There's this notion that once you do reality television, your career in showbiz is over. To that claim, I say:
These 7 talented actors who started on reality TV are exactly why that notion is such utter BS!
1. Jennifer Hudson
From 7th place on the 3rd season of "American Idol"...
...to 2006 Academy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson has taken Hollywood by storm. Despite not winning the reality singing competition, Hudson would go on to win singing awards that really mean something - a freakin' Grammy Award! Like her character sings in Dreamgirls, Hudson, to our delight, is certainly not going away anytime soon.
2. Jamie Chung
If you've seen "The Hangover II," "Sucker Punch" or "Once Upon A Time" (shown above), then you're familiar with at least some of Chung's vast work as a successful actress. In 2012, she starred in the drama, "Eden," about human trafficking, and won rave reviews! Writing for the "New Republic," Stanley Kauffmann commented:
"A quite moving performance comes from Jamie Chung as Eden, repulsion sliding into fearful acceptance without the extinction of hope."
Where did this talented actress get her start? "The Real World: San Diego."
3. David Giuntoli
Once upon a time, specifically in 2004, there was a young competitor on "Road Rules: South Pacific" named David Giuntoli. 12 years later, that same man is the star of hit TV series, "Grimm," which just finished its 5th season, and has already been renewed for a 6th. Having a television show on for so long is no easy feat. Props to Mr. Giuntoli for turning his stint on reality TV into a successful career on television.
4. Heather Morris
On "Glee," Morris played the sexy cheerleader who could dance like no other. Where in the world did she get such skills? Well, before "Glee," Heather Morris was a backup dancer on Beyoncé's The Beyoncé Experience world tour. Before that tour, Morris started out on...you guessed it, REALITY TELEVISION! She competed on 2nd season of "So You Think You Can Dance," where she just missed making the Top 20.
Given her massive success as an actress, I think she's definitely over that loss.
5. Katharine McPhee
In 2005, Katharine McPhee was first runner-up (she lost to Taylor Hicks) on "American Idol."
She should've won after that fierce performance! But honestly, given that we haven't heard from Hicks in forever, she won in the long run. She starred on the musical series "Smash" with Hollywood legends like Anjelica Huston and Debra Messing.
Today, she's still crushing it in Hollywood as a series lead on "Scorpion."
6. Emma Stone
How did I not know this Hollywood A-Lister got her big break on reality television?! Her television debut came in 2004 on a VH1 reality competition series called "In Search of the New Partridge Family."
At that point, she was going by the name, "Emily Stone." Fast forward 12 years, and Emma Stone is one of the most sought-after talents in the movie business. Her majors hits include: "Superbad," "Zombieland," "Easy A," "Crazy, Stupid, Love," "The Amazing Spider-Man," and "Birdman" (for which she scored an Oscar nomination).
7. NeNe Leakes
That's right! She started as the undeniable star of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," and rose to prominent actress status with hit roles on "Glee" and "The New Normal."
And NeNe's not just killing it on the small screen. She's also acted on Broadway for crying out loud, playing Madame in "Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella" and Matron "Mama" Morton in "Chicago."
Currently, Ms. Leakes sits on the panel with Betty White on the revival of celebrated gameshow, "To Tell the Truth," AND works as a host on the snarky "Fashion Police." AND, she's bringing her "One Woman Show" across the country to rave reviews!
This woman is a titan of the entertainment industry. All hail Queen NeNe!!
