1
- 10 months ago
Before they took over the entertainment world, many huge stars got their start on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search.” From powerhouse vocalists to trailblazing comedians, this list shines a light on the surprising early appearances of iconic celebrities. Discover how familiar faces like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Dave Chappelle first wowed audiences and learn about the lesser-known beginnings of today’s biggest names.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00So, who really discovered you? Was it Jermaine Dupree, L.A. Reid, or Star Search?
00:08Welcome to Ms. Mojo. And today, we're counting down our picks for the most notable celebrities
00:13who got their start or appeared on Ed McMahon's talent competition show before becoming household names.
00:19The dating game, you ever see that? Man, that's a cheap show there, the prize on that show, another contestant.
00:26Number 20. Sutton Foster
00:30Before dominating the Broadway stage, Sutton Foster competed on Star Search in 1990 at just 15 years old.
00:38The future Tony Award winner performed in the teen vocalist category, showcasing the powerful pipes that would later make her famous.
00:50Though she didn't win her episode, Foster's talent was undeniable.
00:54Within a decade, she'd land her breakthrough role as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning her first Tony Award in 2002.
01:02I was the understudy for the lead and out of town. The lead got sick and I came in and I took over the part.
01:09That's a movie. That's a movie about Broadway.
01:11They offered me the, yeah, and then they offered me the part and then I won a Tony.
01:15Her career has since blossomed with starring roles in Anything Goes, Violet, and The Music Man.
01:20Television audiences know her from bunheads and younger, but it's fascinating to see those early Star Search performances where her remarkable talent was already shining brightly.
01:30Like, I woke up one day, realized my marriage was a big lie, and I'd become Ruth Van Rinkle.
01:35Liza, you did the right thing for the time.
01:38No, you did the right thing. You followed your artistic dreams, you stuck with the lesbian thing, and you moved to Brooklyn before it became hot.
01:44Number 19. Tiffany Renee Darwish.
01:47The teen pop sensation known simply as Tiffany rocked the Star Search stage in 1985, competing in the teen vocalist category at just 14 years old.
02:05With her signature red hair and powerful voice, Tiffany impressed the judges, but ultimately finished in second place.
02:12This setback didn't slow her momentum.
02:15Just two years later, she released her self-titled debut album featuring the chart-topping cover, I Think We're Alone Now.
02:27Her innovative mall tour strategy turned her into a teen pop phenomenon.
02:32Though her mainstream success was relatively brief.
02:35Tiffany continued recording music and has released over 10 albums throughout her career.
02:39She's also ventured into reality TV, with appearances on shows like I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
02:52Number 18. Sawyer Brown.
02:55Country music fans might be surprised to learn this Florida band got their big break on Star Search in 1983, competing in the vocal group category.
03:03The five-man group not only participated, they won the grand prize of $100,000.
03:16Their high-energy performances and lead singer Mark Miller's charismatic stage presence helped them stand out from the competition.
03:23This victory launched them directly into country music stardom with their debut single, Leona, and follow-up hit, Step That Step.
03:36The band has since released 18 studio albums and charted over 50 singles on the Billboard country charts.
03:44They represent one of Star Search's greatest success stories, as they managed to parlay their win into legitimate long-term stardom.
03:57Number 17. Rosie O'Donnell.
04:01Years before she became the Queen of Nice, Rosie O'Donnell was hustling as a stand-up comedian on the Star Search stage.
04:07In 1984, she competed in the comedy category, where her quick wit and relatable humor carried her through five consecutive wins.
04:16My haircut the other day, too. Really annoyed my hairdresser. Cut my hair myself first, then went to have her fix it.
04:21Have you done this? It's like...
04:24While she didn't take home the championship, this exposure helped launch her career.
04:28O'Donnell soon landed roles in films like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle,
04:34before hosting her wildly successful daytime talk show from 1996 to 2002.
04:39Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.
04:45We've already missed the spring.
04:51Men never get this movie.
04:52The Emmy-winning The Rosie O'Donnell Show became known for its celebrity interviews, audience giveaways, and O'Donnell's authentic personality.
05:01I accosted you and begged you to come on the show.
05:03Yes.
05:04And you did, thank you.
05:05Yes, yes.
05:06Because you never know if people will be frightened or somehow appreciative of my enthusiasm.
05:11She later became a controversial co-host on The View, and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA plus rights.
05:18Number 16. Martin Lawrence.
05:20The legendary comedian and actor took his talents to Star Search in 1987, competing in the comedy category, where he demonstrated his raw talent and distinctive delivery.
05:31You could just tell your lady,
05:32Baby, I'm going out.
05:33She said, Oh, you're going out?
05:35Okay, well, let me tell you something.
05:36You going out without me?
05:37Okay, good.
05:38And you have a real good time.
05:40Alright?
05:41And you...
05:42No, no, no. You go, Mr. Go Out Man.
05:46Though Lawrence didn't win, his performances caught industry attention.
05:49That same year, he was offered a role on the sitcom What's Happening Now, which became his breakthrough.
05:56Lawrence truly cemented his stardom with his self-titled Fox sitcom Martin.
06:00Shanae-Nae, what are you talking about?
06:03I heard Martin on the radio. He was real good, real good.
06:07So I know you get ready to go in there and dump him, but why don't you just sit him right over here at 41, alright?
06:11Because I know how to tame that bad, alright?
06:14This then led to a successful film career with leading roles in blockbusters like Bad Boys and Big Mama's House.
06:20Looking back at those star search clips, you can see the same energetic physical comedy and sharp observational humor that would go on to define his career.
06:28Now, Ben, you know you can't eat no greens.
06:31When greens give you gas, something wicked.
06:34Last time I had been over for greens, I had to re-wallpaper.
06:39Ooh, Ben, let me show you to your car.
06:43Number 15, Norm MacDonald.
06:45I love watching sports on the TV, you know?
06:47The only sports I don't like is when they try to combine two sports.
06:50You ever see those, you know?
06:51And the sports don't even go together, you know?
06:53Like the guy will run a 100-yard dash and then fish.
07:00The late comedy legend brought his deadpan delivery to Star Search in 1990, competing in the comedy category.
07:06While MacDonald lost his episode, his unique style of humor was already evident.
07:11His dry wit and unconventional timing would soon land him a spot on Saturday Night Live,
07:16where he became famous for anchoring Weekend Update.
07:19Kato Kaelin testified that O.J. Simpson did not appear angry before or after the period of his wife's murder.
07:26But Kaelin admitted he could have been a touch edgy while he was actually murdering her.
07:33His fearless joke delivery, particularly about O.J. Simpson,
07:37became legendary despite allegedly contributing to his controversial firing.
07:42MacDonald went on to star in The Norm Show, appear in numerous films,
07:46and release the acclaimed Netflix special Hitler's Dog, Gossip and Trickery.
07:50Though he sadly passed away in 2021 after a private battle with cancer,
07:55his influence on comedy remains immeasurable.
07:58But there was a dog in history who loved Hitler more than anyone.
08:03He would wake up in the morning and go,
08:05Where's Hitler?
08:06You know?
08:08And Goering or something would go like,
08:11He's not here, he's doing some evil stuff.
08:17This groundbreaking comedian graced the Star Search stage in 1993 at just 19 years old.
08:22Competing in the comedy category,
08:24Chappelle's sharp observations and laid-back delivery were already evident,
08:29though he lost to competitor Lester Barry.
08:31They would rob me every day.
08:34I had to get a gun, man.
08:37Ever seen a Domino's Pizza Boy with a gun?
08:40I used to bust in people's apartments just...
08:44Domino's freeze!
08:46This early career setback didn't deter him in any way.
08:49Chappelle soon appeared in films like Half-Baked and You've Got Mail,
08:53before creating his revolutionary Comedy Central sketch series, Chappelle Show.
08:58FYI, people still do steal radios, though.
09:02How do you think I got this suit?
09:07That rainbow's got me!
09:09The program's brilliant social commentary and fearless approach to race
09:13made it a cultural phenomenon,
09:15before Chappelle famously walked away from a $50 million contract.
09:20After a hiatus, he returned to stand-up with a series of acclaimed Netflix specials
09:24that cemented his status as one of comedy's most influential voices.
09:27But as it was happening,
09:32I was very disappointed.
09:36Because I wanted to meet Jim Carrey,
09:39and I had to pretend this a** was Andy Kaufman.
09:42All afternoon.
09:46Number 13. Backstreet Boys.
09:48Before becoming one of the best-selling boy bands of all time,
09:50this group appeared on Star Search in 1993.
09:54AJ McLean, Howie DeRoe, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Luttrell
09:59performed in the vocal group category,
10:01demonstrating their harmonies and synchronized dance moves.
10:04While they didn't make it to the end of the competition,
10:16they soon signed with Jive Records and conquered the global music scene.
10:20Their self-titled international debut album launched them to super stardom
10:24with hits like Quit Playing Games With My Heart.
10:25Quit Playing Games With My Heart.
10:34The group has since sold over 100 million records worldwide,
10:38making them the best-selling boy band of all time.
10:49Number 12. Pitbull.
10:51The appearance of Mr. Worldwide on Star Search is so obscured
10:53that you'd have a very hard time finding any clips online.
10:57Competing under his given name, Armando Perez,
11:00Pitbull appeared on the show in 1994 as a rapper
11:03and showcased his stellar rhyming skills.
11:13Unfortunately, he didn't advance far in the competition.
11:16This early television exposure, however,
11:18helped plant the seeds for his future career.
11:20After years in the Miami hip-hop scene,
11:23Pitbull released his debut album in 2004, featuring the hit Kulo.
11:32His career truly exploded with club anthems like I Know You Want Me.
11:36Known for his bilingual flows and international collaborations,
11:40Pitbull has sold over 25 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide.
11:44Enjoy me!
11:46You know I want ya!
11:47You know I want ya!
11:49I know you want me!
11:51You know I want ya!
11:53Number 11. Usher.
11:55R&B royalty Usher competed on Star Search in 1991,
11:59performing in the male vocalist category.
12:01Who really discovered you?
12:02Was it Jermaine Dupree, L.A. Reid, or Star Search?
12:07My mother discovered me, dude.
12:09Okay!
12:11His smooth vocals and natural stage presence were already evident in his performance of Boyz II Men's End of the Road,
12:18during which he held the longest sustained note by a child on the show, at 12 seconds.
12:22This television appearance helped catch the attention of L.A. Reid, leading to a record deal with LaFace Records.
12:28He starts singing the song, and like that, I was like, oh my god.
12:32Two things happened. One is, a star was born, and two, I really knew what my calling was that day.
12:39Usher's self-titled debut album arrived in 1994, but it was his 1997 follow-up, My Way, that established him as an R&B force.
12:46With eight Grammy Awards, and over 100 million records sold worldwide,
12:52Usher has evolved from that talented Star Search kid into one of music's most enduring and influential performers.
12:58Ain't gotta rush, I just wanna take it nice and slow.
13:05Number 10. Drew Carey.
13:07These days, he's probably known as one of the hosts of the game show, The Price is Right,
13:11and of the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
13:13Hey, the show where everything's made up and the points don't matter.
13:16That's right, the points are just like parking tickets to a judge, doesn't matter.
13:20But before that, Drew Carey starred in a sitcom about a fictionalized version of himself.
13:24I never thought it would lead to a career, but now I'm assistant director of personnel.
13:29I have a position of indirect respect and oblique power.
13:33What about before that?
13:35Well, he was tackling the club circuit, performing stand-up comedy in both his hometown of Cleveland and in L.A.
13:40And it was during this same time in the late 1980s that Carey also took a chance at stand-up comedy stardom on Star Search.
13:48His set, which included having a little fun with an enhanced tie, seemed to impress the judges as he even ended up beating the champion he was up against.
13:56So you're driving home through a 35-mile-an-hour zone?
13:59See a cop driving by 35 miles an hour?
14:02Just pop alongside him doing 34.
14:04Go, hey, bud, how you doing?
14:05Number 9, Tatiana Ali.
14:08Before fans knew her as Will Smith's cousin, Ashley Banks, Tatiana Ali was attempting to make a name for herself as a child actress.
14:15Her first professional gig was actually on Sesame Street when she was six.
14:20Want to do me a favor?
14:21What?
14:22Could you just say your name into this microphone?
14:25Tatiana Ali.
14:26But that's not the trivia you're watching this video for.
14:29That's right, soon after she began starring on the kids' educational series,
14:33little Tatiana managed to earn more than one appearance on Star Search.
14:37And that was thanks to her multiple wins.
14:39The seven-year-old competed as a junior vocalist in the late 80s.
14:51And not too long after that, she would soon get her big break with 1990s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
14:57Don't need no choir when you're a rapper.
15:00Gonna hunt Miss Berkeley down and zap her!
15:02Got this whole town of Bel-Air buzzing.
15:05Get a load of me and my rapping cousin!
15:07Number 8. Leigh-Anne Rimes.
15:10Before she became so blue, country superstar Leigh-Anne Rimes appeared on Star Search at the tender age of 8.
15:17Her impressive rendition of Marty Robbins' 1960s classic Don't Worry was enough to take her to the next competition round.
15:23Even though her time on the hit series was short-lived, Rimes went on to prove she had what it took to become an award-winning country music singer.
15:43At the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997, she became the youngest, best new artist and best female country vocal performance winner at just 14 years old.
15:59We haven't been able to fight the moonlight or Rimes' vocal chops ever since.
16:02Number 7. Justin Timberlake.
16:13Justin Timberlake was very much in sync with his Memphis, Tennessee roots while appearing on Star Search for the first time in the early 90s.
16:20Using his first and middle name, Randall, the future in-sinker donned a cowboy hat and shimmied his way into viewers' hearts, singing Alan Jackson's Love's Gotta Hold On You.
16:30Although he wasn't able to beat his competition, there was no need to cry a river for Timberlake.
16:52Alongside fellow future superstars Britney Spears, J.C. Chazet, Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling, the eventual Bye Bye Bye singer would advance to stardom on the Mickey Mouse Club.
17:11He would go on to become one of pop music's biggest stars in NSYNC and later as a solo artist and Hollywood actor.
17:18I'm bringing sexy back, yeah! Them other boys don't know how to act, yeah!
17:25Number 6. Billy Porter.
17:28Broadway star, actor and singer Billy Porter has risen to become one of the most inspirational and accomplished celebrities in show business to date.
17:36When I'm standing behind that podium, I'm the one that keeps the crowd hyped. I'm the one that makes sure there's a flow to the proceedings!
17:44The Poe star's drive to become the best was especially clear during his turn on Star Search in 1992.
17:51At the time, Porter's singing talent took him all the way to the finals round.
17:54When your dream come true.
17:55When your dream come true.
18:00Hitting all the right notes, the Pittsburgh native wowed audiences. And as a result, Porter won a $100,000 prize.
18:17Porter could have slowed down to bask in his huge Star Search win. Instead, he went on to win a Tony Award for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, starred in movies and TV shows, and released his own albums.
18:33Number 5. Aliyah.
18:43Known as the princess of R&B, late singer Aliyah made an unforgettable mark in the music industry before her untimely death in 2001.
18:51She was truly one in a million, thanks to her unique tomboy chic style, hypnotic dance moves, and formidable vocal skills.
19:08Aliyah also took to the Star Search stage as a child, singing My Funny Valentine.
19:13Don't change your hair for me. Not if you care for me. Stay little Valentine. Stay!
19:26Introduced by host Ed McMahon as having a, quote, big voice with an even bigger dream, Aliyah proved that dreams can come true as she went on to become a renowned musical artist and movie star.
19:37The Grammy-nominated celebrity released several chart-topping singles and had leading roles in the movies Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned.
19:45You think you can change my will?
19:49Had enough of this discussion. Join me or die.
19:53Number 4. Alanis Morissette.
19:56It's not ironic that Alanis Morissette landed on our list as a star you may have forgotten ever appeared on Star Search.
20:02The Canadian-American musician was catapulted into superstardom after the release of her third record Jagged Little Pill in 1995.
20:10But you oughta know that Morissette's resume also includes a performance on Star Search in 1990 that shows the singer in a much different light.
20:25With big, teased hair and quintessential early 90s threads, Morissette was almost unrecognizable as a bubbly pop singer.
20:33Why is too loud that's so hard to find?
20:38Don't stand and cry.
20:42Of course, she would go on to evolve into an award-winning icon who wrote relatable songs about love, heartbreak and identity.
20:49Jagged Little Pill also inspired the hit Tony award-winning Broadway musical of the same name.
20:54It's not fair to deny me all the cross I bear that you gave the name.
21:03Number 3. Christina Aguilera.
21:05Christina Aguilera came out much stronger after her stint on Star Search in 1990.
21:10At eight years old, her talent was undeniable as she belted out a Sunday kind of love.
21:15With a singing talent beyond her years, Aguilera went on to star alongside Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears in the Mickey Mouse Club.
21:34Like Spears, she too burst onto the pop music scene at the end of the 90s with her first album titled Christina Aguilera and chart-topping single Genie in a Bottle.
21:44If you wanna be with me, I can make your wish come true.
21:49Since releasing a slew of hit tracks, Aguilera scooped up a legion of industry awards, magazine covers, TV appearances and a chance to guide a new generation of stars as a judge on The Voice.
22:01Cause you're my life.
22:04Baby, I'll be yours right now.
22:10Number 2. Beyonce.
22:12Beyonce Knowles' royal star power resides in all corners of the entertainment industry.
22:17And her loyal followers latch onto her every word and move.
22:28Longtime Queen Bee fans may remember the entertainer's achievements as a member of the best-selling girl group Destiny's Child.
22:34But did you know that the same collective, formerly known as Girls Time, appeared on Star Search in the early 1990s?
22:41Beach Rock!
22:42I've got a secret, but I ain't gonna tell ya.
22:46Knowles was the leader of the hip-hop slash rap pack, which also included Destiny's Child's very own Latavia Roberson and Kelly Rowland.
22:54Knowles can credit Girls Time slash Destiny's Child for giving her a platform that led to incredible fortune and celebrity as a solo artist and pop culture icon.
23:03Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
23:18You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
23:23If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
23:28Number 1. Britney Spears.
23:30From the time she stepped into the spotlight as a kid, Britney Spears captured the imagination of music lovers.
23:36Ain't nobody crying. Ain't nobody worrying. Ain't no smiling faces.
23:49But even before she showcased her dancing, singing and acting talents on the Mickey Mouse Club, Spears bravely stepped onto the Star Search stage not once, but twice at the age of 10.
23:59Her time on the show was a precursor to a career that would propel the Kentwood, Louisiana songstress to music industry acclaim as the princess of pop.
24:21Both Spears' professional and personal lives took center stage once she dropped her debut album, Baby One More Time, at just 17 years old.
24:28The quote, genius, as dubbed by notable pop producer Max Martin, continues to leave an enduring impact on entertainment and pop culture.
24:44Which of these Star Search alumni was the most surprising to you? Let us know in the comments below.