50 Dark Skinned Celebrities Who Are Truly Beloved By Everyone

Racial segregation has significantly lessened over the past few years, and attitudes toward those with skin tones “other than white” have also improved. This is not a natural process, but one that has occurred as a result of many people’s tireless efforts, particularly because many superstars with dark complexion have had their abilities recognized by the public. The list of famous people with dark complexion below includes those who have had significant social effects.

Key Takeaways

• Dark skin celebrities come from all over the world and have made a big impact in many different areas, like movies, music, sports, and politics.
• Many dark skin celebrities use their fame to help make the world a better place by fighting for fairness and equality for everyone.
• Dark skin celebrities sometimes face challenges in their careers because of the color of their skin, but they work hard to overcome these obstacles and achieve success.
• Despite the challenges they face, many dark skin celebrities are loved by people of all backgrounds because of their talent and hard work.
• Some of the most popular dark skin celebrities are actors like Lupita Nyong’o and Mahershala Ali, musicians like Beyoncé and Lizzo, and athletes like LeBron James and Serena Williams.
• These celebrities not only do great work in their jobs, but they also inspire people all over the world to follow their dreams and be themselves.
• Many dark skin celebrities also use their fame to help others by giving money and time to good causes.
• By celebrating dark skin celebrities, we can help show that everyone is beautiful in their own way, no matter what color their skin is.
• Even though things are getting better, there is still work to be done to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and equally.
• By looking up to dark skin celebrities, we can learn to be proud of who we are and help make the world a more beautiful and fair place for everyone.

1. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston	Information
Full Name	Whitney Elizabeth Houston
Nickname	The Voice
Birthdate	August 9, 1963
Birthplace	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations	Singer, Actress, Producer
Years Active	1977–2012
Genres	R&B, Pop, Dance-Pop, Soul, Gospel
Billboard Achievements	11 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, only artist with seven consecutive number-one singles
Awards	8 Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 28 Guinness World Records
Film Career	Notable films include “The Bodyguard,” “Waiting to Exhale,” and “The Preacher’s Wife”
Soundtrack Success	Grammy-winning soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” (bestselling soundtrack album of all time)
Studio Albums	Successful albums include “Whitney Houston,” “Whitney,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” “My Love Is Your Love,” and “I Look to You”
Legacy	Inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, and more
Influence	Influential in popular music, known for powerful vocals and gospel singing techniques in pop music
Record Sales	Over 200 million records sold worldwide
Personal Challenges	Personal struggles, drug use, and tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown received media coverage
Death	February 11, 2012 (aged 48) in Beverly Hills, California, U.S.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. on August 9, 1963. She is an American singer and actress. She was one of the best-selling musical performers of the 1980s and ’90s, with over 200 million recordings sold worldwide.Whitney Houston, the daughter of Emily (“Cissy”) Houston and the cousin of singer Dionne Warwick, started singing in church as a young kid. Her family’s vocal group, Sweet Inspirations, supported Aretha Franklin. 

She posed for fashion publications while still a high school student and sang backing vocals for Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan. When she was 19 years old, she signed with Arista Records, whose CEO, Clive Davis, prepared the gospel-based vocalist for success in the crossover pop genre. 

If you want to achieve the stunning look of Whitney Houston, check out our list of the most attractive black female celebrities in 2022. You’ll discover the beauty secrets and inspirational styles that have made these women popular icons in the entertainment industry. Whether you have dark skin or not, you’ll be able to learn some tips and tricks that will help you look and feel more confident and beautiful.

2. Pelé

Pel	Information
Full Name	Pelé
Birthdate	October 23, 1940
Birthplace	Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Nickname	O Rei (The King)
Nationality	Brazilian
Occupation	Professional Footballer, Humanitarian
Goalscoring Record	Guinness World Record for most goals: 1,279 goals in 1,363 games (including friendlies)
Position	Forward
World Cup Titles	FIFA World Cup Winner: 1958, 1962, 1970
Brazil National Team Career	Caps: 92 Goals: 77
Santos FC Career	Appearances: 659 Goals: 643 (all-time top goalscorer)
Social Impact	Hailed as a national hero in Brazil Advocate for social causes
Honorary President	New York Cosmos

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in Três Corações, Brazil on October 23, 1940. He is a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. He is considered as one of the all-time great players and is referred to as “the finest” by FIFA. He was among the most prosperous and well-known sports superstars of the 20th century. 

Pelé was chosen as the World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award in 2000. Including friendly matches, he scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which is recognized as a Guinness World Record.

3. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson	Information
Full Name	Michael Jackson
Birthdate	August 29, 1958
Birthplace	Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Other Names	The King of Pop, MJ, Wacko Jacko
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, actor, record producer
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African-American
Notable Works	Thriller, Bad, Off the Wall, Dangerous
Awards	13 Grammy Awards, 26 American Music Awards, 15 Guinness World Records, and more
Contributions	Revolutionized the music industry, iconic dance moves, philanthropic efforts, humanitarian work
Skin Condition	Diagnosed with vitiligo, a skin disorder causing depigmentation
Skin Lightening	Used makeup and skin-bleaching creams to even out skin tone caused by vitiligo
Personal Struggles	Alleged physical and psychological abuse by his father
Health Issues	Body dysmorphic disorder, dependence on prescription drugs, rehabilitation
Death	Acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, cardiac arrest

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, U.S on August 29, 1958. He is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. 

He is acknowledged as one of the most influential cultural leaders of the 20th century and is known as the “King of Pop.” His contributions to dance, fashion, music, and his publicized personal life over the course of a four-decade career elevated him to a universally recognized figure in popular culture. Jackson had an impact on musicians in a variety of musical genres. Through his stage and film appearances, he popularized difficult dance techniques like the robot and the moonwalk, to which he also gave their names. He has received the most awards in music history.

When it comes to Michael Jackson, many people wonder about his height. To find out how tall the King of Pop was, check out this article. Here, you can learn about Michael Jackson’s height and how it compared to that of other famous musicians.

4. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey	Information
Full Name	Oprah Gail Winfrey
Birthdate	January 29, 1954
Birthplace	Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupations	Talk show host, television producer, actress, author, media proprietor
Famous Show	The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011)
Nickname	Queen of All Media
Accolades	18 Daytime Emmy Awards, 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, Tony Award, Peabody Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Education	Tennessee State University (BA)
Early Life	Born into poverty, faced childhood abuse, became pregnant at 14
Entrepreneurship	Founder of Harpo Productions and Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN)
Philanthropy	Known for her generosity and charitable contributions
Political Influence	Endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race

Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S on January 29, 1954. She is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is most known for The Oprah Winfrey Program, a Chicago-based talk show that ran from 1986 to 2011 and was nationally syndicated for 25 years.

Throughout her career, Winfrey has received numerous honors, including 18 Daytime Emmy Awards, the Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement, two Primetime Emmy Awards, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, a Tony Award, a Peabody Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy Awards, and two more Academy Award nominations. In 2021, Winfrey was chosen to join the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

5. Michelle Obama 

Michelle Obama	Information
Full Name	Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama
Date of Birth	January 17, 1964
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, Author
Spouse	Barack Obama
Children	Malia Obama, Sasha Obama
Education	Princeton University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD)
Political Affiliation	Democratic
Notable Achievements	First Lady of the United States (2009-2017)
Awards and Honors	Most admired woman in America (Gallup poll, 2020)

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama was born in Chicago, Illinois, U.S on January 17th, 1964. She is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.She is the third First Lady with a graduate degree and the third First Lady with legal expertise. 

She has established herself as a role model for women not just in America but all across the world as an educated, smart, and independent lady. She is a bright young lady who graduated from Harvard Law School after performing well in school. She was a successful lawyer when she met and wed Barack Obama, another lawyer, and she immediately juggled being a professional with being a wife and mother. 

If you’re inspired by Michelle Obama’s confidence and regal style, check out our list of most beautiful and elegant women in Congress 2022. These powerful women set a fashion precedent on Capitol Hill, and their style is sure to impress. From tailored suits to stunning gowns, take a cue from these confident women and elevate your wardrobe with their signature looks.

6. Will Smith

Will Smith	Information
Full Name	Willard Carroll Smith II
Birthdate	September 25, 1968
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other Names	The Fresh Prince
Occupations	Actor, Rapper, Film Producer
Years Active	1985–present
Organizations	Westbrook, Overbrook Entertainment
Spouses	Sheree Zampino, Jada Pinkett
Children	3 (including Jaden and Willow)
Awards	Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Grammy Awards
Musical Career	Pop-rap
Labels	Interscope, Columbia, RCA, Jive
Formerly of	DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Box Office Success	Films grossed over $9.3 billion globally
Career Beginnings	Hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Film Success	Starred in successful films like Bad Boys, Men in Black, Independence Day, etc.
Acclaimed Performances	Nominated for Academy Award for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness
Recent Achievement	Won Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and SAG Award for Best Actor in King Richard
Personal Background	Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Caroline and Willard Carroll Smith Sr.
Musical Influences	Started rapping at a young age, known for light-hearted and profanity-free rhymes
Television Career	Starred in the successful sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Positive Influence	Committed to using his platform for inspiring and making a positive impact

Willard Carroll Smith II  was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S on September 25, 1968. He is an American actor, producer and rapper. On the NBC series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith made his acting debut as a fictionalized version of himself.

Smith became more well-known as a leading actor in movies including the action movie Bad Boys, its sequels Bad Boys II and Bad Boys for Life, and the science fiction comedy Men in Black, Men in Black II, and Men in Black 3. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performances as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness and Muhammad Ali in Ali. He is one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors with global box office receipts of more than $9.3 billion from his flicks.

7. Beyoncé

Beyonc	Information
Full Name	Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter
Born	September 4, 1981
Birthplace	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Other Names	Queen Bey, Harmonies by The Hive, Third Ward Trill
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter, Businesswoman, Actress, Producer, Director, Dancer
Years Active	1997–present
Organizations	Parkwood Entertainment, Ivy Park
Spouse	Jay-Z
Children	3 (including Blue Ivy)
Parents	Mathew Knowles, Tina Lawson
Relatives	Solange Knowles (sister)
Genres	R&B, Pop, Hip Hop
Labels	Parkwood, Columbia, Music World
Member of	The Carters
Formerly of	Destiny’s Child

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was born in Houston, Texas, U.S on September 4, 1981. She is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer.

Beyoncé is renowned for her avant-garde artistic vision and singing skills. She has acquired the moniker “Queen Bey” thanks to her fame and status as a cultural icon. With over 200 million albums sold globally, she is one of the best-selling recording artists ever. Her achievement during the 2000s was acknowledged with the Top Certified Artist of the Decade award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Top Female Artist of the Decade title from Billboard. She is the first solo artist to have all seven of their studio albums enter the Billboard 200 at number one.

If you are looking for the secret to “Beyoncé hair,” check out our Top 50 Celebrities With Curly Hair list. Beyoncé’s hair has been iconic in the music industry for years. This list provides inspiration and ideas for anyone wanting to rock curly hair like the queen herself.

8. Rhianna

Rhianna	Information
Full Name	Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Birthdate	February 20, 1988
Birthplace	Saint Michael, Barbados
Occupations	Singer, businesswoman, actress
Recognition	Prominent singer of the 21st century
Record Labels	Def Jam, Roc Nation, SRP, Westbury Road
Musical Genres	Pop, dance, R&B
Awards	9 Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and more
Chart Success	14 number-one singles, multiple top-ten entries worldwide
Record Sales	Over 250 million records sold worldwide
Philanthropy	Founder of Clara Lionel Foundation
Business Ventures	Founder of Fenty Beauty and Fenty fashion house under LVMH
Acting Career	Notable roles in films such as “Battleship” and “Ocean’s 8”
Cultural Influence	Groundbreaking impact on fashion, music, and culture
Humanitarian Work	Active involvement in various humanitarian causes
Net Worth	Estimated net worth of $1.4 billion

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Saint Michael, Barbados on February 20, 1988. She is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman.

In response to Rihanna’s audition, American record producer Evan Rogers invited her to the country to make demo tapes. She quickly garnered popularity after joining Def Jam in 2005 when her first two studio albums, Music of the Sun and A Girl Like Me, were released. Both of these albums were influenced by Caribbean music and landed in the top 10 of the US Billboard 200 list.

Dance-pop elements were added into Rihanna’s third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, which solidified her position as a sex icon in the music business. Rihanna became a household name thanks to the number-one hit “Umbrella,” which also brought her her first Grammy Award.

9. Tyra Banks 

Tyra Banks	Information
Full Name	Tyra Lynne Banks
Other Names	BanX
Birthdate	December 4, 1973
Birthplace	Inglewood, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television personality, model, producer, writer, actress, businesswoman
Career Highlights	First African-American woman on the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Notable Works	Best-selling author of the novel “Modelland”

Tyra Lynne Banks was born in Inglewood, California, U.S on December 4, 1973. She is an American television personality, model, producer, writer, and actor. 

Banks made her cinematic debut in the drama Higher Learning after beginning her acting career on television in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Banks played supporting roles in the television programs Gossip Girl and Glee as well as the horror thriller Halloween: Resurrection and the romance sports drama Love & Basketball.

If you want to achieve Tyra Banks’ bold and edgy pixie cut hairstyle, check out 50 Celebrities Who Prove Pixie Cuts Are Always in Style. This article provides plenty of inspiration and ideas for making a statement with this short and daring haircut.

10. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman	Information
Full Name	Morgan Porterfield Freeman Jr.
Born	June 1, 1937
Birthplace	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Education	Broad Street High School
Occupations	Actor, Producer, Narrator
Years Active	1964–present
Organization	Revelations Entertainment
Spouses	Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (m. 1967; div. 1979)
Children	4
Voice Sample	Morgan Freeman’s voice from BBC Radio 4’s The Film Programme

Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S on June 1, 1937. He is an American actor, director, and narrator. He is well-known for both his varied appearances in many different cinema genres and his recognizable deep voice. He has won several honors throughout a career spanning more than five decades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award. 

Freeman was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2008. He was honored for his service to the film business with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2011.

11. Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell	Information
Full Name	Naomi Elaine Campbell
Born	May 22, 1970
Birthplace	Lambeth, South London
Nationality	English
Occupation	Model, actress, singer, businesswoman
Known For	Supermodel, first black woman on the covers of Time, Vogue France, and British Vogue
Modelling Agencies	Women Management (New York, Milan), ZZO (Paris), Perspective Management (London), Priscilla’s Model Management
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Hair Colour	Dark Brown
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Genres	R&B
Musical Artist	Naomi Campbell
Charitable Work	Involved in charity work for various causes
Education	Barbara Speake Stage School, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Notable Achievements	First black cover girl for British Vogue since 1966, first black model on the cover of French Vogue
Additional Ventures	Released R&B studio album, appeared in films and television, including The Face reality show
Fashion Involvement	Walked the runways for numerous high-profile fashion designers

Naomi Elaine Campbell was born in London, England on May 22, 1970. She is an English model, actress, singer, and businesswoman. When she started her career at age 15, she quickly became one of the most recognizable and in-demand models of the previous forty years. The fashion industry and the worldwide press designated six models from her generation as supermodels, including Campbell.

Campbell has pursued various endeavors in addition to her modeling career, including an R&B studio album and many acting roles in movies and television, including the modeling-competition reality show The Face and its worldwide spinoffs. Campbell also participates in charitable work for a variety of issues.

For more inspiration on black female models, take a look at the 50 Black Female Models: Defining Elegance collection that showcases top names in the industry, including Naomi Campbell. Get inspired by their stunning looks and powerful presence on the runway.

12. Halle Berry

Halle Berry	Information
Full Name	Halle Berry
Birthdate	August 14, 1966
Birthplace	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Education	Cuyahoga Community College
Occupation	Actress
Years Active	1989–present
Spouses	David Justice, Eric Benét, Olivier Martinez
Partner	Gabriel Aubry
Children	2
Awards	Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award
Notable Films	Boomerang (1992), Monster’s Ball (2001), X-Men film series (2000–2014), Die Another Day (2002), Catwoman (2004)
Accomplishments	First African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress
Career Highlights	Established as one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, Revlon spokesmodel since 1996
Production Company	606 Films
Directorial Debut	Bruised (2020)
Additional Facts	Overcame homelessness and type 1 diabetes, Advocate for diversity in the entertainment industry, Role in the TV film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)

Halle Maria Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S on August 14, 1966. She is an American actress. 

She started out as a model and competed in various beauty pageants, placing first runner-up in the Miss USA competition and sixth in the Miss World competition in 1986. 

Alongside Eddie Murphy, she had her first major film role in the romantic comedy Boomerang. From there, she went on to appear in The Flintstones, Bulworth, and the television movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, for which she was nominated for both a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe.

13. Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg	Information
Full Name	Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
Date of Birth	October 20, 1971
Birthplace	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Other Names	Snoop Doggy Dogg, Snoop Lion, Bigg Snoop Dogg, Dogg Father, Snoop Rock, DJ Snoopadelic, Snoopzilla, FaZe Snoop
Occupations	Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, Media Personality
Years Active	1992–present
Title	Founder of Doggystyle Records, Owner of Death Row Records, Executive Creative Consultant at Def Jam Recordings
Spouse	Shante Taylor
Children	4
Relatives	Brandy Norwood (cousin), Ray J (cousin), Sasha Banks (cousin), Daz Dillinger (cousin), Nate Dogg (cousin), RBX (cousin)
Awards	American Music Award, Primetime Emmy Award, 17 Grammy Award nominations
Genres	Hip hop, West Coast hip hop, G-funk, gangsta rap
Labels	Death Row, Create, Doggystyle, EMPIRE, Def Jam, RCA Inspiration, E1, i am OTHER, Columbia, RCA, MCA, Priority, Geffen, Capitol, EMI, Star Trak, No Limit, Interscope
Member of	7 Days of Funk, Mt. Westmore, QDT, Tha Eastsidaz
Formerly of	213
Debut Solo Album	Doggystyle (1993)
Album Sales	Over 23 million albums in the United States, 35 million albums worldwide
Filmography	Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, Dogg After Dark, various motion pictures
Youth Football League	Coach of a youth football league and high-school football team
Conversion to Rastafari	Converted to Rastafari in 2012, released reggae album “Reincarnated” as Snoop Lion
Gospel Album	Released gospel album “Bible of Love” in 2018
Hollywood Walk of Fame	Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018
Acquisition of Death Row Records	Acquired Death Row Records in 2022

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born in Long Beach, California, U.S. on October 20, 1971. He is an American rapper. He first gained notoriety in 1992 when he appeared on Dr. Dre’s first solo single, “Deep Cover,” and then on his first solo album, The Chronic. Since then, Broadus has sold over 23 million records domestically and 35 million albums globally. 

Among his honors are an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations. Broadus has “an ultra-smooth, laidback delivery” and “flavor-filled melodic rhyming” according to Kool Moe Dee, who puts him No. 33 in his book There’s a God on the Mic.

Have you ever wondered how tall Snoop Dogg is? This iconic American rapper is known for his laid-back style, smooth rhymes, and tall frame. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Snoop Dogg is one of the tallest rappers in the game. Check out our article for more information on this legendary artist’s height.

14. Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbapp	Information
Full Name	Kylian Mbappé Lottin
Date of Birth	December 20, 1998
Place of Birth	Paris, France
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Current Team	Paris Saint-Germain
Youth Career	AS Bondy, INF Clairefontaine, Monaco
Senior Career	Monaco II, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
International Career	France U17, France U19, France
Medal Record	FIFA World Cup (Winner: 2018)
Achievements and Awards	FIFA FIFPro World11 (2018, 2019, 2022)
Personal Details	Nationality: French
Notable Traits	Regarded as one of the best players in the world

Kylian Mbappé Lottin was born on December 20, 1998. He is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward. He is regarded as one of the top players in the world and is known for his quickness, dribbling skills, and finishing. 

With Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 championship, Mbappé started his professional club career in 2015. Mbappé became the second-most expensive player and most expensive adolescent player in 2017 when, at the age of 18, he agreed to a €180 million permanent transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

15. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan	Information
Full Name	Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Nickname	MJ
Birthdate	February 17, 1963
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Former professional basketball player, businessman
Team Ownership	Charlotte Hornets (NBA), 23XI Racing (NASCAR Cup Series)
NBA Championships	6
College	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
College Achievements	NCAA Champion (1982), ACC Player of the Year (1984)
NBA Career	Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998) Washington Wizards (2001–2003)
NBA MVP Awards	5
NBA Finals MVP Awards	6
NBA All-Star Selections	14
Olympic Medals	2 gold medals
NBA Records	Career regular season scoring average: 30.1 points per game Career playoff scoring average: 33.4 points per game
Hall of Fame Inductions	Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2009, 2010) FIBA Hall of Fame (2015, 2017)
Presidential Medal of Freedom	Awarded by President Barack Obama in 2016
Net Worth	$2 billion (estimated as of 2023)
Cultural Impact	Helped popularize basketball and the NBA globally Became a global cultural icon
Endorsements	Notable endorsements, including Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers
Film and Documentaries	Starred in “Space Jam” (1996) Featured in “The Last Dance” documentary series (2020)

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S on February 17, 1963. He is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time,” reads his biography on the NBA website. 

He competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for fifteen seasons, earning six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan serves as the chairman and primary owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. In the 1980s and 1990s, he played a key role in the NBA’s globalization and rose to fame as a global cultural hero.

Michael Jordan, also known as “MJ”, is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. If you are interested in learning about his height, check out Michael Jordan Height: How Tall is The Basketball Player?.

16. Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali	Information
Full Name	Muhammad Ali
Birthdate	January 17, 1942
Birthplace	Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Other Names	Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.
Occupation(s)	Professional Boxer, Activist
Years Active	1954-1981
Known For	Legendary Boxing Career, Activism
Boxing Record	Wins: 56, Losses: 5, Draws: 0
Famous Fights	“The Fight of the Century” vs. Joe Frazier (1971), “Thrilla in Manila” vs. Joe Frazier (1975), “Rumble in the Jungle” vs. George Foreman (1974)
Social Causes	Civil Rights Movement, Opposition to the Vietnam War, Parkinson’s Disease Advocacy
Awards	Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century, BBC Sports Personality of the Century, Presidential Medal of Freedom
Legacy	Considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, an icon of the 20th century, inspiration to millions around the world

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S on January 17, 1942. He is an American professional boxer and activist. He is known as “The Greatest” and is usually cited as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He is recognized as one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century. He received the Sportsman of the Century name from Sports Illustrated and Sports Personality of the Century name by the BBC in 1999, respectively.

At the age of twelve, he started amateur boxing training. At the 1960 Summer Olympics, he won the gold medal in the light heavyweight class at the age of 18, and later that year, he went a professional. He converted to Islam after 1961.

17. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant	Information
Full Name	Kobe Bean Bryant
Birthdate	August 23, 1978
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Position	Shooting guard
Team	Los Angeles Lakers
Career Duration	1996-2016 (20 years)
NBA Championships	5 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
NBA MVP	2008
All-Star Selections	18
All-NBA Team	15
All-Defensive Team	12
NBA Finals MVP	2 (2009, 2010)
NBA Scoring Titles	2 (2006, 2007)
Points	33,643 (regular season)
Hall of Fame	Inducted in 2020
NBA 75th Anniversary	Named to the team in 2021
81-Point Game	Scored the second-most points in a single game in NBA history
All-Star MVP	4-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
Academy Award	Won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film (“Dear Basketball,” 2018)
Olympic Gold Medals	2008 Beijing and 2012 London
Jersey Numbers	Nos. 8 and 24 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers
Legacy	Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time
Nickname	Known as the “Black Mamba”
Championship Run	Led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships (2000-2002)
Tragic Loss	Passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1978. He is an American professional basketball player. He played shooting guard in the National Basketball Association with the Los Angeles Lakers for the entirety of his 20-year career (NBA). Bryant, who is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and scorers of all time, has won five NBA championships, been an 18-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA Team 15 times, a member of the All-Defensive Team 12 times, was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008, and has also won the NBA Finals MVP twice. 

Bryant also twice led the NBA in scoring and is fourth all-time in both regular season and postseason scoring for the league. In 2020, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame posthumously and in 2021, he was chosen for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

If you are a basketball lover, then you’d probably want to explore our list of top NBA players of all time which includes Kobe Bryant. His incredible talent, passion, and dedication for the sport has not just inspired people across the globe, but he has also left an undeniably profound legacy in basketball.

18. Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith	Information
Full Name	Jada Koren Pinkett Smith
Born	September 18, 1971 (age 51)
Birthplace	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Education	Baltimore School for the Arts
Occupations	Actress, talk show host, singer, businesswoman
Years active	1990–present
Organizations	Westbrook Inc., 100% Woman Productions
Agent	Creative Arts Agency
Spouse	Will Smith (married in 1997)
Children	Jaden, Willow
Facebook Watch Show	Co-host of Red Table Talk (Daytime Emmy Award winner)
Influence	Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2021)
Notable Films	Menace II Society, Set It Off, Girls Trip, The Matrix Resurrections
Music Career	Lead singer and songwriter of Wicked Wisdom
Author	Published a children’s book, Girls Hold Up This World
Production Company	Co-founder of a production company with husband Will Smith
Notable Television	Starring roles on Hawthorne and Gotham

Jada Koren Pinkett Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S on September 18, 1971. She is an American actress and talk show host. She co-hosts the Facebook Watch conversation show Red Table Talk, for which she has won a Daytime Emmy. Girls Hold Up This World, a children’s book she wrote and published, debuted at number two on The New York Times Best Sellers list. 

She has a production firm with her husband Will Smith, and she has produced work in movies, documentaries, and television shows. As a producer for the Broadway production of Fela! in 2010, she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.

19. Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer	Information
Full Name	Lauren Keyana Palmer
Date of Birth	August 26, 1993
Birthplace	Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations	Actress, Singer, Television Personality
Years Active	2002–present
Partner	Darius Jackson (2021–present)
Children	1
Notable Films	Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers, Nope, Alice
Notable TV Shows	True Jackson, VP, Scream Queens, Berlin Station
Albums	So Uncool, Lauren, Virgo Tendencies, Pt. 1 & Pt. 2
Musical Genres	R&B, Pop, Hip Hop
Labels	Atlantic, Interscope, Island, Nick, eOne
Notable Achievements	Included on Time magazine’s Most Influential People list (2019)

Lauren Keyana Palmer was born in Harvey, Illinois, U.S on August 26, 1993. She is an American actress, singer and television personality. She has won several honors, including a Primetime Emmy Award, five NAACP Image Awards, and nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. 

She is well known for performing starring and character parts in comedic and dramatic shows. She was included among the most powerful persons in the world in 2019 by Time magazine.

20. Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington	Information
Full Name	Kerry Marisa Washington
Birthdate	January 31, 1977
Birthplace	Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress
Years Active	1994–present
Known For	Starring as Olivia Pope in Scandal
Education	George Washington University
Spouse	Nnamdi Asomugha
Children	2
Notable Films	Ray, Django Unchained
Notable TV Series	Scandal, Confirmation, Little Fires Everywhere
Influential Recognitions	Time magazine’s Time 100 list, Forbes’ eighth highest-paid television actress
Background	African American with mixed-race heritage
Family	Cousin of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
Education	Graduated from George Washington University
Dance Influence	Learned to dance from Jennifer Lopez
Early Career	Screen debut in Magical Make-Over, appeared in Save the Last Dance
Broadway Debut	David Mamet’s play Race
Critical Acclaim	Praised for performances in She Hate Me and Django Unchained
Scandal Success	Starred as Olivia Pope in Scandal
Fashion Influence	Recognized for Olivia Pope’s wardrobe in Scandal
Recognition and Awards	People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful people, Glamour magazine’s Woman of the Year, Neutrogena spokesperson
Directorial Debut	Directed episodes of Scandal and SMILF
Recent Projects	Starred in American Son (play and film adaptation), appeared in Cars 3 and The Jeffersons recreation

Kerry Marisa Washington was born in New York City, U.S on January 31, 1977. She is an American actress. She is most recognized for her role as Scandal’s Olivia Pope, a crisis manager. In the 2016 television movie Confirmation, Washington played Anita Hill. 2019’s live reprise of Good Times earned her an Emmy Award nomination for best variety special for her leading performance. Washington appeared in the short-lived Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere as well. Washington is well-known for her roles in the movies Save the Last Dance, Ray, The Last King of Scotland and Django Unchained.

If you’re looking for hair inspiration from Kerry Washington, check out our list of famous actresses with black hair for some bold and beautiful ideas. From long, sleek styles to short and curly ‘dos, these actresses prove that black hair is incredibly versatile and can be styled in countless ways.

21. Idris Elba

Idris Elba	Information
Full Name	Idrissa Akuna Elba
Date of Birth	September 6, 1972
Age	50 years old
Nationality	British, Sierra Leonean
Occupation	Actor, DJ, Singer, Producer
Known For	Stringer Bell in The Wire, DCI John Luther in Luther, Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Awards	Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, BAFTA nominations
Musical Career	Genres: Hip hop, R&B Instruments: Vocals, turntables
Significant Films	American Gangster, Prometheus, Thor, The Suicide Squad, Molly’s Game
Voice Roles	Zootopia, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Directorial Debut	Yardie
Influential List	Named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World
Box Office Success	Films grossed over $9.8 billion globally
Education	National Youth Music Theatre alumni
Family Background	Son of Winston Elba (Sierra Leonean) and Eve (Ghanaian)
Early Career	Started with Crimewatch murder reconstructions, Bramwell, Absolutely Fabulous
Breakthrough Role	Russell “Stringer” Bell in The Wire
Notable TV Series	Luther, The Office, The Big C, Turn Up Charlie, In the Long Run
Notable Films	Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Pacific Rim, Beasts of No Nation, The Dark Tower
Recent Projects	The Suicide Squad, Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Idrissa Akuna Elba was born in London, England on September 6, 1972. He is an English actor. He is well-known for his performances as Nelson Mandela in the historical movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire, and DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther. 

He graduated from the National Youth Theatre in London. He was nominated four times each for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for Luther, winning the latter.

22. The Weeknd

The Weeknd	Information
Full Name	Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
Birthdate	February 16, 1990
Birthplace	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other Names	The Noise, Kin Kane
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, businessman
Years Active	2009–present
Musical Career Genres	Pop, R&B, hip hop, dance, alternative R&B, new wave
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards
Labels	XO, Republic
Awards	Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Juno Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Latin Grammy Award, Academy Award nominee, Primetime Emmy Award nominee
Notable Albums	Trilogy, Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, Dawn FM
Notable Songs	“Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills,” “Blinding Lights”
Streaming Record	“Blinding Lights” most-streamed song in Spotify history
Billboard Record	“Blinding Lights” best-performing song in Billboard Hot 100 history
Best-Selling Artist	Over 75 million records sold
Influence	Listed in Time’s most influential people (2020)
Humanitarian Work	World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador (2021)

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on February 16, 1990.  He is a Canadian singer and songwriter. His music explores escapism, romanticism, and melancholy and is frequently influenced by personal experiences. He is known for his musical variety and gloomy poetry. 

Four Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 17 Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award are just a few of the many honors he has garnered. He is the first artist to concurrently debut in the top three on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and “Blinding Lights” is regarded as the best Hot 100 single in Billboard history.

Wondering how tall The Weeknd actually is? Check out The Weeknd height article to see just how tall this Canadian singer actually is. Whether you’re a fan of his music or just curious about his height, you won’t be disappointed by the article.

23. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys	Information
Full Name	Alicia Keys
Birthdate	January 25, 1981
Birthplace	New York City, U.S.
Other Names	Lellow
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Author, Actress
Years Active	1993–present
Organization	Keep a Child Alive
Works	Discography, Songs Written
Spouse	Swizz Beatz (m. 2010)
Children	2
Genres	R&B, Pop, Soul, Hip Hop
Instruments	Vocals, Piano, Keyboards
Labels	Columbia, Arista, RCA, AAKW
Record Sales	Over 90 million records worldwide
Grammy Awards	15
ASCAP Awards	12
Hall of Fame Award	Songwriters Hall of Fame
Humanitarian Work	Ambassador of Conscience by Amnesty International
Philanthropy	Co-founder of Keep a Child Alive

Alicia Augello Cook was born in New York City on January 25, 1981. She is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. A classically trained pianist. Keys began writing songs when she was 12 years old, and Columbia Records signed her when she was 15. After disagreements with the company, she signed with Arista Records and then released her debut album, Songs in A Minor with J Records in 2001. 

Over 12 million copies of the album were sold worldwide as a result of its financial and critical success. Keys received five Grammy Awards in 2002 for the song, which gave birth to the number-one hit “Fallin'” on the Billboard Hot 100. The Diary of Alicia Keys, her second album, was similarly a critical and financial success, selling eight million copies worldwide and yielding the singles “You Don’t Know My Name,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and “Diary.” She won four more Grammys for the album.

24. Michael B. Jordan

Michael B Jordan	Information
Full Name	Michael Bakari Jordan
Date of Birth	February 9, 1987 (age 36)
Place of Birth	Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Occupations	Actor, Producer
Years Active	1998–present
Notable Works	Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, Just Mercy, Creed II
Education	High School Diploma
Other Projects	Fahrenheit 451, Raising Dion, Gen:Lock, A Journal for Jordan
Notable Mention	Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2020, 2023)
Personal Life	Resides in Los Angeles, California
Relationships	Dated model Lori Harvey

Michael Bakari Jordan was born in Santa Ana, California, U.S on February 9, 1987. He is an American actor. He is well-known for his appearances as the shooting victim Oscar Grant in the drama Fruitvale Station, the boxer Donnie Creed in Creed and Erik Killmonger in the Ryan Coogler, written and directed films Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Jordan returned to the Creed role in Creed II and played Killmonger in What If…? He is expected to feature in Creed III and make his directorial debut. AFC Bournemouth of the English Premier League is a team he co-owns.

If you’re wondering about Michael B. Jordan’s height, check out how tall the American actor is. At 6 feet, he has an impressive presence on-screen and off. In addition to his height, Jordan is known for his impressive physique and charming smile.

25. Dapper Dan

Dapper Dan	Information
Full Name	Dapper Dan
Birthdate	August 8, 1944
Birthplace	Harlem, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other Names	“Dap”
Occupation(s)	Fashion designer, haberdasher, businessman
Years Active	1982–present
Known For	Introducing high fashion to hip hop culture

Daniel Day was born in New York City on August 8, 1944. He is an African American fashion designer and haberdasher. With clientele like Eric B. & Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, and Jay-Z over the years, his iconic business, Dapper Dan’s Boutique, existed from 1982 until 1992 and is best known for introducing high fashion to the hip hop community. 

He started a clothing line with Gucci in 2017, then in 2018 he created Dapper Dan’s of Harlem, a second store and atelier. The list of Time’s 100 Most Influential People for 2020 includes Dan.

26. Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood	Information
Full Name	Brandy Norwood
Born	February 11, 1979
Birthplace	McComb, Mississippi, US
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Model
Achievements	Grammy Award Winner, American Music Award Winner
Albums Sold	Over 40 million worldwide
Notable Songs	“The Boy Is Mine”, “Have You Ever?”, “Sittin’ Up in My Room”
Acting Career	Starred in the sitcom “Moesha”

Brandy Rayana Norwood was born in McComb, Mississippi, U.S on February 11, 1979. She is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and model. She is known for her distinctive sound, characterized by her peculiar timbre, voice-layering, and intricate riffs, which has earned her the title of “the Vocal Bible”. 

As of August 2020, she has sold over 40 million records worldwide, with approximately 8.62 million albums sold in the United States. Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award and an American Music Award.

27. Chris Rock

Chris Rock	Information
Full Name	Chris Rock
Birth Date	February 7, 1965
Age	58
Birthplace	Andrews, South Carolina, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, film, television
Years Active	1984–present
Genres	Observational comedy, black comedy, sketch comedy, insult comedy, sarcasm, racial humor, satire
Subjects	Race relations, human sexuality, observational humor, American politics, African-American culture, current events
Spouse	Malaak Compton
Children	2
Relative(s)	Tony Rock (brother)
Achievements	Ranked No. 5 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time
Notable Works	Stand-up specials: Bring the Pain, Bigger & Blacker, Never Scared, Tamborine

Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina, U.S on February 7, 1965. He is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. Known for working in comic film, television and stage, he has received multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards for best comedy album and four Primetime Emmy Awards also a Golden Globe Award nomination. 

On Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time, he came in at number five. In addition, he came in at number five on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians Ever.

If you’re curious about Chris Rock’s height, check out his height revealed. Standing at 5’11” tall, the funnyman has made audiences roar with laughter for decades with his hilarious stand-up comedy shows and appearances in popular movies.

28. Bob Marley

Bob Marley	Information
Full Name	Bob Marley
Born	6 February 1945
Birthplace	Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Died	11 May 1981
Age at Death	36 years old
Place of Death	Miami, Florida, US
Other Names	Skip, Tuff Gong
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Spouse	Rita Marley (married in 1966)
Children	11 (including Sharon, Cedella, David “Ziggy”, Stephen,
Parent	Cedella Booker (mother)
Relatives	Skip Marley (grandson), Nico Marley (grandson), Jo Mersa
Genres	Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady, Folk
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Years Active	1962–1980
Labels	Beverley’s, Studio One, JAD, Wail’n Soul’m, Upsetter,

Robert Nesta Marley was born in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Colony of Jamaica on February 6, 1945. He is a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. His musical career was distinguished by the fusion of reggae, ska, and rocksteady as well as his unique voice and compositional style. 

He is regarded as one of the pioneers of reggae. Marley’s contributions to music elevated Jamaican music’s profile internationally and cemented his place in modern popular culture. Marley developed a reputation as a Rastafari icon throughout the course of his career and incorporated spirituality into his songs. In addition, he is revered as a universal icon of Jamaican music, culture, and identity. He also stirred controversy with his open advocacy of democratic social changes.

29. Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman	Information
Full Name	Chanel Iman
Birthdate	December 1, 1990
Birthplace	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African American and Korean descent
Occupation	Model, Actress
Years Active	2002–present
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Brown
Agency	IMG Models (New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, Sydney), d’management group (Milan), UNIQUE DENMARK (Copenhagen), Visage Management (Zurich)
Victoria’s Secret	Worked as a Victoria’s Secret Angel
Vogue Recognition	Recognized by Vogue Paris as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s
Modeling Achievements	Won third place in Ford’s Supermodel of the World contest
Acting	Featured in films such as “Dope” (2015) and “Mad Families” (2017)
Philanthropy	Advocates for education and sponsors young girls in Kenya
Relationship Status	Recently engaged to Davon Godchaux, an American football player, and expecting their first child

Chanel Iman Robinson was born on December 1, 1990 and is an American model best known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Vogue Paris declared her as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Chanel has also appeared on the cover of publications such as Vogue Italia and Vogue Mexico. Chanel is a size 4/6 and is considered one of the most successful plus-size models in the industry.

Chanel has modeled for Victoria’s Secret and was chosen to appear on “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue” 2013, where she became one of the brand’s first plus-size models. In 2014, she reprised her role as a VS Angel for a second year. 

30. Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington	Information
Full Name	Denzel Washington
Birthdate	December 28, 1954
Birthplace	Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Alma Mater	Fordham University
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Years Active	1975 – present
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African-American
Height	6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
Net Worth	$250 million (approximate)
Spouse	Pauletta Pearson (married 1983)
Children	4
Notable Films	“Glory,” “Training Day,” “Malcolm X,” “Fences,”
Awards and Nominations	Academy Awards: 2 wins, 10 nominations
Notable Achievements	Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient (2016)

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. was born in Mount Vernon, New York on December 28th, 1954. He is an American actor and filmmaker. Washington began his acting career in theater, taking part in off-Broadway performances, including William Shakespeare’s Coriolanus in 1979. His role in the hospital drama St. Elsewhere helped him become well-known at first. 

He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in the Broadway revival of the August Wilson play Fences in 2010. Washington later directed, produced, and starred in the film adaptation in 2016, which was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Washington.

If you are a fan of Denzel Washington, then you might want to check out our list of best living American actors. It includes other great names in Hollywood that you might want to explore and discover.

31. Gayle King 

Gayle King	Information
Full Name	Gayle King
Birthdate	December 28, 1954
Birthplace	Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S.
Education	University of Maryland, College Park
Occupations	Broadcast journalist, Author, Editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine
Notable Awards	Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2019”
Notable Positions	Co-anchor of CBS Mornings
Notable Interviews	Conducted composed interview with R. Kelly despite disruptive behavior
Friendship	Close friend of Oprah Winfrey since 1976

Gayle King was born in Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S on December 28, 1954. She is an American television personality, author, and broadcast journalist. She worked for CBS News, co-hosting its flagship morning show, CBS Mornings, and before that, it’s CBS This Morning predecessor. She is also the editor-in-chief of O, The Oprah Magazine. King was reported in “100 Most Influential People of 2019”.  

32. John Legend 

John Legend	Information
Full Name	John Legend
Born	December 28, 1978
Birthplace	Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Education	North High School (Springfield, Ohio)
Alma Mater	University of Pennsylvania (BA)
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actor
Years Active	2000–present
Spouse	Chrissy Teigen ​(m. 2013)​
Children	4
Awards	Grammy Awards: 12 wins
Musical Genre	R&B, soul, pop
Labels	Republic, Columbia, GOOD, Sony Urban
Notable Songs	“Ordinary People”

John Roger Stephens was born in Springfield, Ohio, U.S on December 28th, 1978. He is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. Working behind the scenes, he contributed piano to Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything” and made uncredited guest appearances on Jay-“Encore” Z’s and Alicia Keys’s “You Don’t Know My Name” to start his musical career. 

His debut album, Get Lifted, reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. He then signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music. At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, Legend received nine nominations, including those for the singles “So High” with Lauryn Hill and “Ordinary People,” the latter of which won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

If you’re a fan of John Legend, you may also want to check out our list of celebrities singing “Imagine”. Legend’s soulful voice has made him a star in the music industry and this list includes other famous singers who have also shown their vocal skills in a powerful display of unity.

33. LeBron James

LeBron James	Information
Full Name	LeBron Raymone James Sr.
Nickname	King James
Date of Birth	December 30, 1984
Birthplace	Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Team	Los Angeles Lakers
Position	Small forward / Power forward
Height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight	250 lb (113 kg)
NBA Championships	4
NBA MVP Awards	4
NBA Finals MVP Awards	4
Olympic Gold Medals	2
NBA All-Star Appearances	19
All-NBA Team Selections	19 (13 First Team selections)
NBA All-Defensive Team	6
NBA All-Rookie First Team	2004
NBA Scoring Champion	2008
NBA Assists Leader	2020
All-Time Leading Scorer	Yes
AP Athlete of the Year	4 (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
High School	St. Vincent–St. Mary High School (Akron, Ohio)
NBA Draft	2003: 1st round, 1st overall pick (Cleveland Cavaliers)
NBA Career	2003–present
Endorsements	Numerous endorsement contracts
Philanthropy	Founder of the LeBron James Family Foundation
Off-Court Achievements	19 ESPY Awards, Saturday Night Live host, film appearances

LeBron Raymone James Sr. was in Akron, Ohio, U.S on December 30th, 1984. He is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known as “King James” and is frequently contrasted with Michael Jordan in discussions of the greatest basketball players ever. top of the line. James has won two Olympic gold medals, three All-Star MVP Awards, four NBA Finals MVP Awards, four NBA MVP Awards, and four NBA Championships.

In 2012, James, Carter and Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in the Pasadena-based Blaze Pizza fast-food chain; Their investment grew to $25 million in 2017. James later became a spokesperson for the company and began appearing in commercials after his contract with McDonald’s ended.

34. LL Cool J

LL Cool J	Information
Full Name	LL Cool J (James Todd Smith)
Birthdate	January 14, 1968
Birthplace	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Other Names	Uncle L, The Future of the Funk, G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)
Occupation	Rapper, actor, author
Genres	Hip hop, rap, R&B
Labels	Def Jam, Columbia, 429, S-BRO
Notable Works	“I Need Love,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”
Alma Mater	Hillcrest High School
Significant Albums	Radio (1985)
Film and TV	Auf die harte Tour (1991)
Appearances	Toys (1992)
Family	Married since 1995

James Todd Smith was born in Bay Shore, Islip, New York, U.S on January 14th, 1968. He is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Along with fellow new school hip-hop artists Beastie Boys and Run-DMC, he was one of the first rappers to experience commercial success. Smith started rapping at the age of 10, influenced by the hip-hop group The Treacherous Three. LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy Award winner, is best known for his R&B hits like “Doin’ It,” “I Need Love,” “Around the Way Girl,” and “Hey Lover,” as well as hip hop songs like “Going Back to Cali,” “I’m Bad,” “The Boomin’ System,” “Rock the Bells,” and “Mama Said Knock You Out.” He was listed among the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” by VH1 in 2010. 

If you’re a fan of LL Cool J’s style, check out our list of the best old school hip hop rappers for more inspiration. These rappers paved the way for the genre with their unique and iconic styles, just like LL Cool J.

35. Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas	Information
Full Name	Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas
Nickname	Gabby
Country Represented	United States
Born	December 31, 1995 (age 27)
Hometown	Newport News, Virginia
Residence	Los Angeles, California
Height	5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Discipline	Women’s artistic gymnastics
Gym	WOGA (current), Buckeye Gymnastics, Chow’s Gymnastics
Head Coach(es)	Valeri Liukin, Kittia Carpenter
Former Coach(es)	Christian Gallardo, Dena Walker, Gustavo Moure, Liang Chow
Olympic Games	– Team: 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Janeiro
World Championships	– Team: 2011 Tokyo, 2015 Glasgow
Pacific Rim Championships	– Team: 2012 Seattle
Pan American Championships	– Team: 2010 Guadalajara
All-Around World Cup	– 1st: 1, 2nd: 0, 3rd: 0
Olympic Achievements	– 2012 Olympic all-around champion
Other Achievements	– 2016 AT&T American Cup all-around champion
Public Figures	– Adapted life story in the 2014 Lifetime biopic film, “The Gabby Douglas Story”
Author	– Wrote a book about her life and journey as an Olympic gold medalist
Family	– Parents: Timothy Douglas and Natalie Hawkins-Douglas
Religion	– Christian
Early Career	– Began training in gymnastics at age six
Comeback and Training	– Returned to Iowa to train with coach Chow in 2014

Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas was born in Newport News, Virginia on December 31^st, 1995. She is an American artistic gymnast. She won the world all-around silver medal in 2015 and the Olympic all-around gold medal in 2012. She was a part of the gold-winning Olympic teams in 2012 and 2016, dubbed by the media the “Fierce Five” and the “Final Five,” respectively. She also competed on the American teams that won gold at the World Championships in 2011 and 2015.

Because of her achievements as a public figure, Douglas’ life story was adapted for the 2014 Lifetime biopic film The Gabby Douglas Story, and her own reality television series, Douglas Family Gold, was also purchased. Douglas has also written a book about her life and the perseverance and determination it takes to win an Olympic gold medal.

36. Ice Cube

Ice Cube	Information
Full Name	Ice Cube
Birthdate	June 15, 1969
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other Names	O’Shea Jackson
Alma Mater	Phoenix Institute of Technology, Mount San Antonio College
Studio Album	The Predator
Released	November 17, 1992
Genre	West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, political hip hop, hardcore hip hop
Label	Lench Mob, Priority
Producer	Ice Cube, DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Torcha Chamba, DJ Muggs
Notable Singles	“It Was a Good Day”, “Check Yo Self”, “Wicked”
Album Reception	Debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, certified double platinum by the RIAA
Pop Culture References	Featured in Fresh Off the Boat, admired by Leonardo DiCaprio

O’Shea Jackson Sr. was born in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 1969. He is an American rapper, actor, and filmmaker. His political rap solo albums AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, Death Certificate, and The Predator were well-received both critically and commercially. His lyrics on N.W.A’s 1988 album Straight Outta Compton helped gangsta rap gain widespread popularity. 

Since the early 1990s, he has also maintained a successful film career. As a member of N.W.A, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Ice Cube, one of the most influential rappers in the industry, has also made a name for himself in Hollywood. Check out our list of the funniest black movies of all time to see some of Ice Cube’s best work on the big screen.

37. Iman Abdulmajid

Iman Abdulmajid	Information
Full Name	Iman Abdulmajid
Occupation	Model, Actress, Entrepreneur
Nationality	Somali
Ethnicity	East African
Skin Color	Dark
Height	5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Dark Brown
Spouse	David Bowie (m. 1992 until his death in 2016)
Children	Alexandria Zahra Jones

Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid was born in Mogadishu, Banaadir, Trust Territory of Somaliland on July 25, 1955. She is a Somali supermodel, actress, and entrepreneur. She is known for her charity efforts in addition to being a model for designers Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Gianni Versace, and Thierry Mugler. From 1992 until his passing in 2016, she was wed to rock star David Bowie. 

Iman has served as CARE’s first-ever Global Advocate since September 2019. In this capacity, she collaborates with CARE to further its purpose to build a society in which all people live with dignity and security. She presently works closely with the Children’s Defense Fund and is a spokesman for the Keep a Child Alive initiative.

38. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O Neal	Information
Full Name	Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal
Nickname	Shaq
Date of Birth	March 6, 1972
Height	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Weight	325 lb (147 kg)
Position	Center
NBA Teams Played For	Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
NBA Championships	4
College	Louisiana State University (LSU)
NBA MVP	1999-2000
NBA Rookie of the Year	1992-1993
NBA All-Star Appearances	15
Scoring Titles	2 (1995, 2000)
Field Goal Percentage	Career: 58.2%
Rebounds	Career: 13,099 (10.9 rpg)
Blocks	Career: 2,732 (2.3 bpg)
Basketball Hall of Fame	Inducted in 2016
FIBA Hall of Fame	Inducted in 2017
Music Career	Released four rap albums
Film and TV Appearances	Appeared in numerous films and reality shows
Business Ventures	Minority owner of the Sacramento Kings, General Manager of Kings Guard Gaming
Birthplace	Newark, New Jersey, USA
Raised In	San Antonio, Texas, USA

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, U.S on March 6, 1972. He is an American former professional basketball player. O’Neal is among the best centers and basketball players of all time. His height is 7 feet 1 inches (2.16 meters), his weight is 325 pounds (147 kilograms), and he has won four NBA championships. He is a center. He represented six different teams throughout his 19-year NBA career. 

O’Neal is a former basketball player who has also put out four rap albums, the first of which, Shaq Diesel, was certified platinum. O’Neal also performs as a DJ and uses the stage name DIESEL to create electronic music.

39. Sean Combs

Sean Combs	Information
Full Name	Sean John Combs
Other Names	Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, Love
Occupations	Rapper, actor, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur
Record Label	Bad Boy Records
Artists Developed	The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, and others
Debut Album	“No Way Out”
Certification	7x Platinum (No Way Out)
Musical Group	Diddy – Dirty Money
Successful Album	“Last Train to Paris”
Awards	3 Grammy Awards, 2 MTV Video Music Awards
Net Worth	Estimated at US$1 billion
Clothing Line	Sean John
Fashion Design Award	CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year
Education	Mount Saint Michael Academy, Howard University
Notable Label Acts	Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, 112, Faith Evans, and others
Legal Issues	Trial for weapons-related charges (found not guilty)
Name Change	From “Puff Daddy” to “P. Diddy”
Film Appearances	“Made”, “Monster’s Ball”, and others
Reality TV Show	“Making the Band”
Philanthropy	Raised funds for the educational system of New York City
Super Bowl Halftime	Performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII

Sean Love Combs was born in New York City on November 4, 1969. He is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and record executive. Before starting his own record company, Bad Boy Records, in 1993, he worked as a talent director at Uptown Records. The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher are just a few of the talents that Combs has nurtured and developed.

Combs is the producer of MTV’s Making the Band and has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards. Forbes pegged his net worth at $1 billion in the year 2022. He started his own apparel company, Sean John, in 1998. He earned the 2004 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Menswear Designer of the Year award after being nominated in 2000.

If you’re a fan of Sean Combs and are curious about other Scorpio celebrities, check out our list of famous Scorpios. From Drake to Leonardo DiCaprio, find out which other celebrities share the same zodiac sign as Combs.

40. Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart	Information
Full Name	Kevin Darnell Hart
Birthdate	July 6, 1979
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, film, television
Education	Community College of Philadelphia
Years Active	2001–present
Genres	Observational comedy, stand-up comedy, black comedy, surreal humor, insult comedy, sarcasm, satire
Spouse	Torrei Hart (m. 2003; div. 2011), Eniko Parrish (m. 2016)
Children	4
Notable Films	Paper Soldiers, Scary Movie 3, Soul Plane, Think Like a Man, Ride Along, Central Intelligence, Jumanji film franchise, Night School, The Upside, Fatherhood, Me Time
Notable Comedy Albums	I’m a Grown Little Man, Seriously Funny, Laugh at My Pain, Let Me Explain, What Now?
Television Series	Real Husbands of Hollywood
Business Ventures	Founder of Laugh Out Loud media and production company
Awards	Time 100 most influential people in the world

Kevin Hart was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S on July 6, 1979. He is an actor and well-known as a stand-up comedian. Kelvin Hart had a difficult childhood because of his father’s cocaine addiction. His mother cares for the household by her single-handedly, which is the reason he always portrays her as a loving yet intimidating woman on the comedian stage. In the film actor and comedian career, Kelvin Hart had many awards like the “BET Award”, “MTV Movie Award”, “Billboard Touring Award”, “People Choice Award”,…

41. Tina Turner 

Tina Turner	Information
Full Name	Tina Turner
Birthdate	November 26, 1939
Birthplace	Brownsville, Tennessee, US
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actress, author
Citizenship	United States (until 2013), Switzerland (from 2013)
Known As	Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Genres	Rock, R&B, soul, pop, rock and roll
Notable Achievements	Grammy Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Best-Selling Albums	“Private Dancer,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It”
Famous Songs	“Proud Mary,” “The Best,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It”
Acting Career	Films: “Tommy” (1975), “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985)
Autobiography	“I, Tina: My Life Story”
Record Sales	Over 100 million records sold worldwide
Awards	Kennedy Center Honors, Women of the Year award, Hollywood Walk of Fame

Tina Turner was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, U.S on November 26, 1939. She is a retired Swiss-American singer and actress. 

Often referred to as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Prior to joining the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, she initially achieved prominence as a solo artist. Turner debuted professionally in 1957 with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm.

She appeared on the television show “Boxtop” in 1958 as a vocalist by the name of Little Ann. The No. 1 duet “A Fool in Love and Precious” marked her solo debut as Tina Turner in 1960. As “one of history’s most respected live performances,” Ike and Tina Turner gained notoriety. They broke up in 1976 after enjoying success with songs including “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” “River Deep – Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” and “Nutbush City Limits.”

42. Samuel L. Jackson 

Samuel L Jackson	Information
Full Name	Samuel L. Jackson
Birthdate	December 21, 1948 (age 74)
Birthplace	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Citizenship	United States, Gabon
Education	Morehouse College (BA)
Occupations	Actor, producer
Years active	1972–present
Spouse	LaTanya Richardson (m. 1980)
Children	1
Highest-Grossing Actor	Films collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide
Cultural Icon	Received the Academy Honorary Award as a cultural icon
Notable Performances	Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction
Marvel Cinematic	Portrayed Nick Fury in 11 Marvel Cinematic Universe films
Theatre Career	Made professional debut in Mother Courage and her Children in 1980
Film Collaborations	Collaborated with Spike Lee on films such as School Daze, Do the Right Thing, and Jungle Fever
Star Wars Legacy	Played Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy
Voice Acting	Provided voice for Lucius Best / Frozone in The Incredibles and Incredibles 2
Box Office Success	Acted in high-grossing films like Die Hard with a Vengeance, A Time to Kill, and Kong: Skull Island
Early Life	Raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee by his mother and maternal grandparents
Educational Journey	Initially pursued marine biology, switched to drama at Morehouse College
Activism	Attended Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral, participated in equal rights protests

Samuel Leroy Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., U.S on December 21, 1948. He is an American actor and producer.

At The Public Theatre in 1980, Jackson made his professional acting debut in Mother Courage and Her Children, which launched his theatrical career. He performed Off-Broadway in A Soldier’s Story from 1981 to 1983 as Private Louis Henderson. In 1987 at the Yale Repertory Theatre, he also played Boy Willie in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson for the first time.

He keeps both his Gabonese and American citizenship. Being one of the most well-known actors of his generation, he is the second-highest-grossing actor of all time thanks to his films, which have earned more than $27 billion globally. 

43. Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba	Information
Full Name	Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo” Aduba
Birthdate	February 10, 1981
Nationality	Nigerian-American
Occupation	Actress
Known For	Portraying Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black
Alma Mater	Boston University
Notable Achievement	Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2014, 2015)

Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba was born in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S on February 10, 1981. She is an American actress. She became well-known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black, for which she won three awards: two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2015; an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series; and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She is one of just two performers to get honors for the same part in both drama and comedy categories.

If you are a fan of Uzo Aduba’s bold and confident personality, you might also want to check out our article on gap teeth celebrities. Like Aduba, these celebrities have embraced their unique features and turned them into assets, inspiring people around the world to do the same.

44. K’naan 

Name	Keinan Abdi Warsame
Date of birth	February 1, 1978
Nationality	Somali-Canadian
Occupation	Musician

Keinan Abdi Warsame was born in Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia on February 1, 1978. He is a Somali-Canadian musician. 

He gained notoriety when Coca-Cola selected his song “Wavin’ Flag” as its advertising anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In addition to hip hop, K’naan’s music incorporates aspects of global music and Somali music. Additionally, he participates in several charitable endeavors.

He gained notoriety when Coca-Cola selected his song “Wavin’ Flag” as its advertising anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In addition to hip hop, K’naan’s music incorporates aspects of global music and Somali music. Additionally, he participates in several charitable endeavors.

45. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jabbar	Information
Full Name	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Birthdate	April 16, 1947
Birthplace	Harlem, New York, U.S.
Listed Height	7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Listed Weight	225 lb (102 kg)
High School	Power Memorial (New York City, New York)
College	UCLA
NBA Draft	1969: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Playing Career	1969–1989
Position	Center
Coaching Career	1998–2011
Career Highlights	6× NBA champion
and Awards	2× NBA Finals MVP
Career NBA	Points: 38,387
Statistics	Rebounds: 17,440
Basketball Hall of	Inducted in 2006
College Basketball	Inducted in 2006

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City, U.S on April 16, 1947. He is an American former professional basketball player. He participated in 20 NBA seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Abdul-Jabbar won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) a record six times in his career as a center. He was also a record 19-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA Team 15 times, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. As a player, he was a part of six NBA championship teams, and as an assistant coach, he was a part of two more. He was twice selected as the NBA Finals MVP. He was selected on three NBA anniversary teams (35th, 50th, and 75th). He is recognized as one of the best players of all time and was dubbed the greatest basketball player of all time by Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, and Julius Erving.

As one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s story deserves to be told. From his skyhook shot that made him a legend to his advocacy for social justice, Abdul-Jabbar has left an indelible mark on basketball and beyond. Learn more about his legacy at Top 50 Greatest NBA Players Of All Time.

46. Jordin Sparks 

Jordin Sparks	Information
Full Name	Jordin Sparks
Birthdate	December 22, 1989
Birthplace	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres	Pop, R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Venice Music, Sony, Louder than Life, 19, Jive
Spouse(s)	Dana Isaiah (married in 2017)
American Idol Win	Youngest winner in the show’s history
Debut Studio Album	Self-titled album certified platinum, sold over two million copies worldwide
Notable Singles	“Tattoo” and “No Air” (collaboration with Chris Brown), both reached top 10 on Billboard Hot 100
Grammy Award Nomination	Nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (for “No Air”)
Second Studio Album	“Battlefield” debuted at number 7 on Billboard 200, title single reached top 10 on Billboard Hot 100
Top 10 Hits	Only American Idol contestant with first five singles reaching top 20
Chart Success	“No Air” is the third highest-selling single by an American Idol contestant
Commercial Success	Sold over 1.3 million albums and 10.2 million singles in the United States
Acting Career	Made stage debut in “In The Heights” and feature film debut in “Sparkle”
Perfumes	Released perfumes including “Because of You…”, “Fascinate,” and “Ambition”
Return to Music	Released mixtape “#ByeFelicia” and third studio album “Right Here Right Now”
Personal Background	African-American and European descent (German, English, Scottish, and Norwegian)
Notable Performances	Sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII and performed tributes to Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross
Concert Tours	Opened for Alicia Keys on As I Am Tour and co-headlined Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour with Jesse McCartney

Jordin Sparks-Thomas was born in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S on December 22nd, 1989. She is an American singer and actress. She gained notoriety in 2007 when, at the age of 17, she became the youngest winner of American Idol’s sixth season. Later that year, she released her self-titled first studio album, which went platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold more than two million copies globally. 

The singles “Tattoo” and “No Air” from the album reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100; the latter, which includes Chris Brown, is presently the third best-selling single by an American Idol finalist and has sold over three million digital downloads in the country. Sparks received his first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for the song.

47. Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland	Information
Full Name	Kelly Rowland
Birthdate	February 11, 1981
Birthplace	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupations	Singer, Actress, Television Personality
Years Active	1997–present
Education	Lamar High School
Works	Solo discography, songs, videography, performances
Musical Career	Genres: R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, Soul, Dance; Instrument: Vocals
Labels	Roc Nation, KTR, Ingrooves, Universal, Island, Republic, Universal Motown, Music World, Columbia
Formerly of	Destiny’s Child
Notable Achievements	– Member of Destiny’s Child, one of the world’s best-selling girl groups

Kelendria Trene Rowland was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 11, 1981. She is an American singer, actress, and television personality. As a member of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, she gained notoriety in the late 1990s. 

Rowland’s debut solo studio album, Simply Deep, was released after the group’s three-year break and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It has now sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It included the number-one single “Dilemma” (with Nelly) on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the UK top-five successes “Stole” and “Can’t Nobody.” With leading parts in the popular movies Freddy vs. Jason and The Seat Filler, Rowland has dabbled in acting.

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48. Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion	Information
Full Name	Megan Thee Stallion
Birthdate	February 15, 1995
Birthplace	San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Other Names	Tina Snow, Meg Thee Stallion, Hot Girl Coach
Education	Texas Southern University (BS)
Occupations	Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years Active	2016–present
Partner	Pardison Fontaine
Awards	Grammy Awards, BET Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards,
Debut Studio Album	Good News (2020)
Notable Singles	“Savage” (remix featuring Beyoncé), “WAP” (with Cardi B)
Shooting Incident	Victim of a shooting in July 2020
Education Achievement	Graduated from Texas Southern University

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 15, 1995. She is an American rapper. She originally came to public recognition when Instagram and other social media sites saw a spike in demand for videos of her freestyling. In 2018, Megan Thee Stallion joined 300 Entertainment, where she released the extended play Suga and mixtape Fever, both of which debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200. 

She received positive reviews for her debut studio album Good News, which made multiple year-end best album lists. With the remix of her song “Savage” (with Beyoncé) and her appearance on Cardi B’s track “WAP,” she achieved her first and second number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot 100; the latter was also her first number-one on the Billboard Global 200 chart.

49. Mary J. Blige

Mary J Blige	Information
Full Name	Mary J. Blige
Born	January 11, 1971 (age 52) in New York City, U.S.
Other Names	Brook Lynn
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Years Active	1988–present
Spouse	Martin “Kendu” Isaacs (married 2003, divorced 2018)
Awards	9 Grammy Awards, Primetime Emmy Award, 4 American Music Awards,
Nominations	3 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Academy Awards
Musical Career	Origin: Savannah, Georgia, U.S.; Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Genres	R&B, Hip-Hop Soul, New Jack Swing
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Labels	Mary Jane, 300, Atlantic, Republic, Capitol, Matriarch, Geffen, Verve,
Filmography	Notable Films: Mudbound (2017), Rock of Ages (2012), Respect (2021)
Honors and	Legends Award at the World Music Awards (2006),
Rankings	Voice of Music Award from ASCAP (2007), Ranked as the most successful

Mary Jane Blige was born in The Bronx, New York City on January 11th, 1971. She is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. When founder Andre Harrell decided to sign her to Uptown Records in 1988, her career officially got underway. Blige then began background vocal work for other artists on the label such as Father MC and Jeff Redd. 

Often referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and “Queen of R&B”, Blige has received nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards. 

If you want to know more about black celebrities who have achieved great success, check out our list of Capricorn celebrities. Capricorns, known for their discipline and hard work, are often at the forefront of their respective fields, and this list includes some of the most successful and influential black stars in entertainment and beyond.

50. Halima Aden

Halima Aden	Information
Full Name	Halima Aden
Born	Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya
Nationality	Somali, American
Alma Mater	St. Cloud State University
Occupation	Model
Years Active	2016–present
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Eye Color	Dark brown
Agency	IMG Models (New York, Paris, Milan, London)
Cannes Film Festival	Aden at the Cannes Film Festival, 2023
Hijab Trailblazer	First woman to wear a hijab in Miss Minnesota USA pageant and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Achievements	Featured on the covers of Vogue Arabia, Allure, and British Vogue
UNICEF Ambassador	Advocate for children’s rights
Modanisa Collaboration	Designed her own turban and shawl collection called Halima x Modanisa
Inclusivity Advocate	Broke boundaries to make the modeling industry more inclusive of Muslims
Essence Magazine Cover	First black woman with hijab to be featured on the cover of Essence magazine
Religious Beliefs	Quit runway modeling due to compromising her religious beliefs, but willing to set conditions for modeling work
Influential Support	Supported by Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid
BBC’s 100 Women List	Named in 2021 and December 2021 by BBC
Non-negotiable Hijab	Includes hijab as a non-negotiable part of her modeling contract
Empowering Identity	Challenges industry norms and emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself

Halima Aden was born on September 19, 1997. She is a Somali-American fashion model. She is the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, a semi-finalist. Following her participation in the pageant, Halima received national attention and was signed to IMG Models. She was also the first model to wear a hijab and burkini in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

In November 2016, Halima joined the cast of NBC’s reality competition show America’s Got Talent, the 13th season of the show, where contestants perform in a series of one- or two-minute challenges, with a panel of judges determining which contestant will advance to the final round. Halima symbolizes feminism and liberation. She represents strength and confidence for Muslim women all around the world. In August 2017, Halima walked in New York Fashion Week.

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