Black Celebs Who Surprised Everyone With Career Pivots
Many entertainers refuse to be defined by a single talent or industry. These ambitious individuals leveraged their initial fame to conquer entirely new territories in business and the arts. Some moved from professional sports to dramatic acting while others transitioned from chart-topping music to building global empires. The following list highlights Black celebrities who successfully reinvented their careers.
Jordan Peele
He originally gained fame as a sketch comedian on the series ‘Key & Peele’. Audiences were stunned when he pivoted to directing psychological horror with the film ‘Get Out’. The movie earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He has since solidified his reputation as a master of the horror genre.
Rihanna
She dominated the global music charts for over a decade with numerous hit singles. Her career shifted dramatically when she launched Fenty Beauty. The brand revolutionized the cosmetics industry by offering an inclusive range of foundation shades. This business venture propelled her to billionaire status.
Ice Cube
He began his career as a founding member of the gangsta rap group N.W.A. His early public persona was defined by aggressive lyrics and political commentary. He surprised fans by transitioning into writing and starring in the comedy ‘Friday’. He eventually became a staple in family-friendly films like ‘Are We There Yet?’.
Donald Glover
He started as a writer for the sitcom ’30 Rock’ and starred in the comedy ‘Community’. He later adopted the stage name Childish Gambino to pursue a successful rap and R&B career. He pivoted again to create, direct, and star in the surreal comedy-drama ‘Atlanta’. His ability to master multiple distinct mediums is rare in Hollywood.
Queen Latifah
She burst onto the scene as a pioneering female rapper in the late 1980s. She successfully transitioned into acting with the sitcom ‘Living Single’. Her pivot to dramatic roles earned her an Academy Award nomination for the musical ‘Chicago’. She continues to work as a versatile producer and actress.
Will Smith
He gained initial fame as the rapper The Fresh Prince alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff. He seamlessly moved into acting with the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. He then defied expectations by becoming one of the biggest action stars in cinema history. His career boasts blockbuster hits across multiple genres.
Dwayne Johnson
He rose to prominence as a charismatic professional wrestler in the WWE. He tested the waters of acting with a role in ‘The Mummy Returns’. He committed fully to Hollywood and became the highest-paid actor in the world. His production company now develops major film and television projects.
Terry Crews
He played in the NFL for several years before retiring from professional sports. He found a new calling in the entertainment industry as a comedic actor. His roles in ‘White Chicks’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ showcased his impeccable timing. He also hosts major television programs like ‘America’s Got Talent’.
50 Cent
He was one of the biggest rappers in the world during the early 2000s. He pivoted to television production with the hit series ‘Power’. His work as an executive producer created an entire universe of spin-offs for the Starz network. He has proven to be a shrewd television mogul.
Dr. Dre
He started as a legendary producer and rapper for N.W.A. and Death Row Records. His career took a massive business turn when he co-founded Beats Electronics. The company captured a massive share of the headphone market. Apple eventually acquired the company for three billion dollars.
Jay-Z
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He expanded his portfolio by founding the entertainment agency Roc Nation. His business interests include champagne brands and early investments in technology companies. He effectively provided a blueprint for musicians transitioning into business moguls.
Ye
He entered the music industry as a producer before becoming a superstar rapper. He surprised the fashion world by launching his Yeezy brand. The sneaker line became a cultural phenomenon and generated billions in revenue. His influence on streetwear fashion is undeniable.
Pharrell Williams
He spent years as half of the production duo The Neptunes and the frontman of N.E.R.D. He always maintained a strong interest in fashion and design. Louis Vuitton appointed him as the Creative Director of Menswear in 2023. This appointment cemented his status as a major figure in luxury fashion.
Magic Johnson
He is an NBA Hall of Famer known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. After retiring from basketball, he built a massive business empire. His investment firm focuses on urban development and ownership stakes in sports teams. He is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and other franchises.
George Foreman
He was a heavyweight boxing champion who fought legends like Muhammad Ali. His career pivot occurred when he became the face of the George Foreman Grill. The cooking appliance sold millions of units worldwide. This venture earned him more money than his entire boxing career.
Michael Strahan
He established himself as a dominant defensive end for the New York Giants. Following his retirement from the NFL, he pivoted to daytime television. He became a co-host on ‘Live! with Kelly and Michael’ and later ‘Good Morning America’. His charisma allowed him to become a ubiquitous television personality.
Kobe Bryant
He spent twenty years as a superstar player for the Los Angeles Lakers. After basketball, he turned his focus to storytelling and animation. He wrote and produced the short film ‘Dear Basketball’. The project won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Shaquille O’Neal
He is one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. He pivoted to business and entertainment with varied interests. He performs globally as a DJ under the name DJ Diesel. He also owns many franchise restaurants and appears as a television analyst.
Tyra Banks
She began her career as a high-fashion supermodel appearing on international runways. She transitioned to television by creating and hosting ‘America’s Next Top Model’. The show became a global franchise with dozens of international versions. She also hosted her own daytime talk show.
Byron Allen
He started as a stand-up comedian and one of the youngest hosts on ‘The Tonight Show’. He founded Entertainment Studios to produce and distribute television content. His company acquired The Weather Channel in a major business deal. He is now one of the most powerful media moguls in the industry.
Steve Harvey
He toured for years as one of the original Kings of Comedy. He pivoted from stand-up to become a dominant daytime host and radio personality. He revitalized ‘Family Feud’ with his unique comedic reactions. He also authored best-selling relationship advice books.
Akon
He released multiple platinum R&B and hip-hop albums in the 2000s. He shifted his focus to philanthropy and infrastructure projects in Africa. His initiative Akon Lighting Africa aims to provide solar electricity to millions. He is also developing a futuristic smart city in Senegal.
Idris Elba
He gained fame as a dramatic actor in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Luther’. He surprises many fans with his parallel career as a house music DJ. He performs at major music festivals around the world. He also creates music and has collaborated with Macklemore.
Lenny Kravitz
He is a rock musician known for hits like ‘American Woman’. He founded Kravitz Design to work on commercial and residential interior design projects. His firm has designed hotels and luxury condos. He also appears as an actor in films like ‘The Hunger Games’.
Common
He started as a highly respected underground rapper from Chicago. He transitioned into acting with roles in films like ‘Smokin’ Aces’ and ‘Selma’. He won an Academy Award for the song ‘Glory’ from the ‘Selma’ soundtrack. He is one of the few artists close to achieving EGOT status.
Ludacris
He was a dominant force in Southern hip-hop during the 2000s. He pivoted to acting and secured a recurring role in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. He also created the animated children’s series ‘Karma’s World’ for Netflix. His focus has shifted largely to film and children’s educational content.
Jennifer Hudson
She gained fame as a finalist on the competition show ‘American Idol’. She pivoted immediately to acting and won an Oscar for her first film role in ‘Dreamgirls’. She later transitioned to producing and hosting her own talk show. She recently achieved EGOT status by winning a Tony Award.
Jamie Foxx
He started his career as a stand-up comedian and a cast member on ‘In Living Color’. He proved his dramatic range by playing Ray Charles in the biopic ‘Ray’. The role earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. He successfully balances careers in comedy, music, and dramatic acting.
Mo’Nique
She was known primarily as a stand-up comedian and the star of ‘The Parkers’. She stunned critics with her dark and dramatic performance in ‘Precious’. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role. It remains one of the most impressive pivots from comedy to drama.
John David Washington
He played professional football for the St. Louis Rams and in the UFL. He shifted to acting and landed a breakout role in the series ‘Ballers’. He eventually starred in major films like ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and ‘Tenet’. He successfully stepped out of his father Denzel Washington’s shadow.
Carl Weathers
He played linebacker for the Oakland Raiders before turning to acting. He became a pop culture icon as Apollo Creed in the ‘Rocky’ franchise. He later reinvented himself again as a director for television series like ‘The Mandalorian’. His career spanned decades across sports and screen.
Jim Brown
He is often cited as the greatest football player in NFL history. He retired at the peak of his athletic career to pursue acting. He starred in films like ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘100 Rifles’. He remained a prominent activist and actor for many years.
Nnamdi Asomugha
He was an All-Pro cornerback for the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles. After retiring, he founded a production company and began acting. He received critical acclaim for his role in the film ‘Sylvie’s Love’. He has produced award-winning films like ‘Harriet’.
Master P
He founded No Limit Records and became a hip-hop mogul. He surprisingly attempted a pivot to professional basketball with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. While he never played a regular-season NBA game, he was a successful sports agent. He negotiated contracts for NFL stars like Ricky Williams.
Nas
He is a hip-hop legend known for his debut album ‘Illmatic’. He founded the venture capital firm QueensBridge Venture Partners. His firm was an early investor in massive companies like Dropbox and Lyft. He has generated significant wealth through his tech investments.
Snoop Dogg
He is a West Coast rap icon who popularized G-funk. He pivoted to become a ubiquitous media personality and homemaker brand. He hosts a cooking show with Martha Stewart and has a line of pet products. He recently worked as a special correspondent for the Olympics.
Cardi B
She gained initial popularity as a personality on social media and reality television. She surprised the music industry by becoming a Grammy-winning rapper. Her debut single ‘Bodak Yellow’ topped the Billboard Hot 100. She has since appeared in films like ‘Hustlers’.
Whoopi Goldberg
She began her career doing stand-up comedy and a one-woman show on Broadway. She transitioned to dramatic acting with ‘The Color Purple’. She later pivoted again to daytime television as the moderator of ‘The View’. She is one of the few entertainers to win an EGOT.
Oprah Winfrey
She started as a news anchor before hosting her groundbreaking talk show. She pivoted to acting with an Oscar-nominated performance in ‘The Color Purple’. She eventually launched her own cable network called OWN. She is now a major media executive and producer.
Maya Angelou
She had a diverse early career as a calypso singer and dancer. She pivoted to writing and became one of the most celebrated poets in American history. Her memoir ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ is a literary classic. She was also a civil rights activist and director.
Gordon Parks
He was a pioneering photographer for ‘Life’ magazine. He pivoted to film direction and helmed the movie ‘Shaft’. This film helped launch the blaxploitation genre in the 1970s. He was the first Black director to helm a major studio film.
Iman
She was one of the most sought-after fashion models in the world. She retired from modeling to launch Iman Cosmetics. Her brand was one of the first to create makeup specifically for women of color. The company established her as a successful business executive.
Daveed Diggs
He was an experimental hip-hop artist with the group Clipping. He achieved mainstream fame by originating the roles of Lafayette and Jefferson in ‘Hamilton’. He pivoted to film and television acting in ‘Snowpiercer’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’. He writes and produces projects as well.
Questlove
He is the drummer and frontman for the Roots on ‘The Tonight Show’. He pivoted to directing with the documentary ‘Summer of Soul’. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. He is now a respected film director and music historian.
Serena Williams
She is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. She founded Serena Ventures to invest in early-stage companies. Her firm focuses on businesses founded by women and minorities. She has become a prominent figure in the venture capital world.
LeBron James
He is an active NBA legend who has already established a media empire. He co-founded The SpringHill Company to produce films and television shows. His company produced ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and the talk show ‘The Shop’. He has successfully bridged the gap between athlete and studio executive.
Tyler, the Creator
He started as a chaotic rapper and leader of the collective Odd Future. He pivoted to become a serious fashion designer with his brand Golf le Fleur. He also creates animated television shows. His artistic evolution has earned him immense critical respect.
Please share which career transformation impressed you the most in the comments.