We’ve all heard of celebrities who started out as background extras or small side characters, but what about the stars who got their start on reality TV? Believe it or not, many of your fave celebrities were once just regular people trying to get a little airtime.
From hidden-camera pranks to singing competitions, here are some of the most unexpected reality TV appearances from A-list celebs:
1.
Let’s start off strong with Kesha, who appeared on The Simple Life alongside Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in 2005. The show followed the socialites working “normal” jobs, and in one episode, they helped out with a wedding along with Kesha’s family. Iconic crossover, honestly.
2.
Before winning a Grammy award, Cardi B was stealing scenes on the sixth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2015. The show followed the everyday lives of women hustling in the male-dominated hip-hop world. Cardi’s unfiltered humour quickly made her a breakout star, and she’s been booked and busy ever since.
3.
Long before her Oscar wins, Emma Stone was just a teenager auditioning on In Search of the Partridge Family in 2004. The MTV show was a reboot casting call for The Partridge Family, and Emma belted “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks like her life depended on it. Spoiler alert: she landed the part of Laurie Partridge, but unfortunately, the show didn’t last beyond a pilot episode.
4.
Before he was Thor, Chris Hemsworth was twirling around on the Australian Dancing With the Stars in 2006. He came in fifth place, but his dancing skills deserve first place in our hearts.
5.
At just 10 years old, Britney Spears competed on the singing competition show, Star Search in 1992. She performed a cover of Eva Tanguay’s “I Don’t Care,” and made it to the second round, but ultimately lost to another young singer. Regardless, she was giving pop princess energy from day one.
6.
You may know her from Glee, but did you know Heather Morris first popped up on So You Think You Can Dance in 2006? She didn’t make it to the top 20, but not long after, she ended up becoming a backup dancer for Beyoncé.
7.
Speaking of Beyoncé, she also had her humble beginnings competing on Star Search in 1993. She competed on the show with her girl group Girl’s Tyme, and landed second place in their category.
8.
Before Breaking Bad, Aaron Paul was a contestant on The Price Is Right in 2000 and went absolutely feral trying to win. He screamed, jumped, and lost — but still ended up on a free trip to New Orleans thanks to his friend that won.
9.
Before becoming a legendary late night host, Stephen Colbert starred on The Dana Carvey Show in 1996. The short-lived sketch show also featured stars like Steve Carell, and helped jumpstart his comedy career.
10.
Long before becoming a royal, Meghan Markle was a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal from 2006-2007. She eventually quit after she said she felt objectified in the role, but it helped pave her way to her Suits success.
11.
Lady Gaga once (unwillingly) starred on the MTV prank show, Boiling Points in 2005. The show put unsuspecting people in frustrating situations to see how long they could stay calm before losing it. Gaga’s segment featured her dealing with an incompetent waitress who literally stole her salad and brought it back covered in trash.
12.
Before Pretty Little Liars, Lucy Hale was just 14 when she competed on American Juniors in 2003. The American Idol spin-off searched for the next tween pop group, and Lucy made it all the way to the final lineup.
13.
Kristen Wiig once played a fake contestant on The Joe Schmo Show in 2003. The show was a wild reality-TV parody where a target person or people are led to believe that they’re on an actual competition — while everyone else are actors. Kristen played “Dr. Pat,” a fake marriage counsellor, and absolutely nailed it.
14.
And last but not least, before she was the queen of ’90s angst, Alanis Morissette competed on Star Search at just 14 years old. She lost to someone named Chad (tragic), but in the end, she won where it mattered — because the world got hits like “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know.”
Did any of these surprise you? What celebrities did we miss on this list? Let us know in the comments!
