Best Comebacks of 2013: Lil' Mama, Robin Thicke, Nelly

These stars found new ways to reignite their careers.

Best Comebacks of 2013 - Call it a comeback, these veteran singers, actors, rappers, moguls and more all upped their games in 2013. Here's BET.com's look at the celebrities (and even a whole film genre) that found brand new ways to reinvent themselves this year.  (Photos from left: VH1, Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

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Best Comebacks of 2013 - Call it a comeback, these veteran singers, actors, rappers, moguls and more all upped their games in 2013. Here's BET.com's look at the celebrities (and even a whole film genre) that found brand new ways to reinvent themselves this year. (Photos from left: VH1, Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

Lil Mama - After a successful career as a rap artist and reality show judge, Lil Mama rebranded herself as an actress in the VH1 movie, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. In her critically acclaimed, true-to-form portrayal of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Lil Mama showed impressive depth and range in her transformation.  (Photo: VH1)

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Lil Mama - After a successful career as a rap artist and reality show judge, Lil Mama rebranded herself as an actress in the VH1 movie, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. In her critically acclaimed, true-to-form portrayal of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Lil Mama showed impressive depth and range in her transformation. (Photo: VH1)

Give It All You Got - Robin Thicke performs onstage during 106.1 KISS FM'’s Jingle Ball 2013 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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Robin Thicke - The crooner didn't have a top 40 hit on the pop charts since 2007's "Lost Without U."  Six years later, Robin Thicke’s feel-good summer hit song, “Blurred Lines” morphed him into a certified star. The song played on every radio station worldwide and topped the charts in 14 countries. (Photo: Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

Justin Timberlake - Justin Timberlake was always a singing, dancing and acting triple threat and this year he put it all on blast. Timberlake released two albums in 2013; 20/20 Experience and 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2 both which reached #1 on the Billboard 200. He also kept his moves and sounds razor sharp by hitting the road for the 20/20 Experience World Tour. Finally, Timberlake graced the big screen by starring in a pair of high profile movies this year, Inside Llewyn Davis and Runner Runner.   (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)

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Justin Timberlake - Justin Timberlake was always a singing, dancing and acting triple threat and this year he put it all on blast. Timberlake released two albums in 2013; 20/20 Experience and 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2 both which reached #1 on the Billboard 200. He also kept his moves and sounds razor sharp by hitting the road for the 20/20 Experience World Tour. Finally, Timberlake graced the big screen by starring in a pair of high profile movies this year, Inside Llewyn Davis and Runner Runner.  (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for BET)

Nelly - Nelly came back in full force with new releases in 2013. The Real Husbands of Hollywood star's single “Hey Porsche," the lead single from his long awaited seventh studio album, reached the top ten in England. In April, a remix of "Cruise," his collaboration with country music's Florida Georgia Line, was an award-winning crossover hit. The Country Grammar rapper is also on your small screen with the breakfast bee in those catchy Honeynut Cheerios.  He’s officially back!  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Nelly - Nelly came back in full force with new releases in 2013. The Real Husbands of Hollywood star's single “Hey Porsche," the lead single from his long awaited seventh studio album, reached the top ten in England. In April, a remix of "Cruise," his collaboration with country music's Florida Georgia Line, was an award-winning crossover hit. The Country Grammar rapper is also on your small screen with the breakfast bee in those catchy Honeynut Cheerios.  He’s officially back! (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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O, My! - Oprah Winfrey attends the O, The Oprah Magazine's special advance screening of The Butler, in which Winfrey stars, at the Hearst Tower in New York City. (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for Hearst)

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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey made this list last year for the turnaround success she achieved for her OWN network. But this year Winfrey gets big kudos for returning to acting. Lady O gave a nuanced, powerful performance in Lee Daniels’ The Butler. As Gloria Gaines, the media mogul and station owner went toe-to-toe with Oscar winner Forest Whittaker and had to convince audiences to forget her larger-than-life personality and day job. Winfrey did all of the above beautifully. (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for Hearst)

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Kimye - Kanye West is a genius rapper producer, whose crafted a blazen trail of hits for himself and others. He's also a fashion icon and controversial interviewee. Kim Kardashian is a self-made brand who turned infamy into a celebrity brand and a reality TV family business. Today as Kimye, the engaged parents to baby North West, the two are an unstoppable force of savvy, hype and paparazzi fueled by sex appeal. Check out the pair in West’s steamy new video "Bound 2" as proof. (Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage)

JB Smoove - Best known for his roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm and in the films, Hall Pass and We Bought a Zoo, the year 2013 was really a comeback one for comedian JB Smoove. He kicked things off by starring alongside Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe and Nick Cannon in BET’s hit comedy series, Real Husbands of Hollywood. The 49-year is also moonlighting on the new CBS comedy series, The Millers. There’s no telling where JB’s brand of funny is headed next.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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JB Smoove - Best known for his roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm and in the films, Hall Pass and We Bought a Zoo, the year 2013 was really a comeback one for comedian JB Smoove. He kicked things off by starring alongside Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe and Nick Cannon in BET’s hit comedy series, Real Husbands of Hollywood. The 49-year is also moonlighting on the new CBS comedy series, The Millers. There’s no telling where JB’s brand of funny is headed next. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Arsenio Hall - @ArsenioHall: "The CRIME: 'Young, black and outside' ~@marclamonthill."  (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for CW)

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Arsenio Hall - Arsenio Hall said, "Only a Black man could leave his job for nearly 20 years and expect it to be waiting for him when he got back." He was right. An older, more reserved Hall returned to the late night stage this year and reclaimed his late night king throne. As evident by the blast Hall enjoyed with guests Eddie Murphy, Paula Patton and the casts of Real Husbands of Hollywood and The Best Man Holiday, there's still nobody who kicks it like Arsenio. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for CW)

Britney Spears - Britney Spears showered her fanbase with a full scale comeback with the release of her very personal studio album, Britney Jean, which contained her hit single, "Work B****."  In December, the 31-year old officially joined the ranks of music legends Cher, Elton John and Celine Dion by kicking off her two-year Las Vegas show residency, Britney: A Piece Of Me.  (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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Britney Spears - Britney Spears showered her fanbase with a full scale comeback with the release of her very personal studio album, Britney Jean, which contained her hit single, "Work B****."  In December, the 31-year old officially joined the ranks of music legends Cher, Elton John and Celine Dion by kicking off her two-year Las Vegas show residency, Britney: A Piece Of Me. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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Chris Tucker - After putting in a stirring, funny performance in 2012's Silver Linings Playbook,  Chris Tucker was MIA off the film scene in 2013.  But the father of one kept it hilarious in other ways; Tucker embarked on a comedy tour that has taken him to worldwide locales including Singapore and Netherlands. And stateside, the Rush Hour star also served as host for the BET Awards 2013 where he kept the audience in stitches.  (Photo: BET)

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Chris Tucker - After putting in a stirring, funny performance in 2012's Silver Linings Playbook,  Chris Tucker was MIA off the film scene in 2013.  But the father of one kept it hilarious in other ways; Tucker embarked on a comedy tour that has taken him to worldwide locales including Singapore and Netherlands. And stateside, the Rush Hour star also served as host for the BET Awards 2013 where he kept the audience in stitches. (Photo: BET)

Lee Daniels: December 24 - The A-list director of The Butler celebrates his 54th birthday on Christmas Eve.(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Lee Daniels - The movie Precious put director Lee Daniels on the map, but the film, Lee Daniels’ The Butler put him back in Oscar’s gaze. Helming the story based on a real White House butler who served U.S. Presidents over several decades,  Daniels crafted a heartfelt father and son story. Set amidst the Civil Rights movement, the movie was both a stirring personal statement and history lesson for the ages. (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Queen Latifah - This rapper, singer, and Academy Award nominated actress has done it all, so this year she repeated herself.  In September, Queen Latifah brought back her daytime talk show, produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith that features set design by Lenny Kravitz. Her new show allows the Queen to hold court, make a difference in people’s lives and entertain the masses all at the same time.

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Queen Latifah - This rapper, singer, and Academy Award nominated actress has done it all, so this year she repeated herself.  In September, Queen Latifah brought back her daytime talk show, produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith that features set design by Lenny Kravitz. Her new show allows the Queen to hold court, make a difference in people’s lives and entertain the masses all at the same time.

Gabrielle Union - Gabrielle Union is an actress who always puts in amazing performances  (Daddy’s Little Girls, Cadillac Records, Think Like a Man) that audiences can't get enough of. This year, Union starred in the television pilot for Being Mary Jane, a poignant dramedy about a TV reporter trying to balance career and family. Thanks to BET and Mara Brock Akil (the show's creator) there will soon be plenty of Union on our screens; Being Mary Jane moves to series in 2014.  (Photo: Brian To/WENN.com)

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Gabrielle Union - Gabrielle Union is an actress who always puts in amazing performances  (Daddy’s Little Girls, Cadillac Records, Think Like a Man) that audiences can't get enough of. This year, Union starred in the television pilot for Being Mary Jane, a poignant dramedy about a TV reporter trying to balance career and family. Thanks to BET and Mara Brock Akil (the show's creator) there will soon be plenty of Union on our screens; Being Mary Jane moves to series in 2014.  (Photo: Brian To/WENN.com)

Black Film - In 2013 Black film made a serious impact. This year we had rom coms; Baggage Claim, independent film; Mother of George, Fruitvale Station, musicals; Black Nativity and historical based dramas, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and 12 Years a Slave. Plus, both directors Spike Lee (Oldboy) and Tyler Perry have also released films this year. So is it just a fad or is the wave of Black cinema in our theaters to stay? With the impressive opening week box office grosses of diverse movie fare like, The Best Man Holiday and The Butler, we’re gambling on the latter.  (Photos from left: FOX Searchlight, Universal Pictures)

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Black Film - In 2013 Black film made a serious impact. This year we had rom coms; Baggage Claim, independent film; Mother of George, Fruitvale Station, musicals; Black Nativity and historical based dramas, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and 12 Years a Slave. Plus, both directors Spike Lee (Oldboy) and Tyler Perry have also released films this year. So is it just a fad or is the wave of Black cinema in our theaters to stay? With the impressive opening week box office grosses of diverse movie fare like, The Best Man Holiday and The Butler, we’re gambling on the latter. (Photos from left: FOX Searchlight, Universal Pictures)

Diddy - Diddy aka Sean Combs is a producer, rapper, actor, clothing designer, spirits and bottled water developer. But being a Renaissance Man, Diddy kept it banging in 2013 when he launched Revolt TV. The 24-hour channel harkens back MTV's early music video days, but mixes in the swagger, energy and spirit of the millennial generation.    (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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Diddy - Diddy aka Sean Combs is a producer, rapper, actor, clothing designer, spirits and bottled water developer. But being a Renaissance Man, Diddy kept it banging in 2013 when he launched Revolt TV. The 24-hour channel harkens back MTV's early music video days, but mixes in the swagger, energy and spirit of the millennial generation.   (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel)