11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

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Home to five national parks, 42 state parks, 15 ski resorts, and many other historic attractions, Utah is a tourist mecca, bringing in millions of visitors each year. In fact, 2012 brought in a record 23.5 million visitors to see these attractions, topping the 17.3 million who came during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, according to the Deseret News.

But it isn't just the majestic mountains, scenic byways or even the powder-filled mountains that have brought attention to the Beehive state.

With the rise in reality television, Utah has had its share of stars making the nation, and even the world, take notice. From musicians to cooks, entrepreneurs to wilderness survivors — who probably honed their skills in the Wasatch and beyond — Utah has been the home for many reality TV stars.

KSL has teamed up with Utah.com to bring you eleven Utahns who found fame on reality TV, and an update on where they are now.

Chelsie Hightower: "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars"

Chelsie Hightower began dancing at a young age in her hometown of Orem. At the age of 18 she auditioned for the Fox reality series "So You Think You Can Dance,"earning a spot on the show and making it to the top 6. She and her partner, Mark Kanemura, are best remembered for their performance of "Bleeding Love."

Since her debut, Hightower has competed in seven seasons, including the 2014 season of "Dancing with the Stars,"where she partnered with stars like Michael Bolton and fellow Utah resident and snowboarder, Louie Vito.

Although Hightower is an Emmy-nominated choreographer, it isn't just her dancing skills that have endeared her to fans all over the world. In 2014, she teamed up with Operation Underground Railroad, which is an organization that saves children all over the world from sex trafficking. Utahns are proud to call her one of their own.

11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

Janell Brown and Kristen Cold: "Cupcake Wars"

In the fall of 2012, Janell Brown and Kristen Cold, Sandy residents and cake makers at the bakery One Sweet Slice, appeared on Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," taking home first place and $10,000 in prize money.

After the show aired, both Brown and Cold enjoyed years of success in the cake making/cake decorating business.

Cold went on to be the head pastry chef at the Washington School House Hotel in Park City, followed by a short time working again with Brown at One Sweet Slice. She is now an in-house wedding cake designer at Le Croissant catering company based in Salt Lake City.

Brown, on the other hand, took a different path, announcing in April of this year that she would close One Sweet Slice to spend more time with her family.

Kelsey Nixon: "The Next Food Network Star"

A broadcast journalism graduate from Brigham Young University, Kelsey Nixon, starred in her own cooking show, "Kelsey's Kitchen," where she specialized in meals for the everyday college student.

But it was her appearance and "fan favorite" vote on "The Next Food Network Star" that took her to the next level.

Nixon now has her own show on the Cooking Channel, called "Kelsey's Essentials," produced by Chef Bobby Flay. And she does it all while learning the ins and outs of motherhood with her 3-year-old son, Oliver.

11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

Ryan Innes: "The Voice"

Brigham Young University graduate, Ryan Innes, competed in the fourth season of NBC's "The Voice" in 2013. He was the final contestant of the night and his rendition of the song "Gravity" caught the attention of all four judges in the show's blind auditions.

While he was eliminated from the show after performing Gavin Degraw's hit, "I Don't Want to Be," this is not the end of the road musically for Innes.

According to his Twitter page, Innes is recording a song for the upcoming movie "Just Let Go," which chronicles the true story of a Utah man's experiences after his wife and two children were killed by a drunk driver.

David Archuleta: "American Idol"

When you hear the words "reality television" and "Utah" spoken together, does David Archuleta come to mind? He won the hearts and votes of millions of viewers on the 7th season of "American Idol."

At 16-years-old, Archuleta was one of the youngest contestants to have competed on the show, but his voice was wise beyond his years.

And while he didn't come home with the coveted title of American Idol, he finished as the runner-up, which is not too shabby.

Archuleta wasted no time making music, releasing his first single, "Crush" in 2008, but later decided his voice could be put to another good use by serving a two year mission in Chile for the LDS church.

Since his LDS mission, Archuleta has been involved in many projects, including taking part in writing and recording "Glorious," for the LDS movie, "Meet the Mormons," released in 2014. He has also sung with the Mormon Tabernacle choir, and recently spoke and sang at a devotional for LDS missionaries in New Zealand. He is now on tour, with many of his shows taking place right here in Utah.

11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

Angie Layton: "Survivor"

In 2012, 20-year-old Angie Layton, born and raised in Manti, was one of 18 contestants on the 25th season of "Survivor," which took place in the Philippines. Although she was the third contestant voted off the show, Layton went on to continue in the limelight.

Having competed and won many pageant titles prior to "Survivor,"including a win at the 2010 Miss Teen Utah USA pageant, Layton went on to win Miss Utah USA 2014 and then competed in the 2014 Miss USA Pageant.

According to her bio on the Miss Universe website, prior to closing its doors, Layton was attending the Art Institute in Salt Lake City pursuing a degree in Fashion Retail Management, planning one day to open a fashion business.

Lexi Walker: "America's Got Talent"

First discovered at the tender age of 11, after having sung a crowd-pleasing rendition of The National Anthem at a Real Salt Lake game in 2011, Lexi Walker's voice has become a YouTube sensation.

With her friends and fellow One Voice Children's Choir members by her side, Lexi has performed many songs, including "Let it Go" with Alex Boye. The video of Walker and Boye went viral, earning more than 70 million YouTube views.

Lexi, now 13, continues to record songs for her YouTube channel and is set to have her movie debut in "Just Let Go," in theatres Sept. 28, 2015.

Derek and Julianne Hough: "Dancing With the Stars"

These dancing siblings are best known for their performances and multiple wins on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

The youngest two children of five siblings, Derek and Julianne were raised in Sandy, where they began their formal training at the Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem. At the ages of 10 and 13, Julianne and Derek moved to London with their coaches to live and to get more extensive training.

And while the brother and sister admitted to People Magazine that the years away from home were tough, they acknowledge it was what helped them become who they are today.

The Hough's just wrapped up their summer "Move Live On" tour, and are no doubt looking forward to more dancing endeavors.

Despite their busy schedules, the siblings still take time to help lift the spirits of others, even making time for a trip last year to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake.

11 Utahns who found fame on reality TV (and where they are now)

Cory Bengtzen: "Dangerous Flights"

CB Aviation, the aircraft repair and delivery business owned by Eden resident, Corry Bengtzen, is the premise of Discovery Channel's "Dangerous Flights."

On the show, pilots who work for the company delivering aircrafts all over the world are followed and documented in the high-adventure TV series. The show has been in production since 2012 and Bengtzen is still very much involved in the process.

Ogden's Standard Examiner reported that Bengtzen's business is booming so much, the company has had to move to a new hangar at the Ogden airport last January.

Carmen Rasmussen Herbert: "American Idol"

A graduate of Woods Cross High school and a BYU alumnus, Carmen Rasmussen Herbert is best known for her top 6 finish during the 2003 season of "American Idol." Two years after "American Idol," Rasmussen married Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's son, Bradley.

And while she continues to sing in front of large audiences from time-to-time, including a 2012 duo with YouTube star Alex Boye, Rasmussen spends most of her time raising her four young boys and writing about life in her columns for the Deseret News.

"I never feel more fulfilled as a woman than when there's a baby in my arms," Rasmussen wrote in a recent column. "It's the fact that I have done something so sacred and amazing as to create a life with my husband and bring him into a family to raise and love, that makes life so rich and rewarding. It is the meaning of life."

Utah has many wonderful people and some awesome places to experience, making it a spectacular place to visit, as well as a phenomenal place to call home.

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