From Broadway to Hollywood: 30 Singers Who Excel in Every Genre
When it comes to singing, some performers have the ability to transcend genres and captivate audiences in every musical style. Whether on Broadway, in Hollywood, or in the recording studio, these artists showcase their versatility and skill time and time again. Here are 30 singers who excel in every genre, proving that true talent knows no bounds.
Broadway Icons
1. Audra McDonald – With six Tony Awards under her belt, Audra McDonald is one of Broadway’s biggest icons. Known for her powerful soprano vocals and impeccable acting, McDonald has starred in shows such as “Ragtime,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” and “Porgy and Bess.”
2. Sutton Foster – Another Tony Award winner, Sutton Foster is a triple threat with her singing, dancing, and acting abilities. She has starred in shows such as “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Anything Goes,” and “Shrek the Musical.”
3. Idina Menzel – Most known for her role as Elsa in “Frozen,” Idina Menzel got her start on Broadway. She won a Tony Award for her performance in “Wicked” and has also starred in shows such as “Rent” and “If/Then.”
4. Kristin Chenoweth – With a voice as sweet as her personality, Kristin Chenoweth has won a Tony Award for her role in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” She’s also starred in shows such as “Wicked,” “The Apple Tree,” and “On the Twentieth Century.”
5. Jeremy Jordan – A newer face on Broadway, Jeremy Jordan has already made a name for himself with his powerful vocals and impressive range. He’s starred in shows such as “Newsies,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “The Last Five Years.”
6. Lin-Manuel Miranda – Creator and star of the hit musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda is a force to be reckoned with on Broadway. He also won an Emmy for his work on “Hamilton’s America.”
7. Cynthia Erivo – Another newer face on Broadway, Cynthia Erivo made a big splash with her Tony Award-winning performance in “The Color Purple.” She has since been named one of Time’s 100 most influential people.
Hollywood Greats
8. Barbra Streisand – Known as “The Voice,” Barbra Streisand is one of Hollywood’s most iconic singers. She’s won multiple Grammy Awards and Academy Awards for her work in movies such as “Funny Girl” and “A Star is Born.”
9. Bette Midler – With her powerful vocals and charismatic presence, Bette Midler has taken Hollywood by storm. She’s won four Grammy Awards and has starred in movies such as “The Rose” and “Beaches.”
10. Whitney Houston – Although her life was tragically cut short, Whitney Houston’s impact on Hollywood will never be forgotten. With her stunning vocals, she starred in movies such as “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”
11. Jennifer Hudson – From “American Idol” to an Academy Award-winning performance in “Dreamgirls,” Jennifer Hudson has proven herself to be a force in Hollywood. She’s also starred in movies such as “Sex and the City” and “Sing.”
12. Lady Gaga – Known for her outrageous fashion and pop hits, Lady Gaga has also made a name for herself in Hollywood. She won a Golden Globe for her role in “American Horror Story” and starred in the hit movie “A Star is Born.”
13. Jamie Foxx – With his smooth vocals and acting chops, Jamie Foxx has been a Hollywood star for years. He won an Academy Award for his performance in “Ray” and has also starred in movies such as “Django Unchained” and “Collateral.”
14. Cher – Another Hollywood icon, Cher has been entertaining audiences for decades. Her powerful vocals and unique style have made her a standout in movies such as “Moonstruck” and “Burlesque.”
Recording Artists
15. Adele – With her soulful vocals and emotional lyrics, Adele has won the hearts of fans worldwide. She’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Hello” and “Someone Like You.”
16. Bruno Mars – A singer, songwriter, and producer, Bruno Mars has become a major force in the music industry. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Uptown Funk” and “That’s What I Like.”
17. Christina Aguilera – From her early days on “The Mickey Mouse Club” to her chart-topping hits, Christina Aguilera has proven herself to be a major recording artist. She’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Genie in a Bottle” and “Fighter.”
18. Justin Timberlake – Another “Mickey Mouse Club” alum, Justin Timberlake has had a successful music career since his boy band days. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “SexyBack” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
19. Beyoncé – Known as the Queen of Pop, Beyoncé has won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Crazy in Love” and “Formation.” She’s also made a name for herself in Hollywood with movies such as “Dreamgirls” and “The Lion King.”
20. John Legend – With his soulful vocals and talent for songwriting, John Legend has become a major recording artist. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “All of Me” and “Ordinary People.”
21. Pink – With her unique style and powerful vocals, Pink has become a major force in the music industry. She’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Just Give Me a Reason” and “Raise Your Glass.”
22. Ed Sheeran – With his acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, Ed Sheeran has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Thinking Out Loud” and “Shape of You.”
Country Stars
23. Dolly Parton – From her early days in Nashville to her crossover success, Dolly Parton is a country legend. Her hits include “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
24. Garth Brooks – With his cowboy hat and boots, Garth Brooks became one of the biggest stars in country music. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance.”
25. Shania Twain – With her blend of country and pop, Shania Twain became one of the biggest stars in the 1990s. Her hits include “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One.”
26. Keith Urban – Hailing from Australia, Keith Urban has become a major force in country music. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Somebody Like You” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
27. Carrie Underwood – With her powerful vocals and girl next door charm, Carrie Underwood has become a major star in country music. She’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
28. Blake Shelton – Known for his deep baritone vocals and affable personality, Blake Shelton has become a fan favorite in country music. He’s won multiple awards and has released hits such as “God’s Country” and “Honey Bee.”
29. Miranda Lambert – With her tough girl attitude and powerful vocals, Miranda Lambert has become a major force in country music. She’s won multiple awards and has released hits such as “Gunpowder and Lead” and “The House That Built Me.”
30. Chris Stapleton – With his soulful vocals and classic country sound, Chris Stapleton has become a fan favorite in the genre. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards and has released hits such as “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Broken Halos.”
FAQs
Q: Are these singers the only ones who excel in every genre?
A: No, there are many other singers who excel in multiple genres. This list is just a sampling of some of the most well-known and respected performers.
Q: What makes a singer able to excel in multiple genres?
A: Versatility, skill, and a love for multiple styles of music are all important factors. Singers who have a natural ability to adapt their vocal style and technique to different genres tend to be the most successful.
Q: Can a singer be equally successful in Broadway, Hollywood, and recording?
A: It’s possible, but rare. Each industry requires a different set of skills and demands, so it can be difficult to excel in all three areas. However, some performers, such as Lady Gaga and Barbra Streisand, have proven that it can be done.
Q: Do these singers write their own music?
A: Some of them do, but not all. Songwriting is a separate skill from performing and can sometimes be the key to a successful career as a recording artist.
Q: What other singers would you add to this list?
A: There are so many talented singers who excel in multiple genres. Some others to consider would be Elton John, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, and Michael Jackson.
