The entertainment is a notoriously cutthroat business, with countless individuals hoping to find fame each year, with only a tiny fraction of that number actually succeeding in their quest to do so. However, while simply arriving in New York or Hollywood with some headshots and raw talent may not put them on track for success, Americans have yet another path to stardom: the reality show. Over the past two decades, reality TV has given America some of its most beloved stars. If you’re looking for a platform to showcase your own talent, look no further than these amazing shows:
American Idol: Undeniably the most beloved and well-known reality competition show on television, American Idol has been turning out stars since it first hit the air in 2002. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia Barrino, Katharine McPhee Phillip Phillips, and Chris Daughtry are all products of this star-making reality hit.
The X Factor: While few shows have been able to replicate American Idol’s formula for success, The X Factor has certainly come close. In addition to its wealth of celebrity judges, like Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, and Cheryl, for whom fans tune in week after week, the show has also produced acts like Fifth Harmony, Melanie Amaro, Olly Murs, Bea Miller, and Alex & Sierra.
Nashville Star: For those looking to make their mark in the country music world, there was once no platform better for launching a career than Nashville Star, which ran for six seasons from 2003 to 2008. Case in point: country music darling Miranda Lambert got her start on the reality TV hit back in 2003.
The Voice: The star power on The Voice doesn’t stop at its judges, who have included celebs like Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell, Christina Aguilera, Usher, and Shakira over the course of its 14 seasons. The Voice has also produced a long list of inimitable talents, including Taylor Phelan, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, and Javier Colon.
America’s Got Talent: While other reality shows showcase solely musical acts, America’s Got Talent has been a launching pad for talents of all varieties since it started airing more than 12 seasons ago. Since then, stars like ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer, classical singer Jackie Evancho, performance artist Kenichi Ebina, magician Mat Franco, and singer Grace VanderWaal have all launched successful careers, thanks to the show.
While hitting it big in the entertainment industry may seem like a longshot for most people, these stars discovered on reality TV make it clear that the dream of stardom isn’t as out of reach as you might believe. With some serious talent, lots of practice, and some plane tickets to the audition, you might just be the next start to get discovered on one of these reality hits.