They starred on the hit Disney shows, released platinum albums, became internationally known celebrities, and their songs are played everywhere to this day--they're the Star Search kids of yesteryear.
Hosted by Ed McMahon, Star Search was where it was at in the 1980s and 1990s. There is a surprising number of pop singers who got started on the talent competition. Some were adult competitors while others were junior vocalists. Even if they didn't all win the contest, they gained audiences in an era that predated social media. Check out these ten talented pop stars who shot to fame thanks to their time on Star Search.
10 Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette didn't win big, but she competed on Star Search back in 1990. The singer's biography states that "gaining exposure was the real goal."
While many contestants truly wanted to win, it sounds like being seen and heard was enough of a bonus at times.
9 Tori Kelly
Tori Kelly beautifully executes pop, Gospel, soul, and R&B. She is one of the only famous pop singers to perform on the 2003 relaunch of Star Search.
At just ten years of age, the soulful singer's voice filled the recital hall and transported viewers at home. She may not have won, but Tori Kelly continued on an exciting road to stardom.
8 David Archuleta
Some may not know that American Idol wasn't David Archuleta's only televised singing competition. Like Tori Kelly, he sang for Star Search when the show attempted its 2000s revival.
Archuleta won the show's junior division with his stunning, passionate vocals. He looks so young in the 2004 video clips, and fans still love his enthusiasm for music.
7 Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera has always had a grown-up voice and a gift for performing, even when she was just a young girl. At nine years of age, Christina poured her heart out on Star Search.
After she wowed audiences thirty years ago on the show, she went on to join The All New Mickey Mouse Club. It is safe to assume that Xtina had no idea how far her career would take her when she was still young.
6 Tiffany
"I think we're alone now, doesn't seem to be anyone around." If Tiffany hadn't done Star Search in the 1980s, those famous lyrics might never have been uttered.
Known as Tiffany Renee at the time, the singer lost to Melissa Moultrie but gained plenty of visibility. She is a pop icon, and it's so nostalgic to think of Ed McMahon welcoming her to the stage over thirty years ago.
5 Britney Spears
Britney Spears was only ten when she got to perform on Star Search in 1992. In two separate performances, she sang "I Don't Care" and "Love Can Build a Bridge." Even though she lost to her challenger on the latter song, Britney had big things ahead.
She dove right into The All New Mickey Mouse Club with Christina and then continued to rival the singer as a successful soloist. Even if Britney isn't releasing new music at the moment, her fans still revere her as a pop queen.
4 Usher
Even the guy who discovered Justin Bieber once had to get discovered, himself. That's where Star Search comes in for Usher.
He sang on the show as a 13-year-old in 1991. In a domino effect, an A&R rep heard Usher and took him to L.A. Reid. Reid signed the singer, and Usher brought the Biebs to the same glory about fifteen years later.
3 Shanice
Shanice was a huge star in the 1990s. Initially going by Shanice Wilson, she was part of the original cast on Kids Incorporated, one of the Disney Channel's very first shows in the early 80s.
Shanice went on Star Search afterward and did not win, but she still became incredibly popular. The talented singer appeared on many talk shows and even guest-starred on the classic 90s sitcom Family Matters.
2 Aaliyah
At the young age of ten, Aaliyah graced the Star Search stage. The versatile vocalist is remembered for her skills in R&B, hip-hop, and pop. She died in 2001, barely in her twenties.
Though she did not win the contest all those years ago, she owned her song and was absolutely beautiful. And she found great success in the music industry with devoted fans who still miss her terribly.
1 Justin Timberlake
In 1992, young Justin Timberlake wowed audiences with his cowboy outfit to match his performance of the country song "Love's Got a Hold On You." Though Justin Timberlake did not win Star Search, he quickly booked The All New Mickey Mouse Club with Britney and Christina, and the rest is history.
Before he went solo, Justin enjoyed many years of success with the 90s boy band N'SYNC. Who knows where he would be if he hadn't done Star Search? Fans love seeing how adorable he was in those days, and they love hearing how amazing his voice already was.