Beyond Reality: Successful Stars Who Got Started On Reality TV

1 of 10 Alberto E. Rodriguez

Cardi B went from stripper to Love & Hip Hop: New York, before becoming one of hip hops hottest new talents. If you're not bumping "Bodak Yellow," then what are you doing?

2 of 10 Michael Rowe

Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will be happy to see that Leakes is returning to the Bravo series, a return that will definitely bring in tons of viewers. Outside of the Housewives franchise, Leakes has dabbled in acting, picking up roles in Glee and The New Normal, as well as appearing on Dancing with the Stars and Miss USA.

3 of 10 getty images

Hudson may have gotten her start on American Idol, but her powerhouse vocals and talent have catapulted her to the top. Hudson earned an Academy Award for her role in 2006's Dreamgirls, has two Grammys under her belt, and has appeared on shows like Empire. Hudson also received recognition for her role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple.

4 of 10 Getty Images

Marcille made her name on the third cycle of America's Next Top Model, but has since appeared on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and hosted Oxygen's Hair Battle Spectacular.  

5 of 10 getty images

Many may not know that Cox once appeared on VH1's I Want to Work for Diddy. The actress has since become one of Hollywood's biggest names, starring on Netflix's Orange is the New Black, the CBS series Doubt, and breaking boundaries for transgender women all over the world. Iconic.

6 of 10 getty images

With or without reality TV, we have a feeling Nicole Richie would have become a star somehow. She stepped out of her dad's, Lionel Richie, shadow long ago with reality hit The Simple Life, which she starred in with bestie Paris Hilton. Now, Richie has her own fashion line, House of Harlow, has written a New York Times best-selling book, The Truth About Diamonds, and starred in her own reality show, Candidly Nicole. 

7 of 10 Timothy Hiatt

DaCosta may have been the runner-up on cycle three of America's Next Top Model, but that didn't stop her from becoming a star. DaCosta currently stars in Chicago Med, appeared in The Butler, and starred in The Nice Guys.

8 of 10 Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

Hate her or hate her, Omarosa went from reality TV villain to White House villain, so... ¯_(ツ)_/¯. 

9 of 10 KevinPowell.net

Powell was a member of the first season of MTV's The Real World. Now, he's a political activist, author, and media personality using his platform to speak out about social and political justice. 

10 of 10

Hall rose to fame through Bravo's Top Chef and is now a host on The Chew, a one-hour talk show all about food. She's also written a cookbook, Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You.