Backup Singers Who Blew Up

"The Voice" winner Jermaine Paul started out in the shadows.

Backup Singers Who Blew Up - You probably didn't know the name Jermaine Paul till he won NBC's hit reality show The Voice this past Tuesday, May 8. But that doesn't mean you hadn't heard his talents before: He'd already sung backup for Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and others. But Paul's career path isn't so unlikely. Some of music's biggest stars started out in the shadow of more successful singers before nabbing the spotlight for themselves. Click on to see other backup singers who blew up. —Alex Gale (Photo: Justin Lubin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
Inspired by an Angel - Of course every great artist has studied their craft and drawn inspiration from the greatest to ever do it. Sevyn was inspired greatly by Yolanda Adams, Michael Jackson and of course the one and only Whitney Houston.  (Photo: AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
Luther Vandross - The late, legendary Luther had a pre-fame backup-vocal résumé that was top-notch: David Bowie, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Bette Midler, Chic and Barbra Streisand.  (Photo: Scott Harrison/Getty Images)Faith Evans - Faith contributed backup vocals for Mary J. Blige's classic sophomore album, My Life, and Usher's self-titled 1994 debut before stepping out on her own. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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Backup Singers Who Blew Up - You probably didn't know the name Jermaine Paul till he won NBC's hit reality show The Voice this past Tuesday, May 8. But that doesn't mean you hadn't heard his talents before: He'd already sung backup for Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and others. But Paul's career path isn't so unlikely. Some of music's biggest stars started out in the shadow of more successful singers before nabbing the spotlight for themselves. Click on to see other backup singers who blew up. —Alex Gale (Photo: Justin Lubin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

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