The entertainment industry is full of opportunities for people to stake their claim to fame. While some may have been born into the limelight or landed in it the traditional way, the new millennium presented a new opportunity for others to find fame — and it’s through reality television. Whether it’s a singing or modeling competition, or a TV series focused on “everyday life,” reality TV has introduced us to some of the most recognizable names.
Here is a list of celebrities who went from reality TV personalities to stars in their own right.
Jennifer Hudson
Made Jennifer Hudson made her television debut as a finalist on American Idol season three, where she placed seventh. Although she didn’t win the singing competition, she was cast in one of the lead roles in the film adaptation of the musical dream girl. your role in dream girl earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Hudson’s breakthrough performance as Effie White in dream girl started her acting career. She later acted in many major films including Sex and the City, The Secret Life of Bees, and empire (TV series), to name a few. There are fewer than 100 people nominated for EGOT. Hudson would be only the second Black woman, and third Black person in general, to achieve EGOT status.
Cardi B
The “Money” singer’s rise to fame can best be described as astronomical. After going viral in videos for Vine and Instagram, Cardi appeared on Seasons 6 and 7 of Love & Hip Hop: New York before leaving the series to pursue her music career. And well, the rest is history. She is perhaps one of the most famous people to ever leave the franchise.
Yaya Dacosta
YaYa DaCosta ran as a contestant at America’s next supermodel, where she dominated every competition to the end. After coming second in the third cycle of the hit series, she played a supporting role in the dance film the leadership. Yaya became a regular cast member on the soap opera All my children and a crossover performer Chicago fire and Chicago P.D. Her last television work was on the series Our kind of peoplewhere she played the lead role of Angela Vaughn.
Winnie Harlow
Harlow was discovered by Tyra Banks herself for the 21st season of America’s Next top model. She didn’t win her season, but the model’s career goes on; Harlow has been featured in a variety of magazines, walked in Victoria’s Secret fashion in 2018 and was even part of Beyoncé’s visual album lemonade.
No leaks
Before starring as the original cast member of The real housewives of Atlanta, NeNe leaks previously had a minor role in an episode of The Parkers. After eight seasons of the popular reality show The RHOA fan favorite has become a series regular Ryan Murphys The new normal. Murphy enjoyed it so much that she later booked the recurring role of a swim coach on the popular musical drama joy. Her latest filming is in the TV movies as Mrs. Silas in how high 2 and Glo in drive or die.
Eva Marcille
Eva Marcille took the world by storm when she was unveiled as the third cycle winner of America’s Next Top Model. After finding much success in the modeling industry, Marcille next wanted to take on television. She first appeared in small roles on shows like Smallville, everyone hates Chris and more. Her first major role was on the long-running daytime soap opera The young and the restless. She has since starred in the Tyler Perry-produced BET+ hit series All The Queen’s Men.
Joseline
Joseline Hernandez became an overnight reality TV sensation when she signed on to star on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta in 2012 with then-boyfriend Stevie J, with whom she shares their three-year-old daughter, Bonnie Bella. Her captivating story with Mimi Faust helped LHHATL become the biggest spin-off series of the popular franchise. The reality TV fan favorite now produces and stars in her own reality series entitled Joseline’s Cabaret: Miamiafter signing a lucrative deal with Zeus.
Karamo Brown
Long before he made us fall in love with him on Netflix Queer Eye Rebooting, Brown made history as the first openly gay black man on reality television. He made waves The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004 and later returned to MTV Real World Challenge/Road Rules: The Inferno II.
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