11 Celebs Who Shockingly Competed On Reality TV Shows Before They Were Famous (And If They Won)

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Why am I just now learning Lady Gaga competed on an MTV prank show?

Did you know White Lotus creator Mike White once competed on The Amazing Race and Survivor? How about Emma Stone getting her start on a VH1 singing competition? Turns out some of Hollywood's biggest stars dabbled in reality TV before they became household names. So read on for Mike, Emma, and other celebs's fascinating reality TV pasts:

1. Lady Gaga on Boiling Points

Person in a sleek, black leather outfit with long dark hair, attending a formal event in front of a backdrop with text

Before she changed music forever with songs like "Just Dance" and "Bad Romance," Lady Gaga was popping up in minor roles on TV. She appeared briefly as a background actor on The Sopranos and a contestant on MTV's prank show Boiling Points in 2005. The show challenged unsuspecting people to put up with increasingly annoying situations. If they didn't reach their boiling point, they were awarded $100. Unfortunately, terrible restaurant service caused Gaga to reach her limit.

A woman sits at a restaurant table with a plate of food, appearing surprised or animated during a conversation

2. Emma Stone on In Search of the New Partridge Family

Person with short hair smiling, wearing an elegant strapless dress, earrings visible. Background has a textured, natural appearance

It might be hard to imagine, but the two-time Oscar winner got her start in Hollywood by competing on a singing competition series to secure a role in a revival of the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family. Emma won, snagging the role of Laurie Partridge. However, the new sitcom never came to fruition.

Person singing into a microphone on stage with a pink background, wearing a sleeveless outfit and bracelets

3. Glen Powell on Endurance

Before he was flying fighter jets in Top Gun: Maverick and chasing down tornadoes in Twisters, Glen Powell got his start as an action star as a teen contestant on the Discovery Kids show Endurance in 2003. However, he didn't last long. Glen was eliminated second in the Survivor-like show. "It's really pretty hard for me to talk about to be honest with you. I've never talked about this publicly ever," Glen said on The Late Show last year. He later added, "I got kicked off on the first episode."

"Glen."

4. Beyoncé on Star Search

A person poses on the red carpet in a form-fitting dress with metallic circular patterns and a high slit. They have long, wavy hair

If you've ever listened to Beyoncé's song "Flawless," you know she was on Star Search. A clip from host Ed McMahon introducing her girl group kicks off the track. That group was Girl's Tyme, a precursor to Destiny's Child. Girl's Tyme appeared on Star Search in 1993 but didn't win. Notably, Girl's Tyme included Kelly Rowland and LaTavia Roberson, who were also in Destiny's Child.

Woman singing into a microphone, wearing a patterned top on stage

5. Mike White on The Amazing Race and Survivor

Person in formal attire with a black suit jacket and white shirt, smiling on a green carpet at an event

Sure, Mike White has been famous for a moment. He wrote and appeared in School of Rock and created the show Enlightened, after all. But he arguably didn't become a household name until he created the current and mega-popular series The White Lotus. Amid all his Hollywood success, Mike made time to appear on two reality competition shows. He starred in Season 14 of Amazing Race in 2009 and Season 18 in 2011. He then competed on Season 37 of Survivor in 2018.

A person with a headband and casual shirt holds a wine glass, standing in a jungle setting. The caption reads, "Good luck."

6. Jon Hamm on The Big Date

A person in a turtleneck sweater and herringbone blazer poses confidently at an event

In 1996, Jon Hamm competed on a dating show titled The Big Date. He competed against two other men for a date with a woman contestant. Shockingly, she didn't pick Jon!

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7. Gabriel Iglesias on Last Comic Standing

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Gabriel Iglesias is a stand-up legend, so much so that Billboard reported his 124-show comedy tour grossed more than $42.8 million last year. His success today comes after years of hard work, including competing in Season 4 of Last Comic Standing in 2006. Gabriel finished in 8th.

Person holding a microphone, smiling, wearing a floral shirt and denim pants, standing in front of red curtains

8. Amy Schumer on Last Comic Standing

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Amy Schumer cut her comedy teeth as a stand-up. This included competing on Last Comic Standing in 2007. She finished in fourth. In 2021, she shared a clip from the show on Instagram and said in the caption, "About 10 years ago I was on a reality show and had to tell my joke to a nun."

Person on stage holding a microphone, standing in front of a "Comic Standing" sign, wearing a casual top and jeans

9. Aaron Paul on Price Is Right

Man in a sleek black suit poses in front of a backdrop with the word "Netflix."

10. Miranda Lambert on Nashville Star

Person in an off-shoulder black gown with long hair and turquoise earrings on a red carpet event

Miranda Lambert has been a stalwart of the Nashville music scene for two decades. Before she released her hit debut album Kerosene in 2005, the singer competed on Season 1 of Nashville Star. She finished in third place.

Person singing on stage, holding a microphone, wearing a sleeveless top. Stage lights create a dynamic background

11. Finally, Kacey Musgraves on Nashville Star

Person in a white top and shimmering sequined skirt, posing at a formal event with branding in the background

It might seem unfathomable in retrospect, but Kacey Musgraves came in seventh place on Season 5 of Nashville Star in 2007. It certainly didn't hurt her career. She's since released six studio albums and won eight Grammys, including Album of the Year in 2019 for Golden Hour.

Two women standing together; one in a shiny dress, the other in a buttoned top, both with long hairstyles, on a stage with blurred background

Which of these celebs's reality TV moments surprised you the most? Are there any other major examples you'd add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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