American contraltos

German and American actress and singer (1901–1992)

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her image reinventions and versatility across the entertainment industry, she is an influential figure in popular music. With estimated sales of 124 million records, she is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone have ranked her among the greatest artists in history.

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Her music is noted for its melancholic exploration of glamor and romance, with frequent references to pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, two Billboard Women in Music awards, and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for 11 Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century". In 2023, Rolling Stone placed Del Rey on their list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time", while Rolling Stone UK named her as the "greatest American songwriter of the 21st century".

Judy Garland was an American actress, singer, and vaudevillian whose career spanned four decades. She is known for her artistic range and strong contralto voice, working in a variety of genres including musicals, comedies, and dramas. Her career and personal life, marked by both public fascination and private struggle, made her a cultural icon.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Known for her influence on pop music and her camp style, she has been dubbed the "Queen of Camp" by Vogue and Rolling Stone.

Cher ( ; born Cheryl Sarkisian, May 20, 1946) is an American singer and actress. Dubbed the "Goddess of Pop", she is known for her androgynous contralto voice, bold fashion and visual presentation, and multifaceted career. Her screen roles often reflect her public image as a strong-willed, outspoken woman. An influential figure in popular culture, Cher has sustained a career spanning more than six decades through continual reinvention.

American-born Swiss singer and songwriter (1939–2023)

American actress, singer, screenwriter, and writer (1893–1980)

American actress (1924–2014)

American singer-songwriter and pianist (born 1981)

Liza May Minnelli is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Tony Awards. She is one of the few performers awarded a non-competitive EGOT having received an honorary Grammy Award. Minnelli is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

American jazz singer (1915–1959)

American singer, songwriter, and actress (born 1979)

American rock musician and actress (born 1964)

American singer, songwriter and pianist and civil rights activist (1933–2003)

Patricia Lee Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album Horses made her an influential member of the New York City–based punk rock movement. Smith has fused rock and poetry in her work. In 1978, her most widely known song, "Because the Night," co-written with Bruce Springsteen, reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number five on the UK Singles Chart.

Cuban-American singer (born 1957)

American singer-songwriter

American singer (1938–2012)

American country singer and actress (born 1955)

American Russian actress, singer, and dancer

American country singer

Stephanie Lynn Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.

American singer and actress

African-American contralto (1897–1993)

American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer (born 1975)

American gospel singer (1911–1972)

American singer, songwriter and actress (born 1979)

American country singer (1932–1963)

American singer

American country-pop singer (1927–2013)

American actress and comedienne (1922–2009)

American singer (1937–2025)

American singer and drummer (1950–1983)

American singer (born 1940)

American singer (1920–2002)

American singer (1941–1974)

Rosemary Clooney was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me", "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There", "This Ole House", and "Sway". She also had success as a jazz vocalist.

American singer (born 1953)

American jazz and classical singer (1924–1990)

American musician (born 1977)

American musician

American musician, writer and painter

English musician, singer and songwriter

American musician (born 1949)

American singer

American singer-songwriter

American actress

Mexican-American actor and singer

American actress and singer (1926-2000)

American rock musician, founder of The Pretenders

American singer-songwriter

American singer

American actress and singer (1915–1998)

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson-Brown is an American singer and the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians. She first performed on stage with her siblings during shows in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in 1974, before appearing in the CBS television series The Jacksons. At age 34, Jackson released her debut album Centipede (1984). The album's title track was written by her younger brother Michael and has been her most successful single release. She released two more albums: Reaction (1986) and R U Tuff Enuff (1988).

American singer (born 1944)

Brandi Marie Carlile is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Her music spans multiple genres, including folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. During her career, she has received eleven Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, in addition to being nominated for an Academy Award. In 2026, she was named one of Time's Women of the Year.

American musician and artist, most known as co-founding member of Sonic Youth (born 1953)

Angela Laverne Stone was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. With a career spanning more than four decades, she has been credited with revolutionizing the sound of hip-hop and neo soul.

American singer and rapper (born 1980)