11 Surprisingly Decent Performances from Musicians Turned Actors

Here are 11 musicians who decided to hit 'pause' on their music career and 'play' in the movie business.

As it turns out, they're just as impressive on screen as they are on stage.

1. Justin Timberlake in The Social Network

Let's start this list on a high note – and no, we're not talking about JT's falsetto. Justin Timberlake, former *NSYNC frontman, turned the tech world upside down with his portrayal of Sean Parker in The Social Network. He nailed the cocky charisma and suave charm of the Napster co-founder, making us all believe he might actually be the man behind Facebook. Who knew that Cry Me a River could translate into such a stunning acting performance? Not us, that's for sure.

2. The Weeknd in The Idol

Let's just get right to it: the curious case of The Weeknd's acting skills in The Idol. While the singer's fans mostly agree that he, indeed, did possess some serious acting skills and demonstrated them quite successfully during the After Hours era, the majority was left severely disappointed when said skills appeared non-existent in The Idol's episodes (especially that god-awful 'dirty talk' scene). However, then came episode 3, and The Weeknd commandeered all the focus with his nothing short of great portrayal of a creepy, like, actually creepy, lock-the-door-and-don-t-pick-up-your-phone creepy, wannabe cult leader. This man can act, and somewhat disastrous The Idol script can't convince us otherwise anymore.

3. Ice Cube in Boyz N the Hood

Who could forget Ice Cube's raw and intense performance in Boyz N the Hood? Going from '90s gangsta rap to a vivid portrayal of life in South Central LA, Ice Cube made his acting debut with a performance that was as chilling as his stage name suggests. The film gave the rapper a platform to tackle the harsh realities of his hometown, making audiences worldwide sit up and take notice. We knew the guy could spit bars, but who knew he could also spit out a performance like that?

4. Lady Gaga in A Star is Born

How can anyone forget Lady Gaga's breathtaking transition from Mother Monster to movie maven? In A Star is Born, Gaga showed us she can do more than just rock a meat dress at the MTV Awards. She laid bare the life of a struggling artist, her performance so authentic you almost forget she's been at the top of the charts for over a decade. It seems like Gaga really can do it all – and leave us all gaga over her versatility.

5. Harry Styles in Dunkirk

Now this is a plot twist. Harry Styles, the boyband heartthrob, trades in his microphone for a military uniform in Christopher Nolan 's Dunkirk. Styles took on the role of a World War II soldier, providing an unexpectedly moving performance that captured the grim realities of war. Between his luscious locks and his newfound acting prowess, it seems Styles is bent on conquering more than just the Billboard charts.

6. Cher in Moonstruck

Alright, Cher is an icon. We know this. But when she took on the role of Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck, she transcended her pop queen status to become an Academy Award-winning actress. Trading in her dazzling sequin outfits for a much more understated wardrobe, Cher showed off her acting chops, delivering a performance that was as touching as it was unexpected. After all, who needs autotune when you can win an Oscar?

7. Mos Def in Something the Lord Made

How does one go from hip-hop to heart surgery? Ask Mos Def, who portrayed the pioneering heart surgeon Dr. Vivien Thomas in Something the Lord Made. Far removed from his rap persona, Mos Def demonstrated a deep understanding of his character, delivering a nuanced and compelling performance. Who knew Ms. Fat Booty could lead to such surgical precision in acting?

8. Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls

If you thought getting voted off American Idol was the end of Jennifer Hudson's career, think again. Hudson bounced back in Dreamgirls, where her show-stopping rendition of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going had people standing in the aisles. She took home an Oscar for her role and reminded everyone that an American Idol elimination is not the end, but possibly the beginning of a successful acting career.

9. David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth

Bowie was already a Starman when he became a silver screen star. His role as an alien in The Man Who Fell to Earth was so fitting, some might say it was a role he was born to play. His enchanting, otherworldly performance made us question if he was, in fact, an alien masquerading as a rock star. The truth is out there, folks.

10. Madonna in Evita

Who better to portray Argentina's controversial First Lady than the Queen of Pop herself? Madonna gave a riveting performance as Eva Perón in Evita, proving that she can do more than vogue on stage. Her rendition of Don't Cry for Me Argentina became an instant classic, earning her a Golden Globe for Best Actress. It's safe to say Madonna didn't just strike a pose; she struck a chord with her acting skills.

11. Eminem in 8 Mile

Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, showed us he's more than just a rap god in 8 Mile. His depiction of a struggling rapper in Detroit was raw, gritty, and as real as his own life story. His acting was so impressive, he won an Oscar for the film's original song, Lose Yourself. It looks like Em can do more than just spit fire; he can also set the screen on fire with his acting.