If these artists were real, we’d be streaming their music, buying their photocards, and getting barricade tickets to their shows.
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There’s just something interesting about watching how musicians are portrayed in pop culture. Whether as original creations to be taken seriously, a reflection of current trends, or parodies of one or a mishmash of different existing artists, fictional musicians can easily steal the spotlight in a movie or show. They make the stories we enjoy so much better. Not only is there an effort to create a persona, but fictional musicians also take the extra mile of making original music that lowkey slaps and can go toe-to-toe with real-world releases.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fictional musicians in TV and film we wish were real. Whether they’re solo artists or bands, these artists made an impact on us IRL and are worth stanning.
ALLY FROM A STAR IS BORN
Now that’s a pop STAR. While the love story between Ally and Jack in the 2018 remake is a tragedy we wouldn’t wish on anyone, Ally was the pop powerhouse of our dreams. She’s a triple threat whose discography ranges from moving ballads like Shallow and Always Remember Us This Way to pop guilty pleasures like Why Did You Do That?. Lady Gaga did what needed to be done in the role. If Ally was real, we’d know she’d give the pop girls a run for their money.
POWERLINE FROM A GOOFY MOVIE
With hits like Stand Out and I21, we too would travel cross-country to watch the concert of a superstar like Powerline. Voiced by R&B singer Tevin Campbell, Powerline and his yellow jumpsuit is one of Disney’s best fictional musicians with next-level talent and charisma.
HANNAH MONTANA FROM HANNAH MONTANA
As much as we would have loved to put Ashley O in this spot, Hannah is a trailblazer and the OG fictional TV pop star. Miley Stewart’s alter ego raised a generation and then some with timeless bops that had the pop girls scrambling and world-famous blonde hair, or in this case, wig. In the immortal words of Wendy Williams, “She’s an icon. She’s a legend. And she is the moment. Come on now.”
4*TOWN FROM TURNING RED
We totally understand Mei and her friend’s obsession with the boy band. Voiced by Jordan Fisher, Finneas O’Connell, Josh Levi, Topher Ngo, and Grayson Villanueva, 4*TOWN is that teen pop boy band that would have adolescents screaming and stanning. The group harkens back to the 90s and 2000s boy bands with their synchronized dance moves and outfits. They snapped with Nobody Like U. Also, it doesn’t hurt when the songs are made by Billie Eilish and Finneas.
THE CHEETAH GIRLS FROM THE CHEETAH GIRLS
Another legendary Disney Channel group, and for good reason. Not only did Galleria, Chanel, Aqua, and Dorinda deliver bop after bop while serving looks like the queens that they are, but they also inspired a generation of young girls to follow their dreams. If the Cheetah Girls were still active today, we know they’d be one of the top groups on the scene.
PINK SLIP FROM FREAKY FRIDAY
There’s just something so fun yet juvenile about the name Pink Slip. This band from the 2003 body-swap movie starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis had the pop-punk energy of the 2000s down. Even though they only had two songs in the movie, they made a lasting impact with how we’re still bopping to Take Me Away and Ultimate from time to time. With a sequel currently in the works, our fingers are crossed for a Pink Slip reunion.
ENVY ADAMS FROM SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
While we’ll always have a soft spot for the movie’s main band, the Sex Bob-Omb, Envy Adams is just that girl. Brie Larson brought her to life with perfection and her performance with Metric for Black Sheep is a highlight of this cult classic.
CHIP SKYLARK FROM THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS
Among the canon of fictional teen pop idols in pop culture, Chip Skylark stands on top. If he was real, he’d have Gen Z at the palm of his pockets with bangers like My Shiny Teeth and Me and Icky Vicky and his signature ‘fit of red jacket, beanie, and jeans. Who else can make a classic that also champions proper dental hygiene? And in a nice bit of meta humor, Chip, who serves as a parody of *NSYNC, is voiced by *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick. All we need now is a collab between Chip and Britney Britney.
AUGUST MOON FROM THE IDEA OF YOU
While some see a One Direction parody, we see the makings of a boy band who can enter our stan list. Hayes, Adrian, Oliver, Simon, and Rory, collectively known as August Moon, have talent, chemistry, charisma, and not to mention pop hits like Guard Down and Dance Before We Walk.
LEMONADE MOUTH FROM LEMONADE MOUTH
There’s just something so powerful about high school students getting stuck in detention. If they aren’t opening up to each other, they are forming a band. Featuring an all-star cast of Bridgit Mendler, Hayley Kiyoko, Adam Hicks, Naomi Scott, and Blake Michael, Lemonade Mouth follows a group of students who decide to form a band during detention inspired by the lemonade vending machine outside their classroom. It’s not easy to stand out amongst the icons of Disney Channel’s original movies, but the band maintains their cultural cache because they have some genuinely good music. Determinate may just be one of the best songs ever made for a DCOM.
LOVE HANDEL FROM PHINEAS AND FERB
We still remember the day we first watched the episode where Phineas and Ferb helped get the band back together. While the band may be past their prime, they’re still brimming with hits like You Snuck Your Way Right Into My Heart and Robot Riot. And don’t get us started on their solo songs. As one of our favorite recurring musical acts on the show, Love Händel always comes through with the right song for the moment.
ISABELLA PARIGI FROM THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE
With just one line, Isabella inspired a generation of women to not let musty men take their shine. A global pop star and a girl’s girl? We know that’s right.
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