5 Reality TV Stars That Went From Everyday People To TV Celebrity
Susan Haber, TV Talent Manager, TV Show Packager and Brand Builder | Hollywood TV Association Instructor
While watching your favorite reality TV shows, have you ever wondered what it would be like to go from your everyday life to becoming a TV celebrity? In this blog, we're breaking down 5 reality TV stars that went from obscurity to Hollywood celebrity status nearly overnight. Here are their stories - if they can do it, you can do it too!
Bethenny Frankel
Bethany went from being a production assistant on the set of “Saved by the Bell” and hustling in Hollywood to get acting jobs, to being a contestant on Donald Trump’s, “The Apprentice”, one of the Real Housewives of New York, to getting her own talk show. Then she took advantage of her fame and addressed a struggle of her own, staying skinny.
Bethany was a party girl and liked to drink, but realized that cocktails were full of calories. She was able to identify her demo and speak to a need of theirs – staying skinny and also being able to be a party girl, cocktails and all.
She then authored several books on how to get and stay skinny and then she created the “Skinny Girl Cocktail Company” – brilliant!!! She later sold the company to a beverage company for a reported $100 million and she is well on her way to creating many other products in her “Skinny” line. She is a huge star in many areas and did it all herself with tenacity and perseverance.
Chelsea Handler
Chelsea was a stand-up comedian, playing in comedy clubs all over the country. After knocking on many doors, she got a few big breaks. She got on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, drove the country to laughter with her sharp humor, landed her first TV show – “Girls Behaving Badly” on Oxygen Network and wrote her first book, “My Horizontal Life” which was a compilation of her one night stands and she never looked back!!!
Andy Cohen
Andy started his career as an intern at CBS News alongside Julie Chen, who was also working as an intern. He spent 10 years at CBS News where he served as senior producer of “The Early Show”, a producer for “48 Hours” and “CBS This Morning” and then joined Bravo in 2004. Andy became the head of development at Bravo Network and kept that position for 10 years.
Then he had a brilliant idea that had never been done before! Before that, execs were execs and talent was talent and they did not mix. But Andy was unconventional and creative and gutsy and he gave himself a show. And not only did he give himself a show, he put his name in the title – VERY gutsy! “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” is the highest rated show to ever be on the Bravo Network. It is also the only live show in Late Night television.
Overnight, Andy Cohen became a huge star!
Julie Chen
Julie began as an intern at CBS News alongside Andy Cohen. She became the anchor of CBS Morning News and then in 2000 she became the host of “Big Brother” and ultimately, a co-host on “The Talk”. Of course, it certainly didn’t hurt that she married the president and chief executive officer of CBS Television, Les Moonves.
Ty Pennington
Ty spent 4 years on TLC’s “Trading Spaces”. In 2003 he was cast as the leader of the eight-person design team on the hit show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and was catapulted to stardom. This led to an endorsement deal with the sponsor of the show, Sears, and Ty was well on his way!
What's the takeaway? Follow your dream. Go for it! If you never try, you will never know. Your dream may be right around the corner!!!
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