11 Famous Voices You Didn’t Know Began Their Careers in Theater

11 Famous Voices You Didn’t Know Began Their Careers in Theater

Before they were chart-toppers, these singers were stealing scenes under stage lights. Long before hit singles and sold-out arenas, they honed their craft performing in musicals, mastering storytelling through song and emotion.

From Broadway prodigies to West End standouts, these artists transformed their theatrical beginnings into pop superstardom. Their journeys prove that the drama, discipline, and vocal power of theater can be the ultimate training ground for pop success.

1. Ariana Grande

Before becoming a pop icon, Ariana Grande was a Broadway kid. At just 15 years old, she landed a role in the musical 13, performing eight shows a week in New York City. This intense schedule built her stamina and stage presence.

Her theatrical training shows in every performance today. Grande’s powerful vocals and ability to connect with massive audiences come directly from those early stage days.

Hits like “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings” showcase the control and emotion she learned in theater. Many fans know her from TV, but her Broadway roots truly shaped her artistry.

2. Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger studied musical theater and classical voice before finding fame. Her training wasn’t just casual—it was rigorous and professional. She learned to belt, sustain notes, and move gracefully on stage.

When she joined The Pussycat Dolls, that theatrical polish set her apart. Her performances were always more than just singing; they were full-scale productions. Songs like “Don’t Cha” showed her ability to command attention.

Her solo career continued this trend. Nicole’s powerhouse vocals and stage presence trace directly back to those theater school days, proving that classical training and pop success go hand in hand.

3. Jennifer Holliday

Jennifer Holliday didn’t just perform on Broadway—she dominated it. Her role in Dreamgirls earned her a Tony Award and made theatrical history. Her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” became legendary.

That song crossed over into pop and R&B, reaching audiences far beyond theater fans. Holliday’s raw emotion and vocal power translated perfectly to radio. She showed that Broadway performers could compete with any pop star.

Her voice carries the weight of theatrical tradition while feeling completely contemporary. Holliday remains a bridge between two musical worlds, proving stage training creates lasting impact.

4. Jessie J

At only 11 years old, Jessie J stepped onto a professional stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind. That early start gave her a foundation most singers never experience. She learned discipline, vocal technique, and how to tell stories through song.

Years later, she burst onto the pop scene with “Price Tag” and “Domino.” Her theatrical background is evident in her dynamic live shows and powerful voice.

Jessie never just sings—she performs with her whole body and soul. That childhood in theater created the confident, commanding artist we know today.

5. Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles grew up performing in local theater productions, learning to express emotion through song and character. Those community theater experiences taught her storytelling—a skill that defines her songwriting today.

Her breakout hit “Love Song” showcased soulful vocals and honest lyrics. Bareilles writes from the heart, a quality nurtured in theater. Later, she came full circle by composing the Broadway musical Waitress.

Her career proves that theater and pop aren’t separate paths. They’re interconnected, each enriching the other. Bareilles moves between both worlds effortlessly, bringing authenticity wherever she performs.

6. Lea Michele

Lea Michele’s journey started incredibly early—she was just a child when she first stepped onto a Broadway stage. Her impressive theater résumé includes roles in Les Misérables, Ragtime, and Fiddler on the Roof, all before she turned twenty.

Her breakout theater moment came with Spring Awakening, a rock musical that showcased her powerful vocals and emotional depth. This critically acclaimed performance caught the attention of television producers and launched her into mainstream stardom on the hit show Glee.

Michele parlayed her TV fame into a solo music career, releasing pop albums that highlighted her Broadway-trained voice. Her theatrical background gave her an edge in the competitive music industry, allowing her to deliver performances with dramatic flair and technical precision.

7. Tyler James

Sylvia Young Theatre School produced a star, Tyler James. He trained rigorously in theater before launching a pop and R&B career. That school’s reputation for excellence meant James learned from the best.

His chart success in the UK demonstrated how theater training translates to commercial pop music. James brought vocal control and stage confidence that many pop singers lack. His performances felt polished and professional from day one.

Theater school graduates like James often outperform their peers because they’ve been preparing since childhood. The dedication required for theater creates artists who take their craft seriously.

8. Dove Cameron

Community theater gave Dove Cameron her start. She appeared in Les Misérables and The Secret Garden as a young performer. These classic musicals taught her vocal technique and dramatic expression.

Years later, she transitioned into pop music with singles like “Boyfriend.” Her theatrical background shines through in her music videos and live performances. Cameron understands how to create a visual story alongside her songs.

She also acted in Disney productions, but her theater roots remain central. Cameron’s artistry blends acting, singing, and performance in ways only theater training can teach.

9. Lea Salonga

Lea Salonga began in Philippine musical theater as a child, quickly becoming a local sensation. Her talent was undeniable, and it soon took her to Broadway. She starred in Miss Saigon, earning international acclaim and a Tony Award.

Alongside her stage career, Salonga built a successful recording career with multiple pop albums. Her voice also became famous as the singing voice of Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan. She’s truly a crossover artist.

Salonga represents how theater can be a foundation for diverse musical success, spanning continents and genres effortlessly.

10. Toni Braxton

Most people know Toni Braxton for her sultry R&B hits like “Un-Break My Heart” and “Breathe Again,” but she made history on Broadway too. The Grammy-winning artist broke important barriers when she took on the role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

Braxton became the first Black woman to play Belle as a lead on Broadway, opening doors for greater diversity in theater casting. Her smooth vocal style translated beautifully to the stage, proving her versatility as a performer beyond the recording studio.

Balancing both worlds, she continued releasing chart-topping albums while appearing in various theatrical productions. Her theater work demonstrated that pop and R&B stars could successfully cross over into Broadway without losing their musical identity.

11. Idina Menzel

Before “Let It Go” became a global phenomenon, Idina Menzel was already a Broadway legend. She originated the role of Maureen in the groundbreaking musical Rent, which launched her career in the mid-1990s.

Her most iconic theater role came when she played Elphaba in Wicked, the green-skinned witch whose powerful ballad “Defying Gravity” became her signature song. This performance earned her a Tony Award and cemented her status as a Broadway powerhouse.

Menzel successfully transitioned to pop music, releasing multiple studio albums. Her voice work as Elsa in Disney’s Frozen brought her mainstream fame, with “Let It Go” reaching the Billboard Top 10 and winning an Academy Award.