15 Reality Stars Who Became Actors — Including Ariana Madix
Ariana Madix, the wronged party in Vanderpump Rules’ #Scandoval cheating scandal, really made lemonade from her lemon of an ex-boyfriend. She’s now the host of Love Island USA, and she’s getting into acting, with stage and screen roles detailed below.
And Madix is far from the first celeb to go from unscripted to scripted — or, at least, ostensibly-unscripted to scripted. In the photo gallery below, scope out more than a dozen stars who made the same segue.
Jamie Chung
Chung may be the most famous former Real World star: The Real World: San Diego alum got roles in the films Dragonball Evolution and Sucker Punch, the TV show Once Upon a Time, and the Big Hero 6 franchise.
Stephen Colletti
Colletti got his start as a cast member of the reality show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, then started starring as Chase Adams on One Tree Hill. Soon, he’ll return to his reality roots as a cast member of The Traitors’ fourth season.
Yaya DaCosta
Though television buffs know her as a star of Chicago Med, Our Kind of People, and The Lincoln Lawyer, DaCosta became a star as the runner-up in the third cycle of America’s Next Top Model.
David Giuntoli
Long before starring in A Million Little Things and even before taking the lead part in Grimm, Giuntoli starred in Road Rules: South Pacific, 2003’s 12th season of Road Rules.
Colleen Haskell
After competing in the Borneo-set debut season of Survivor in 2000, Haskell played Rob Schneider’s onscreen love interest in the 2001 comedy The Animal. She also guest-starred in That ’70s Show that same year.
Julianne Hough
This Dancing With the Stars pro dancer-turned-host has starred in the films Burlesque, Footloose, and Rock of Ages; the TV special Grease Live!; and the Broadway play POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.
Jennifer Hudson
Hudson went from American Idol Season 3 finalist to EGOT recipient. Her film roles include her Oscar-winning turn in Dreamgirls and parts in Sex and the City, Cats, and Respect, and she starred in The Color Purple on Broadway.
Kim Kardashian
Much to Patti LuPone’s dismay, this Keeping Up With the Kardashians breakout starred in American Horror Story Season 12. Now, Kardashian is teaming up with producer Ryan Murphy again in the upcoming legal drama All’s Fair.
NeNe Leakes
After rising to fame on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Leakes starred in the comedy series The New Normal and recurred on Glee. And just this year, the reality star had a cameo on Clean Slate.
Ariana Madix
With Vanderpump Rules and #Scandoval behind her, Madix headed to Broadway, playing Roxie Hart in Chicago for more than two months. Now we’re learning she’ll guest-star in Season 2 of St. Denis Medical.
Eva Marcille
Between winning America’s Next Top Model’s third cycle (edging out the aforementioned DaCosta) and joining RHOA for Season 10, Marcille showed off her acting chops in House of Payne and The Young and the Restless.
Katharine McPhee
Nicole Richie
Richie, an alum of The Simple Life, had a supporting role in the comedy series Great News and the lead role in the comedy NIkki Fre$h. And just last year, she appeared in the films Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead and Summer Camp.
Jordin Sparks
Sparks was barely old enough to drive when she won Idol Season 5. Like other Idols before her, she turned to acting, playing Jenna in Broadway’s Waitress like McPhee did. She also starred in the films Sparkle and God Bless the Broken Road.
Maddie Ziegler
Not only did Sia cast this Dance Moms star in her music videos, the singer also enlisted her for the (controversial) film Music. Ziegler’s other film credits include The Book of Henry, The Fallout, West Side Story, and My Old Ass.
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services