Chrissie Hynde: One Song Led to Unexpected Stardom

Chrissie Hynde, the iconic voice behind a 1980s rock band, experienced an unforeseen surge in fame following a one-off appearance on the 1990s hit show 'Friends.' Despite never having watched the series, Hynde was initially approached by Warner Bros. to provide her song 'Angel of the Morning' for an accompanying album.

This led to an invitation to appear on the show, where she performed the song in a coffee shop setting. Hynde found herself unexpectedly cast as Stephanie Schiffer, a rival to Phoebe Buffay, in a 1995 episode. Her presence in Central Perk, singing her hit, contrasted with Phoebe's own musical stylings.

The unexpected exposure meant 'Friends' was suddenly ubiquitous in American media. While Hynde found the cast amiable, the role brought a level of public recognition she had previously avoided. This newfound fame meant her children's school runs were no longer anonymous, a trade-off she ultimately regretted.