Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson had her big break in 2004 when she competed on “American Idol.” Oddly enough, she didn’t win and only got to seventh place, but that was just the springboard she needed to have a full career as a respected musician.
Just a few short years after competing on “American Idol,” Hudson won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress win for her performance in “Dreamgirls”. The movie ha also won her a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award.
Gladys Knight
Known to many as the "Empress of Soul", Gladys Knight is definitely a voice you want to add to your playlist. Assuming it's not on it already, that is. With a career that spans more than half a century, Knight has a substantial footing in the industry.
Two of her most famous hits are “That’s What Friends Are For” and "Midnight Train to Georgia.” Those two hits were number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. Some of her many awards include no less than seven Grammys.
Cher
It’s hard to say whether Cher is more successful as a singer or as an actress. She’s definitely a master of reinvention. She’s the only recording artist with a No. 1 hit song spanning across six consecutive decades. She’s one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, and she’s won an Emmy, an Academy Award, a Grammy, and three Golden Globes.
She’s a pop culture icon who's impossible to pin down. Cher also supports many causes — from humanitarian organizations to medical charity groups, she’s been an activist throughout her career, mainly for LGBT+ related issues.
Sarah McLachlan
Born in 1968 in Canada, Sarah McLachlan released her first album, "Touch", in 1988 when she was only twenty years old. Not surprising when you hear that she learned how to play her first instrument (ukelele) at the age of four.
As she grew older, she learned to accompany her lovely mezzo-soprano vocal range with a variety of other instruments such as piano, banjo, and harp. Her musical talent has won her two Grammys.
Pat Benatar
Patricia Mae Giraldo professionally goes by her stage name, Pat Benatar. “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” is one of her most well-known hits, but her career, which spans more than 4 decades, encompasses a lot more than that.
The singer-songwriter has won four Grammys. Two of her albums are RIAA certified multi-platinum, five are platinum, and three are gold. What is she doing with all that metal?