19 celebrities who tried and failed to have music careers

It's not easy to break into a music career, even for already established celebrities. 

Reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian once released a song and music video, but she regrets it now. Super model Tyra Banks was hosting "America's Next Top Model" when she released her first and only single. Even "Iron Man" himself, Robert Downey Jr., released an album. Then there's NBA star Shaquille O'Neal who has four albums to his name. But for these stars, their musical aspirations fizzled out. 

Here are 19 celebrities who once tried to have music careers. 

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Jennifer Love Hewitt was 12 when she released her first album, but it was originally only released in Japan.

Now known for acting in projects such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Ghost Whisperer," Hewitt first tried to make it as a singer. She signed with Atlantic Records and released two albums between 1995 and 1996. Both failed to hit, so she was dropped from the record label.

Years later, she signed with Jive Records and released "BareNaked" in 2002. The album was her only one to chart and peaked at No. 37. Her only song to make it on the Billboard chars was "How Do I Deal," which landed at No. 59. She's since released a couple of other songs but has largely stayed away from music. 

Listen to "How Do I Deal" here.

Kobe Bryant had a very brief rap career.

The retired Lakers player was part of a rap group called CHEIZAW, which was signed to Sony Entertainment. With his NBA career taking off, the label shifted the focus from Bryant and the group to just Bryant. His debut album "Visions" was planned, and Bryant debuted his single"K.O.B.E." at the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, along with Tyra Banks. The song rollout failed, the album was scrapped, and Bryant was dropped. Bryant then co-founded an independent label, but it folded within a year, and that was the end of that.

Model Tyra Banks unleashed her first and only single, "Shake Ya Body," to the world in 2004.

The super model's short-lived music career included her turn on Bryant's "K.O.B.E" and the song "Be a Star" from Disney's "Life-Size." As for "Shake Ya Body," the music video starred contestants from "America's Next Top Model" cycle two. And while the song was a bop, it wasn't enough for a full jump into music.

Listen to "Shake Ya Body" here.