Top 10 Pop Stars Who Played Themselves in Cartoons

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, NSYNC was taking the world of pop by storm. Why not dip their toes in cartoons, as well? When an opportunity to appear on “The Simpsons” came forth, the band unhesitatingly accepted the chance to get ‘simpsonized’ in the 2001 episode “New Kids on the Blech”. Of course, their animated selves are in sync as they make a stylish entrance. Timberlake seems to enjoy one word in particular in this scene. The group helps out Bart’s boy band twice, first in style, then in thwarting a naval attack by their manager. It’s never long before NSYNC say bye bye bye, but behind-the-scenes footage of them recording their performances plays over the episode’s credits.

What boy band from the 2010s was more popular than One Direction? Over the course of the decade, they earned several Brit Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, all while selling tens of millions of records worldwide. Why not add an appearance on “Family Guy” for good measure? Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne all got animated in the 2016 episode “Run, Chris, Run”. However, only Payne and Tomlinson voiced their characters for a flashback camping scene with Stewie, where they parody their strong feelings about skinny jeans. Along with the awesome animation, the pop stars’ lines and reactions to Stewie’s campfire story are what make it beautiful.

If even the villainous Dr. Doofenshmirtz shows some respect and admits his love for your musical work, you’ve probably done something right. That’s what happens in 2011’s “A Phineas and Ferb Family Christmas”, in which pop singer Kelly Clarkson guest stars. The animated version of the multi-Grammy Award winner interacts with both the show’s main antagonist and protagonists. Clarkson uses her voice to talk as her animated self, but not sing. How many people can truthfully say they appeared hang gliding as a cartoon version of themself on a popular kids show, though? Well, Clarkson can.

She’s been ranked by Billboard as the most successful artist of the 1990s, and dubbed the “Songbird Supreme.” Mariah Carey brought her iconic voice—and her likeness— to the animated series “The Proud Family” for the season 3 episode “Monkey Business”. Cartoon Carey shows up with a passed-out monkey to see veterinarian Trudy Proud. At first, Carey’s shades help her stay incognito. But when she takes them off, the kids realize they’re dealing with someone famous. Later in the episode, Carey is shown comforting and talking to her now-healthy pet monkey, as well as driving in a car with it. The way they interact, you’d think that all she wants for Christmas is Francois. And vice versa.

In 2013, Beliebers got a chance to see the young pop star in animated form. He was just 19 years old and had already been skyrocketing up the music charts. J-Biebs voiced a Simpsons-animated version of himself in Season 24’s “The Fabulous Faker Boy”. This is a random— and consequently funny appearance—as he shows up for a talent show in which Bart is set to put his piano-playing ability on display. Who knew Bieber would be interested in attending such an event? Unfortunately for him, he’s not admitted. He’s just trying to support some young talent! Not cool of that guy to not let Bieber in—not cool at all.

In the 2002 “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll” special of the children’s show “Arthur,” the Backstreet Boys put on an animated show. That was a year after the release of their greatest hits album. This guest star appearance incorporates the real band members’ voices with the unique “Arthur” animation style. The scene consists of an uplifting moment in which Brian gives Francine an on-stage pep-talk. When the rest of the band joins the party on stage, the vibes become immaculate. They really do let their music shine through in this animated performance, as the crowd goes wild.

Sometimes a compliment doesn’t always sound like a compliment. In his appearance in the animated sitcom “American Dad!,” starboy the Weeknd shows that when he makes a comment about lasagna during a Smith family dinner. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget this happens after getting kidnapped by Stan. He took that surprisingly well! Co-writing the episode “A Starboy is Born”, The Weeknd’s word choices are as awesome as his animated, funny interactions with Roger and Hayley. In an interview with “Variety,” the real-life Weeknd discussed his admiration of the animated series— and the opportunity to show people a more humorous side of himself. Mission accomplished.

The annual Springfield Pride Awards brought a mega star to the stage as a host in 2000. That would be none other than Britney Spears. At that time, Spears had been lighting up the pop world as a teen. The young Spears—who became commonly referred to as the “Princess of Pop” —voiced her animated character in this “The Simpsons” episode “The Mansion Family”. If you were in that crowd, who would you be more excited to see? Kent Brockman? Or Britney Spears? Exactly. The two alternate words as they present awards to Springfield citizens. Just as her amazing voice shines through in her music, she showed her impressive voice acting talent as well.

By the time the 1970s rolled around, Cher had become a household name. In 1972, people got to hear her famous voice in a different capacity—and see her in cartoon form alongside Sonny and the Scooby-Doo gang. In “The Secret of Shark Island”, they all find themselves wrapped up in a fishy situation. Cher contributes several humorous lines throughout the episode. About 48 years later, the renowned “Goddess of Pop” showed us she wasn’t done with the Scooby gang just yet. She returned to the legendary cartoon in “Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?”. And guess what? It’s another ocean adventure, titled “Cher, Scooby and the Sargasso Sea!”. It’s the perfect birthday present for Scoob, even if the shark men also return.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lizzo, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (2022-)
The Soul Sensation Makes an Appearance at a Theme Park

Alanis Morissette, “The Great North” (2021-)
You Oughta Know Judy’s Imaginary Friend in the Stars

Davy Jones, “The New Scooby-Doo Movies” (1972-73)
The Scooby Gang Helps the Monkees Singer Solve a Mystery

When Lisa, and the city of Springfield in general, could benefit from some “Born This Way” energy, Lady Gaga arrives to provide just that. In this 2012 episode “Lisa Goes Gaga,” the pop icon helps Lisa and the whole city embrace their identities. The singing performance she puts on is awesome— mainly thanks to the great lyrics, her iconic voice, and her, how do we say, interesting outfit. The duet she does with Lisa is also quite memorable. Lisa getting hyped up by a singer of the stature of Lady Gaga is pretty sweet. And if you’re in that crowd, how could you not just dance?

What singer would you like to see in a cartoon show? Let us know in the comments!