Crossing Lines between Acting and Singing

Douglas Boultinghouse
Arts & Entertainment Editor

   In previous years, many television and movie stars ventured into the world of music and vice-versa. Some proved successful, while others fizzled. For example, Jennifer Lopez and Jamie Foxx crossed over to the music charts effortlessly from film. Singers Mariah Carey and Justin Timberlake, however, struggled to succeed in the film industry.

   The trend continues rapidly as young stars of Disney and Nickelodeon automatically attempt to sing and act. With these kids coming out of the woodwork, it almost becomes annoying. The same goes for the stars we hear too much about, such as Beyonce and Paris Hilton. Beyonce has talent, but we see her everywhere. Hilton on the other hand, should give up trying to act or sing.

   But what about the many who exemplify talent in both their singing and acting careers?  The ones often underrated, even ignored, for their talents?

   Take a look at four people who showcase raw, natural talent on screen and on records that you might not have thought about:

Courtesy of Amazon

1. Jennifer Love Hewitt

   Jennifer Love Hewitt, star of the CBS thriller “Ghost Whisperer,” released three albums from 1995 to 2002. Known for her roles in “Party of Five,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Garfield,” few realize Hewitt’s efforts as a singer-songwriter.

   Hewitt released “Let’s Go Bang” and a self-titled album between 1995 and 1996. Both albums failed to chart. She received moderately more success with her 2002 release of “BareNaked.” The album, which peaked at 37 on the charts, hailed the Top-40 hits “Can I Go Now” and “BareNaked.”  With a soulful-rock sound with traces of ‘90s pop, she created one of the most underrated albums of the decade.

   Hewitt wrote or co-wrote eight of the 12 songs on the album. Stand-outs include “Stand in Your Way,” “I Know You Will,” “Stronger” and “You.” She closed the album with a raw, acoustic rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” that rivals the legendary take by Janis Joplin.

   Musically, Hewitt faded away as she became more involved in her film and television efforts. If she will return to the music world in the future remains unclear. She should, as her songwriting chops surpass many others.

Courtesy of Amazon

2. Amy Jo Johnson

   Amy Jo Johnson will forever be known to the world as Kimberly, the Pink Ranger of the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” and as Julie Emrick on “Felicity.”  She also played the role of Nancy Nevins in the biography “Sweetwater: A True Rock Story” about the band who opened the Woodstock festival.

   Her role as Nevins allowed her to sing, which led to her releasing the album “The Trans-American Treatment,” followed by the live album “Imperfect.”

   Both albums contain original songs by Johnson and her voice sounds pure and heartbreaking. The studio-recorded tracks on “The Trans-American Treatment,” have a slight rock bite to them. Everything on “Imperfect” comes in acoustic form. Johnson’s talent shines on both, but the realness of the live album cannot be matched.

   Highlights include “Self Destruction,” “Panic,” “Simple Man,” “Idealistic Daydream” and “Puddle of Grace.”  Before each song, she gives a piece of her life in the form of excerpts from her journal or tales of memories.

   “’This is so beautiful, all of this, creating so much beauty,’ my mom said to me this morning as she lay in her bed on the edge of passing away,” Johnson said before the tearful- track “Puddle of Grace.”

   Johnson currently stars as Jules Callahan on the CBS police-drama “Flashpoint.” The show occasionally uses her music in the scoring for episodes.

Courtesy of Fox

3. Alicia Keys

   The critically-acclaimed and Grammy award-winning Alicia Keys knows success in the music world. Her debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” earned her five Grammy awards. Her sophomore effort, “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” gave her four more Grammys. Her most recent release, “As I Am,” landed her three Grammys, making her a 12-time Grammy winner within eight years.

   Keys branched into acting with roles in “Smokin’ Aces” and “The Nanny Diaries.” Her most recent role, June Boatwright in “The Secret Life of Bees,” landed her a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

   The African American Literature Book Club described her performance in the movie as “The most memorable.”

   “The Secret Life of Bees,” as well as Keys’ other films and albums, can be found in stores now.

4. Jesse McCartney

   Jesse McCartney exploded on the teen-scene in 1998 playing Adam Chandler, Jr on the ABC soap opera “All My Children,” while a performing in the boy-band Dream Street. In 2004, his career as a solo artist took off.

   2004 marked the arrival of his debut album “Beautiful Soul,” along with his starring role on the WB drama “Summerland.” The album went platinum, while the show became a short-lived success as the television network merged with UPN to from the CW.

   In 2006, he filmed the later-to-be-released film “Keith,” while working on his sophomore album, “Right Where You Want Me.” Despite being more mature and artistic, the album failed to meet the success of the first album. McCartney co-wrote each track on the album, including the envelope-pushing “Blow Your Mind” and “Invincible.” The album featured the single “Right Where You Want Me” and the song “We Can Go Anywhere,” also included in the film, “Keith.”

      2007 brought success for him as a songwriter and actor. He co-wrote the No. 1-smash “Bleeding Love” for Leona Lewis and voiced Theodore in the box office-hit “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” The success followed in 2008 with the release of his third album, “Departure,” and its singles “Leavin’,” “It’s Over” and “How Do You Sleep.”

   McCartney will re-release the album in a “Recharged” edition April 7. The dramatic and challenging film “Keith” that showcased his strength as an actor saw release to DVD in February.

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