Anna Kendrick, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in the Pitch Perfect franchise and the Twilight Saga, has revealed the intriguing story behind her unexpected musical success and her decision to not pursue a full-fledged music career. In a candid interview with Elle, Kendrick sheds light on the unique circumstances that led to her viral hit "Cups" and the reasons why she ultimately chose to focus on her acting career.

A Serendipitous Musical Moment

Kendrick's rise to musical fame was a surprising turn of events. The actress, who was already well-established in the acting world, found herself at the center of a musical phenomenon when her rendition of the song "Cups" from the 2012 film Pitch Perfect became a viral sensation. The track, which featured Kendrick's soulful vocals and a captivating a cappella performance, reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and amassed over 300 million views on YouTube.However, Kendrick's success with "Cups" was not something she had actively pursued. As she explains, "My team did come to me, but I don't write music. Also, it feels weird to say this now, because I am rapidly approaching 40, but I was also 26 when that happened." Kendrick's candid admission highlights the unexpected nature of her musical foray, as she was not actively seeking a music career at the time.

The Challenges of Capitalizing on Unexpected Success

Kendrick's success with "Cups" presented her with an intriguing opportunity, but she ultimately decided against pursuing a full-fledged music career. As she explains, "That doesn't feel like when you start a pop career. It feels like something really cool is happening for no reason, and if we try to then make a record, the reason why it hadn't happened in the first place will be revealed very quickly."Kendrick's perspective on the matter is insightful, as she recognizes the potential pitfalls of trying to capitalize on an unexpected success. She acknowledges that the magic of "Cups" was something that happened organically, and attempting to replicate that by launching a music career may have been a risky proposition.

The Guilt of Unexpected Success

Interestingly, Kendrick also reveals that she felt a sense of guilt over the success of "Cups." As she explains, "It is one of those things where I'm like, why did that happen? I felt like a real d***, because the people who were working really hard to promote their singles must've been like, excuse me, what? Who is that? I can't imagine what that would feel like."Kendrick's empathy for her fellow musicians who were working hard to promote their own music is a testament to her humility and self-awareness. She recognizes that her unexpected success with "Cups" may have overshadowed the efforts of other artists, and this realization weighed heavily on her.

Staying True to Her Passion

Ultimately, Kendrick's decision to not pursue a music career was a conscious one, rooted in her understanding of her own strengths and passions. As she states, "I don't write music." This acknowledgment suggests that Kendrick felt more at home in the world of acting, where she could fully express her creative talents.By staying true to her core interests and abilities, Kendrick has been able to maintain a successful and fulfilling career in the entertainment industry. Her decision to not capitalize on the success of "Cups" and instead focus on her acting work has allowed her to continue to thrive in the roles and projects that truly resonate with her.In the end, Anna Kendrick's story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected successes can be the most challenging to navigate. Her candid insights and thoughtful approach to her musical detour offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry and the pursuit of their passions.