12 Actual Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TV
1/13Ah, reality TV. Do you remember a life before nearly every channel was dominated by real people just like you and me (gasp) going about their daily lives, catfighting, or running across America to win some money? Yeah, us neither.
Like it or not, a stint on a reality TV show can make you legit famous. We sure don’t think the Kardashian empire is anything to scoff at, and the Real Housewives seem to be doing just fine. Which of our fave celebs got their start on a lowly TV show? Some of them may surprise you.
Getty Images2/13Lauren Conrad
LC is the reigning queen of “reality TV girl made good.” She has perfect hair, you know. After Laguna Beach made her semi-famous for having pretty hair and being the anti-Kristin, MTV gave her her own show, The Hills. That’s how we discovered the dastardly duo known as Speidi, so it was both a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing to Lauren, though, because she got a gig right here at Teen Vogue and got to kiss Brody Jenner. Today, she’s made herself something of a lifestyle tycoon with clothing lines, a huge Instagram following and a thriving blog. And she didn’t even have to go to Paris!
WireImage3/13Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer came in seventh when she appeared on American Idol, but her career has serious legs. She starred with Queen Bey in Dreamgirls, nabbed an Oscar for that performance, and got to play in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet in the Sex and the City movie. We're pretty sure seventh is officially the new first.
WireImage for Kari Feinstein PR4/13Jamie Chung
We met Jamie Chung on The Real World: San Diego way back in 2004. She was pretty chill on the show and used that platform to find acting jobs on shows like Days of Our Lives and CSI. Now she’s playing Mulan on ABC’s Once Upon a Time and has a killer fashion blog.
WireImage5/13Kendall and Kylie Jenner
Well, this one is a no-brainer. Thanks to mama Kris and sister Kim, the whole Kardashian-Jenner clan is mad famous now, especially the two youngest members who have multiple clothing lines, a modeling career, a makeup line, and even a book under their collective empires.
FilmMagic6/13Emma Stone
Yes, it’s true! Emma Stone first broke into the public consciousness at 15, when she was Emily Stone. She auditioned for and won the role of Laurie Partridge on In Search of the New Partridge Family. Yes, that’s a thing, and no, it didn’t go anywhere, but don't you worry: Em’s doing just fine, thank you.
© 2007 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.7/13Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough waltzed into our hearts on ABC’s mega-popular Dancing with the Stars. She and her celeb partners even won seasons four and five. Jules spun her fame into movie roles (Footloose), a few singles, and a relationship with the King of Media, Ryan Seacrest. Now she’s the permanent fourth judge on the panel back home on the Dancing set, so she's proof that sometimes there really is no place like home.
WireImage8/13Lucy Hale
The Pretty Little Liars star appeared on TV in 2003 on the short-lived American Juniors, where she was one of five finalists. The fivesome formed a short-lived band, but Lucy didn’t find fame until a few years later. When she’s not starring as Aria on PLL, she’s pursuing her first love, music; some of her songs have hit country radio.
WireImage9/13Analeigh Tipton
This Top Model contestant decided to take her talents to the big screen, taking roles in Crazy, Stupid, Love and Warm Bodies. Hey, Tyra tried her hand at acting too — we guess Analeigh was just following in her mentor's footsteps.
Getty Images10/13Carrie Underwood
The American Idol alum is one of the most popular female singers in country music history. She was practically born to wear those sparkly gowns — and to think it started with a little TV competition.
WireImage11/13Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
Heiresses Paris and Nicole were relatively well-known before starring in FOX’s infamous The Simple Life series, but the show made them superstars. Both have used that status to pursue careers in music, beauty, and fashion. Nicole is a bonafide trendsetter and style icon, and Paris’s “Stars are Blind” is one of the best songs of the ‘00s. Tinkerbell, you’ll always be in our hearts.
FilmMagic12/13Kristin Cavallari
Who else could end this list other than LC’s rival, the infinitely quotable “bad girl” of Laguna Beach? Now she’s following in Lauren’s footsteps with a lifestyle brand of her own, a shoe line, and a couple kids with football star Jay Cutler. And all this started with a couple cute teens in a ritzy California town…let the rain fall down and wake my dreams, indeed.
