Singers In The Shadows: 15 Singers Overshadowed By Their More Famous Family Members

Sibling rivalry is hard enough in the real world, but imagine for a minute if your sister was Beyonce? Somehow, Solange deals with it graciously, but not every sibling of a pop star can cope with being in the shadows. What's even worse? When your parent is a legend, and you can't catch a break.

The 15 singers on our list may be extraordinarily talented. They might be internationally famous. Some of them might actually kind of suck. The thing they all have in common? No matter how hard they hustle, they can't step out of the shadow of their exponentially more famous family member.

Superstar Singer: Jessica Simpson

Singer In Their Shadow: Ashlee Simpson

Jessica Simpson is a pop star, reality star, movie star, and successful entrepreneur. Her sister Ashlee is also a talented singer-songwriter and former reality star with her own distinct style, but Ashlee has long been loathe to be in her big sister's shadow. How do we know? She wrote a hit song about it.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Thom Yorke of Radiohead

Singer In Their Shadow: Andy Yorke

Thom Yorke's younger brother has had a decent stab at rock star fame. He used to be the lead singer of the band Unbelievable Truth and in 2007 he released a solo LP.

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Superstar Singer: Fiona Apple

Singer In Their Shadow: Maude Maggart

Maude Maggart is an internationally beloved cabaret and standard singer who can boast five albums to her name (that's one more than sister Fiona). Fiona Apple dropped her last name Maggart to be a pop star, while Maude took on their great-great grandmother's first name. Maude's real name is Amber. Decidedly less good for cabaret.

Superstar Singer: Enrique Iglesias

Singer In Their Shadow: Julio Iglesias, Jr.

Julio Iglesias is an internationally renowned Latin balladeer and his hot sons, Enrique and Julio, Jr., both followed in their father's footsteps. One just happens to be way more famous in the United States than the other. Julio Iglesias, Jr. is not only a pop star, but former fashion model and winner of CMT's Gone Country. He was also interviewed by a young Sofia Vergara for a Spanish language television show, so I think he's a winner:

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Superstar Singer: Bob Dylan

Singer In Their Shadow: Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers

Bob Dylan is one of the biggest legends in music history, but his son Jakob isn't too shabby, either. Jakob Dylan is the frontman for The Wallflowers, a band that enjoyed some fame in the 90s and still commands respect from its fans.

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Superstar Singer: Lil Wayne

Singer In Their Shadow: Reginae Carter

Lil Wayne's daughter Reginae Carter is the latest in a long line of "daughters of stars" who want to try their hand at singing professionally. She might be young, but she's already written a book (with Bria Williams) and is accumulating a YouTube following:

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Beyonce

Singer In Their Shadow: Solange

By any unit of measure, Solange is a successful pop star. Well, unless you measure her against big sister Beyonce. Solange seems to have figured out early on that there's no way to beat Queen Bey at her own game, so she's made a name for herself by being completely true to her quirky self--and we love her for it.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Miley Cyrus

Singer In Their Shadow: Trace Cyrus of Metro Station

When you think of Miley Cyrus's musical family, you probably first think of her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, but her older half brother, Trace Cyrus, is the lead singer of rock band Metro Station (and like Miley has an on-and-off relationship status with his respective fiancee, Brenda Song).

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Superstar Singer: Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones

Singer In Their Shadow: Chris Jagger

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger's little brother Chris tried to become a rock star in the early 70s when he released two albums, but was pretty much ignored. He got back into music in the 90s and boasts a folk-country-rock-blues-cajun fusion sound.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Rufus Wainwright

Singer In Their Shadow: Martha Wainwright

Rufus and Martha Wainwright are another pair of siblings from a musical family. Their parents are folk singers Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus is just the one who's broken out in a big way. Martha is also a respected and well-known singer-songwriter and has collaborated with many famous acts including Snow Patrol.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Katy Perry

Singer In Their Shadow: David Hudson

Katy Perry, nee Hudson, had to change her last name so as not to be confused with movie star Kate Hudson, but her little brother brandishes the family name with pride. A few years ago, David might have been tagging along with Katy on tours, but now, as a full-grown adult, he's making his own music.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Paul McCartney

Singer In Their Shadow: James McCartney

Paul McCartney is one of the titans of rock, but his son James is starting to make his own mark in music. James McCartney is getting good press for his new album, Me, but it's not overnight success. He's been performing since the 90s and has released a number of albums.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Kylie Minogue

Singer In Their Shadow: Dannii Minogue

Like her sister Kylie, Dannii Minogue started her career as a young actress on Aussie soaps before jumping into pop stardom. Unlike Kylie, Dannii never crossed over into stateside success. She is incredibly famous in the UK and Australia, though, and not just for music. She's also one of the judges of the British version of The X Factor.

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[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Britney Spears

Singer In Their Shadow: Jamie Lynn Spears

Jamie Lynn Spears was big sister Britney's adorable little doppelganger who became a tween Nickelodeon star, who then became a teen mother, who then retired from showbiz, who then moved to Nashville, and who is now earnestly trying her hand at being a country singer-songwriter. I hope she goes on to be a country star (no seriously, I do!).

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Superstar Singer: Chord Overstreet of Glee

Singer In Their Shadow: Nash Overstreet of Hot Chelle Rae

The Overstreets are a unique case because technically Chord Overstreet isn't a pop star. However, he's famous all over the world for singing pop songs on Glee. Brother Nash is a legitimate pop star as the guitarist and backing vocalist for Hot Chelle Rae, but far more audiences are aware of Chord's name than Nash's.

It might not help that Chord stars in Hot Chelle Rae's music video, "Tonight, Tonight". Or maybe it does help.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

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