The Real LIfe after Reality

So what do you really get after you win a reality show? Well according to the past winners of various shows...it's not always what you were promised!

Jay McCarrol
Show: "Project Runway," Season 1
Grand Prize: $100,000; mentorship at Banana Republic; a spot at 2005 New York Fashion Week event
Reality Bites: The flamboyant belle of the inaugural "Runway" ball, McCarrol showed some serious moxie by turning down his cash winnings due to a dubious contractual clause that would have given the show's production company a portion of his future earnings (it's since been removed from "Runway" contracts). He also bailed on Banana Republic, leaving the ex-baton twirler with little to show for his "Runway" triumph.
But rather than bite the hand that, well, tried to feed him, McCarrol agreed to film the Bravo one-hour documentary "Project Jay," chronicling his post-show move to Manhattan. Eventually he would get back to design and is currently spearheading the comeback attempt of iconic '80s brand Camp Beverly Hills. McCarrol also earned praise for a spring 2007 collection, and announced a film project detailing his attempts to sell the line.

Grady Brewer
Show: "The Contender," Season 2
Grand Prize: $500,000; Toyota Tundra
Reality Bites: Ditched by NBC after just one season, "The Contender" got a second chance when ESPN picked up the rights to the ailing Sugar Ray Leonard/Sylvester Stallone vehicle. It turned out to be a great move -- the second season finale was the highest-rated boxing program on the sports network in nine years. You'd think that would have made champion Grady Brewer into some kind of superstar.
You'd be wrong. While "Bad Boy" Brewer put on an impressive display of hand speed and technique en route to a $500,000 payday, he was 35 at the time and apparently not looking to take on any more comers. Rather, the ring king from Lawton, Okla., hasn't fought since and is back supporting his family by working at the local Goodyear plant. Beats punching raw meat, though.

click here to read about other reality stars with less than bright outcomes