When we think of reality TV, it's easy to forget those who faded into oblivion when their shows came to an end, and hard to ignore those who continue to use their unscripted show fame to slap their names on everything from wine to cookbooks to toaster ovens.
But there are celebrities who we associate with success as broadcasters, singers, fashion designers, and actors--as in Oscar caliber--but have no recollection of their humble beginnings with a mic pack strapped to their waistbands and a camera following their every move; or on a contest-type series showing off a talent. See how many you knew made their debuts playing themselves.
Jacinda Barrett - The Real World: London
The Australian-born actress is married to former Suits star Gabriel Macht since 2004 and they share two children. Barrett has a long and varied acting CV beginning in 1997 the highlights of which are The Human Stain with Nicole Kidman, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Last Kiss with Zach Braff, Suits, and Bloodline with Kyle Chandler.
Jacinda got her start on television as a cast member of MTV's The Real World: London in 1995.
Lucy Hale - American Juniors
The 32-year-old double threat is succeeding as both an actress and singer. At 16, she began acting on Nickelodeon shows then moved onto nighttime teen dramas like The O.C. Her breakout role in Pretty Little Liars made her a star, which led to the title role in the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene. At the height of PLL fame in 2014, Hale released her country album "Road Between" which produced the hits You Sound Good To Me and Lie a Little Better.
Lucy made her TV debut on American Juniors in 2003, where she was one of five winners.
Katharine McPhee - American Idol
The new mother of a baby boy (with husband since 2019, record producer David Foster) is both a singer with five albums under her belt as well as an actress who's starred in movies such as The House Bunny with Anna Faris, on television in the hits Smash and Scorpion, and on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun and Waitress.
In 2006, McPhee was the runner-up (to Taylor Hicks) on the 5th season of American Idol making "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" her go-to song. Katharine was so popular, the moniker "McPheever" was coined. She returned to the show in 2016 as a star and guest performer.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck - Survivor
The wife of NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck made a name for herself as a prominent co-host on The View as the conservative voice who was often at odds with colleague Rosie O'Donnell. She then joined Fox & Friends as a co-host. She is also the author of three non-fiction books about family, diet, and cooking. The fourth is a children's picture book.
Elisabeth made her debut TV appearance in 2001 as a contestant on the second season of Survivor. She came in fourth. This led to opportunities on The Look for Less, Angels Among Us, many talk shows, and scripted series where she played herself.
Analeigh Tipton - America's Next Top Model
The former Ford model is known for her decade's worth of television and film appearances. Her TV work includes Murphy Brown, The Big Bang Theory, Limitless, Hung, and the lead in Manhattan Love Story opposite then-boyfriend Jake McDorman. She also played opposite Steve Carell, Emma Stone, and Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Analeigh was on Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model and placed 3rd. After the CoverGirl Challenge, Tyra Banks called Tipton's "the best commercial in the history of [the series]" for the cosmetic company. She also won the Go-Sees Challenge, by booking all three of the interviews she went on.
Katie Stevens - American Idol
Everyone knows the beautiful brunette as "Jane Sloan" in the Freeform hit The Bold Type (2017-present) where she's one of three up-and-comers at a Cosmo-type glossy. She also had a leading role in Faking It. Stevens has also become a familiar face on episodic TV and talk shows.
In 2010, American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi called Katie "one of the most talented 16-year-olds" she'd ever seen. Even though she didn't win that season, she placed high enough to be part of American Idols LIVE! Tour.
Jordin Sparks - American Idol
The acclaimed singer-songwriter is also a Grammy-nominated artist whose four albums have produced Billboard Hot 100 hits such as "Tattoo", "No Air", and "S.O.S. (Let The Music Play). Jordin added acting to CV in 2009 with episodic television and movies. She has appeared on Broadway in Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights as Nina Rosario as well as in Waitress. The brunette stunner also uses her celebrity for philanthropic works.
In 2007 at age 17, Sparks become the youngest winner in American Idol's history. It was season 6.
Rachel Campos Duffy - The Real World: San Francisco
Campos Duffy is a Fox News contributor and frequent guest host, mother of nine, and married to former Wisconsin congressman Sean Duffy. It's no surprise she hosts a show call Moms on Fox Nation. She has also served as a frequent guest host on The View.
Rachel was introduced to TV audiences in 1994 on MTV's The Real World: San Francisco where her housemates were the infamous Puck and Pedro. She met her husband of 22 years, who is also a Real World alum (Boston) during the franchise's Road Rules: All Stars.
Christian Siriano - Project Runway
You know his clothing as its been worn by the likes of Viola Davis, Gwyneth Paltrow, SJP, Oprah Winfrey, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Gigi Hadid to name a very few. In the fashion world, Elle called him "the new king of old-school glamour" and "the next billion-dollar designer." He was inducted as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2013. In 2016, Christian was named "Designer of the Year" at the AAFA American Image Awards and also won the Couture For A Cause "Designer of the Decade" award.
Siriano won the fourth season (2008) of Project Runway, becoming the series' youngest winner. He returned in Season 17 as a mentor.
Jennifer Hudson - American Idol
The Oscar-winner (Dreamgirls) can count Golden Globes and Grammys among her many accolades. She followed up her role as "Effie White" by playing "Louise," SJP's assistant in Sex and the City: The Movie. She's known on TV and in film for The Secret Life of Bees, the title role in Winnie Mandela, Smash, Empire, Hairspray Live!, Cats, and the upcoming Respect, where she will portray the Queen of Soul.
In 2004 during the show's 3rd season, American Idol judge Simon Cowell told Hudson she didn't have the stuff to be a winner. "You're out of your depth in this competition." Clearly, he was wrong.