassie here too

maybe she'd never be the best singer but I truly believe she would've kept improving her performing skills under other label/team if she was allowed to work/release regularly (very much like her contemporary Rihanna did per example, even if she wouldn't reach the same heights)

 

6 hours ago, suburbannature said:

Aaliyah is the real answer. She was giving quality albums and visuals and had just entered a creative peak/MPG era when she passed away. Who knows what she would have accomplished or what sounds she would have explored?
 

Possibly an unpopular opinion, Honestly she's only really so highly rated due to her death, she was fine but was no better than the other R&B girls around at the time, but had the Timbaland touch making her stand out a bit more. 

40 minutes ago, Genie in a Bottle said:

Britney Spears as well, for obvious reasons. She would've continued to be hugely successful into her late 40's if the conservatorship didn't happen the way it did.

She would retire in 2008 without conservatorship i think 

Janet and Christina have been worldwide superstars for decades. What are you guys on about?

Edited September 22, 2025Sep 22 by Vorfreude

5 minutes ago, Vorfreude said:

nnn error.

 

Edited September 22, 2025Sep 22 by Vorfreude

D.M.F's fave did something during her debut era and was big, with a promising career, that vanished after just a few years