Gotcha Open: When Artists Go From Opening Acts to Headliners

These stars have earned their top billing.

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Gotcha Open: When Artists Go From Opening Acts to Headliners - Iggy Azalea's been known to have a tough time performing in her homeland of Australia. She came to the U.S. at the young age of 16 seeking asylum of sorts in the homeland of hip hop. Now, the next time the Aussie rapper/model returns Down Under, she's going as the opening act for the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Her life is certain to change. Meanwhile check out these other artists who catapulted to newfound success as headliners after being on the road in start-up gigs. (Photos from left: Ian Gavan/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/PW/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment)

Club-goers - After getting his own interlude on Drake's Take Care, Kendrick went out on the road with the YMCMB rapper for 2012's Club Paradise tour. It was the most successful hip hop tour of the year, grossing over $42 million and making stops around the U.S. and in Europe.(Photos from left: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Samsung, Theo Wargo/Getty Images for ESPN)

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Club-goers - After getting his own interlude on Drake's Take Care, Kendrick went out on the road with the YMCMB rapper for 2012's Club Paradise tour. It was the most successful hip hop tour of the year, grossing over $42 million and making stops around the U.S. and in Europe.(Photos from left: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Samsung, Theo Wargo/Getty Images for ESPN)

Kanye West feat. Rihanna, "All of the Lights" - Rihanna's signature soprano got a headlining spot on this larger-than-life Kanye banger, which also featured Kid Cudi, Charlie Wilson and an all-star backup choir that included Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Fergie, Ryan Leslie and Elton John. (Photo: AP Photo/Andre Penner; Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Glowing Start - As a mentee of Jay Z, Rihanna quickly catapulted to success and had her own headlining tours. But after she joined Kanye's Glow in the Dark tour in 2008, she became the "Run This Town," artist that we love today, and now, her Diamonds World Tour is breaking records and selling out stadiums around the globe.(Photos from left: AP Photo/ Andre Penner, Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) 

Kingmaker - Jay Z featured his first Roc Nation signee J. Cole on "A Star Is Born" off his Blueprint 3 album; and then, fulfilling prophecy, brought him out on the road with him for the 2009 tour and again the following year in 2010 for the Yankee Stadium stop of his and Eminem's Home and Home tour. Major.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Ron Smits/London Ent/Splash News)

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Kingmaker - Jay Z featured his first Roc Nation signee J. Cole on "A Star Is Born" off his Blueprint 3 album; and then, fulfilling prophecy, brought him out on the road with him for the 2009 tour and again the following year in 2010 for the Yankee Stadium stop of his and Eminem's Home and Home tour. Major.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Ron Smits/London Ent/Splash News)

Destiny's Path - Not missing a beat from their lineup changes, Destiny's Child went on tour with then reigning pop princess Britney Spears. They were promoting their 1999 album, The Writing's on the Wall, which included such hits as "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name." By 2001, they became the "Survivor" trio that yielded successful independent careers and a reunion during Super Bowl XLVII's halftime show. (Photos from left: Peter Kramer/Getty Images, Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Destiny's Path - Not missing a beat from their lineup changes, Destiny's Child went on tour with then reigning pop princess Britney Spears. They were promoting their 1999 album, The Writing's on the Wall, which included such hits as "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name." By 2001, they became the "Survivor" trio that yielded successful independent careers and a reunion during Super Bowl XLVII's halftime show. (Photos from left: Peter Kramer/Getty Images, Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Young Money Makers - Nicki Minaj got her big touring break when she went on the road with Young Money creator, Lil Wayne. After a stint in prison, Weezy wanted to embark on the sequel to his record-setting 2009 tour, I Am Music, which brought him more than $40 million. Nicki, the star that she is, wound up being more of a co-headliner. (Photos from left: Jonathan Leibson/WireImage, Mark Davis/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

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Young Money Makers - Nicki Minaj got her big touring break when she went on the road with Young Money creator, Lil Wayne. After a stint in prison, Weezy wanted to embark on the sequel to his record-setting 2009 tour, I Am Music, which brought him more than $40 million. Nicki, the star that she is, wound up being more of a co-headliner. (Photos from left: Jonathan Leibson/WireImage, Mark Davis/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

Hall of Fame Beginnings - After opening for Madonna in 1985, the Beastie Boys debuted with Licensed to Ill and took PE with them. PE then released their debut, Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Now both groups have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Photos from left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Hall of Fame Beginnings - After opening for Madonna in 1985, the Beastie Boys debuted with Licensed to Ill and took PE with them. PE then released their debut, Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Now both groups have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Photos from left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Getting Ready for the World - Before embarking on her first headlining worldwide jaunt, Whitney was the opening act for Jeff Osbourne and Luther Vandross, playing festivals, theaters and clubs around the U.S. The following year, 1986, she was ready for her The Greatest Love of All tour, grossing nearly $5 million in ticket sales.(Photos from left: dpa/Landov, Frank Micelotta/ABC/ImageDirect)

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Getting Ready for the World - Before embarking on her first headlining worldwide jaunt, Whitney was the opening act for Jeff Osbourne and Luther Vandross, playing festivals, theaters and clubs around the U.S. The following year, 1986, she was ready for her The Greatest Love of All tour, grossing nearly $5 million in ticket sales.(Photos from left: dpa/Landov, Frank Micelotta/ABC/ImageDirect)

OMG He's Good! - The lead single for Miguel's first studio, All I Want Is You, debuted with less than desireable numbers for a major-label signee. He then joined Usher and Trey Songz for the OMG! tour and the follow-up song, "Sure Thing," quickly gained radio airplay. He's been a fan favorite performer ever since, even after that leg drop.(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

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OMG He's Good! - The lead single for Miguel's first studio, All I Want Is You, debuted with less than desireable numbers for a major-label signee. He then joined Usher and Trey Songz for the OMG! tour and the follow-up song, "Sure Thing," quickly gained radio airplay. He's been a fan favorite performer ever since, even after that leg drop.(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

All in the Family - Cee-Lo had been working with his Dungeon Family brethren OutKast since the Southernplayalistic days, but it wasn't until he officially branched out as a solo artist and went on the Smokin' Grooves tour with them in 2002 that he realized how challenging playing bigger venues could be. Two years later, his second solo album got a greater reception, and now, about a decade later, he's helping to launch careers as a judge on The Voice. (Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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All in the Family - Cee-Lo had been working with his Dungeon Family brethren OutKast since the Southernplayalistic days, but it wasn't until he officially branched out as a solo artist and went on the Smokin' Grooves tour with them in 2002 that he realized how challenging playing bigger venues could be. Two years later, his second solo album got a greater reception, and now, about a decade later, he's helping to launch careers as a judge on The Voice. (Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Special Experience - It's safe to say the Beyhive has some reach. Ask Robin Thicke, who joined a massive 95-date tour known as the Beyoncé Experience in 2007. The following year, his third studio album, Something Else entered at No. 3 on the Billboard chart, selling 140,000 in its first week. This was a significant difference from the 20,000 first-week sales and No. 45 debut position of his second album, 2005's The Evolution of Robin Thicke.(Photos: D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET; Larry Busacca/PW/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment)

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Special Experience - It's safe to say the Beyhive has some reach. Ask Robin Thicke, who joined a massive 95-date tour known as the Beyoncé Experience in 2007. The following year, his third studio album, Something Else entered at No. 3 on the Billboard chart, selling 140,000 in its first week. This was a significant difference from the 20,000 first-week sales and No. 45 debut position of his second album, 2005's The Evolution of Robin Thicke.(Photos: D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET; Larry Busacca/PW/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment)