Lots of musicians have found success on the big screen, bagging some hardware for their efforts to boot. So Lady Gaga wouldn’t be the first singer to win a Golden Globe for acting if she takes home the Best Film Drama Actress prize for “A Star Is Born” — but she would be in that category.
Several performers who first achieved stardom and established themselves as singers have been nominated for Best Film Drama Actress, but none have won. They include Doris Day (“Midnight Lace,” 1960), Diana Ross (“Lady Sings the Blues,” 1972), Barbra Streisand (“The Way We Were,” 1973; “Nuts,” 1987), Cher (“Mask,” 1985), Courtney Love (“The People vs. Larry Flynt,” 1996) and Bjork (“Dancer in the Dark,” 2000).
SEE ‘A Star Is Born’ going drama at the Golden Globes is a savvy move for Lady Gaga’s Oscar hopes
Unsurprisingly, singers have won in the Best Film Comedy/Musical Actress category, including Streisand (“Funny Girl,” 1968; “A Star Is Born,” 1976) and Cher (“Moonstruck,” 1987). Perhaps the mere appearance of the word “musical” in the category title makes the Hollywood Foreign Press Association members more inclined to check off a musician’s name. Plus, most singers transition into acting with a music(al)-based role or via musical theater, and with a few exceptions, those films have usually competed in the comedy/musical category. “Drama” carries more weight and voters might feel these crooners still have to prove themselves as a Serious Actress.
If “A Star Is Born” had entered in comedy/musical, Gaga probably would’ve cruised to an easy win. The drama field is crowded with contenders, but Gaga does have a proven track record with the HFPA, which gave her a Globe for her (dramatic) performance in “American Horror Story: Hotel” in 2016.
Gaga is currently second place in our combined odds, behind Glenn Close (“The Wife”), and ahead of Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Viola Davis (“Widows”) and Yalitza Aparicio (“Roma”).
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