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For many people, applying to be on a reality TV show is the first step to international stardom… at least in their minds. In fact, shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent are largely built on the hope that their contestants will become world-famous entertainers. Likewise, for most people who appear on shows like Love Island or The Bachelor, the show itself isn’t the endgame. The idea is to parlay those 15 minutes of fame into a celebrity status that lasts as long as possible.
But, the truth of the matter is that very few people from reality TV end up becoming true celebrities. Most of them return to their normal lives in their normal homes and watch the next generation of reality TV stars try to achieve celebrity status. However, there are some outliers. There have certainly been some reality show contestants that have become wildly famous. And some of them have even become household names.
So, in this article, we’re going to look at 7 famous celebrities who got their start on reality TV. And I bet you’ll be surprised about some of the names that appear on this list.
1. Emma Stone
These days, Emma Stone is known as a very legitimate and versatile actor capable of starring in comedies, dramas, and everything in between. La La Land and Easy A have both become iconic films and Cruella was one of the best movies that Disney has put out in a while in my opinion. But, before Emma Stone was the first name in blockbuster credits (even before the Superbad days), she appeared on an ABC reality show called In Search of the Partridge Family as a 16-year-old.
The purpose of this oddly named show was to find musically talented actors to fill the roles for a reboot of the 1970s sitcom The New Partridge Family. Emma Stone, being the amazing talent that she is, actually earned the role of Laurie Partridge and appeared in the pilot episode of the reboot series. Unfortunately, the show only lasted one episode before getting canceled. It’s all good, though. Emma Stone’s career still took flight (like a partridge).
2. Jennifer Hudson
This is one of the more obvious names on the list. Most people are aware that Jennifer Hudson was once a contestant on the third season of American Idol. Jennifer was even on of the final contestants, making it to the “Final 12” and placing seventh overall. However, she would become more famous than any other contestant from that season and one of the most famous American Idol contestants ever.
After American Idol, Hudson would prove that she was much more than just a singer. She became the youngest woman and only the second Black woman to receive all four major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her two most famous film roles are probably Effie White in Dreamgirls and Aretha Franklin in Respect. She also played Shug Avery in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
3. Aaron Paul
While most of us are used to seeing Aaron Paul in a meth lab or trying not to get killed by cartel killers, we’re not used to seeing him guessing the prices of household appliances. However, way before Breaking Bad (or before he became the voice of Todd Chavez on BoJack Horseman), Aaron Paul was a contestant on The Price Is Right.
Aaron appeared on the show under his given name Aaron Sturtevant and, according to an interview he gave on The Late Late Show with James Corden, he wasn’t doing all that well financially at the time. “When I did the show, I was struggling,” he said. “I had no money and it was really a source of possible income.” Well, luckily, I don’t think that Aaron will ever have to rely on game shows to pay his bills again.
4. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox achieved a major milestone for the LGBT+ community when she became the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. She also became the first trans person to win a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as an executive producer on Laverne Cox: The T Word. But, before Laverne was a trans icon and international superstar, she was a contestant on the VH1 reality TV show I Want to Work for Diddy.
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The whole premise of the show was basically a group of people competing to become an employee of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Laverne didn’t win the show, but it did put her in a room with VH1 executives to whom she pitched several show ideas. This eventually led to her becoming the host and producer of the show TRANSform Me (which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award).
5. Lucy Hale
Now a recognizable name and face in the entertainment industry, Lucy Hale started her acting career with a minor role in Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh. She then landed guest roles in The O.C., Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, and How I Met Your Mother. She then made her debut in film in the 2008 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. However, Lucy Hale’s most well-known role was undoubtedly as Aria Montgomery in Pretty Little Liars, which is still one of the most beloved teen programs of all time.
However, before her rise to stardom, Lucy Hale competed in the singing competition reality TV show American Juniors on Fox. She finished in fourth place in the competition; however, she went on to form a musical group called “American Juniors” alongside some other contestants from the show. The group split up due to lack of success, which was probably a blessing for Lucy Hale.
6. Julianne Hough
To be clear, Julianne Hough had already been in a major film production before she ever went on a reality TV show. She was actually an extra in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Apparently, young Julianne also had a crush on Daniel Radcliffe while she was on set and even sent him some Beanie Babies as a romantic gesture. Fast forward a few years and Julianne made her way to the set of Dancing with the Stars where she worked as a professional dancer and won two seasons.
Julianne Hough’s first major foray into the world of film was in the 2010 film Burlesque, which starred Christina Aguilera, Cher, Kristen Bell, and Stanley Tucci. Soon after, she scored the leading role as Ariel in the 2011 remake of Footloose. She also had major roles in the films Rock of Ages and Safe Haven.
7. Kesha
Before Kesha became an international pop star, known for hits like “TiK ToK” and “Die Young”, she was actually on an episode of The Simple Life. This reality TV show debuted in 2003 and nothing could be a more accurate representation of the early 2000s. It starred wealthy socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Riche as they struggle to do menial, blue-collar jobs like housecleaning, farm work, and restaurant service. It was hilarious.
During the episode, Paris and Nicole go on a mission to get Kesha’s mom a date with a hot guy. Meanwhile, young Kesha appears alongside the two celebrities as they interview potential suitors for her mother.
