In the world of entertainment, many stars have humble beginnings that lead to their rise to fame. One of the most iconic platforms for discovering talent was the television show "Star Search," which aired from 1983 to 1995. It served as a launching pad for many aspiring artists, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a national audience. The show featured various categories including singing, dancing, and comedy, allowing a diverse range of performers to compete for stardom.
The format of "Star Search" was simple yet effective: contestants performed in front of a panel of judges and audience members, who rated their performances on a scale of one to five stars. The contestants who achieved the highest ratings advanced to the next rounds, and many of them went on to achieve great success in their respective fields. Some of the notable names that emerged from the show include Britney Spears, Usher, and Justin Timberlake, showcasing how "Star Search" played a significant role in shaping the careers of these artists.
As we explore the journeys of various celebrities who got their start on "Star Search," we will uncover not only their experiences but also the lessons they learned along the way. Each story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and talent, reminding us that even the biggest stars had to start somewhere. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of "Star Search" and discover the stars who once graced its stage!
Table of Contents
- Beyoncé's Girl Group Lost
- Sharon Stone Was in the Pilot
- Dave Chappelle's Comedic Break
- Alanis Morissette Ended Up a Star
- Brad Garrett Made Star Search History
- Usher Got a Record Deal
- LeAnn Rimes Got a Trip to Disney
- Martin Lawrence's Big Break
- Rosie O'Donnell Was a Star Search Vet
- Tatyana Ali Won Twice
- Kevin James' Post-Star Search Success
- Aaliyah Had an Inner Fire
- Billy Porter is Now Smiling
- Norm Macdonald Bombed
Beyoncé's Girl Group Lost
The singing group Girls Tyme appeared on "Star Search" in 1993, but despite their name, it just wasn't their time. However, some of the members would find huge success after walking off stage, and one in particular became one of the biggest celebrities in the world. She also released a little album called "Lemonade" that you might've heard of. That's right, Beyoncé — along with Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and others — appeared on "Star Search" and lost to a rock band called Skeleton Crew. "Once we realized that Girls Tyme was Beyoncé's group we kept our eyes on them," said Dan Hess, Skeleton Crew's keyboardist, while speaking to People in 2013.
And those same eyes would watch some of Girls Tyme's members become part of the R&B group Destiny's Child, who went on to do huge things in entertainment. Beyoncé talked about the "Star Search" loss in a video and explained how it truly shaped her as an artist. "When I was in the studio, I was threading the songs together, and I thought of this performance, which was a really defining moment in my life as a child," she explained. "I was only 9 years old. At that time you don’t realize that you could actually work super hard and give everything you have and lose. It was the best message for me."
Sharon Stone Was in the Pilot
Although Sharon Stone is mostly associated with being a film star, she has a good deal of TV work under her belt, according to her IMDb page. In the '80s, for example, she appeared on shows like "Silver Spoons," "Remington Steele," and "Magnum, P.I." She was also on "Star Search" in the pilot episode's spokesmodel competition, appearing as a brunette, per the Tampa Bay Times. But her episode never aired.
Stone began her career as a model and was signed by Ford Modeling Agency in 1977 before moving to Europe, where she'd eventually quit. But the Pennsylvania native wouldn’t stay away from modeling forever because she was still doing it in 2021. "My friend and brilliant stylist @paris_libby sent me this today," wrote Stone next to an Instagram photo of herself posing underneath a picture of Marilyn Monroe. "I am not only astounded but grateful that I am still modeling at 62 ... Thx to everyone who hired me this year."
Dave Chappelle's Comedic Break
Do you know anyone who jumps from career to career or from new passion to new passion, then gets confused about why they haven’t found success? Sure, people have been successful after changing careers or their game plan, but it seems more often than not that those who excel in their craft have stuck with it for some time.
One could say that Dave Chappelle is someone who has a single-minded focus when it comes to his career because he’s often talked about always wanting to be a comedian since he was a kid. He also honed some of his famous comedy act at a very young age, which was seen on "Star Search" when he appeared as a 19-year-old. In his less than two-minute routine, Chappelle told a joke about Batman and Robin never fighting crime in neighborhoods "that need it." Then he relayed another joke about how dangerous it used to be for him as a Washington D.C. pizza delivery person.
Alanis Morissette Ended Up a Star
If you weren’t aware that Alanis Morissette was on "Star Search," well, "you oughta know" because she showed plenty of stage presence when she appeared as a 14-year-old. At least that’s what some people might say. Yet, the judges didn’t totally see it that way, because she lost. But of course, Morissette, who appeared on the show as "Alanis Nadine," would be the big winner in the end — thanks to an album called "Jagged Little Pill" (later turned into a musical) that you might’ve played once or twice.
That album went on to sell more than 30 million copies around the globe, making the singer at the time Canada’s first artist to have an album go No. 1 in the United States. Of course, songs on the album are far different from the happy, poppy dance tunes that Morissette had on her previous LPs, and a stark contrast to the cut she performed on "Star Search." The singer was shown her performance while visiting "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and got a chuckle out of it. At least she can laugh at herself, right?
Brad Garrett Made Star Search History
For some, dropping out of college probably results in a threat from their parents to cut them off financially, but for Brad Garrett, who dropped out of college to pursue a comedy career, that kind of threat wouldn’t have hurt him any. Why? Because he won $100,000 on "Star Search" after leaving school in 1984 as a 23-year-old. The victory made Garrett the very first grand prize winner in the comedy competition and springboarded him to an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."
Garrett talked about his "Star Search" experience in 2007, which was later posted to YouTube by Foundation Interviews. The actor said his appearance on the series changed everything for him, and it’s something that’ll always stick with him. "That was an exciting time for me," he recalled. "It was like 'American Idol' but without the talent and excitement. You would get a minute and a half to perform on 'Star Search' ... So I remember cramming and rushing ... But I did impressions. It jump-started my stand-up and I started opening for different people."
Usher Got a Record Deal
For the many contestants who were on the original "Star Search" in the 12 years that it was on, only a small number had their performance lead to a big-time career. Usher, on the other hand, who appeared on the show as a 13-year
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