Some of these people had their 15 minutes of fame, and others are basking in their 15th hour of being in the spotlight. Either way, these six reality-show stars have come a long way.
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Check out what they’re up to now and click COMMENTS below to tell us who YOUR favorite overnight superstar is!**
Matt Hoover, former Olympic-caliber wrestler, shed 157 pounds on The Biggest Loser. He not only won the show but also won the heart of fellow contestant Suzy Preston, who lost a whopping 95 pounds.
Matt and Suzy got married in September and are expecting a bundle of joy this summer. “Matt’s doing fitness coaching and motivational speaking,” Suzy tells Life & Style, and Suzy is working as a hairstylist in Seattle.
Season five American Idol finalist Bucky Covington (he came in eighth), from Rockingham, N.C., is creating a country-music career for himself.
“Bucky has a new single out called “A Different World,” his rep tells Life & Style. “His album is scheduled for release on April 17, and he’s been out in LA shooting photos for his album cover and also shooting the video,” which is set to be released mid-February, Bucky’s rep says.
With a guest appearance on The O.C. under her belt, Lisa Tucker, another American Idol season five finalist, deferred college to familiarize herself with the music business.
“I just completed filming my second episode of Zoey 101, which airs on
Nickelodeon,” Lisa Tucker tells Life & Style. “I recorded a duet of "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick on her album, My Friends & Me, which was released on November 7. And I’m also writing songs for an upcoming album.”
Dealing with hardships throughout her life did not stop Kellie Pickler from pursuing her musical ambitions. She finished sixth in the most recent season of Fox’s hit reality show American Idol, and on Jan 19, Kellie sang one of her hit songs, “I Wonder,” on The View. She’ll be joining Brad Paisley’s national tour at the end of April.
Season five third-place finalist Elliott Yamin didn’t get a record contract immediately after the competition, but that didn’t affect his determination to succeed.
“Elliott is working on his album, Self-Titled,” his rep tells Life & Style. “He’s at Pulse Recording in LA right now recording several new tracks for his record, which has an R&B sound with a pop lean. It’s scheduled to be released on March 20.” As far as collaborations are concerned, “he’s working with DJ Lethal from House of Pain and Limp Bizkit and various producers, such as Marshall Altman,” his rep says.
Click COMMENTS to tell us which one is YOUR favorite
