There have been a handful of singing groups who have made a splash in the music industry throughout the years. Many groups have become absolutely beloved, but it's hard to remember where they got their start sometimes, especially for those who have been together for a long time.
Many fans of music groups tend to forget, or even not know, that many of their favorite singing groups were actually discovered on major reality TV shows, some of which are still airing today.
LMNT (Making The Band)
LMNT was formed after three of the members competed on the reality television series Making the Band in 2000. The other two band members joined after being runner-ups on the show, which included Matthew Morrison (Glee) for a short period of time.
True-blue fans will remember this stint on reality TV, but other more casual fans may not have known this about them.
Eden's Crush (Popstars)
The girl group found fame on the short-lived television program Popstars. They only released one prominent single, "Get Over Yourself," before releasing their self-titled debut album that went on to certify gold.
Eden's Crush lasted from 2000-2002. However, original member Nicole Scherzinger went on to find more success in The Pussycat Dolls in later years.
O-Town (Making The Band)
In the era of NSYNC* and Backstreet Boys, there was O-Town, which was also formed on the first-ever season of Making the Band in 2000. Their success came at the end of the boy band trend, although their time on the show was prominent to television as one of the first reality talent shows to premiere on primetime television.
The group lasted for 3 years before breaking up in 2003. Still, as of 2013, the band has gotten back together and has performed in many reunion shows without original bandmate Ashley Parker Angel.
Day26 (Making The Band)
Diddy handpicked Day26 at the end of season 4 of MTV show Making the Band in 2007. The R&B group saw some success as a whole, with their debut album reaching #1 on the Billboard 200.
Though the band ultimately broke up in 2012, they reconciled since and continue to produce new music.
Emblem 3 (The X Factor)
The short-lived success of Emblem 3 is all thanks to Simon Cowell after they finished in 4th on Season 2 of the American version of The X Factor. The group only released one album in 2013, which was led by the hit single "Chloe (You're The One That I Want)."
Shortly after their debut, the band went on a hiatus to pursue solo careers, but as of 2020 are together again as Emblem 3.
CNCO (La Banda)
CNCO was formed on the Univision show La Banda, which was created by Simon Cowell and produced by Ricky Martin, and became the first winners of the series.
Since 2015, the boy band has accumulated multiple awards, such as Latin Pop Albums Artist of The Year, Duo or Group; Best New Latin Artist; and Pop/Rock Album of the Year. The band has been praised for reinventing the boy band era and putting a modern twist to Latin music.
Fifth Harmony (The X Factor)
Another group formed by Simon Cowell on the American version of The X Factor, Fifth Harmony, has become one of the top-selling US girl groups of all time. Also referred to as the "biggest girl group of the 2010s," the girls have sold over 15 million album units in the United States, in addition to earning 1.6 billion on-demand streams.
Shortly after Camila Cabello famously left the group in 2016, Fifth Harmony went on a hiatus to pursue solo projects.
Little Mix (The X Factor)
The group formed in 2011 on the British version of The X Factor and was the first group to win the show. Their fate was almost tested when each singer competed on the show as solo acts and was close to being sent home until the judges decided to make them a group.
Now known as one of the most successful acts from the program, Little Mix has sold over 60 million records worldwide. Member Jesy Nelson left the group in late 2020, but the singers are still actively making music.
Danity Kane (Making The Band)
Formed by Diddy on the third season of his MTV show Making the Band, they broke the record for being the first girl group in Billboard history to debut their first 2 albums at the top of the charts. By season 4, Diddy removed members Aubrey O'Day and Wanita "D.Woods" Woodgett, and a year later, they disbanded.
However, in recent years, the 5 original singers have reunited on and off and released new music under their original band name.
One Direction (The X Factor)
Perhaps the most popular boy band of the 2010s, One Direction, was formed by Simon Cowell on the British version of The X Factor after the boys competed as solo acts. Even after finishing in third place, the band became a global sensation and released 5 top-selling albums between 2010 and 2015.
The band is currently on a "hiatus" and has each member has gone on to release solo projects since their split.