Gigwise looks at famous youngsters...
jason gregory

13:31 2nd February 2011

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Here's question for you music trivia fans: What do Britney Spears, Will Smith and Michael Jackson all have in common? Yep, you guessed it: they're all music stars who found fame when they were children.


As Smith's daughter Willow launches her music career, joined by fellow contemporaries Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, Gigwise thought it was time to cast our eye back over some of the biggest child stars – past and present.

As well as the late King of Pop and Spears, a host of other big music names first found fame when they were barely out of diapers, including Christina Aguilera, Charlotte Church, Usher and Stevie Wonder.

You can see all those and more in our round-up, and if you can think of any more then plaese let us know in the comment form below.

  • Britney Spears - Britney Spears became America's sweetheart when she appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club alongside other famous faces Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. The singer then went on to have her first number one with 'Baby One More Time' at just seventeen.

  • Willow Smith - When you've got Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith for parents you're bound to be destined for big things. Ten year old Willow Smith launched her music career on Jay-Z's Roc Nation label in 2010 with the infectious single 'Whip My Hair.

  • Justin Timberlake - Justin Timberlake had his first glimpse of fame when he appeared on Star Search before joining Britney Spears on The Mickey Mouse Show at twelve years old. The singer then went on to form one of America's most successful boy bands N Sync.

  • Lady Gaga - Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta began singing in New York clubs as young teenager before signing to Def Jam Recordings at the age of nineteen. Lady Gaga released her number one debut 'The Fame' in 2008.

  • Usher - At thirteen Usher starred on America's Star Search where he was picked up by LaFace Records. In 1994 Usher released his self-titled debut with the help of P Diddy.

  • Charlotte Church - Trained as a classical singer, eleven year old Charlotte Church got her big break when she sang over the phone on This Morning. Her debut album 'Voice of an Angel' went to number one and made Church the youngest artist with a No. 1 album on the British classical crossover charts.

  • LeAnn Rimes - Country singer LeAnn Rimes rose to fame at thirteen when she was spotted by record promoter, Bill Mack, after years of touring America with her family. Rimes went on to make her pop crossover in 1997 with single 'How Do I Live'.

  • Will Smith - Everybody's favourite, Will Smith made his mark on the 80s when he performed under the name The Fresh Prince with hits 'Summertime' and 'Parents Just Don't Understand'. Smith went on to appear in US sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air throughout the 90s.

  • Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder signed to Motown records at just eleven years old. By thirteen he had his first major hit with 'Fingertips (Pt. 2)', which featured vocals from a similarly young Marvin Gaye.

  • Michael Jackson - All the signs that Jackson would go on to become the King Of Pop began when he appeared as part of the Jackson 5. Performing alongside his brothers, the singer thrilled audiences across Americanand eventually the world, before making that insipired decision to go it alone.

  • Destiny's Child - Destiny's Child formed in 1990 after meeting at a audition in their hometown of Texas. The group then included Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett. The group went on to become one of the world's biggest female groups, with a few notable line-up changes along the way.

  • Greyson Chance - Thirteen year old Greyson Chance got his big break when his performance of Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' at a sixth-grade music festival became a sensation on YouTube. The performance has now had over 36 million views, and he also featured on US chat shows.

  • Justin Bieber - The teenage singer was discovered on YouTube when he was just fourteen. Under the guidance of Usher Justin Bieber released his debut album in 2009 and now the world has gone Bieber mad.

  • Aaron Carter - The younger brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter became a teenage sensations in the 90s. The teenager released is first single 'Crush On You' in 1997.

  • Christina Milian - At seventeen Christina Milian began writing songs for debut. The singer made her first professional musical appearance on rapper Ja Rule's second album.

  • Taylor Momsen - Star of hit US show Gossip Girl, seventeen year old Taylor Momsen made her music debut in 2009, fronting The Pretty Reckless. The singer has caused controversy over her choice of daring outfits and appearance at such a young age.

  • The Osmonds - The American family group found success as teen music icons in 60s. The band was made up of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny and Jimmy Osmond.

  • Aled Jones - Welsh singer Aled Jones rose to fame at twelve with his cover version of 'Walking in the Air' from the film The Snowman.

  • Tatyana Ali - Best known for her role as Ashley Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tatyana Ali released her debut album 'Kiss The Sky' in 1999.

  • Miley Cyrus - At just fourteen Miley Cyrus became a world wide star when she starred in the Disney Channels' Hannah Montana. The eighteen year old has gone on to launch a successful music career with such songs as 'The Climb' and 'Party in the USA'.

  • Lulu - A young fifteen year old Lulu recorded her version of the of The Isley Brothers' 'Shout' in 1963. The singer continued her chart success as well as representing the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969.

  • Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera was another child musician who appeared on Star Search and The Mickey Mouse Club show at thirteen years old. The singer signed to RCA Records at seventeen.

  • Janet Jackson - Joining the other Jackson's as child stars, Janet Jackson signed a record contract with A&M at sixteen. The singer became a MTV favourite with singles 'Nasty', 'That's the Way Love Goes' and 'Together Again'.

  • Tupac - The rapper began his career in the early 90s when he lent his vocals to the soundtrack to the film Nothing but Trouble. Tupac continued to receive critical acclaim before his tragic death.

  • Liza Minelli - The daughter of actress Judy Garland, Liza Minelli first attracted critical acclaim when she appeared in musical Cabaret.

  • Hanson - American band Hanson is made up of brothers Issac, Taylor and Zac Hanson. The band had their first major hit 'MMMBop' in 1997. Hanson are one of the youngest artists ever to have a number one single in the UK.

  • Selen - Selena a became one of the top Latin artists of the 90s. The singer had seven number one hits including 'Amor Prohibido' and 'No Me Queda Má' before she was murdered at the age of twenty three.

  • Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin signed to Columbia Records at eighteen. The singer became one of the most famous soul singers of all time with hits 'Respect' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'.

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