These reality show contestants may not have been the ultimate winners of their respective shows, but they are worth remembering:
15. Quick Change
Rejected from the reality show America’s Got Talent, the duo known as Quick Change puts on a magical performance based on changing costumes right before your eyes. Quick Change consists of performers David Michael Mass and Dania Kaseeva.
14. Hoopalicious
Another America’s Got Talent reject, Hoopalicious (also known as Anah Reichenbach) shows off her unique skills at hoop dancing.
13. Peter Manfredo Jr. (youtube video part 2)
I might not be a boxing expert, but I am more of a boxing fan after watching Peter Manfredo Jr. battle it out on the boxing reality show The Contender. Peter Manfredo Jr. was rejected, in a manner of speaking, from the show after losing the first fight of the competition against Gomez. But luckily, he was asked to return to The Contender after another contestant had to leave. Later in the series, he won the rematch against Gomez as well as a spot to the final round. Ultimately, Manfredo Jr. lost the final championship round, but in the course of the reality show he developed many fans.
12. Storm Large
Rejected from the reality show Rockstar Supernova, Storm Large still managed to prove girls can rock with the boys.
11. Tara Slone
Before competing on the reality show Rockstar INXS, Tara Slone had already achieved more success than most wannabe rockers as the lead singer of Joydrop. But that success didn’t seem to help her much during her quest to become the next lead singer of the band INXS. Tara found herself in the bottom three most of the show until INXS finally put her out of her misery and gave her the boot on week four. She may not have been right for INXS, but her talent is no little secret… or then again, maybe it is?!
10. Kathleen Madigan
Rejected from the reality show The Last Comic Standing, Kathleen Madigan still makes plenty of people laugh.
09. Miranda Lambert
Barely missing the top two spot on the reality show Nashville Star, turns out Miranda Lambert didn’t need the title. She has since gone on to sell more records than any other Nashville Star winner so far.
08. Tamyra Grey
Many thought Tamyra Grey would win the first season of American Idol, but she was unexpectedly rejected from the show leaving Nikki, Kelly, and Justin to battle it out. While Kelly still gets my vote for winner, there is no doubt Tamyra Grey is still one of the most talented singers to be discovered via American Idol.
07. Frenchie Davis (singing with Kimberley Locke in youtube video)
Poor Frenchie Davis didn’t even get a chance to show off her amazing voice on American Idol season 2. She made it the Hollywood round, but was kicked off American Idol due to some revealing photos she had taken in the past. Frenchie has since been performing on Broadway. Frenchie fans, however, are still trying to allow her to compete again on Idol; especially after the recent photo scandal involving American Idol season 6 contestant Antonella Barba did not result in her being disqualified from the show.
06. LaKisha Jones
When LaKisha Jones is good, she is good; and definitely better than any of the other American Idol Season Six contestants. Her version of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is even better than former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson’s version which helped her grab an Oscar. She may have been voted off American Idol, but so was Jennifer Hudson…
05. Toby Rand
Rejected from the reality show Rockstar Supernova, Toby Rand is simply hard to resist. Toby Rand currently fronts the band Juke Kartel.
04. Jody Evans
Rejected from the reality show Nashville Star, Jody Evans’ throwback to Buddy Holly and the like was, and still is, a refreshing change from the vanilla country music of today.
03. Jacinda Barrett
OK… so technically, Jacinda Barrett was never rejected from a reality show. But I am sure there were definitely a few times during her stay on the reality show The Real World – London, Jacinda’s roommates might’ve liked to send her and her new puppy Legend back to Australia; despite how adorable both were. Since then, Jacinda Barrett has managed to turn her reality star status into a respectable acting gig. In fact, her performance opposite Zach Braff in last year’s film The Last Kiss was arguably one of the best supporting performances of 2006.
02. Camile Velasco
You might not be able to tell by her clips for American Idol, but I always felt Camile Velasco had the most potential of any Idol contestant off Season 3; and dare I say any Idol wannabe since Kelly Clarkson. Unfortunately, Camile Velasco was not able to overcome her nerves and low confidence during her short stint on American Idol to prove me right. But the word is she is working on getting out her debut album soon, so keep your ear out for her.
01. Jordis Unga
Like most rock stars, Jordis Unga may not be vocally perfect, but she has an awesome ability to connect with audiences. Imagine” was sung during her last performance on the reality show Rock Star INXS before Jordis got booted off by the voting public and members of INXS. Jordis not only made my list of best reality show rejects, but also my list of the best cover songs of the past 25 years (on youtube) for her version of “Man Who Sold the World.
