Before he was the Usher, with 23 Grammy nominations and 8 wins, Usher Raymond was fighting it out for the spotlight on the reality TV show Star Search.
Reality TV might be dominated by documentary-style shows like The Kardashians and 1,000 lb sisters, but gameshows make up a large section of the genre. If it weren’t for shows like X Factor, The Voice, and American Idol, we wouldn’t have talented like Kelly Clarkson, One Direction, and Jennifer Hudson.
Usher did not win Star Search
Star Search was a competition show that ran from 1983 to 1995 with Ed McMahon at the hosting helm. Contestants competed across numerous genres, and unlike shows like The X Factor, it worked as a battle where the “challenger” and “champion” would compete for a panel of judges.
Usher competed in 1991, and though he wasn’t successful in his venture, the result goes to show you never give up on your dreams.
During one of his performances, a mutual friend, Bryant Reid, invited an A&R representative from LaFace Records to watch. Usher, who was just 14 at the time, was signed by music mogul L.A. Reid on the spot after his performance of Boyz II Men’s End of the Road.
Despite his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Usher struggled to adapt his vocals as his body went through puberty changes. Though they considered dropping him at first, Usher was sent to “flavor camp” In New York City with Puff Daddy.
Despite some highs and lows over the years, including the rumors he was recently dating Kim Kardashian, Usher has solidified himself as one of the greats. His ocean of accomplishments includes eight Grammy Awards, twelve Soul Train Music Awards, eight American Music Awards, eighteen Billboard Music Awards, and even three Guinness World Records.
He’s not the only TV star to have ranked at the Grammys
Over the years, many former reality TV shows have gone on to dominate the music industry alongside household names like Beyonce and Taylor Swift.
- Kelly Clarkson – the first-ever American Idol winner
- Miranda Lambert – Nashville Star
- Tony Bennett – Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts
- Backstreet Boys – Star Search
- ABBA – Eurovision Song Contest
- Jennifer Hudson – American Idol
- Adam Lambert – American Idol
- Patsy Cline – Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts
- Carrie Underwood – American Idol
- Gladys Knight – The Original Amateur Hour
- Celine Dion – Eurovision Song Contest
- Jordin Sparks – American Idol
- Justin Timberlake – Star Search
- Christina Aguilera – Star Search
- Britney Spears – Star Search
- LeAnn Rimes – Star Search
- Carly Rae Jepsen – Canadian Idol
Leave a Reply