Hollywood Stars Who Have Impressive Singing Talent
Robert Pattinson
Before he was Edward Cullen or Batman, Robert Pattinson was hustling as a musician. After his Harry Potter stint, Pattinson was convinced music would be his path, performing at open mics and small gigs until he literally ran out of money. Lucky for him (and us), Twilight came calling but even then, he couldn’t resist flexing his musical side. Two of his tracks landed on the Twilight soundtrack, giving fans a glimpse of his moody, indie-folk style.
Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley is now stepping into the music spotlight with a whole new alter ego. In July 2025, with the help of her music-producer husband Jack Antonoff, Qualley launched her dreamy new persona, Lace Manhattan. Her first two tracks, ODDWADD and In the Sun She Lies, instantly caught attention for their quirky, ethereal vibe, and they’re set to feature in Ethan Coen’s upcoming film Honey Don’t!
Angelina Jolie
Just when you thought Angelina Jolie had done it all, she’s about to surprise us in a whole new way: opera. Yes, you read that right. For her role in Maria, Jolie will actually be singing opera. While we’ve seen her conquer action blockbusters, dramas, and even animated films, this marks the first time we’ll hear her flexing those vocal cords on a serious stage. The fact that she’s diving into such a bold and refined genre feels so very “Angelina”; fearless, unexpected, and completely unforgettable.
Kristen Wiig
Comedy queen Kristen Wiig is making moves in music, and it’s every bit as fun and creative as you’d expect. She co-wrote Harper and Will Go West with Sean Douglas, and the song’s already making Oscar buzz! But Wiig’s not stopping there. She also penned and sang several tracks for her laugh-out-loud cult hit Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, showing off a playful, unexpected side of her artistry.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer has been showing off her voice since forever, and honestly, she’s still underrated as a singer. Fans remember her powerhouse vocals in Joyful Noise and Grease! Live, but she’s also got legit albums under her belt. Her debut So Uncool (2007) landed on the Billboard R&B charts, and in 2020 she gave us two fresh, unapologetic EPs; Virgo Tendencies Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. Fast forward, and she’s still leveling up. Most recently, Keke announced her new girl group, Diva Gurl, hyping fans on Instagram with the promise of their first single, #SOB.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson went from Hollywood darling to full-on rockstar vibes, and honestly, it suits her. She first teased her vocal chops in 2021 when she starred in Sia’s musical film Music, but she didn’t stop there. By 2024, Hudson dropped two catchy singles; Talk About Love and Live Forever that gave fans a taste of her pop edge. And then came the big moment, her debut album Glorious, released on May 18, 2024.
Zendaya
Is there anything Zendaya can’t do? She’s got the Emmys, the fashion icon status, the blockbuster films, and yes, the girl can seriously sing. Longtime fans remember her Disney Channel days, but most recently she shook the internet with a surprise appearance at Coachella. Taking the stage with Labrinth, she performed All for Us and I’m Tired, and the crowd went wild. Her soft-yet-powerful vocals melted perfectly with Labrinth’s sound.
Lily James
Lily James has already proved she’s got the voice of a fairy-tale princess in Cinderella and the energy of a dancing queen in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. But now, she’s stepping up as a full-fledged recording artist. For her film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, James recorded a brand-new single, working alongside big names like composer Nitin Sawhney and producer Naughty Boy. In her own words, she was thrilled to contribute to the film’s soundtrack and fans are just as thrilled to hear her take on original music.
Jeremy Renner
Who knew Hawkeye had a rocker side? Jeremy Renner shocked Marvel fans when he dropped his first EP The Medicine in March 2020. Packed with moody, radio-ready tracks, the project showed Renner channeling a soulful, alt-rock energy that’s totally different from his blockbuster action roles. He’s since put out a handful of singles. He might save the world on-screen with a bow and arrow, but off-screen he’s winning fans with guitar riffs and heartfelt lyrics.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld was already Hollywood’s golden girl by the time she broke out in True Grit at just 14, but her music career has been equally impressive. Her 2015 anthem Love Myself became a self-empowerment bop, followed by hits like Let Me Go and Coast. She’s collaborated with everyone from Zedd to DNCE, proving she’s just as comfortable in the pop world as she is on the red carpet. In 2020, she dropped her EP Half Written Story.
Hugh Laurie
Turns out Dr. House has the blues, literally. Hugh Laurie, best known for his razor-sharp wit and medical genius on House, has a whole other side as a musician. Laurie is a gifted pianist and singer who’s dropped not one, but two blues albums: Let Them Talk and Didn’t It Rain. Both records are steeped in smoky jazz club vibes and showcase Laurie’s deep respect for American blues traditions.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto is the definition of multi-hyphenate. Sure, he won an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club, but when he’s not acting, he’s commanding arenas as the frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars. Alongside his brother Shannon, Leto has built the band into a global phenomenon since the early 2000s. Their 2009 anthem Kings and Queens became a stadium staple, and the group has since racked up millions of fans and headlined massive tours.
Emmy Rossum
Before she stole hearts (and broke a few) as Fiona Gallagher on Shameless, Emmy Rossum was belting out arias with the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus. That classical training carried her straight into one of the most iconic roles in musical cinema: Christine in the 2004 film The Phantom of the Opera. But Emmy didn’t stop there; she released her debut album Inside Out in 2007, followed by Sentimental Journey in 2013, a nostalgic ode to standards from the ‘20s through the ‘60s.
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt may be a powerhouse actress, but she’s also got pipes that can light up a stage. She enchanted audiences as the Baker’s Wife in the star-studded movie adaptation of Into the Woods, singing Stephen Sondheim’s notoriously tricky score with surprising ease. Then, in 2018, she took on the ultimate test of vocal skill and charm: stepping into Julie Andrews’ shoes as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns.
Eddie Murphy
Before he was cracking us up in Coming to America or voicing Donkey in Shrek, Eddie Murphy was climbing the music charts. In 1985, he dropped Party All the Time, a funky, Rick James–produced jam that shot all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is pure ‘80s gold and remains a cult favorite today.
David Hasselhoff
Flashback to New Year’s Eve 1989: David Hasselhoff, dressed in leather, belting out Looking for Freedom atop the Berlin Wall as fireworks lit the sky. That moment made The Hoff as more than just the star of Knight Rider and Baywatch; he became an international music sensation.
Rita Wilson
Long before she was known as Hollywood royalty alongside Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson was making her own space in music. She started things off in 2012 with AM/FM, a nostalgic covers album that paid homage to classics like Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman. Since then, she’s released three more records, leaning into a heartfelt, country-folk sound that feels timeless.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s voice has as much star power as her screen presence. In 2008, she surprised fans by releasing Anywhere I Lay My Head, an album of Tom Waits covers that showed off her smoky, distinctive vocals. A year later, she teamed up with Pete Yorn for their dreamy collaboration Break Up, which became a cult favorite.
Zooey Deschanel
She charmed us as Jess on New Girl, but Zooey Deschanel’s music career is just as impressive. She’s one half of the indie-pop duo She & Him, alongside M. Ward, and together they’ve released six albums, including fan-favorite Christmas records that are basically holiday staples now. Their breezy, retro-inspired sound fits Zooey’s quirky-cool persona perfectly, making her one of the few actors who’ve truly built a lasting second career in music.
Zoë Kravitz
With parents like Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, it’s no surprise Zoë Kravitz has music in her DNA. But she carved her own lane as the frontwoman of R&B-electropop group Lolawolf. The band, named after her younger siblings Lola and Wolf, has released two albums, including 2020’s Tenderness. Their sound is edgy, experimental, and totally different from her popular Hollywood roles in Big Little Lies and High Fidelity.
Donald Glover
Donald Glover’s alter ego, Childish Gambino has proven he’s one of the most important voices in music today. With six albums under his belt, he’s constantly reinventing his sound while still dominating acting, writing, and comedy. Few artists can juggle Hollywood and the music industry at this level, but Glover makes it look effortless.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Not many actors can say they’ve shared a stage with Britney Spears and Ozzy Osbourne but Jada Pinkett Smith can. Since 2002, she’s been the lead singer of Wicked Wisdom, a nu-metal band that’s toured the world and played major festivals. Known for its raw energy and fierce vocals, the group gave Jada an outlet that’s worlds away from her Hollywood roles in Set It Off or The Matrix series.
