24 Major Stars Who Vied for Fame on the Original “Star Search”
- - 24 Major Stars Who Vied for Fame on the Original “Star Search”
Angela AndaloroJanuary 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
0
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; KMazur/WireImage
Britney Spears (left), Dave Chappelle (middle), Christina Aguilera -
The original run of Star Search began in 1983 and continued in syndication through 1995
The competition show saw everyday people showcase their abilities in vocals, dance, modeling and comedy
Netflix is bringing the series back, debuting live on Jan. 13, 2026, with new episodes airing live Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
Before they were some of the biggest names in entertainment, they were reality TV contestants.
Of course, it wasn't called reality TV when Star Search first aired in 1983. It was just another game show at the time, hosted by Ed McMahon, who introduced talented people from around the world who showed up to show off their skills in comedy, dance, music and modeling.
While these contestants may not have gotten the recognition they hoped for in the competition, they didn't give up. All of these talented individuals failed to take home the show's grand prize, but still managed to become some of the most recognized talents in their respective industries and true fan favorites.
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
01 of 24
Aaliyah (Junior Vocalist, 1989)
KMazur/WireImage
Aaliyah in 1995
Aaliyah Haughton was just 10 years old when she competed on Star Search, singing "My Funny Valentine" for her performance in the junior vocalist category in 1989. It was shortly after this point that the star started going by a mononym, as she was known when she achieved R&B superstardom in the years that followed.
02 of 24
Adam Sandler (Comedy, 1987)
William LaForce Jr./NY Daily News Archive via Getty
Adam Sandler in 1987
Adam Sandler was working hard on his comedy career before his big break on Saturday Night Live. Sandler competed on Star Search in 1987 and made an impression on audiences.
03 of 24
Alanis Morissette, 1988 (Female Vocalist)
Ron Galella/WireImage Alanis Morissette in 1996
Alanis Morissette competed on Star Search just over 5 years before Jagged Little Pill was released, then going by Alanis Nadine and singing energetic pop music.
04 of 24
Backstreet Boys (Vocal Group, 1993)
Tim Roney/Getty Images
The Backstreet Boys, circa 1995
The Backstreet Boys auditioned on Star Search the very same year they became a band. Some of the band's signature sound and movements can be seen in their early inception as the group learned how to work together.
05 of 24
Britney Spears (Junior Vocalist, 1992)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Britney Spears in 1998
Britney Spears was a little girl with a big stage presence as she delivered a heartfelt performance of "Love Can Build a Bridge" during her time competing on Star Search. The moment cemented her as a talent the world wouldn't forget, and just a few years later, she'd get her big break and begin her journey as one of the world's biggest pop stars.
06 of 24
Christina Aguilera (Junior Vocalist, 1990)
KMazur/WireImage
Christina Aguilera in 1999
Christina Aguilera auditioned for Star Search at 9 years old in 1990. She performed Etta James' "Sunday Kind of Love" and while she came in second, her story was far from over. By the end of the decade, the world would know her name.
07 of 24
Dave Chappelle (Comedy, 1993)
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Dave Chappelle in 1994
Dave Chappelle's comedy was a mainstay of the mid 2000s, but in the early 90s, he was working toward his big break, making several appearances on Star Search.
08 of 24
Destiny's Child (Vocal Group, 1992)
Fred Duval/FilmMagic
LaTavia Roberson, LeToya Luckett, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé Knowles
Before they became a mega group, Destiny’s Child appeared on Star Search as Girls Tyme. Then a group of four, the were introduced as Houston natives following their dream, just a few short years before they started their meteoric rise, with Beyoncé later branching off to become a solo superstar.
“We just cried so hard, because we were so excited about the opportunity and everything. But also beyond that, we still felt there was something inside that was just like, ‘No, we’re still going to make it,” Kelly Rowland recalled to Business Insider of the group's loss.
09 of 24
Drew Carey (Comedy, 1988)
Gary Null/NBC via Getty
Drew Carey in 1991
Drew Carey first appeared before a national audience in 1988, when he competed with his stand-up act on Star Search. Though he didn't win, he kept going and ended up doing stand-up on HBO in 1991, which led to many more opportunities.
10 of 24
Eva LaRue (Spokesmodel, 1985)
Robert Milazzo/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Eva LaRue in 1993
Before breaking into acting, Eva LaRue did pageants and commercial modeling. She competed on Star Search in their spokesmodel category. Her big break came a few years later, in 1993, when she was cast as Maria Santos on All My Children.
11 of 24
Garcelle Beauvais (Spokesmodel, 1986)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Garcelle Beauvais in 1994
Garcelle Beauvais first appeared in front of a national audience on Star Search in 1985. The same year, she would guest star on an episode of The Cosby Show and kick off her acting career.
12 of 24
Justin Timberlake (Junior Vocalist, 1993)
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Justin Timberlake in 1993
Justin Timberlake auditioned as Justin Randall in 1993, leaning into a southern country vibe. It wouldn't be long after this that he was cast on The New Mickey Mouse Club, which marked an official beginning to the performer's public life.
13 of 24
Kevin James (Comedy, 1995)
Margaret C. Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Kevin James in 1996
Kevin James appeared on Star Search in the mid 1990s, just a few years before The King of Queens took off.
14 of 24
LeAnn Rimes (Junior Vocalist, 1991)
Art Zelin/Getty
LeAnn Rimes in early 1990s
LeAnn Rimes was just 8 years old when she competed on Star Search. Though she won her first round, she didn't make it to the show's finale. There was so much in store for the young singer, however. She became the youngest person to ever win a Grammy just six years later.
15 of 24
Marc Summers (Comedy, 1983)
Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Marc Summers in 1994
Marc Summers may be known and beloved for his hosting duties on Nickelodeon's Double Dare, but before those days, he competed on Star Search. Summers was also working as a radio DJ at the time, looking for his big break in entertainment, which came in 1986.
16 of 24
Martin Lawrence (Comedy, 1987)
Raymond Boyd/Getty
Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence made it through the first round, but lost after his second appearance in 1987. The television moment led to Lawrence's casting in the syndicated sitcom, What's Happening Now!!, the start of his acting career.
17 of 24
Norm Macdonald (Comedy, 1990)
Margaret Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
Norm MacDonald
Norm Macdonald appeared on Star Search's international edition, where he competed in comedy. It was three years before his breakthrough, being cast on Saturday Night Live.
18 of 24
Pitbull (Male Vocalist, 1994)
Julia Beverly/Getty
Pitbull in 2004
Pitbull was chasing stardom from a young age, appearing on Star Search at 13, performing as Armando Perez. While he didn't win, he also didn't give up. A few years later, he adopted the Pitbull persona and began working with Irv Gotti and Uncle Luke.
19 of 24
Ray Romano (Comedy, 1989)
Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Ray Romano
Ray Romano's 1989 comedy loss stung, but it was part of what was an otherwise memorable time for the young comedian, as he revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2023.
"My wife was pregnant with our first child and due probably four weeks later," he recalled. "I was supposed to stay in LA for another two days with my manager, but I was so deflated [by the loss] that I just went home. My wife's water broke that day, and she had the baby 24 hours later."
20 of 24
Rosie O'Donnell (Comedy, 1984)
Lester Cohen/Getty
Rosie O'Donnell in 1990
Rosie O'Donnell knew she was destined for stardom. While Star Search was only a stop on her journey, two years later, she would get her acting career star. Acting and comedy went hand-in-hand for the star, from the big screen to the small screen to her time as a daytime host, all of which started just years after her Star Search loss.
21 of 24
Sinbad (Comedy, 1983)
CBS via Getty
Sinbad in 1987
Sinbad worked the comedy circuit in the years before he was cast on A Different World, including his 1983 appearance on Star Search. Once he made the switch to TV, the game changed for the comic and began a succesful decade and a lifetime of reverence.
22 of 24
Sutton Foster (Teen Vocalist, 1990)
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Sutton Foster in 2002
Sutton Foster was 15 when she took a chance at showcasing her vocal skills. In April 2025, she recalled the experience, sharing, "That was a long time ago. I remember losing. I lost. I didn't win and I was so upset and I was crying backstage and oh gosh... if I could go back to her and tell her anything I'd be like, 'Your life is going to surprise you in so many fabulous ways.'"
"And I think, even losing Star Search, if you know, I truly believe that everything that happens in your life directly leads to whatever. If I had won Star Search, who knows what my life... Maybe i wouldn't even be talking to you. My life might be completely different. Who knows what it could be> So it was a gift to lose Star Search because it led me to exactly where I am today and all of the amazing experiences I've had and all the opportunities. Every single yes or no has led to many magical things."
23 of 24
Tiffany (1985, Teen Vocalist)
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Tiffany in 1987
Tiffany came in second place in a fierce vocal battle during her appearance on Star Search in 1985. Competing as Tiffany Renee, she sang Jennifer Holliday's "I Am Love." Two years later, she'd be taking malls across the country by storm.
24 of 24
Usher (Teen Vocalist, 1991)
Al Pereira/Getty
Usher in 1994
It's hard to believe Usher didn't take home the win, but it all worked out for the young vocalist. His performance of Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" mesmerized audiences with the longest sustained note ever held by a child on the show, at 12 seconds. The buzzed-about moment caught the attention of L.A. Reid, who would go on to sign the young singer.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
