5 Black Celebrities Who Bounced Back After A Downward Spiral

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill debuted on the musical scene with hip-hop group The Fugees in the 1994 release of the album Blunted to Reality. Two years later, the band, made up of Haitian cousins Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel, released The Score, which sold over 6 million copies. Following her departure from the group, Hill released a solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. That album would sell more than 10 million copies and earn Hill five Grammys, a record at the time for a female artist. Hill would disappear from the public eye only to reappear at concerts displaying erratic behavior and leaving her die-hard fans disappointed. In 2012, the Sweetest Thing singer plead guilty to tax evasion and served three months in prison. On the rise: After her release from federal prison in early October 2013, Hill hit the concert circuit leaving satisfied critics in her wake. After a New York City concert in late November, one critic said: "It was one of the more exciting moments I’ve felt in live music during 2013. Electric lady? There’s only one." Hill also has a new recording contract and plans to release a new album next year. Toni Braxton Toni Braxton's 1989 debut into the music industry was a family affair with sisters Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar. The following year she began a solo career that would bring immense success, including over 66 million records sold worldwide and numerous accolades including six Grammys and nine Billboard awards. Braxton went through a series of pitfalls; she sued her record label for revenue then jumped from label to label; she filed for bankruptcy twice; and battled physically devastating lupus. On the rise: Braxton's career found new life in 2011 when she starred in the WE television reality series Braxton Family Values. The Unbreak my Heart singer is set to release a new album early next year with longtime collaborator Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, and she's been added to the rotating roster of the acclaimed musical After Midnight, currently on Broadway. Arsenio Hall Arsenio Hall was a staple on late night television in the early 1990s with his syndicated showcase, The Arsenio Hall Show. During his five years on air Hall minted catchphrases like "woof, woof, woof" and garnered enviable ratings among the young viewers. Following the show's cancellation in 1994, Hall remained busy with various projects, however after the birth of his son five years later, the comedian took a self-imposed hiatus. Hall's overwhelming desire to be a great father and experience every milestone in his son's life severely limited his options for work. It would take another 13 years before Hall would commit to a long-term project. On the rise: At the urging of his son, Hall agreed to join the cast of Celebrity Apprentice television reality game show and he won. That success was followed by the return of his syndicated late night talk show. TLC The R&B group TLC, featuring Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas, changed the musical landscape upon their debut in 1992. Before the untimely death of Left Eye in 2002, TLC had released three studio albums and sold over 20 million in the United States alone. By the end of that same year, the group had 10 top-10 singles, four No. 1 singles, four multi-platinum albums, and five Grammy Awards. TLC ranked No. 2 behind Spice Girls as the best-selling female group of all time. In-fighting among the group may have led to its eventual downfall, but the death of Left Eye caused the premature end to TLC. Remaining members T-Boz and Chilli released several greatest hits albums and teased a comeback, but nothing materialized. On the rise: In 2013, TLC released a new single, signed a recording contract with Epic Records and garnered 4.5 million viewers for their television biopic, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story LeBron James LeBron James entered the NBA as a first round draft pick at 18 years old. For seven seasons James played dutifully for his hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming known as King James. A thirst for winning championships would soon overshadow James' loyalty to the Cavaliers. In 2010, James announced through a live ESPN broadcast that he had chosen to take his skills to Miami. The broadcast, known as "The Decision," instantly made James the most hated man in sports. During the Miami Heat's 2011 championship loss to the Dallas Mavericks, many fans - Cavalier fans in particular - considered it karma. At the beginning of the next season, critics were still unwilling to forgive. On the rise: James instead focused on playing his game and achieving the only thing that would sway the critics: winning championships. In 2012 and 2013, the Miami Heat won back-to-back championships and James was named MVP during both finals.

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