The parallels between acting and singing have gained visibility as music and film rise in popularity. We have often seen Hollywood stars becoming actors and singers wanting to join the movie industry. The overlap between the two disciplines creates opportunities, but also competition in the artistic industry.
“I think it is more common now for young actors to also become singers, as they are given more opportunities, and they also have pressure to do as many things as possible to elevate their career,” said Callie Hernandez, a sophomore at Carlmont High School.
Music is an invaluable outlet for expression and communication for many people. According to Harris County Public Library Blogs, the bridge between acting to singing is rooted in what has been coined “the universal power of music.”
“I feel like there’s a lot of overlapping opportunities for both, especially with musical productions,” said Shoshana Mellon, a sophomore at Carlmont High School.
Their interest can often get traced back to their youth, as many budding actors participate in school productions such as musicals. The blend of the two disciplines can result in something beyond high school productions. Some people choose to pursue a career that involves both and study acting or singing, according to WNYC Studios.
According to Charlie Simmons, a sophomore at Carlmont High School and an actor in many of the school’s plays, acting and singing can bring a sense of joy, but it’s important to strike a balance between the two.
“I think I just purely like the joy of it,” said Charlie Simmons, a sophomore at Carlmont High School. “I’ve heard from people who have done musicals that they feel like they are not complete if they just do acting or they just do singing. Like combining them is more satisfying to them.”
Doing both not only provides joy but also increases their screen time in a given production. For many actors, visibility is a critical component of the entertainment world, and often matters more than perfection. However, because of the rising number of performers who want to sing and act, doing both might increase competition in the broader industry.
“It definitely makes things a little bit more competitive because, especially in the acting industry, there’s more people trying to go for both,” Mellon said.
Another progression that is often seen is the appearance of singers who were previously on the Disney Channel. Known as ex-acts, these artists’ pasts might give them an entry point into the entertainment industry.
According to Mellon, many newer singers started with Disney; however, sometimes pressures these actors faced led them to just pursue music.
“I believe young adults are faced with lots of pressure as they work in these environments. I also think many push themselves to be as good as older actors who have been working for most of their lives,” Hernandez said.
As the industry grows, so does competition for acting roles. Competition for streams likewise increases.
“I think it makes things more competitive because they cover more ground, but also, when it comes to casting in certain roles, it shouldn’t be that competitive,” Simmons said.
For singers, acting can be a way to further their careers. According to Egyptian Streets, shifting to pursuing acting is beneficial for career longevity, since music trends change over time and “sustaining a long-term career in one genre can be difficult.” According to Hernandez, doing both can also create a second source of income.
“I believe that doing both will only help someone’s career if they can balance them well,” Hernandez said. “I think being successful in one field definitely helps someone become more popular in the other, just because not only are you already known, but you’ll have good experience to start.”
However, some new singers are receiving criticism. The expectation of fame following you through your career can be offsetting when evaluating a person’s work.
According to WNYC Studios, many people are bothered by the idea that popular actors can slip into the music world and “expect the weight of Hollywood to make them a success in the music world too, whether it’s deserved or not.”
Yet, seeing actors and singers that people recognize trying new things is often a positive thing for viewers. Watching famous people you know grow over time is inspiring to many.
“The trend of actors and singers doing both is a positive change in the entertainment industry because it influences people to dream big and strive to complete their goals,” Hernandez said. “There will always be a sense of competition, but some people need an extra push to get to where they are meant to be.”
