What Happens When Celebs DON’T Stick To Their Day Job: 10 Of The Best and Worst Career Changes in Hollywood

August 30th, 2012 - By Desire Thompson

Change can represent a lot in one’s career. From changing your sound as an artist, or stepping out of your comfort zone, it can work out for the best–and sometimes for the worst. (Anyone remember Joaquin Phoenix’s meta attempt at rapping??)  Despite that train wreck, most celebs have had successful career changes and have been better than ever. Here’s a look at some of the best (and not so great) career changes.

Source: karaoke-lyrics.net

Queen Latifah — Best

[Rapper to TV Star, to Academy Award Winning Actress and Jazz Singer]

Queen La went from rapping about “Ladies First” and rocking afrocentric garb, including some pretty sick hats, to acting on a weekly television program that we all loved. If that wasn’t enough, she did big things on the silver screen too, gaining critical acclaim for her work in movies like Set It Off and obtaining an Academy Award nomination for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago. Since becoming a household name, she’s been picked as a CoverGirl, and she’s also had the chance to sing jazz music (even though she’s been singing for years) and releasing soul music albums. Latifah proved that staying in your own lane is indeed for suckers.

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  • Danes

    I’m really proud of the success stories. For the “failures” don’t give up. Just learn from your mistakes and keep it moving.

  • Lola

    Your assessment of Elba is intellectually dishonest. Being that he is still an A-list actor, I fail to see how he can be classified as someone who made a bad career move by dabbling in music. It would be apt to put Idris on your “best list” and define him as a DJ who is now an actor/singer (irrespective of his terrible music skills).

  • Guest

    I do not understand why this site continues to say that Tyra Banks received a degree from Harvard. She completed a certificate program that expanded across at least two years. Stop downgrading degrees that many of us worked very hard to earn without having the flexibility to take years to do so because of excess finances. A certificate isn’t a bad thing, but it is NOT a degree.

    • PA-TX

      Thank you! MN put out an article not 2-3 days ago clarifying/debating her NON-degree. This is exactly why the general public thinks the woman has a degree from Harvard… the “media” keeps reporting that she does. And as far as I see Tyra didn’t do much to correct or clarify… maybe only when she’s specifically asked. Nobody would be discussing her Harvard certificate (or even a degree if she actually got one) if Tyra hadn’t brought so much attention to it.

      Her completing that program was an honor and accomplishment in itself. Not many ppl can meet the qualifications to get into the program, shell out nearly $100k and take off to spend 9 weeks to finish it. No shame in not having a degree, esp given all her success without one. She lost me when she tried to front (by omission/vagueness/tricky wording/extra showiness) like she got one. That is all.

  • http://twitter.com/MsRedboneBrite Tee Elyse

    *NSYNC “Gone” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Aaaaah, the memories of the 90s when we had boy bands and girl groups who put out great music!! Color wasn’t even an issue back then, because every girl I knew loved NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera!! Those were the days!!

  • mnanon

    Alan Page also founded a college merit scholarship for minority students who excelled academically called the Page Education Foundation. His wife Linda runs it. She’s very nice. Mr Page is a bit standoffish… But the scholarship is great. It helps pay for tuition and books and requires the scholar recipients to volunteer in their communities while attending school. I was a Page Scholar and earned a degree in biology. My service to community project was tutoring math, science and history with elementary, Jr high, high school and immigrant college students. I did that for 5 years. It also pairs you with established mentors in your field. My mentor was a very nice retired physician. Mr Page isn’t just a judge he serves his community and up and coming leaders in education.

    • mnanon

      Correction his wife is Diana. Not Linda. I always got those two mixed up.

  • http://twitter.com/Nerdstradamas Kendra

    I kind of resent the comment about Solange trying to sing like her sister. She was a teen when her first album debuted and I think it really showcased her developing writing talent and style. I never got a “Beyonce Wannabe” vibe from Solange. I felt like she may have struggled carving out her niche, but she never seemed to mimic Beyonce…I’m just saying.

    • keesha

      I agree. People do the same thing with Kelly Rowlands and Michelle Williams.

      • http://twitter.com/Nerdstradamas Kendra

        Yeah, I don’t think they really get the opportunity to shine because people force the Beyonce comparison. I feel like thats part of the reason why R&B sucks and why there are so few female vocalist doing it big. Its like people can only pay attention to a handful of artists and kick the others to the side.

  • Hello_Kitty81

    Love me some JT and Alan Page is the best, now if only these ballers will take a page from him……

  • Ann

    Somebody needs to get Alan Page to talk to the athletes. Maybe, just maybe he can talk a little bit of sense to his NFL collegues as well as the NBA on obtaining an Education after their playing days are over.

  • http://www.facebook.com/derique.marie Derique Fancy Marie

    I disagree with the Wale being “Worst”… I love his last album “Ambition” but this is a blog and one person’s opinion doesn’t equal every one’s idea of something. A lot of his sayings are metaphorical and aren’t meant to be taken literally just like Lupe, just like Kanye, and the list can go on and on… Good read though…i guess…

    • AfricanBambi

      agreed! Couldnt have said it better!

    • Amazed

      I totally agree, I have always loved Wale

  • Trina

    To the person who wrote this post: You need to do your homework. The Joaquin Phoenix documentary was a HOAX. That means it was not real. Five seconds on wikipedia could’ve told you that. Sheesh.