Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

     “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

    September 19, 2025

    Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

    September 18, 2025

    Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

    September 17, 2025

    Wrestlepalooza 2025 Returns with John Cena as SB19 Drops Global Hits: Sports & Pop Collide

    September 16, 2025

    From Billboards to TikTok: How Social Media Took Over Film Promotion

    September 15, 2025
  • Lifestyle

     “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

    September 19, 2025

    Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

    September 18, 2025

    Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

    September 17, 2025

    Wrestlepalooza 2025 Returns with John Cena as SB19 Drops Global Hits: Sports & Pop Collide

    September 16, 2025

    From Billboards to TikTok: How Social Media Took Over Film Promotion

    September 15, 2025
  • Relationships

     “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

    September 19, 2025

    Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

    September 18, 2025

    Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

    September 17, 2025

    Wrestlepalooza 2025 Returns with John Cena as SB19 Drops Global Hits: Sports & Pop Collide

    September 16, 2025

    From Billboards to TikTok: How Social Media Took Over Film Promotion

    September 15, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

     “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

    September 19, 2025

    Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

    September 18, 2025

    Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

    September 17, 2025

    Wrestlepalooza 2025 Returns with John Cena as SB19 Drops Global Hits: Sports & Pop Collide

    September 16, 2025

    From Billboards to TikTok: How Social Media Took Over Film Promotion

    September 15, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Brody Jenner Ties the Knot With Tia Blanco in Dreamy Malibu Ceremony — See the Intimate Moments

    July 17, 2025

    Madison LeCroy Welcomes Baby No. 2 — the Heartwarming Story Behind the Name

    July 9, 2025

    Ariana Zolciak Supports Kim Zolciak and Siblings Amid Ongoing Money Issues

    July 7, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » 10 Famous Music Stars Who Started as Backup Singers
Entertainment

10 Famous Music Stars Who Started as Backup Singers

AshabiBy AshabiFebruary 12, 20225 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
Instagram/cher
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

From working multiple jobs to taking odd jobs, music stars have their fair share of humble beginnings. For some, it was being backup singers for prominent stars.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1. Cher
  • 2. Pink
  • 3. Phil Collins
  • 4. Whitney Houston
  • 5. Mariah Carey  
  • 6. Mary J Blige
  • 7. John Legend
  • 8. Keri Hilson 
  • 9. Gwen Stefani
  • 10. Katy Perry

Humble beginnings, no matter how unbelievable they can sometimes be, are parts of the success stories of iconic stars. And they always serve as a reminder that dreams do come true.

For some music stars, taking odd jobs outside the industry was the way to survive, while others fought their way through after being backup singers. Here are some celebrities who fall in the latter category. 

backup singers
image: Pinterest

1. Cher

It is safe to say that anyone would do a double-take at the thought of seeing the ever-vibrant Cher handling a microphone behind the main singer. But that was her story before her 1960s fame. 

The spectacular Cher sang as a supporting vocalist for several stars like the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers. However, Cher got her big break in 1965 after she formed a music band called Sonny& Cher. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYj66RQARoR/?utm_medium=copy_link

2. Pink

At just 13, Pink was already sure music was her path, and she wasted no time working towards it. The “True Love” crooner sang backup in musical events, wrote songs, and danced for stars at that young age. Pink later became her own person at the age of 16. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpMuZqJBsY/?utm_medium=copy_link

3. Phil Collins

Phil Collins’ sonorous ballads are unmatched in the world of soulful music and romance. However, it took years of being a backup singer for Genesis to hone his exceptional skills. The “Another Day In Paradise” singer would later take over as lead singer of the band in 1975 after Peter Gabriel left. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1v1TlXnCUi/?utm_medium=copy_link

4. Whitney Houston

The late music powerhouse will forever be remembered for her music that defies time and musical evolution. Whitney always had that evergreen voice, even as she sang backup for music legends like Chaka Khan and Lou Rawl. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXwFEimLwft/?utm_medium=copy_link

5. Mariah Carey  

Mariah Carey has owned the whistle sound for decades and other groundbreaking records in the music industry and entertainment as a whole. But singing backup for Brenda Starr seemed to be her little miracle after working as a waitress. 

In subsequent years, Starr gave her demo to the then-CEO of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola, and Carey’s career took off from there. Carey would later marry Mottola in 1993, making him her first husband. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CV4VwT7qo0m/?utm_medium=copy_link

6. Mary J Blige

At the age of 17, J Blige caught the attention of some music executives after they listened to her demo track. At the time, she did a karaoke version of one of Anita Baker’s classics, and it landed her a backup singer position in Uptown Records. Blige got her first music credit in Father MC’s 1990’s “I’ll Do4 U.”

The “Live Without You” star continued her endeavors as a supporting artiste for countless stars until her breakthrough album, “What’s The 411?” was released in 1992. This became her pass to becoming the “Queen of hip Hop.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYm5wtCLkU6/?utm_medium=copy_link

7. John Legend

John Legend graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999, before moving to New York City to fulfill his big music dreams. The Grammy-winning singer met Kanye “Ye” West in 2001 and became one of the backup singers for several significant singers.

Besides lending his voice, Legend also contributed piano vocals for stars like Talib Kweli, Black Eyed Peas, and Alicia Keys. Legend was a contributor on Ye’s chart-topping 2004 album, “College Dropout,” and not long after, the rapper created his G.O.O.D record label merged with Sony Music. Ye then produced Legends’s debut album, “Get Lifted,” which began his success story. 

Image: Pinterest

8. Keri Hilson 

Before taking the 2010s music scene by storm, Keri Hilson learned the ropes from singers like Ciara and Usher. Hilson was able to achieve this feat after working with producer Anthony Dent, Diddy, and Destiny’s Child, as a teenager. 

She stopped working for Dent after a while and met rapper Plow da Don, who introduced her to big-shot producer Timbaland. The “Morning After Dark” crooner signed Hilson to his Mosley Music record label in 2006. She did a bit of songwriting, and then in 2009, Hilson dropped her debut album, “In A Perfect World.” 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWUKFdlJrz_/?utm_medium=copy_link

9. Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani had the opportunity to build her music career when her brother Eric started the No Doubt band with his friend John Spence. Eric kept it all in the family as he made Gwen sing backing vocals. However, after Spence passed away in 1987, she took over as the lead singer. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CU866rdFd9p/?utm_medium=copy_link

10. Katy Perry

The “Dark Horse” singer started as one of the backup singers for the Christian Metal band, P.O.D. The singer who went by Katy Hudson got her first music credit when the group featured her in “Goodbye For Now.” Perry later performed the song alongside the band on “The Tonight’s Show With Jay Leno” and was also featured in the music video. 

Gwen Stefani Katy Perry Whitney Houston
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleInside the Tragic Story of Rockstar Meat Loaf’s Health Struggles and how He was ‘Sick of Talking About it’
Next Article Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song are Engaged: A Look at the Very Private Relationship of the Former Child Stars

Related Posts

Entertainment

 “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

September 19, 2025
Entertainment

Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

September 18, 2025
Entertainment

Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

September 17, 2025
Latest Posts

 “The Conjuring: Last Rites” Smashes Box Office — Biggest Horror Premiere of 2025

September 19, 2025

Tyla Stuns at MTV VMAs 2025, Wins Best Afrobeats Over Burna Boy & Asake

September 18, 2025

Shock Divorce Filing: Akon’s Wife Reportedly Ends 29-Year Marriage

September 17, 2025

Wrestlepalooza 2025 Returns with John Cena as SB19 Drops Global Hits: Sports & Pop Collide

September 16, 2025

From Billboards to TikTok: How Social Media Took Over Film Promotion

September 15, 2025

Naira Marley Attacked On Stage? Viral Benin Republic Concert Sparks Chaos & Debate

September 12, 2025

The Fall 2025 Movie Slate Is Massive: Blockbusters, Prestige, and Popcorn Surprises Await

September 11, 2025

Mr Eazi & Temi Otedola’s Triple Wedding: From Monaco to Iceland, A Love Story in Three Acts

September 10, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: info@gistfest.com

MOST POPULAR

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Jacob’s Ladder Piercing: All You Need To Know

July 21, 2023

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.