Who would you have recognized? These rare debut appearances in music clips helped the celebrities achieve worldwide fame.
Cameo appearances in music videos are a dime a dozen. But is it still such a thing if the star is still completely unknown? Here are ten guest appearances in music videos in which the world’s greats were still completely unknown. Would you have recognized her?
Even great Hollywood actors and world-famous musicians started small. We moved from job to job, always hoping to land the triple Auerbach somersault on the career springboard. Some only had to briefly smile adorably into the camera – others went naked, wore only leopard panties and smeared their naked bodies from top to bottom with baby oil. Probably based on the motto: “We were young and needed the money!”
Courteney Cox in “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
She’s the one among thousands who stands out from the crowd in Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” video: Courteney Cox. The then 20-year-old had previously started her modeling career and was already posing on smaller magazine covers. But the few seconds with Springsteen from minute 2:31 finally helped her get a leading role in a superhero television series. Today she is best known for playing Monica Geller in the 90s cult series “Friends”.
Jennifer Lopez in “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson
As a breakdancer and background dancer, the trained legal assistant Jennifer Lopez dabbled through the music and film business from the 1990s onwards – and ended up with Janet Jackson in the music video for “That’s the Way Love Goes” from 1993 (from 0:15). It wasn’t until five years later that the then 29-year-old signed her first record deal – in 1999, her debut album, ON THE 6, was released, which would herald the so-called “Latin wave” worldwide.
Channing Tatum in “She Bangs” by Ricky Martin
The Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin also knew how to ride this Latin wave. His song “She Bangs” and its music video were released in 2000 – and it shows a lot of bare skin. Who would fit in better than the “Magic Mike” actor himself: Channing Tatum, who actually used to be a professional stripper. Even if you only see him for a fraction of a second, if you look closely you will recognize him as a shirtless bartender at minutes 1:04, 1:30 and 2:59. The actor only celebrated his big breakthrough in 2006 in the dance film “Step Up”.
Jason Statham in “Comin On” by The Shamen
Fellow actor Jason Statham was also able to shine with toned muscles and sexy dance moves before his big action roles like 2002’s “Transporter”. In the very literal sense, because in the 1993 music video for the acid band The Shamen, he is oiled from head to toe and wearing leopard briefs is ravaging the evil spirits out of his body. Can be seen in all its glory from minute 0:36.
Angelina Jolie in “Stand By My Woman” by Lenny Kravitz
The aspiring actress Angelina Jolie was 16 years old when she appeared in Lenny Kravitz’s clip for the rock ballad “Stand By My Woman”. However, it is not an unusual career path for the Californian – her parents are the actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Incidentally, her involvement in the Kravitz song is not the first in a music video before she became really famous as Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider”. She also appeared in The Lemonheads’ “It’s About Time” and Meat Loaf’s “Rock And Roll Dreams Come True” in 1993.
Zooey Deschanel in “She’s Got Issues” by The Offspring
Californian Zooey Deschanel probably also has acting in her blood. Like Angelina Jolie, she also comes from a creative family, all of whom are or were active in the film business. In 2011 she played the role of Jess in the sitcom “New Girl” – for her the final push into the global public eye. Who would have thought that 13 years earlier she would launch her career with a starring role in the video for punk band The Offspring’s “She’s Got Issues”? Although – yes, that fits. The then 18-year-old, who used to have fiery red hair, can be seen waking up there at 0:09 seconds.
Katy Perry in “Goodbye For Now” by POD
It’s hard to believe: Katy Perry’s career began in a strict religious environment in which she grew up as the daughter of a pastor. She therefore incorporated Christian messages into her music for a long time. Before she shook up the charts with “I Kissed A Girl,” she released her debut album in 2001 under her birth name Katy Hudson, which focused on Christian music but had little commercial success. She got by with a few gigs here and a few appearances there until she got in touch with the (also Christian) nu-metal band POD in 2006. They were looking for a female background voice for their song “Goodbye For Now”. Perry agreed – and can also be seen in front of the microphone from minute 3:27.
Kesha in “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry
Like you, I like you – that’s what Katy Perry might have thought when illustrating her own song “I Kissed A Girl”. Although she didn’t return the favor to the boys from POD. But she gave another aspiring artist a chance. It’s not always easy to see, but from second 0:33 on the left of the picture: blonde, wavy hair – that’s Kesha. At this point, the two had known each other for some time from Los Angeles. However, it wasn’t until a year later that things really started going well for Kesha: she sang “You spin my head right round” for Flo Rida and suddenly became famous, followed a few months later by her own hit “Tik Tok”. There is now a bad atmosphere between Perry and her – because Kesha accused their mutual producer Dr. Luke accused of sexual abuse in 2014. Katy Perry, on the other hand, still works with him today.
Eva Mendes in “Miami” by Will Smith
So the fact that Eva Mendes and Will Smith get along well is really nothing new. After all, they played side by side in “Hitch – The Date Doctor” in 2005 and also kissed each other every now and then outside of the set. What most people don’t know is that the actress had her first filming experiences with the rapper and Hollywood star in 1997. Namely during the recording of Smith’s song “Miami”. It’s unmistakable when she casually cruises past him in the convertible at 1:09.
Kim Kardashian in “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” by Fall Out Boy
Yes – really true: Kim Kardashian is a Fall Out Boy fan. At least that’s what she said herself. But as proof, she made a fairly prominent appearance in the 2007 music video for “Thnks Fr. Th Mmrs”. There she flirted with bassist Pete Wentz from minute 4:13 onwards and even kissed him on the edge of the bed. All this in the same year that a leaked sex tape with ex-boyfriend Ray J made her famous. A few months later, the reality show “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” started, and in 2012 she got together with Kanye West.