In 1947, Los Angeles was shaken by a tragedy so disturbing it never faded from public memory. Newspapers gave it a haunting name: The Black Dahlia case. But before the headlines, there was a real woman whose story began long before tragedy.

What would it be like to be in that band right before they became the biggest band in the world, then quit at the worst possible moment?

Social media has become a major way fans learned TV updates in real time, and yes, occasionally actors have discovered their own cancellations from Twitter before anyone contacted them professionally.

Pop music loves a rocket-ship rise, but it’s far less generous about long landings. For every superstar who sticks the descent, there are dozens of women who briefly ruled radio, MTV, and TRL—only to be quietly pushed aside by trends, tabloids, or timing. These 21 forgotten—or unfairly sidelined—female pop stars didn’t just make hits. They helped define eras, moods, and sounds that modern pop is still borrowing from today.

Some careers burn slowly. Aaliyah’s didn’t. Hers moved fast, clean, and confidently—like she knew time was limited and refused to waste a second of it. By 22, she had reshaped R&B, crossed into film, influenced fashion, and positioned herself as the rare pop star who felt both mysterious and completely in control. Then, in August 2001, a short flight turned catastrophic. What followed wasn’t just mourning—it was the birth of a modern myth that refuses to fade.

Jack Lemmon was a jack of all trades. He could do it all: comedy—slapstick and romantic—and hard-hitting dramas. Then there were his eyes, which showed a vulnerability that made audiences want him to succeed—no matter what craziness he was up to. And speaking of craziness, there was a LOT of it.