Celeb Reality: Best Judges and Mentors
These stars judged a new generation of wannabe celebs.
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Mariah Carey on American Idol - When American Idol returns for its 12th season there will be a new megawatt superstar at the judges’ table — Mariah Carey. So since Mimi will help mold today's hopefuls into tomorrow's singing stars, here’s a snapshot look at celeb mentors and judges past and present who schooled scores of reality contestants into shape. (Photos from left: Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET, Courtesy of FOX)
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Diddy on Making the Band - Under the tutelage of Diddy, this show spawned pop acts like Da Band, Day 26 and Danity Kane. The most memorable moment of Diddy ‘s mentoring skills? Making season one’s Da Band members walk across New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge to fetch him some Junior’s cheesecake — simply unforgettable.(Photo: Charles Eshelman/Getty Images)
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Yolanda Adams on Sunday Best - Yolanda Adams may be the first lady of gospel but she can also be seen dishing out tough love each season to contestants as a Sunday Best judge. Winners get a national recording contract, a new automobile, plus a cash prize for their community. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
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Vivica A. Fox on Starlet - Vivica A. Fox ruled over ten aspiring actresses who lived together in a home owned by Marilyn Monroe. The starlets were tested in various acting challenges and Fox judged along with actress Faye Dunaway. But perhaps the series should have undergone a test itself: audiences only tuned in for six episodes.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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Tyson Beckford on Make Me a Supermodel - Based on a British reality show, male model Tyson Beckford lended his sexy coolness to this series that tested model wannabes' catwalks, pouts, poses and much more. Co-hosted by former supermodel Nikki Taylor, the show ran for two seasons. (Photo: Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
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Cee Lo Green on The Voice - Cee Lo Green’s quirky, hip and eccentric musical mentoring style and sense of humor helps keep this reality competition series a hit. Each episode the "Crazy" vocalist puts his nurturing side on display while battling Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine for the best singers to coach. (Photo: REUTERS /MARIO ANZUONI /LANDOV)
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Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model - The mega mommy of all reality competition shows, Banks has presided over ANTM for an impressive 19 seasons. The series also has international versions in 170 countries and a college edition spinoff. As judge and jury, Tyra continues to rule with drama, plus plenty of wardrobe and hair changes.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for CW)
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Jennifer Lopez on American Idol - Jennifer Lopez’s two years at AI's judges' table gave the show the star wattage needed after Paula Abdul’s departure. J.Lo’s nice, encouraging and sometimes tearful judging style definitely struck a chord with audiences — it singlehandedly launched her career comeback. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
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Nicole Richie in Fashion Star - Richie isn’t exactly a reality TV newbie. Remember when she costarred with former BFF Paris Hilton in The Simple Life? That was a different time and a way different Nicole. By the time she became a Fashion Star judge, it was clear she took all things fashion and style very seriously. (Photo: Courtesy of NBC)
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Flavor Flav on Flavor of Love - For three seasons, the Public Enemy hypeman gave The Bachelor formula new flavor. Contestants, christened with colorful nicknames, all wooed Flav who often replied with his signature snicker. Plus, three FOL contestants peaked post Flav: Deelishis launched a music career, Hoopz dated Shaq and New York got spun off into her own reality show. (Photo: Fernando Leon/PictureGroup)
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RuPaul on Drag Race and Drag U - One part Project Runway mixed with a little America’s Next Top Model, RuPaul brought the LGBT community into the reality competition primetime. Now in its fifth season, Ru plays helpful Tim Gunn-style coach for tasks while providing fun, campy and catty judge puns. Ru also hosts the Drag U spinoff edition. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)
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Lil' Mama on America's Best Dance Crew - She didn’t join the series until season six, but that's when Lil' Mama brought her fierce and fast dance knowledge to the judges table of ABDC. The “Lip Gloss” rapper not only awarded winners the $100,000 prize, she also rocked the stage to show contestants how it’s done. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Kelly Rowland on Clash of the Choirs and The Fashion Show - In addition to her film roles, Kelly Rowland has kept a firm foot in reality TV. The former Destiny's Child member pulled double duty first in 2007 as a choirmaster on Clash of the Choirs and as a host alongside Issac Mizrahi on 2009’s The Fashion Show. (Photo: Niki Nikolova/Getty Images)
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T-Boz and Chili in R U the Girl - In 2005, the sexy and cool members of TLC, T-Boz and Chili, set out to find a third girl worthy enough to provide guest vocals on their single “I Bet.” While they did find a winner, O’so Krispie, the 20-year old did not replace deceased TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (who died in 2002). Today, TLC remains a duo. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)
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L.A. Reid on The X Factor - He's a former member of '80s band The Deele and ex-president of music companies LaFace, Arista and Island Def Jam. Since he also discovered talents like Usher, Toni Braxton and Ciara, L.A. Reid remains a perfect TV judge to uncover if a singing hopeful has the X Factor.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)