Olivia Rodrigo by Erica Hernandez for Interscope Records
It is not new that most celebrities, especially in the music world, are born from television programs and TV series. From Olivia Rodrigo to the Jonas Brothers, here are some artists launched by TV shows. Some are sure to surprise you.
The Mickey Mouse Club
From Britney Spears to Christina Aguilera, Walt Disney’s children’s television program, The Mickey Mouse Club, brought out a large amount of stars.
Other than these already GRAMMY-nominated pop stars, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez and Matt Morris also started from The Mickey Mouse Club. They came together in the American boyband ‘N Sync with Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick.
Actor Ryan Gosling and actress Keri Russell joined the singers on the program as well.
Olivia Rodrigo & Jonas Bros Launched By Disney As Well As Others
Disney is certainly one of the most prolific artist-creating companies with their multiple Disney Channel TV series and movies. Some of the most important names of today’s pop music started their careers right here!
Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Hilary Duff were the first female actresses that turned into music artists. Respectively, they acted in Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Camp Rock and Lizzie McGuire.
Recently, Disney TV shows paved the way for more famous artists. Do you remember Olivia Rodrigo, a 2021 AMA nominee, a leading artist with 2.35 million album copies sold in the US? She began her career with the Disney TV show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series! The program also included pop artist Sabrina Carpenter!
On the other hand, The Jonas Brothers and Ross Lynch represent the most successful male component of Disney projects.
Also, Zendaya tried a music career with a few songs, but decided to continue as an actress. She is in fact now a prolific actress with iconic roles on her shoulders, as MJ in Spider-Man and Rue in the TV series Euphoria.
As for Nickelodeon, one of today’s most famous and appreciated singers and songwriters began her career here: Ariana Grande starred as Cat Valentine in both Victorious and Sam & Cat.
X Factor, American Idol and Other Music TV Programs That Kick Off Many Artists’ Careers
Little Mix, One Direction and Olly Mars are only some of the names that came out from music TV programs such as X Factor and American Idol. Here are some of the icons you didn’t know began their music career in television!
Current lead vocalist of rock band Queen, Adam Lambert began his journey with American Idol back in 2009. He finished in second place, but this didn’t stop his incredible music career that even brought him on the screen with the music teen program Glee.
Fifth Harmony is one of the most well-known names that came from X Factor USA. In 2012, the band came in third, but began one of the most incredible girl band music careers to date. Just like One Direction, though, the band finally broke up, leaving room for the solo career of, among others, the incredible Camila Cabello.
You probably already knew about this one: The Voice judge Kelly Clarkson kicked off her career in 2002 by winning the first edition of American Idol. Kelly now has a talk show of her own as well.
Iconic “Call Me Maybe” singer Carly Rae Jepsen started from Canadian Idol, where she placed third.
Jennifer Hudson represents another success from the TV program American Idol. In 2004, she ended up being 7th. But, that was just the beginning of her career, which has brought her fame through memorable movies and songs.
Before being in The Pussycat Dolls, in 2001, even Nicole Scherzinger appeared on a TV program: Popstars. Later on, the artist decided to leave the band and begin her amazing solo career. Anyway, the band reunited in 2020. Nicole even worked from the opposite perspective: in fact, she was one of the judges on X Factor.
James Arthur began from X Factor as well! Unlike most of the artists we mentioned so far, he won the TV program and his debut song, the cover of Shontell’s “Impossible,” is still one of the most famous songs from the contest.
Susan Boyle first appeared to the public eye when in 2009 she presented her incredible and powerful voice on Britain’s Got Talent, where she placed second. Her “I Dreamed A Dream” performance is still famous to date.
Also, Leona Lewis began her career winning the third edition of X Factor.
Beyoncé began her career on the TV show Star Search back in 1993. She then joined girl band Destiny’s Child together with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and later left to pursue her incredible solo career.
JLo
You might know about the next one: Jennifer Lopez. JLo danced, sang and acted since the age of five. She began her career as an actress in the American sitcom In Living Color in 1990. 1999 marked her debut in the music business with the release of the song “If You Had My Love,” almost a decade after her first TV appearance.
Artist Who Had Their Own TV Series
Snoop Dogg had his own sketch show on MTV, Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, that ran from 2002 to 2003. Sadly, it only had a single season.
Also, Lily Allen and her Lily Allen and Friends show, unfortunately, lasted for only two months and eight episodes.
Dolly Parton joins the category with her two variety shows: Dolly! and um, Dolly. Another country star to own a show is Johnny Cash with The Johnny Cash Show. It ran for 58 episodes between 1969 and 1971.
Even Chris Isaak had his own sitcom, called The Chris Isaak Show. It lasted three seasons from 2001 to 2004.
How many of these artists who started in TV did you already know? Tell us in the comments!
