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When pop stars act in films: who's best, and who's worst? When pop stars act in films: who's best, and who's worst?
(about 1 month later)
Have you seen Goddess, the new film starring ex-Boyzone singer Ronan Keating? If you have, you're very much in a minority. The romantic comedy, described by Mark Kermode as "naff but goodhearted", and by Peter Bradshaw as "strained", took a paltry £129 in its opening weekend, after opening in four UK cinemas. Have you seen Goddess, the new film starring ex-Boyzone singer Ronan Keating? If you have, you're very much in a minority. The romantic comedy, described by Mark Kermode as "naff but goodhearted", and by Peter Bradshaw as "strained", took a paltry £129 in its opening weekend, after opening in four UK cinemas.
Pop stars have, of course, been dabbling in acting for years (see Elvis, Will Smith and, erm, Billie Piper). Here are a few more recent examples – but which musicians do you think have given the best – and worst – performances in films? Let us know in the comment thread below.Pop stars have, of course, been dabbling in acting for years (see Elvis, Will Smith and, erm, Billie Piper). Here are a few more recent examples – but which musicians do you think have given the best – and worst – performances in films? Let us know in the comment thread below.
Justin TimberlakeJustin Timberlake
We're not sure how he has the time, in between writing monster hits and landing number one albums, but JT has put in decent performances in films such as Blake Snake Moan, Bad Teacher, Friends With Benefits and the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis. While mostly sticking to romcoms, his portrayal of real-life party boy and Napster inventor Sean Parker in The Social Network is probably his most triumphant performance to date.We're not sure how he has the time, in between writing monster hits and landing number one albums, but JT has put in decent performances in films such as Blake Snake Moan, Bad Teacher, Friends With Benefits and the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis. While mostly sticking to romcoms, his portrayal of real-life party boy and Napster inventor Sean Parker in The Social Network is probably his most triumphant performance to date.
Successful? YesSuccessful? Yes
MadonnaMadonna
Her most celebrated acting role is probably as Eva Perón in musical Evita (1996), or her early foray into film with Desperately Seeking Susan. But Madge has also been in more than her fair share of turkeys: The Next Best Thing, I'm Going to Tell You a Secret, and Swept Away, which took just $598,645 at the box office. That didn't stop her trying her hand at directing, however with W.E, a biopic of Wallace Simpson. Her most celebrated acting role is probably as Eva Perón in musical Evita (1996), or her early foray into film with Desperately Seeking Susan. But Madge has also been in more than her fair share of turkeys: The Next Best Thing, I'm Going to Tell You a Secret, and Swept Away, which took just $598,645 at the box office. That didn't stop her trying her hand at directing, however with W.E, a biopic of Wallace Simpson.
Successful? Occasionally – but mostly notSuccessful? Occasionally – but mostly not
BeyoncéBeyoncé
The Queen of Pop made her acting debut in 2002 with Austin Powers in Goldmember. Our own Rob Mackie said: "Beyoncé Knowles makes a very good cast addition – who would have guessed The Queen of Pop made her acting debut in 2002 with Austin Powers in Goldmember. Our own Rob Mackie said: "Beyoncé Knowles makes a very good cast addition – who would have guessed the Destiny's Child singer could say 'Up yours, jive turkey' with full Pam Grier menace?" She has since established a career of playing semi-real-life roles of past chanteuses. She starred as a quasi-Diana Ross in Dreamgirls and Etta James in Cadillac Records. She's also tried her hand at thrillers with Obsessed.
the Destiny's Child singer could say 'Up yours, jive turkey' with full
Pam Grier menace?" She has since established a career of playing semi-real-life roles of past chanteuses. She starred as a quasi-Diana Ross in Dreamgirls and Etta James in Cadillac Records. She's also tried her hand at thrillers with Obsessed.
Successful? YepSuccessful? Yep
David BowieDavid Bowie
He's become a master of scene-stealing cameos, in Zoolander, Bandslam, and a bigger role in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – and although not every one of his films performances has been a hit with the critics, early work in The Man Who Fell To Earth and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence linger long in the memory. He's become a master of scene-stealing cameos, in Zoolander, Bandslam, and a bigger role in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – and although not every one of his films performances has been a hit with the critics, early work in The Man Who Fell To Earth and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence linger long in the memory.
Successful? More often than not, yesSuccessful? More often than not, yes
Britney SpearsBritney Spears
Spears's attempts at acting have not been roaringly successful. She cameoed in the aforementioned Goldmember, but her biggest part to date has been the lead in teen-flick Crossroads, for which she won the Worst Actress Award at the Golden Raspberries. Since then she's pretty much just stuck to being credited as 'Herself'.Spears's attempts at acting have not been roaringly successful. She cameoed in the aforementioned Goldmember, but her biggest part to date has been the lead in teen-flick Crossroads, for which she won the Worst Actress Award at the Golden Raspberries. Since then she's pretty much just stuck to being credited as 'Herself'.
Successful? Not so muchSuccessful? Not so much