Top 10 Best Singers Made Famous by Reality TV

1. Jackie Evancho (America's Got Talent)

   

   Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age. Since 2009, she has issued an EP and eight albums, including a platinum and gold album, and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts. Evancho's latest album, The Debut, was her eighth consecutive... read more

   She was born on YouTube and launched on America's Got Talent Season 5, even though she came in second. That was of little consequence because it's what came afterward that is important.

   She's releasing her third full studio album (sixth overall), Awakening, on Sept. 23rd. She just finished taping her third PBS Great Performances concert (to be broadcast in December). She has performed in Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, with tenor Dimitri Hvorostovsky and soprano Sumi Jo in front of 100,000. In Taiwan with José Carreras in front of 30,000. In Hiroshima at the Peace Arch Concert, followed by her own concert in Bunkamura Hall in Tokyo. With Cirque du Soleil in their One Night for ONE DROP charity gala. Twice for Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night. Numerous times with David Foster & Friends. Four times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Twice with Tony Bennett. And in over 50 of her own solo concerts backed by a full orchestra. The full list is much longer. And she's just 14.

2. Adam Lambert (American Idol)

   

   Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, and stage actor. He rose to prominence as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. Since then, he has sold over 2.5 million albums and five million singles worldwide.

   Saw him live - absolutely the best singer on American Idol and one of the best singers I've ever heard. No one surpasses his range and vocal ability.

   Adam Lambert has an amazing range that few male pop singers possess or use. His voice and presence changed American Idol.

   Adam is the absolute best singer of his generation. He will go down in history as one of the best of any generation.

3. Kelly Clarkson (American Idol)

   

   Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, and children's book author. She rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural season of American Idol, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Clarkson's debut single, "A Moment Like This," topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and became... read more

   Kelly Clarkson is the most successful and technically an amazing vocalist, whom Simon said was on the level of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

   She has an amazing voice. So amazing! I have such huge love for Kelly Clarkson. She is unbelievably talented.

4. Carrie Underwood (American Idol)

   

   Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma) is an American country singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame by winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.

   Her debut album Some Hearts, released in 2005, produced five hit songs, including "Before He Cheats... read more

   Carrie and Miranda should be much higher than they are! I adore them both. Kellie Pickler should be on here too! Congrats on everything to the two of you and everyone else on here.

   Carrie Underwood has a flawless singing voice. She is also a dynamic performer!

   Carrie is one of the best country singers ever.

5. Leona Lewis (The X Factor)

   

   Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, and animal welfare campaigner. She was born and raised in the London Borough of Islington, London, England, where she attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. She rose to fame after winning the third series of The X Factor in 2006... read more

   Leona Lewis is so incredibly talented. It's a shame that she doesn't have more recognition because her voice is amazing.

   Every one of her performances made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. No one since has even come close.

   Leona Lewis is like Mariah Carey, minus the whistle notes.

6. Jordin Sparks (American Idol)

   

   Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2007, she rose to fame after winning the sixth season of American Idol. At age 17, she became the youngest winner in the series' history. She has since released several albums and appeared in films and television, including her... read more

   Jordin has a beautiful voice that is both versatile and dynamic.

   Great singer and actress in Sparkle.

7. Eli Mattson (America's Got Talent)

   He's like a soulful version of Elton John.

8. Miranda Lambert (Nashville Star)

   

   Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is primarily known for her solo career and is also a founding member of the country group Pistol Annies. Lambert has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys and Country Music Association awards... read more

   Miranda sings with so much emotion.

9. Max Crumm (Grease: You're the One that I Want!)

   He won the part of Danny in Grease even though he looked nothing like him.

10. Susan Boyle (Britain's Got Talent)

    

    Susan Magdalane Boyle, born April 1, 1961, is a Scottish singer who rose to international fame in 2009. She appeared on the television show Britain's Got Talent on April 11 of that year, performing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables. Her performance became a viral sensation and launched a successful... read more

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Chloe Kohanski (The Voice)

    I think she has been the best singer to appear on The Voice".

12. ?

    Shreya Ghoshal (Sa Re Ga Ma)

    

    Shreya Ghoshal is an Indian playback singer. She has received twelve National Film Awards, twenty Filmfare Awards, and eight Filmfare Awards South to date. Ghoshal is renowned for her versatility and has recorded songs in multiple Indian languages.

The Contenders

13. Caitlin Lynn (Can You Duet)

    Caitlin has a chilling tone to her voice.

14. Crystal Bowersox (American Idol)

15. Cheryl Cole (Popstars: The Rivals)

    

    Cheryl Ann Tweedy (formerly Cheryl Cole and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini), known mononymously as Cheryl, is an English singer, dancer, and television personality... read more

16. Dilana Robichaux (Rock Star: Supernova)

17. Chris Daughtry (American Idol)

    

    Christopher Adam "Chris" Daughtry is an American musician and actor, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Daughtry. He gained national fame as the fourth-place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Since then, he has released multiple albums and toured extensively.... read more

18. Leanne Mitchell (The Voice UK)

19. Angie Miller (American Idol)

20. K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta)

    

21. Guy Sebastian (Australian Idol)

    

    Guy Theodore Sebastian is a Malaysian-Australian singer and songwriter. He was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003 and served as a judge on The X Factor Australia from 2010 to 2012, and again in 2015 and 2016. He has represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest and released multiple... read more

22. Jonathan Antoine (Britain's Got Talent)

    

    Jonathan Antoine is a classically trained English tenor. He rose to fame after appearing on the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent in 2012 as one half of the classical duo Jonathan and Charlotte. Since then, he has released several solo albums and performed internationally.

23. William Hung (American Idol)

    

    William James Hung, also known as Hung Hing Cheong, is a Hong Kong-born American former singer who gained fame in early 2004 after his audition performance of Ricky Martin's hit song "She Bangs" on the third season of the television series American Idol. His enthusiastic and off-key performance became... read more

24. Christina Grimmie (The Voice)

    

    Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12, 1994 - June 10, 2016), known on YouTube as zeldaxlove64, was an American singer-songwriter. She rose to prominence by posting covers of popular songs and gained wider recognition as a finalist on season 6 of The Voice in 2014... read more

25. Jordan Smith (The Voice)

26. Jessica Sanchez (American Idol)

    

    Jessica Elizabeth Sanchez (born August 4, 1995) is an American singer-songwriter. She rose to prominence following her runner-up finish on the eleventh season of American Idol Her debut studio album, Me, You & the Music, peaked at number twenty-six on the US Billboard 200. In 2025, nineteen years after... read more

27. Kris Allen (American Idol)

    

    Kristopher Neil Allen is an American singer and songwriter from Conway, Arkansas. He gained national recognition as the winner of the eighth season of American Idol.

    Before joining the show, he self-released an album titled Brand New Shoes in 2007. His coronation song "No Boundaries" and a cover... read more