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If Marky Mark Can Do It, Taylor Swift Has It In The Bag: The Best Singers-Turned-Actors

Posted 1/5/12 11:48 am EST by in Movies, Music, Taylor Swift


News that our favorite cardigan sweater enthusiast Taylor Swift has been offered the role of Eponine in "King's Speech" Oscar winner Tom Hooper's big screen musical adaptation of the classic Broadway show/Victor Hugo novel "Les Miserables," co-starring acting A-listers Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, has everyone in the MTV Newsroom in a tizzy.

If she chooses to take the role, will she be any good? We reached out to fans, who seem to want to give the Speak Now singer the benefit of the doubt, and personally think the country-pop superstar will do just fine in the role (can't you just hear her singing "On My Own" already?), but every time a singer puts on the acting cap the critics come out with their pitchforks to proclaim that the odds are against her and most singers make for pretty crappy actors.

Well, that's sometimes true. Madonna, who we love, hasn't had a great run on the big screen and Jessica Simpson and Christina Aguilera haven't has much luck in movies either. But there are plenty of examples of double-threat crossover successes. We've rounded up a few of our favorites after the jump. Read More...

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Justin Timberlake Joins Will Smith And Other Celebs Who Left Their Day Jobs Behind

Posted 10/1/10 6:46 pm EST by in Music


By Elizabeth Lancaster

Eight years ago, you could not watch TV or listen to the radio, without being confronted by Justin Timberlake's blond curls and killer vocal range. After leaving one of the most popular boy bands of all time, he went on to release a solo album, which of course dominated charts and earned him six Grammy Awards. But it was no surprise to anyone who's been paying attention to his career since then that Timberlake told Entertainment Weekly he doesn't feel pressure to return to music anytime soon. With his new film, "The Social Network," being discussed for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and two Emmy Awards already in his pocket, Justin's acting career might finally be taking off. He's definitely not the first wildly successful musician turned actor. And he brings to mind some other artists who have successfully switched careers midstream.

A surefire example of the musician-turned-actor gone right is Will Smith. Innovative and popular in his rap career, Will took that success and exponentially increased it with his acting career. When he was starting his TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" he explained that he wanted to be "the biggest movie star in the world," and now, he kind of is.

Another rapper turned actor, Mark Wahlberg, had similar luck. He went from bad boy Marky Mark to underwear model to an actor with serious roles and prestigious award nominations.

There are other models who've left behind their mannequin days for speaking roles. Remember when Tyra Banks used to be known as the model on page 28 of latest Victoria's Secret catalog? And before he hung out in "That '70s" basement or "Punk'd" his pals on MTV, Ashton Kutcher could be found working it up and down the runways as a fashion model.

What is it that provokes these changes? Sometimes the need for a lifestyle change could be the answer. We think that's why Lauryn Hill went on hiatus to become a full-time mom until her latest return to the stage.

When they grew up, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen managed to say goodbye to their childhood legacy of mystery books and straight-to-video movies and hello to a fashion career.

But sometimes, as with Arnold Schwarzenegger's career change from the Terminator to governor of California, we can't even tell what inspired celebs to quit their day jobs.

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Mark Wahlberg Remembers 'TRL': 'I'm Sad To See It Go'

Posted 10/15/08 6:09 pm EST by in ludacris, Mark Wahlberg, TRL


Mark WahlbergMark Wahlberg was on Wednesday's "TRL" with Ludacris to promote their latest film, "Max Payne." But when host Damien Fahey brought up the fact that "TRL" would be airing its finale on November 16, Mark got a little emotional about the show. "It is a bit depressing," he admitted. "I was telling Luda earlier, the first time I was on MTV was '91; [the first time I was on 'TRL'] was probably right around when it started."

The actor recalled a time back in 2004 when a fan was a bit too excited. "I was standing there," he recalled, "and some girl was coming [toward me], and I didn't think anything was a big deal but everyone went crazy [and thought she might attack me].

"The only thing that was disturbing was she had a pin on that said, 'God is not real,' " he said. "I still pray for her."

But the 37-year-old dad admits that being a guest on "TRL" does have one major perk. "Anytime I come here, it makes me feel young again," he said. "I'm sad to see it go."

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