17 Celebrities Who Became Famous After Participating In TV Talent Competitions

    They were destined to be stars!

    Simrin Singh
    by Simrin Singh

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Ray Romano competed on Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search in 1989.

    On the left, Romano is performing on Letterman. On the right, he is acting in a scene of The Big Sick
    CBS Television, Lionsgate / Via youtu.be youtu.be

    Since his appearance on Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search, Romano has appeared in dozens of shows and movies, including his own sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, which got him three Emmy Awards.

    2. YaYa DaCosta competed and came in second place on America's Next Top Model in 2004.

    On the left, Yaya is giving a testimonial on an episode of America's next top model. On the right, she is acting in an episode of Chicago Med
    UPN, NBC / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    After her appearance on America's Next Top Model, DaCosta began a career in acting. She currently stars in NBC's Chicago Med. Though DaCosta got exposure on ANTM, she said acting jobs were harder to find after the show because of the negative reputation reality shows have in Hollywood.

    3. Amy Schumer competed and came in fourth place on Last Comic Standing in 2007.

    On the left, Schumer is doing stand up on the Conan O'Brian Show. On the right, she's doing a cheerleading dance in a scene from Trainwreck
    Warner Media, Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be youtu.be

    Since her appearance on Last Comic Standing, Schumer has earned several Comedy Central gigs, her own show, and roles in movies including Trainwreck, which she also wrote.

    4. Beyoncé competed on Star Search in 1993 as part of Girls Tyme, which was renamed Destiny's Child.

    On the left, Beyoncé is singing as a preteen on Star Search. On the right, she is singing as an adult onstage
    CBS Television, Kevin Mazur / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her appearance on Star Search, Beyoncé has won 28 Grammy Awards. She is the most nominated female artist in Grammy history.

    5. Christina Aguilera competed on Star Search in 1990.

    On the left, Aguilera is singing as a 9-year-old on Star Search. On the right, she is singing onstage
    CBS Television, Denise Truscello / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her Star Search appearance, Aguilera has gone on to record eight studio albums and win five Grammy Awards.

    6. Winnie Harlow competed on America's Next Top Model in 2014.

    On the left, Harlow is auditioning on America's Next Top Model. On the right, Harlow is posing at the MTV Awards
    UPN, Amy Sussman / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her appearance on ANTM, Harlow has been an ambassador for several fashion brands, a spokesperson for people with vitiligo, and the cover feature of many magazines. Though Harlow credits ANTM with her first real exposure to modeling, she said it “didn’t do anything” to help her career because of the reality TV stigma that came with it.

    7. Emma Stone competed on In Search of the New Partridge Family in 2004.

    On the left, Emma Stone as a teenager singing on the talent show. On the right, she is smiling at the Cruella premiere
    ViacomCBS, Frazer Harrison / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her appearance on In Search of the New Partridge Family, Stone has acted in dozens of movies and won the Oscar for Best Actress for 2016's La La Land.

    8. Christian Siriano competed on and won Project Runway in 2007.

    On the left, Siriano is smiling while shooting for Project Runway. On the right, he is posing on the red carpet for the Gossip Girl premiere
    Bravo, Michael Loccisano / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    After winning Project Runway, Siriano launched his own clothing line and has dressed many A-list celebrities, including Ariana Grande, Michelle Obama, and Zendaya.

    9. Grace VanderWaal competed on and won America's Got Talent in 2016.

    On the left, VanderWaal singing at America's Got Talent and playing the ukulele. On the right, she is singing on stage as an adult
    NBCUniversal, Stephen J. Cohen / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since winning America's Got Talent, VanderWaal has sold out concerts, put out a full-length album, and starred in the Disney movie Stargirl.

    10. Bethenny Frankel competed and came in second place on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005.

    On the left, Frankel on The Apprentice relaxing on a couch. On the right, Frankel is on a talk show sitting on a couch
    NBCUniversal, Jim Spellman / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her appearance on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Frankel has starred on The Real Housewives of New York City and started her own multimillion-dollar brand, Skinnygirl.

    11. Jennifer Hudson competed on American Idol in 2004.

    On the left, Hudson as a contestant; on the right, performing at a microphone onstage
    Fox, Gotham / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since she placed seventh on American Idol, Hudson has starred in Dreamgirls, earning her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She also has two Grammys — one for her R&B album and the other for her work on The Color Purple album.

    12. Matt Lanter competed on Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model in 2004.

    On the left, Lanter is doing a testimonial on Manhunt. On the right, he is acting in an episode of Timeless
    Bravo, NBCUniversal / Via youtu.be

    After appearing on Manhunt, Lanter successfully auditioned for roles in various movies and TV shows, including the CW's 90210.

    13. Katie Stevens competed on American Idol in 2010.

    On the left, Stevens is auditioning for American Idol. On the right, she is acting in an episode of The Bold Type
    Fox, Jonathan Wenk / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    After coming in eighth place on American Idol, Stevens appeared on many talk shows until she got a role in MTV's Faking It. After the success of that show, Stevens starred in Freeform's The Bold Type.

    14. Taryn Manning competed on Popstars in 2001.

    On the left, Manning is singing in the studio on Popstars. On the right, she is acting in an episode of Orange Is the New Black
    Warner Bros., Netflix / Via youtu.be youtu.be

    After auditioning on Popstars, Manning got her first movie role in Crazy/Beautiful. She's gone on to star in several movies and TV shows, including Orange Is the New Black.

    15. Usher competed on Star Search in 1991.

    Usher singing onstage at Star Search. On the right, he's performing onstage
    CBS Television, Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    After appearing on Star Search, Usher signed with a record company and put out his debut album in 1994. He has won eight Grammys and recorded two multiplatinum albums.

    16. Alanis Morissette competed on Star Search in 1990.

    On the left, Morissette is singing on Star Search. On the right, she's performing as an adult last year
    CBS Television, Rob Ball / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Since her appearance on Star Search, Morissette has put out nine albums, won seven Grammys, and guest-starred in several movies and TV shows.

    17. And finally, Josh Henderson competed on Popstars 2 in 2001 and won a spot in pop group Scene 23.

    On the left, Henderson is auditioning in Popstars. On the right, he is on a farm acting in an episode of Dallas
    Warner Bros. / Via youtu.be youtu.be

    After the band broke up a year later, Henderson began pursuing acting roles on shows including Desperate Housewives, Dallas, and The Arrangement.