From Dreams to Reality: Celebrities Who Achieved Their Dream Roles and Collaborations
Discover how celebrities like Ariana Grande, Dove Cameron, and more turned their dreams into reality by manifesting their desired roles and collaborations Uncover the intriguing details behind their successful casting opportunities
Several stars have expressed their preferences for specific roles, but only a fortunate few have succeeded in turning those dreams into reality.
In 2019, Simu Liu garnered attention when he was chosen to portray Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It was noteworthy because Liu had previously shared a tweet predicting his future casting in this very role.
"Hey Marvel, impressive work on Captain America and Thor. How about introducing an Asian American superhero?" he expressed in July 2014.
Reflecting on this particular social media moment, the stuntman had no inkling that a mere suggestion would pave the way for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in September 2021, Liu expressed his utter surprise at the unforeseen turn of events. He admitted that the tweet he posted was simply made in a facetious manner. However, he went on to describe the astonishing and mind-boggling journey that unfolded in the subsequent years. Liu confessed that he is still in disbelief and feels fortunate every day, as if needing to remind himself that it is all real.
Scroll down to see other stars who got their dream roles and collaborations after speaking it into the universe:
Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Celebrities Who Manifested Their Dream Roles and Collaborations: Ariana Grande, Dove Cameron and More
Several stars have expressed their preferences for specific roles, but only a fortunate few have actually turned those dreams into reality.
In 2019, Simu Liu gained widespread attention when he was chosen to portray Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Interestingly, the actor had previously tweeted about his anticipation of landing this very role.
In July 2014, the individual expressed appreciation for Marvel's work on Captain America and Thor while suggesting the need for an Asian American hero. Little did they know then, reflecting on it now, that this simple idea would ultimately result in the opportunity of a lifetime for the stuntman.
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in September 2021, Liu expressed his astonishment about the unexpected turn of events. He described his initial tweet as a lighthearted remark, devoid of anticipation. However, the remarkable and extraordinary journey that unfolded in the following years left him daily awestruck and grateful.
Scroll down to see other stars who got their dream roles and collaborations after speaking it into the universe:
Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Noah Kahan
Before his appearance on the December 2, 2023, episode of Saturday Night Live, known as the "Stick Season" singer, had already visualized and manifested the opportunity.
Expressing his desire on Twitter (now X) in February 2021, Kahan wrote, "I am determined to perform on SNL, regardless of whether it is an alternative version of Saturday Night Live. I am willing to take any opportunity to be on the show."
Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Austin Butler
Butler's portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's biopic earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination in January 2023. Coincidentally, Ashley Tisdale, Butler's former costar, also marked this milestone by sharing a snippet of their joint performance in Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure during the same month.
"There's a sense of excitement. Then it transitions into a festival atmosphere. Then it secures distribution. Then I'm finalizing a studio agreement and then I'm receiving an Oscar," Butler, portraying the character Peyton, expressed enthusiastically as he reflected on his role opposite Tisdale in the film.
Credit: Evan Agostini/AP/Shutterstock
Lea Michele
The actress has expressed interest in playing Fanny Brice in Broadway's Funny Girl for many years. Her character on Glee, Rachel Berry, performed several songs from the musical and eventually starred in the revival after graduating high school.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in 2017, the New Jersey native confirmed her attempts to secure the lead role. "I really hope so," she said at the time. "We had considered doing it right after Glee, but since I had already performed many songs from Funny Girl on the show, it felt a bit too soon. However, I now feel completely ready to take on the role, so hopefully, we can do it soon."
In July 2022, Michele was announced as Beanie Feldstein's replacement, three months after the show returned to Broadway.
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock
BTS and Olivia Rodrigo
Minutes after expressing their desire to collaborate with the sensational "Deja Vu" singer during an interview with E! News at the 2022 Grammys red carpet, the K-pop group's wish became a reality. As they mesmerized the audience with their captivating performance of "Butter," V, one of the members, took a seat next to Rodrigo and whispered something to her, igniting a frenzy among their passionate fans.
Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell
Ahead of the Oscars in March 2022, Eilish shared that she and her brother had long harbored a dream of creating a James Bond theme song. "It's quite surreal because, even before there was the slightest possibility of it happening, we would imagine and write Bond songs just for fun, not as a joke, but as a fantasy," revealed the "Bad Guy" singer during an interview with E! News on the red carpet. "We would imagine, 'Wouldn't it be amazing to write a Bond song? Let's pretend.' We would even play-act the process of composing a Bond song. And we consistently expressed to our team, 'If there's ever an opportunity in the future.'" In 2020, the duo released "No Time to Die," and two years later, their efforts were rewarded with an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista
In November 2021, it was announced that the Dune costars had collaborated on a buddy action comedy, drawing inspiration from a tweet sent by Bautista three months prior. In the tweet, the actor from Guardians of the Galaxy wrote about his idea for a movie, describing it as a "Lethal Weapon-type buddy cop film directed by David Leitch," in which he and Momoa would star.
The Aquaman actor subsequently proposed filming the movie in his beloved Hawaii, and his wish was granted, as reported by Deadline.
The film, stemming from the original concept by the See co-stars, will be penned by Jonathan Tropper and is scheduled to commence production in 2023.
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Ariana Grande
"Wicked was absolutely incredible! It reignited my unwavering passion to take on the role of Glinda in the future! #DreamRole," tweeted the "Positions" singer back in 2011.
Fast forward ten years, Grande proudly landed the coveted role of Glinda the Good Witch in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway show, alongside the talented Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Tom Holland
During a 2014 event, the Cherry star conceded that there was a particular role he couldn't fathom rejecting.
"It's impossible to pinpoint the exact role I desire, but perhaps something involving action or comedy, a departure from serious themes," Holland stated at that time. "As for the superhero I aspire to portray, maybe I'll be prepared to take on the role of Spider-Man in the reboot's reboot, a decade from now."
The U.K. name has since played Spider-Man in six different movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Dove Cameron
"I've always had this strong desire to portray Bubbles in a Power Puff Girls film that comes to life," the former Disney star announced on Twitter in April 2013. Fast forward eight years, and Cameron's dream was finally realized as she landed a role in the CW's live-action superhero show.
Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Beanie Feldstein
After the Lady Bird star was cast as Fanny Brice in the 2022 Broadway production of Funny Girl, the California native reflected on nabbing her dream role.
"I went to my third birthday party dressed as fanny brice so sometimes dreams actually come true ," the Booksmart star revealed via Instagram in August 2021.
Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Simu Liu
"Hey @Marvel, can we have a conversation about this? #ShangChi," Liu tweeted in December 2018. After a year, it was revealed that the role of Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings had been secured by Liu, who hails from China.
Credit: Diggzy/Shutterstock
Demi Lovato
In April 2014, the performer tweeted about their dream collaborations, including Kelly Clarkson, Eminem, Ed Sheeran, Marc Anthony, Christina Aguilera, Macklemore, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Four years later, Lovato and Aguilera worked together on "Fall in Line," which received a nomination at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru/Shutterstock
Kumail Nanjiani
In 2019, the former member of Silicon Valley took to Twitter to share his experience at Comic Con. He mentioned having the opportunity to interview the late Stan Lee and described him as delightful, even poking fun at Superman. Fast forward to Comic Con 2019, and he found himself on stage at Hall H, proudly announcing his role as one of the newest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the 2021 Marvel film Eternals, he brought the character Kingo to life with his comedic talents.
