Reality television has produced plenty of douchebags over the course of its inglorious history. See Gosselin, Jon, for an obvious example.
But it has also produced a couple Emmy winners and some very respected A-Listers.
No, really! See for yourself below…
Aaron Paul
Yup, that’s the former Breaking Bad star on The Price is Right. He made it all the way to the final round way back in the day!
Beyonce
The Queen did not always reign supreme. Look at her here during an appearance on Star Search!
Bethenny Frankel
Long before she was a Real Housewife and before she sold a single skinny cocktail, Bethenny was a contestant on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
Britney Spears
You likely know that Britney Spears was a member of The Mickey Mouse Club. But here’s a photo of her also appearing on an episode of Star Search.
David Giuntoli
David Giuntoli is now a lead cast member on NBC’s Grimm. But he first appeared on TV on MTV’s Road Rules. It’s true!
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Yup, that’s Fox News host Elisabeth Hasselbeck during her time in The Australian Outback on Survivor.
Emma Stone
We’re not entirely sure what In Search of the Partridge Family was all about. We just know that Emma Stone played a role on the program long before she turned into… EMMA STONE.
Hilarie Burton
Hilarie Burton turned a gig on MTV’s Total Request Live into a pretty solid acting career.
Heather Morris
Heather Morris looks very sad here during her time on So You Think You Can Dance. But she became more gleeful later in life due to her role on Glee.
Jacinda Barrett
Jacinda Barrett started on The Real World: London. That’s her in the red coat above. She’s since acted in such small screen hits as Suits and Bloodline.
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Mike Mizanin talked on The Real World about becoming a professional wrestler… and then he actually became one!
Jon Hamm
Oh, yes, THAT Jon Hamm! Long before Mad Men, he was a contestant on a ating program called The Big Date.