Reality Show Losers Turned Winners

Charlie Maher
The Show: The Bachelorette
Place: Runner-up to Ryan Sutter
From Loser: This was the season when Mike Fleiss, the producer of the Bachelor series, really duped the audience -- and evidently the contestants as well. Charlie and Trista were like birds of a feather -- we were all just sure they were meant for each other. (Maybe not in any sort of lasting way, but in a reality TV sort of way, i.e., stay together to do press, then land on the cover of Us Weekly to spill the details of their breakup.) After all, they were both slick, savvy and seemingly destined for a career in Hollywood. And Trista's mom went gaga for him. So imagine our surprise when Charlie was first out of the limo. Sure, Ryan was hot and all, but have you heard his poetry? We weren't the only ones who were stunned; our lovely reject was also speechless as he drove off. Sure, he didn't love her, but he thought he could someday. Meanwhile, Ryan placed a ring on Trista's finger, and the two smooched for the world to see their love.

To Last Laugh: While Ryan and Trista kept on smooching for the cameras, Charlie got an actual career out of the show, not just a paid-for, over-the-top wedding. Soon after he had his heart semi-broken (or at the very least suffered a serious blow to his ego), Extra came knocking on his door, and these days the University of Puget Sound graduate spends his time interviewing celebs and hitting the red carpet for the entertainment show. Ironically (and we loved this), he even covered Trista's wedding -- and her mom didn't seem to mind one bit. Hmmm, whooping it up with A-list actors or televising your very, very pink wedding? Attending movie premieres or suffering through incessant baby talk? We're pretty certain who came out the winner in this one.

Next: Kwame Jackson