Sally Goldberg
Mariah Carey is ready for her close-up, but it’s not for another big-budget video. She’s going to the big screen.
Carey is one of the most recent pop music stars to express an interest in acting. She is working on a musical with the working title All That Glitters. The film should be in theatres sometime next year.
Carey’s co-producer, Sandy Gallin, also produced two of Dolly Parton’s films, Rhinestone (1984), and Straight Talk (1992). Parton is one of a few singers who have maintained successful film careers. Carey has said in several interviews she hopes to do the same.
One of the first big singers-turned-movie stars was the legendary Frank Sinatra. As an actor under contract for MGM, he appeared in singing and non-singing roles alike. He was signed two years after becoming a singing sensation, capable of attracting a bevy of teenage girls. Sinatra was such an attraction that having his name on the marquee for a time guarenteed box office success. Luckily for MGM, he had staying power — he was not only a heartthrob, but a skilful actor.
Will Smith is yet another success story. From rap to sitcoms to action-packed blockbusters, Smith has proven his talents time and again. Singing and acting is a natural combination. In the days of vaudeville, songs were delivered as little musical plays. The tradition continues today on Broadway.
The best singers make great actors simply because singing is not just about hitting a note. It requires expression and emotion. Too many singers today are concerned with proving their virtuosity rather than communicating. R and B artists are constantly flaunting their range by singing a multitude of notes per second. Rock artists often focus on volume rather than sentiment. The result is a vocal Olympics.
Perhaps this is why not every singing star is a natural movie actor. Jon Bon Jovi is an aspiring actor who, despite his fame as a rock-ballad belter, has yet to hit it big in Hollywood. It could have to do with not having a good agent, but more than likely his lack of acting ability figures into the equation.
Whether Carey can make the jump to movies from music is still unclear. She is a star athlete from the vocal Olympics who demonstrates her enormous vocal range at every turn. Her name may sell tickets, but that might not be enough to launch a new career. Then again, acting could improve Carey’s singing by helping her care less about what note comes next and more about which heartstring to pull.