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They Can Sing, But Can They Act? 10 Musical Artists Who Are Terrible Actors

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 12th 2025, 19:00 GMT+2

Cropped taylor swift in cats — Taylor Swift

It’s hard to watch Taylor Swift on screen without wincing at times. Films like *Valentine’s Day* and *The Giver* showed that she struggles to make her characters believable, often delivering lines in a flat, mechanical way. *Cats* was particularly painful, with awkward expressions and stiff movements that drew more laughs than sympathy. Even her emotional scenes feel forced, as if she’s trying too hard to convey depth she hasn’t mastered yet. Her charm as a performer doesn’t translate into acting, and watching her stumble through dialogue is a reminder that not every pop star can switch careers seamlessly. Swift is proof that fame in music doesn’t automatically equal screen talent, no matter how hard she tries. | © Universal Studios

The Weeknd the idol — The Weeknd

Charisma on stage doesn’t make lines come alive, and that’s painfully obvious in his screen work. Performances in *The Idol* and other projects often feel wooden, like he’s reading lines rather than inhabiting a character. Emotional moments miss the mark, dialogue feels stilted, and his natural stage energy fails to translate to believable acting. Watching him attempt scenes can feel awkward or even cringe-worthy, making it clear that he hasn’t mastered the craft. The Weeknd’s screen attempts serve as a reminder that not all stars can cross over successfully. | © A24

Rihanna in Oceans 8 — Rihanna

Movies like *Battleship* and even *Ocean’s 8* reveal that Rihanna struggles to sell a role. Stiff delivery, awkward interactions, and uncertain timing make her performances hard to watch at times. She has undeniable presence, but translating that into credible acting is a different story. Scenes that should feel natural often feel forced, with her expressions and gestures failing to convince. Even when the material is light or comedic, she rarely lands the performance, highlighting a clear gap between music stardom and acting ability. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped beyoncé in obsessed — Beyoncé

Some stage performers shine brightest under spotlights, and Beyoncé seems to be one of them. Films like *Obsessed* showcase over-the-top dramatics that come off as cartoonish, and even her more serious roles can feel stiff or exaggerated. Memorizing lines doesn’t equal delivering them convincingly, and her attempts at nuance often fall flat. Dramatic tension is missing, leaving viewers aware of the difference between her stage presence and actual acting skill. While she dominates music, the screen exposes weaknesses that are hard to ignore. | © Screen Gems

Cropped Dua Lipa argylle — Dua Lipa

Attempts to act can be painfully awkward, and Dua Lipa’s role in *Barbie* is a prime example. Dialogue is delivered stiffly, expressions rarely feel natural, and charm alone isn’t enough to carry a scene. Even voice work offers little improvement, with performances feeling flat and uninspired. Watching her act can be a lesson in how stage charisma doesn’t equal on-screen talent. For now, it’s obvious that music remains her strong suit, and acting is a misstep best left brief. | © Cloudy Productions

Cropped imagen 2025 09 08 193500877 — Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has shown glimpses of effort, but her acting is often painfully uneven. Roles like *Emilia Perez* in *Spring Breakers* and parts in Disney projects reveal stiff delivery and limited emotional range. Even when scenes demand vulnerability or humor, she struggles to convey it naturally, leaving viewers aware of the gap between intention and execution. Timing, expression, and line delivery often feel off, making it hard to stay immersed. There are moments where she almost convinces, but they’re fleeting and overshadowed by awkward gestures or blank stares. Fame and fan devotion don’t disguise the fact that she has a lot to learn to be considered a credible actor. | © Pathé

Cropped Harry Styles Dont Worry Darling — Harry Styles

It’s clear that charisma alone won’t save a performance, and Harry Styles has had a rough ride proving that. While he surprised some in *Dunkirk*, his acting in more dramatic or dialogue-heavy roles can feel stiff or hesitant. Timing and subtlety often elude him, leaving the audience wishing for more natural emotion. Even moments meant to be charming can come across as forced, reminding viewers that pop stardom doesn’t automatically translate into screen skill. Watching him struggle through certain scenes is almost cringeworthy, though it’s evident he’s trying. Styles has stage presence, but acting requires a different kind of craft he hasn’t fully mastered. | © New Line Cinema

Britney Spears Corssroads — Britney Spears

Britney Spears’ film appearances have ranged from forgettable to painfully awkward. In projects like *Crossroads*, her delivery often feels flat, with timing and expression that fail to engage the audience. Attempts at dramatic tension or emotional depth fall short, revealing a performer more at home in the music spotlight than in front of a camera. Some moments hint she’s capable of more, but they’re buried under stiff dialogue and unconvincing gestures. Watching her act is a stark reminder that fame in one arena doesn’t guarantee talent in another. Spears’ on-screen career is more a curiosity than a triumph. | © MTV

Cropped Jennifer Lopez in gigli — Jennifer Lopez

It’s tempting to assume that a multitalented performer like Jennifer Lopez can do it all, but acting remains inconsistent at best. Films like *Gigli* and *Second Act* highlight stiff line delivery and occasional overacting that distracts from the story. Even when the character is written for charm or sass, her performances can feel forced or rehearsed rather than organic. Some scenes work, but others stumble under uneven timing and expression, revealing that her star power doesn’t always translate to credibility on screen. Lopez is dazzling on stage, but acting clearly requires a different skill set that she hasn’t fully mastered. | © Revolution Studios

Cropped fergie in poseidon — Fergie

Fergie’s acting attempts are a mixed bag of awkward expressions and stilted dialogue. Films like *Poseidon* or *Nine* show that she struggles with emotional range, often delivering lines with flatness or overemphasis that makes it hard to engage with the story. Even comedic moments don’t land naturally, with timing that feels forced rather than effortless. Watching her on-screen presence clash with the demands of the character can be frustrating, as it’s clear the material is not helping her improve. Her charisma in music doesn’t compensate for the technical shortcomings in acting, making it obvious she’s better suited to the stage than the screen. | © Warner Bros.

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Being a superstar on stage doesn’t automatically translate to Hollywood magic. While some musical artists have surprised us with their acting chops, others have stumbled into roles that showcase just how tricky acting can be. From awkward line delivery to cringe-worthy performances, these ten singers and musicians have proven that sometimes it’s best to stick to the microphone. In this article, we’re highlighting the musical artists who, despite their talent in music, just don’t have what it takes to win over audiences on screen.

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Being a superstar on stage doesn’t automatically translate to Hollywood magic. While some musical artists have surprised us with their acting chops, others have stumbled into roles that showcase just how tricky acting can be. From awkward line delivery to cringe-worthy performances, these ten singers and musicians have proven that sometimes it’s best to stick to the microphone. In this article, we’re highlighting the musical artists who, despite their talent in music, just don’t have what it takes to win over audiences on screen.