Ruben Studdard Joins 'The Biggest Loser': 10 Other 'Idol' Stars Who Got Into the Realty Game

Fitting that a contestant named Starr became American Idol's first career reality star. After the Season 1 singer flirted with scripted TV — with appearances on CSI and That '70s Show, Starr appeared on The Surreal Life, Battle of the Network Reality Stars, and Gimme My Reality Show. Surprisingly, though, she didn't get her own reality show.

McKibbin also starred in Battle of the Network Reality Stars, but the maligned Season 1 singer hit an even lower low than her "Black Velvet" Idol performance: McKibbin appeared on Season 2 of Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew to get treated for cocaine and alcohol abuse. There's silver lining to the redhead's story, however: After participating in Sober House, McKibbin returned to Celebrity Rehab to celebrate three years of sobriety. Image: Vh1

Clarkson hardly needs TV to support her successful career, but the singer — who has had a complicated relationship with Idol since her Season 1 win thanks to its binding contract — tried to help ABC get into the reality singing series game with Duets. The show flopped, and Clarkson turned to The Voice to help mentor contestants alongside Blake Shelton... and, reportedly, is mulling a return now to judge American Idol. Image: ABC

Claymates would say Aiken was robbed of his rightful win during Season 2 of American Idol (the singer lost to Ruben Studdard in a close race), but everyone who watched Season 5 of Celebrity Apprentice would say Arsenio Hall robbed the singer of his rightful win. Always a bridesmaid. Image: NBC

Like Studdard, Locke's jump to reality TV was a life-saving, not career-saving, move. The singer, hoping to drop weight, joined Celebrity Fit Club in 2007. Too bad viewers remember her spats with Saved By the Bell star Dustin Diamond more than her personal success. Image: Vh1

Following the release of an embarrassing sex tape, Sierra, like McKibbin, joined the cast of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew to treat drug addiction. Unfortunately, following the wrap of the show, Sierra relapsed and was arrested for cocaine possession. In 2009, though, Dr. Drew said on Twitter that Sierra was, in fact, sober two years after the arrest.

More embarrassing than Young's on-stage proposal to Diana DeGarmo on the Season 11 finale of American Idol? The singer's appearance on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in which he was recruited to sing for Taylor Armstrong's daughter's birthday party. Image: Bravo

The successful country singer appeared on one of reality's more respected series, ABC's Dancing With the Stars. And, even though Pickler is hardly a dancer, she found more success on the reality series than Idol — she and partner Derek Hough won the 16th season of the series. Who knew Pickler could kick up those "Red High Heels"? Image: ABC

One of idol's most-hated contestants joined a series filled with even more hated reality stars: I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, ABC's Survivor-esque series starring Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Janice Dickinson, and more. Too bad for Idol fans Malakar didn't yearn to get out of the reality singing series. Image: ABC

We'd say Season 7 contestant Yeager dodged a bullet when he failed to make the cut on MTV's Making the Band — which led to the creation of O-Town, but, then again, we all saw his dreadful performance of Moon River.