23 Celebs Who Attempted Massive Career Pivots

1.

FAILED REINVENTION: Garth Brooks is among the strangest examples. In 1999, Brooks, then a profitable nation artist, determined to launch an alter ego — Chris Gaines — in preparation for a deliberate film concerning the homicide of Gaines to be referred to as The Lamb.

The fictional Gaines was a rock artist, and Garth, as Gaines, appeared as a musical visitor on SNL and in a mockumentary for Behind the Music. Garth additionally launched an album as Gaines forward of The Lamb movie titled, Garth Brooks in…the Lifetime of Chris Gaines. Individuals have been fairly confused about the entire thing, and when the album did not promote in addition to anticipated, The Lamb was dropped totally.

2.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: In distinction, Taylor Swift is a superb instance of a musician who has achieved not one, however two profitable style jumps. Her first 4 albums have been nation, however she pivoted genres to synth-pop with 1989, her fifth album.

Her subsequent two albums have been additionally pop (albeit with influences from different genres like R&B and rock)…however then she pivoted genres but once more with accomplice albums Folklore and Evermore, which have been each indie-folk albums (nonetheless with pop and rock influences).

3.

FAILED REINVENTION: Nevertheless, Swift’s forays into appearing haven’t gone as nicely. Her first position was a short spot on CSI, and she or he went on to look in Valentine’s Day, The Lorax, and Cats, none of which have been nicely acquired.

4.

FAILED REINVENTION: Paris Hilton grew to become a media fixture within the 2000s, principally for being a rich socialite, although she additionally did some modeling after which grew to become a actuality star with The Easy Life.

She launched a variety of profitable enterprise ventures, most notably her fragrance line, however in 2006 determined to attempt one thing new: singing. She launched her first album, Paris, in August of that yr. Her single “Love Is Blind” truly was very profitable, and hit 18 on the Billboard Prime 100.

Nevertheless, reception to the album was general blended, and it was the one one Paris ever launched (although she did launch a number of extra singles). Extra not too long ago, she’s tried her hand on DJing, even DJing at Tomorrowland and Summerfest. Whereas she’s discovered loads of success and earns $1million per set, she’s additionally discovered numerous critics.

5.

FAILED REINVENTION: As well as, Hilton additionally tried her hand at an appearing profession, reserving visitor spots on a variety of exhibits like The O.C. and Supernatural, and most notably starring in Home of Wax. She gained a Razzie for her efficiency, and has not appeared in one other appearing position (although she has appeared in documentaries and as a TV hosts and actuality star) since 2010.

6.

FAILED REINVENTION: Kim Kardashian, then a profitable socialite and actuality star, additionally tried out a singing profession in 2011, releasing “Jam (Flip It Up).”

Kardashian later stated she regretted recording the tune. “But when there’s one factor in life that I want I didn’t do … I don’t prefer it when individuals sort of dabble into issues they shouldn’t be. And that I don’t suppose I ought to have. Like, what gave me the appropriate to suppose I might be a singer? Like, I don’t have an excellent voice,” she stated in 2014.

7.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Again within the late ’90s, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was recognized primarily for being a professional wrestler. However beginning in 1999, he started showing in small roles along with wrestling (which he retired from in 2004, although he did later return).

His first main challenge was The Mummy Returns in 2001, and from there he continued to choose up roles in a variety of high-profile tasks, working his manner onto the A-list with involvement within the Quick & Livid, Jumanji, and DCEU franchises, in addition to Disney movie Moana. He was the highest-paid actor, in accordance with Forbes, in 2022.

8.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: John Cena has adopted primarily the identical path, albeit in a much less family-friendly manner. He got here onto the film scene with 2006’s The Marine, however it wasn’t till his position in Trainwreck that individuals actually began to see him as an actor.

After that, he grew to become concerned in additional high-profile tasks, like The Suicide Squad and a by-product sequence on HBO based mostly on his character Peacemaker.

9.

FAILED REINVENTION: A 3rd wrestler who was not fairly as profitable in his profession change was Hulk Hogan. He tried to begin a film profession within the ’80s with a bit position in Rocky III, and appeared in a number of different TV films and sequels, like a cameo Gremlins 2, in addition to TV exhibits like Thunder in Paradise, which solely ran for a season. None of Hogan’s lead film roles have been nicely reviewed.

FAILED REINVENTION: In 1995, whereas he was the World Heavyweight Champion, Hogan additionally launched an album, Hulk Guidelines, as part of the band Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band. The album was panned, and the band didn’t launch one other album. Nevertheless, the album has grow to be a little bit of a cult hit attributable to its “so unhealthy it is good” standing.

10.

FAILED REINVENTION: One other athlete-turned-actor is Shaq. He is primarily referred to as one of many biggest basketball gamers of all time, however he is additionally made forays into a variety of different ventures.

Beginning within the ’90s, he started starring in movies, particularly Kazaam and Metal. Each have been critically panned, and he has been nominated for 3 Razzie awards. Regardless of this, he continues to look within the occasional movie or TV position, often as himself or in a cameo capability.

11.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Nevertheless, Shaq did discover success as a rap artist. He rapped on one among Michael Jackson’s albums, and he launched 4 albums himself, one among which featured Jay-Z and the Infamous B.I.G. He hasn’t launched an album in over twenty years, however has begun DJing.

12.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Mark Wahlberg began out his profession within the early ’90s with hip-hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, which had a variety of hit songs and located fame.

He then made his movie debut in 1994’s Renaissance Man, and have become an acclaimed actor in 1997 with Boogie Nights. He is even been nominated for a pair Oscars for his roles in The Departed (alongside massively acclaimed legacy actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Martin Sheen) and The Fighter.

13.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Girl Gaga made an identical change. After spending years as a profitable pop artist, she determined to attempt her hand at appearing within the mid-2010s.

She began with American Horror Story, which gained her a Golden Globe, after which made her function movie debut in A Star Is Born, for which she remodeled right into a down-on-her-luck aspiring singer. She was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal, and did win an Oscar for her work on “Shallow” for the movie.

She went on to star in Home of Gucci, and has quite a few different roles within the works.

14.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: One star who made the alternative change — from film star to music star — is Taylor Momsen. Momsen’s first massive position was as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and she or he went on to look in different household movies like Spy Youngsters 2.

And in 2007, she started starring as Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Woman. She was a fundamental character for 3 seasons, however solely appeared for a number of episodes of the fourth season. She ended up leaving the present after Season 4.

This was largely due to her foray into music. She shaped her band the Fairly Reckless in 2009, and so they launched their first album in 2010. They’ve since launched 4 albums and toured with the Veronicas, Evanescence, Fall Out Boy, and Marilyn Manson, in addition to had their music seem in movies and tv.

15.

FAILED REINVENTION: One other actor who tried to interrupt into singing from the appearing business was Robert Downey Jr. Downey Jr. was a profitable actor when in 2004, he determined to launch his debut album, Futurist.

The album wasn’t a full flop, however it had a blended crucial reception and would find yourself being Downey Jr.’s solely take a look at drive into music. He was already initially of a film profession resurgence, and would famously go on to painting Tony Stark within the MCU.

16.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: If we’re speaking about actors-turned singers, we actually cannot ignore Drake. He starred for years on the teenager sequence Degrassi: The Subsequent Era, and was referred to as Aubrey Graham.

In 2006, whereas he was nonetheless on Degrassi, he launched his first mixtapes. He made two extra within the late 2000s earlier than dropping his first full album in 2010, skyrocketing him into a lot bigger fame than earlier than. He is since gained 4 Grammy Awards, and has been nominated dozens of instances.

17.

FAILED REINVENTION: Cindy Crawford skyrocketed into international fame within the Eighties, rapidly turning into one among a handful of supermodels dominating the style world within the ’90s. Nevertheless, within the mid-’90s, she determined to attempt one thing new.

Crawford starred in her first movie in 1995, a thriller referred to as Truthful Sport co-starring William Baldwin. The movie was panned, with reviewers commenting particularly on Crawford’s efficiency — one wrote, “One may scavenge the thesaurus to search out synonyms for ‘awkward’ to explain Crawford’s efficiency,” and one other wrote, “Crawford could be suggested to maintain her day job.”

She appeared in a number of one-off TV roles up till the early 2000s, however her film profession was just about over. Apart from musi movies, a 2009 look on Wizards of Waverly Place, and a pair appearances as herself, she has not acted since.

18.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Mannequin Diane Kruger, in distinction, made a much more profitable change from modeling to appearing. Within the Nineties, she booked advertisements and runway exhibits for a variety of high-end designers like Armani, Dior, and Burberry, and likewise appeared on the duvet of magazines like Vogue Paris.

Nevertheless, within the early 2000s, she transitioned to a movie profession, nabbing massive roles in Troy and Nationwide Treasure. Nevertheless, in all probability her most well-known position so far is in Inglourious Basterds, for which she acquired crucial acclaim.

19.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Jane Fonda began her profession as an actor again in 1960 within the play There Was a Little Woman, for which she was nominated for a Tony. She continued appearing for over twenty years, profitable two Oscars and an Emmy.

Nevertheless, in 1982, she made the sudden profession pivot towards train movies, discovering large success along with her 22 exercise VHS tapes.

She even efficiently pivoted again into appearing within the mid-2000s, and simply completed starring on Grace and Frankie (for which she was nominated for an Emmy).

20.

FAILED REINVENTION: Influencer Addison Rae not too long ago tried her hand at a singing profession. Recognized primarily for her TikTok dances, Rae determined to launch a single, “Obsessed,” in 2021. She went on to carry out it on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The tune — and efficiency on Fallon — have been panned, and Rae has been retaining fairly mum on the upcoming album she beforehand teased.

She additionally made her movie debut with 2021 rom-com He is All That. Whereas the movie was panned, Addison has since signed a cope with Netflix, so it is unlikely her budding appearing profession goes away anytime quickly. That being stated, we’ll maintain out our “failed vs. profitable” reinvention judgment for now.

21.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Bo Burnham stared out his profession making comedic YouTube movies as a young person within the mid- to late 2000s. By 2010, he was doing standup comedy and had filmed his first comedy particular.

Burnham continued to search out high-profile success as a comic with extra taped specials — but additionally determined to attempt one thing totally new when he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed indie Eighth Grade, which got here out in 2018.

He additionally started a film profession together with his first dramatic position within the Oscar-nominated movie Promising Younger Lady in 2020.

22.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: Olivia Wilde has been a profitable actor because the 2000s, however within the early 2010s, she tried her hand at a distinct artwork type: directing. Beginning out, she solely directed a number of music movies and shorts.

After which in 2019, Wilde made a reputation for herself as a director with Booksmart, which was a crucial and industrial success. She’s additionally directed the upcoming movie Do not Fear Darling, which is very anticipated, although it has been mired in controversy.

23.

SUCCESSFUL REINVENTION: And eventually, Jordan Peele is among the strongest examples of a profitable profession pivot. He started a powerful profession in sketch comedy within the 2000s, starring on Mad TV after which co-creating and starring in Key & Peele within the 2010s.

Like Burnham, Peele determined to attempt his hand at directing within the mid-2010s — however in a distinct style totally. His directorial debut, Get Out, was critically acclaimed and have become one of the crucial well-known fashionable horror movies. It jump-started Peele’s horror directing profession, and he is gone on to direct two extra movies and produce a number of movies as nicely.