Fans love learning more about their favorite celebrities' lives before fame. People can't get enough of their embarrassing stories, random television appearances, or anecdotes from the days when they were just regular people.
Two decades ago, reality television was taking off as a hot new genre, and many individuals wanted their chance at fame and fortune. Some reality shows lasted far longer than others, but that didn't stop these 10 stars from getting an early taste of the spotlight.
In Search Of The Partridge Family: Emma Stone
Although Emma Stone is now known as a famous actress, she was on a reality singing contest called In Search of the Partridge Family before everyone knew who she was. The 2004 VH1 series sought to fill the cast of a reboot for the musical 1970s sitcom.
Stone actually won the competition with her renditions of "Bitch" and "We Belong," but The New Partridge Family was not picked up as a series, so she didn't get to be Laurie Partridge, after all.
Star Search Reboot: David Archuleta
Before David Archuleta ever made it to American Idol, the performer was on a short-lived reboot of Star Search. While the show was great for the 1980s and 90s, it didn't have the same resonance with the audience of the 2000s.
Thankfully, it was a good start for David Archuleta, who went on to a successful music career and even collaborated with Hannah Montana.
Boiling Points: Lady Gaga
Boiling Points was a reality prank series on MTV that only lasted for one season, from 2004 to 2005. Young adults were put in weird situations and were filmed, unbeknownst to them.
Lady Gaga was on the show before she was ever Lady Gaga. As Stefani Germanotta, Gaga missed out on $100 because she wouldn't eat some salad laden with trash.
I Want To Work For Diddy: Laverne Cox
Before her Orange is the New Black fame, Laverne Cox competed on VH1's I Want to Work for Diddy.
In the short-lived reality series, Cox and other contestants competed to become the assistant to fashion designer and rapper Sean Combs, the one and only Diddy. Laverne Cox did not win her 2008 season, but the actress found plenty of success after the competition ended.
American Juniors: Lucy Hale
when American Idol made a spin-off just for younger contestants? It didn't last long, but American Juniors introduced the world to Lucy Hale. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Hale was just 13 years old when she competed.
The 2003 contest got Lucy Hale a record deal, but it wasn't too long before she pivoted to a serious career in acting, beginning with Pretty Little Liars.
Popstars: Taryn Manning
Lots of networks tried to capitalize on the American Idol craze, including the WB. Taryn Manning was on their 2001 singing contest, Popstars, but did not win.
The Orange is the New Black star could have been in a group with Nicole Scherzinger (before The Pussycat Dolls exploded) but did not advance as far in the competition.
Popstars 2: Josh Henderson
The pop fun continued with Popstars 2, on which actor Josh Henderson was a contestant. Even though the series wasn't a long-lasting event, its episode revealing the musical winners garnered high ratings, tying with ER and only taking second to Friends.
The 2001 show made Josh Henderson a winner and gave him the chance to form the pop group Scene 23. He quickly accelerated in the acting world after that, though.
The Big Date: Jon Hamm
Prior to his Mad Men days, Jon Hamm tried to find love on reality TV. His 1996 episode of The Big Date was not a huge success for Hamm since two different women weren't interested.
The actor appeared on Ally McBeal a year later as "Gorgeous Guy at Bar," and by 2000, he was a regular guest star working up to the bigger roles fans know him for today.
Show Me The Money: Julianne Hough
Hardcore Harry Potter fans know that Julianne Hough was an extra in The Sorcerer's Stone, but her career in dance and entertainment really got going later on.
She was a dancer on a 2006 ABC series called Show Me the Money before she danced her way to fame on Dancing with the Stars. Before she knew it, Hough was a serious actress with lead roles in movies like Footloose and Safe Haven.
The Joe Schmo Show: Kristen Wiig
It's funny when reality television can make fun of itself. One such example is Spike TV's The Joe Schmo Show, a reality spoof that lasted for two seasons in the 2000s and briefly made a comeback in 2013.
Kristen Wiig was on the series in 2003 as Dr. Pat the Quack, and about five years later, she made it to Saturday Night Live. Her fans now know her for many other great films, like the hilarious comedy Bridesmaids.