This week, Carmen Electra made TV rounds performing her new single “I Like It Loud.” On The Wendy Williams Show, Carmen revealed that music icon Prince was the first to tell her to pursue a musical career and to change her name from Tara Patrick to Carmen Electra.
The former TV personality isn’t the first celebrity who tried her hand at pop stardom. Check out this list of five celebrities who have made the leap into the pop world.
Kim Kardashian
Who could forget Kim in the studio with famed producer The Dream? Kim recorded “Turn It Up” while taping the reality show Keeping up with the Kardashians. The single was released in March of 2011 selling 14,000 copies in the first five days, catapulting it to #2 on the iTunes Top Dance Songs chart.
According to Kim, the song was not the precursor to a pop career, but a charitable effort; A portion of pop single went to St. Jude Children Research Hospital. Also, a video was recorded featuring Kim in kool-aid red hair, cornrows and barely there outfits. Even though the video may have helped the song rack up more downloads, it was never released in its entirety.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gjf8ww8iWng%3Frel%3D0
Tyra Banks
Tyra is seemingly never satisfied with her her current job description. Before her short-lived career as a talk shot host, the super model used popular TV show America’s Next Top Model as a platform to launch her new video for “Shake Ya Body.”
The video featured the models of Cycle 2 walking the runway and executing some simple choreography. Tyra never followed up the pop track with another musical effort. However, she has since moved on to getting her business degree from Harvard and expanding her production company, Bankable Productions.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TF9ykYtX4RA%3Frel%3D0
Paris Hilton
When thinking about Paris Hilton videos, you may not automatically think of the music type.
In 2004, Paris released her self titled album with Warner Brothers Records. The first single “Stars Are Blind” was (surprisingly) a hit worldwide, selling over 600,000 copies. Despite the mixed reviews, Paris’ fans embraced her musical endeavors.
Staying out of the public eye in 2012, Paris is working on her second studio album. No release date has been announced as yet.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FYLon-rki10%3Frel%3D0
Lindsay Lohan
The trend of socialite-turned-singer continues with Lindsay Lohan. The troubled actress initially got her musical fix by contributing music to the Freaky Friday and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen soundtracks. She eventually stepped out on her own and released her first album Speak.
Lindsay’s 2004 single “Rumors” went certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide. The accompanying video featured Lindsay partying with friends while trying to duck the infamous paparazzi (eight years later, Lindsay’s real life still mirrors the video).
With all of Lindsay’s legal issues and bad press, we probably won’t see a new musical project from Lindsay for quite some time.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ODTRrT-ONxA%3Frel%3D0
Amber Rose
Amber Rose has gained a certain level of celebrity for herself, not disappearing once leaving Kanye’s side. The former stripper-turned-model was never shy about her body, often seen frolicking topless on beaches, but who knew she was shy about singing?
Amber admitted her soon-to-be hubby Wiz Khalifa gave her the push to release her record “Fame” after giving it rave reviews. The house/pop record was released in 2012 to a lukewarm reception. Nonetheless, the bald beauty has also been featured on Wiz Khalifa’s Never Been Apart II featuring Rick Ross.
Amber is now quite literally barefoot and pregnant waiting on a baby boy due shortly. For now her pop career is on the back burner and her budding family is front and center.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FgQ4UgB2F7A%3Frel%3D0