jumping out of being reality TV It’s no easy feat to have the persona of a respected Hollywood actor, and when some of these celebrities manage to break into the entertainment industry, the results can be astonishing. Some TV and movie fans may be a bit surprised to discover that their favorite stars got their start on the small screen, and while big names like Jennifer Hudson and Julianne Hough may come as no surprise as former reality show stars, others may be more unexpected.
From popular MTV shows like: The real world To the leading competition programs of the first decade of the twenty-first century including: American Idol And The next American modelMany of the most ambitious and attractive actors in the entertainment world have had their big break in the exciting genre of television. Here are 9 reality TV stars who became successful actors.
9 Jamie Chung
Before he had an impressive and dynamic career in film and television, Jamie Chung She was making a name for herself on MTV as a cast member on the reality series Real World: San Diego In 2004, which led to his reappearance in his popular spin-off show. Real World Rules Challenge/World: Hell Part 2 The following year.
Chung won the competition along with three other contestants, with her team being considered the “good guys” who went head-to-head with the “bad guys” for a large cash prize.
TV and movie sensation
Chung is considered by fans of the MTV franchise to be the most successful. The real world A graduate, she was able to pave a prosperous media career path for herself after her tenure at the network ended.
She made her small screen debut in a 2006 episode of Veronica Mars He had minor roles in ER, Days of Our Lives, And Greek Before landing the lead role in the 2008 miniseries Samurai girl. Chong continued his dominance with an unforgettable performance as Mulan in once upon a time, Clarice Fong in The gifted And Molly Park in Dexter: New Blood, And also in movies like Dragon Ball Evolution, Sucker Punch, Big Hero 6, And in comedy 2024 Reunion.
8 Jennifer Hudson
Great actress and singer Jennifer Hudson She rose to stardom when she appeared on the third season of the mega-hit reality singing competition. American Idol, Where she reached the finals and eventually placed seventh on the popular TV show in 2004.
Hudson wasted no time in pursuing her big Hollywood dreams after her shocking departure from the series, as she was quickly cast as Effie White in the Broadway musical's film version. Dream girls, An opportunity that would change her life.
Hudson's first great film appearance.
Not content with making her film debut, Hudson also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her electric performance in the critically acclaimed film. While pursuing her music career and releasing three studio albums, Hudson starred in a number of films, including The Secret Life of Bees, Winnie the Pooh, Singing, The Beast, And the cats.
Hudson currently hosts her own daytime show. Jennifer Hudson ShowShe is the youngest woman and third African-American woman to receive an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) award, in 2022.
7 David Giuntoli
Before he protects the world from dangerous mythical creatures in the fantasy series. Crime, David Giuntoli Embark on an exciting three-month adventure while appearing on the MTV reality series Rules of the Road: South Pacific In 2003, in addition to the seventh season of Challenge the real world/road rules.
In 2007, Giuntoli bid farewell to the world of reality television and headed to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, joining the Echo Theater Company in pursuit of his dreams.
Two dynamic leadership roles
Giuntoli quickly earned small guest appearances on a number of successful television shows including Nip/Tuck, Grey's Anatomy, Ghost Whisperer, And Hot in Cleveland, Before his breakthrough role as Detective Nick Burkhardt in the supernatural police drama Crime, Which ran for 6 seasons from 2011 to 2017.
He continued his successful career on the hit show with the lead role of Eddie Saville in the family drama series. A million little thingswhich concluded its fifth and final season in 2023, and he recently voiced Batman/Bruce Wayne in the animated superhero film Batman: Gotham City Destruction.
6 Lucy Hale
Few fans of the reality singing competition series American Idol You may remember that the hit show spawned a short-lived spin-off in 2003. american juniors which aimed to create a major upcoming singing group and included a familiar Hollywood face: Lucy Hale. The actress was just 14 years old when she was one of the five winners of the show, with american juniors A band that released only their first album before breaking up in 2004 due to low ticket sales and little publicity.
Teen drama Hill hits it big
After moving to Hollywood at the age of fifteen to pursue her own record deal, Hale found her fortune in the world of television and guest roles on shows such as Drake & Josh, The OC, How I Met Your Mother, And Waverly Place Treatments, Before landing a lead role in the short-lived comedy-drama series privileged In 2008.
Hale achieved widespread fame when she was cast as Aria Montgomery in the fan-favorite teen mystery drama series. pretty little liars, She starred on the show from 2010 to 2017 for seven seasons. Since then, she has starred in films such as Fantasy Island, Hate Game, Puppy Love, and romantic comedy of 2024 Which takes me to you.
5 Katharine McPhee
In the fifth season of American Idol, Katharine McPhee He was runner-up to competition winner Taylor Hicks, with the aspiring musician also appearing alongside Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler in the 2006 installment of the groundbreaking show.
Despite not winning the show, McVie released her self-titled debut album in 2007, which debuted at number two on the painting 200 copies and sold 381,000 copies. She then decided to enter the world of acting and began her career with a leading role in the comedy in 2008. Rabbit house.
McPhee finds luck on TV
After her debut as an actress in Rabbit house Opposing Anna Faris and Emma Stone, McPhee sought more opportunities in television, notably playing Karen Cartwright for two seasons in the 2012 musical drama Smashing As in the role of Paige Dineen in the 2014 action drama series Scorpio, Which ran for four seasons.
McPhee then appeared in films including: Caviar Bio, Rising Tiger, And Deadly secret… While she never forgot her true passion for music, theatre and her portrayal of Gina Hunterson in the Broadway musical Waitress From 2019 to 2020.
4 Yaya Dacosta
She is undoubtedly one of the most successful contestants ever on the Tyra Banks pageant series. The next American model Nothing but Yaya Dacostawho starred in the third season of the erotic fashion show in 2004 and was runner-up to winner Eva Pigford.
Although she has graced the cover of magazines like And, splash, And After promoting her products for Hype Hair as well as commercials for Sephora, Garnier Fructis, and Oil of Olay, DaCosta turned her focus to acting and took over the industry.
De Costa joins Chicago's world
DaCosta's first step into Hollywood was when she appeared in a guest role on the sitcom Eve In 2005, before joining the cast of the TV series all of my children Like Cassandra Foster in 2008.
The aspiring star continued to flourish on the small screen with roles in Ugly Betty, Body of Evidence, And a house Before she got the most prominent role in her career in Chicago Med, She starred as ER nurse April Sexton for six seasons (and appeared again in season eight) from 2015 to 2020. DaCosta also portrayed music icon Whitney Houston in the biopic Whitney In 2023, she starred in the second season of the Netflix series as Andrea “Andy” Freeman. Attorney Lincoln.
3 Josh Henderson
Pop stars in the United States of America Another short-lived TV series that attempted to discover the country's next big musical act, it ran for two seasons from 2001 to 2002 and led to the creation of pop groups Eden's Crush (featuring Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger) and Scene 23.
Josh Henderson He was one of the winning members of the show's second season, performing in the music group Scene 23 for only one year before they disbanded in 2002 after releasing one album and disbanding their company.
Dominating the TV scene in the 2000s
Not only did Henderson begin pursuing modeling and music opportunities, but he also turned his attention to acting, appearing in sitcoms in the 2000s such as One on one, Rodney, And 8 simple rules Before being cast in the lead role in the 2005 war drama series there, Which lasted for one season.
The actor began to gain momentum when he landed roles in Yours, mine and ours, And broken bridgesbefore portraying the famous character of Austin McCann in desperate housewives And Sean Cavanaugh in 90210. Henderson played John Ross Ewing III in Dallas As with Kyle West in Arrangement, With his latest credit on screen Everyone stand up In 2021.
2 Julianne Hough
Although she made her acting debut in 2001 when she worked as an extra in the blockbuster 2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Julianne Hough She made a name for herself as a highly skilled dancer on the hugely successful ABC show Dancing with the stars, She was the show's showrunner from 2007 to 2009 for five seasons.
Hoff won the competition twice with Olympic gold medalist in speed skating Apolo Ohno and Indianapolis 500 champion Hélio Castroneves, before leaving to pursue her music and acting career.
Hoff embraces her many passions.
Hoff combined her love of dancing and acting when she appeared in musicals. burlesque footloose, And Rock of the Ages Before branching out and acting in romantic drama SAvi Haven, Horror and thriller curve, and sex comedy Very badopposite Robert De Niro and Zac Efron.
After working as a judge in Dancing with the stars For six seasons, she took over as co-host in 2023 and also played Sandy in the television musical special. fat!. His next role will be in the upcoming sci-fi horror film with Penelope Cruz. the bride!.
1 Leo Tipton
last The next American model The contestant who has achieved tremendous success outside the world of fashion is Leo Tipton (formerly Annaleigh Tipton), who competed in the eleventh cycle of the reality competition series and finished third in 2008. Tipton signed with Ford Models after her elimination and appeared in magazines such as Marie Claire, Seventeen, Maxim, and Vogue, and also appeared in ads for Guess and Forever 21, before breaking out to tackle the big and small screen.
Tipton TV and Movie Acquisition
After getting a guest spot on Big Bang Theory In 2008, with fellow contestant Samantha Porter, Tipton landed the breakout role of Jessica Riley in the hit romantic comedy Crazy stupid love, Which was a major cornerstone of their Hollywood career.
They followed up the performance with parts in films. Damsels in Distress, Warm Bodies, Two Nights, And broken starIn addition to roles in Murphy Brown, Why Women Kill, In the 2022 true crime drama series family friend. Tipton will next appear as Katie Dowd on the thriller. edge of sleep And in the upcoming drama Complete.
