Top 10 Reality Talent Show Acts
They turned their musical dreams into reality. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 most successful acts from reality talent shows.
For this list, we took 10 different reality talent shows and chose one act from each whose career was most impacted by their appearance on the show, and who subsequently experienced significant commercial success, popularity and recognition.
#10 – J.D. Fortune, “Rock Star”
This cocky Canadian singer’s bold move to pen his own lyrics during a challenge paid off when it helped him win “Rock Star: INXS.” “Pretty Vegas” later became his first single as frontman of the band, and a top 40 hit. Fortune and INXS then recorded the top 20 album, Switch, toured the world, and even performed at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics before they parted ways.
#9 – Danity Kane, “Making the Band”
Hand-picked by P. Diddy and his team for their smooth vocals, hot dance moves and stunning looks, these showstoppers became the first female group to have two number one debuts on the Billboard 200. Sure, they didn’t even make it to their five-year anniversary, but how many bands have their own denim line?
#8 – Carly Rae Jepsen, “Canadian Idol”
“Canadian Idol” didn’t launch Jepsen’s career, but it did get her on the music industry’s radar. It was a tweet from fellow Canuck Justin Bieber that made her a household name, thanks to her ultra-catchy tune “Call Me Maybe.” That’s when the single started topping charts worldwide and racking up YouTube views by the millions. Don’t even get us started on the parodies…
#7 – Miranda Lambert, “Nashville Star”
She finished third on “Nashville Star,” but Lambert used the opportunity to land a record deal. Since then, she’s been praised for her song-writing and genuine personality, plus she’s seen all her major label albums top the U.S. Billboard country charts. The perky Grammy winner also made history in 2010 when she set the record for the most CMA award nominations by a female artist in a single year.
#6 – One Direction, “The X Factor”
Here’s another act that didn’t take the top honors on their show, but they didn’t need to. 1D became one of “The X Factor”’s most successful losers when Simon Cowell signed them for a cool £2 million. This squeaky clean boy band soon triggered talk of a new British Invasion by setting records with their chart-topping debut, plus the books, toys and games show that the boys are living while they’re young, and taking the world by storm in the process.
#5 – Susan Boyle, “Britain's Got Talent”
She dreamed a dream and turned it into reality by astounding everyone on “Britain’s Got Talent.” Despite her age and plain Jane looks, Boyle demonstrated that true talent shines through – and she’s got the YouTube views to prove it. Her first album became the UK’s best-selling debut ever and was followed by two more records that premiered at the top of the UK charts, giving this fairytale a happy ending.
#4 – Nicole Scherzinger, “Popstars”
Chosen from hundreds of hopefuls for Eden’s Crush, this exotic beauty’s first taste of success was the group’s one and only album. Scherzinger proved she had nine lives when she became lead singer of one of history’s best-selling girl groups: The Pussycat Dolls. Their catchy tunes and sexy dancing led to multiple top ten albums and allowed Scherzy to launch a solo career in music, acting and reality TV.
#3 – LeAnn Rimes, “Star Search”
Following her time as a “Star Search” finalist as a kid, Rimes seemed destined for greatness. A few years later, she became the youngest Grammy and CMA award winner ever thanks to the country hit, “Blue.” She broke records again when “How Do I Live” spent 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and her strong and emotional voice eventually ensured her a successful pop crossover.
#2 – Kelly Clarkson, “American Idol”
Thanks to her three number-one hits, the original “American Idol” has made Billboard history several times. With five top three albums and 23 million records sold worldwide, “Miss Independent” is also a two-time Grammy winner. Plus, her dynamic vocals, down-to-earth persona, and musical passion have catapulted her to superstardom and cemented her place as “American Idol”’s most successful winner.
#1 – Celine Dion, The “Eurovision” Song Contest
Before winning the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland, this French Canadian came home victorious from the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival when she was just 14. Once these appearances brought her into the international spotlight, Dion broke into the English market and went on to become the best-selling female artist in history. With over 200 million albums sold, Celine Dion’s music will go on.
Do you agree with our list? Who is your favorite reality talent show act? Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining Top 10 lists.
