Why True Stardom Eludes Reality TV Celebs

ByABC News
February 20, 2004, 11:42 AM

Feb. 23 -- When Glen Foster tried out for Fox Television's The Littlest Groom, he set out to find true love. Will he find everlasting fame as well?

"I'm hoping to parlay this into an acting career, a career in show business," said 4-foot-5-inch Foster, who left his tech support job in a cell phone company to participate in The Littlest Groom. "But I come from a simple background, and if it's not my calling, then I'd be perfectly happy going back to the cell phone company. I was happy doing that, too."

The 23-year-old Foster is the just the latest in a string of reality TV stars. Fox pushed the love-match genre envelope as viewers watch Foster try to connect with a fellow dwarf or in a surprise sprung on the bachelor and those vying for his affections with an average-sized woman. The fate of Foster and his would-be paramours will be revealed in the final installment of the two-part series tonight.

But another cliffhanger surrounding Foster that will not be answered so quickly or easily will he be able to extend his moment in the spotlight?

Some of the most recognizable alums from Survivor, Joe Millionaire, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have landed guest spots on other television programs and commercials or returned for reunion-type shows such as Survivor: All-Stars. But none have been able to break through to stardom.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck (formerly known as Elisabeth Filarski on Survivor: the Australian Outback) has perhaps come closest with her regular co-hosting duties on ABC's The View and the Style Network's The Look for Less and guest-host appearances on MTV programs.

Still, nearly four years after the first edition of Survivor captivated the nation and 12 years after MTV premiered The Real World real breakout stardom has eluded the newest kind of celebrities. Their biggest obstacle, some experts say, has been that they've been typecast they can't escape their own shadow.