If Miles Mendenhall dazzles on "Work of Art," he'll join a select club of Minnesotans who have made names for themselves through reality TV: Rebecca Jarvis, "The Apprentice," 2005. Despite Donald Trump's urging, winner Randal Pinkett refused to share his prize with runner-up Jarvis. But the Minneapolis native had the last laugh. She landed a reporting gig at CNBC and recently moved to CBS' "The Early Show."

Josh Blue, "Last Comic Standing," 2006. This former St. Paul resident didn't let cerebral palsy keep him from taking the crown and getting his own stand-up special on Comedy Central. He's currently on a national tour.

Laura Osnes, "Grease: You're the One That I Want," 2007. This Eagan resident went from playing Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to playing Sandy in New York after winning this contest. She's now washing men right out of her hair on Broadway in "South Pacific."

BeBe Zahara Benet, "RuPaul's Drag Race," 2009: The Gay '90s dude looked enough like a lady to win the inaugural season of RuPaul's series. Since the victory, he has released a dance single and signed with Shakir Entertainment management.

Raina Hein, "America's Next Top Model," 2010: The Minnetonka native was runner-up but made enough of a splash to secure a feature in Harpers Bazaar Arabia and launch a modeling campaign this summer in Dubai.

NEAL JUSTIN