Passing the Torch: Iconic Stars and Their Successors

Kerry to Diahann, Jay Z to J. Cole and more.

Passing the Torch - Legendary actress Diahann Carroll accompanies Emmy nominee Kerry Washington onstage during the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

1 / 13

Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington - There comes a time in every legend's life to pass the torch onto someone from the next generation. Our list of icons and their heirs starts with Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington. Carroll was the first Black woman to headline a network show (1974's Julia) and, nearly forty years later, Washington headlined her's with Scandal. Despite the fact that Washington missed out on winning Emmy gold this year (it would have been the first ever for a Black actress in her category), the two luminaries created a historic moment by appearing on stage together and paying tribute to one another.   (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Vanessa Williams and Nina Davuluri - Thirty years before Davuluri was crowned the first Indian American winner of the Miss America pageant, Williams made history as the first Black woman to win the title. But the similarities don't stop there. Both beauties represented New York in the competition, and — sadly — also faced racism after their groundbreaking wins.  Williams said: "I had to deal with it at 20, and she’s dealing with the same issue at 24. I told her she was a trailblazer, and if she ever needed any advice to please call.” (Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

2 / 13

Vanessa Williams and Nina Davuluri - Thirty years before Davuluri was crowned the first Indian American winner of the Miss America pageant, Williams made history as the first Black woman to win the title. But the similarities don't stop there. Both beauties represented New York in the competition, and — sadly — also faced racism after their groundbreaking wins.  Williams said: "I had to deal with it at 20, and she’s dealing with the same issue at 24. I told her she was a trailblazer, and if she ever needed any advice to please call.” (Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

Jay Z and J. Cole - Legend has it that J. Cole stood outside his idol Jay Z's office every day, waiting for the opportunity to drop a copy of his mixtape into his hands. He finally got his chance, and was eventually signed to Jay's label Roc Nation. Hova even rapped on Cole's track "Mr. Nice Watch."(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Samsung)

3 / 13

Jay Z and J. Cole - Legend has it that J. Cole stood outside his idol Jay Z's office every day, waiting for the opportunity to drop a copy of his mixtape into his hands. He finally got his chance, and was eventually signed to Jay's label Roc Nation. Hova even rapped on Cole's track "Mr. Nice Watch."(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Samsung)

Halle Berry and Ruby Dee - Both of these beautiful and groundbreaking actresses were born in Cleveland, Ohio and went on to have a transformative impact on Hollywood. Dee has been recognized by practically every awards show in existence, from the Grammys to a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2004 Oscars for American Gangster. Berry, of course, became the first Black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar. The two have collaborated on a number of projects, including the television film Their Eyes Were Watching God and Spike Lee's Jungle Fever.(Photo: Jackson Lee / Splash News)

4 / 13

Halle Berry and Ruby Dee - Both of these beautiful and groundbreaking actresses were born in Cleveland, Ohio and went on to have a transformative impact on Hollywood. Dee has been recognized by practically every awards show in existence, from the Grammys to a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2004 Oscars for American Gangster. Berry, of course, became the first Black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar. The two have collaborated on a number of projects, including the television film Their Eyes Were Watching God and Spike Lee's Jungle Fever.(Photo: Jackson Lee / Splash News)

Beyoncè and Tina Turner - Turner is a one-in-a-million kind of diva, but its hard to deny she has a true successor in Beyoncè. The two share gorgeous looks, glass-shattering pipes, frenetic and often-imitated dance moves and a bold-yet-feminine style. The comparisons became crystal clear when the two divas took the stage together at the 2008 Grammy Awards and performed Miss Tina's classic hit "Proud Mary." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

5 / 13

Beyoncè and Tina Turner - Turner is a one-in-a-million kind of diva, but its hard to deny she has a true successor in Beyoncè. The two share gorgeous looks, glass-shattering pipes, frenetic and often-imitated dance moves and a bold-yet-feminine style. The comparisons became crystal clear when the two divas took the stage together at the 2008 Grammy Awards and performed Miss Tina's classic hit "Proud Mary." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Rihanna and Janet Jackson - Long before there was Bad Gal RiRi, Miss Jackson wrote the playbook on being a take-no-prisoners, sexually adventurous and sometimes naughty R&B star. The baton-passing between Rihanna and Janet was complete this past August, when the Bajan babe surpassed her predecessor for the record of most #1 singles on the R&B charts.    (Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni /Landov)

6 / 13

Rihanna and Janet Jackson - Long before there was Bad Gal RiRi, Miss Jackson wrote the playbook on being a take-no-prisoners, sexually adventurous and sometimes naughty R&B star. The baton-passing between Rihanna and Janet was complete this past August, when the Bajan babe surpassed her predecessor for the record of most #1 singles on the R&B charts.    (Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni /Landov)

Nicki Minaj and Queen Latifah - Female MCs who can hold their own in a man's world? Check. Lucrative makeup contracts? Check. Airtime in primetime? Check. The common ground between Latifah and Minaj is extensive, but the rappers differ in one major way: attitude. The Queen is beloved around America, across age groups and ethnicities, while Minaj is known to speak her mind, and often doesn't care who she torches in the process. Still, there's no doubt Nicki is a worthy successor to the Queen's throne. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

7 / 13

Nicki Minaj and Queen Latifah - Female MCs who can hold their own in a man's world? Check. Lucrative makeup contracts? Check. Airtime in primetime? Check. The common ground between Latifah and Minaj is extensive, but the rappers differ in one major way: attitude. The Queen is beloved around America, across age groups and ethnicities, while Minaj is known to speak her mind, and often doesn't care who she torches in the process. Still, there's no doubt Nicki is a worthy successor to the Queen's throne. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Eddie Murphy and Kevin Hart - Murphy was the first true rockstar of standup comedy, and Hart is following closely in his footsteps. Both funnymen enjoyed prolific film careers and record-breaking standup specials, and are part of an elite group of five comics in history to sell out New York's famous Madison Square Garden. Now, if only we could get them to collaborate on a project... (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

8 / 13

Eddie Murphy and Kevin Hart - Murphy was the first true rockstar of standup comedy, and Hart is following closely in his footsteps. Both funnymen enjoyed prolific film careers and record-breaking standup specials, and are part of an elite group of five comics in history to sell out New York's famous Madison Square Garden. Now, if only we could get them to collaborate on a project... (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

SPL277639_025

9 / 13

Prince and Janelle Monae - Androgynous, insanely talented and able to make a pompadour look cool, Monae is ready to carry on the reigns of her idol. The rock legend reached out to Monae after she released her album Metropolis, and they quickly became fast friends. The pair even collaborated on Monae's new album The Electric Lady, and — of course — there's Monae's much talked-about performance of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" at the BET Awards in 2010. We may have even seen the Purple One crack a smile as he watched her.(Photo: London Entertainment / Splash News)

Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson - The tabloids talk about beef between these two divas, who both played Effie in Dreamgirls (Holliday in 1981's Tony-winning Broadway version, Hudson in her 2006 Oscar-winning performance), but we couldn't see it when the two performed a show-stopped duet of "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" at the 2007 BET Awards. Two years later, Hudson brought Holliday on stage during her Atlanta show for a sing-off. That night, they were both winners.(Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

10 / 13

Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson - The tabloids talk about beef between these two divas, who both played Effie in Dreamgirls (Holliday in 1981's Tony-winning Broadway version, Hudson in her 2006 Oscar-winning performance), but we couldn't see it when the two performed a show-stopped duet of "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" at the 2007 BET Awards. Two years later, Hudson brought Holliday on stage during her Atlanta show for a sing-off. That night, they were both winners.(Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

ADVERTISEMENT
610450

11 / 13

Chris Rock and Richard Pryor - He may be the biggest-selling comedian on the planet, but Chris Rock still considers Pryor the original — and only — king of comedy. Rock told Vanity Fair that Pryor was one of the few comedians, like himself, who appealed to a wide and diverse audience. Without Pryor, there would be no Rock. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

Battling Usher in a Dance Off  - To honor his 30th year in show biz Michael spliced moments from his 2001 two-day concert extravaganza at Madison Square Garden for his own TV event. While performing his most recent hit, "You Rock My World," he was joined on stage by Chris Tucker and Usher, whose dance skills have often been compared to Mike's. But when Usher started electric boogying around The Gloved One, Mike sensed a battle, and a dance off was issued. Let's just say, Ush got served. (Photo: Kevin Kane/WireImage)

12 / 13

Michael Jackson and Usher - There can only ever be one Michael Jackson, but Usher comes as close as any pop star to filling his moonwalking shoes. "We lost Michael Jackson, and a lot of pressure is on me," Usher said after Jackson's untimely death. "But I don't mind taking it." (Photo: Kevin Kane/WireImage)

16877035

13 / 13

Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys - They were both discovered by Clive Davis, but its the friendship between the late diva and her heir apparent, Keys, that has us reaching for the tissues. The self-proclaimed soul sisters, who collaborated on Houston's album I Look to You, hung out "like girls at a sleepover" whenever they were in the same city. Keys later performed a moving rendition of "Send Me an Angel" at Houston's funeral.   (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Sony Music)