Maryland residents on reality TV [Pictures]

Robert Voets/CBS

Ryan Aiken was a contestant on "Survivor: The Amazon" (the show's sixth season). A Columbia resident and then a student at Howard Community College, Aiken was the first person voted out that season. Read more coverage of "Survivor."

AP photo

Hagerstown resident Simone Grove made the Top 30 for the season of "America's Next Top Model" that began Sept. 9, 2009. She only lasted one episode. Read more coverage of "America's Next Top Model."

Trae Patton, NBC

Gymkana, a gymnastics and stunting group from University of Maryland, College Park, performed on the YouTube round of America's Got Talent. They made it to the semi-finals before one athlete in the group tangled with a ring of fire.

Baltimore Sun photo by David Hobby

Aaron Altscher, who appeared on season six of NBC's "The Apprentice," graduated from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia in 1999. Read more coverage of "The Apprentice."

Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

Spencer Horsman, a Baltimore magician and escape artist, appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2012. The young performer showcased his talent in a daring escape routine where he maneuvered out of a straitjacket while suspended above a pair of gnashing metal jaws by a rope set aflame. The young magician and his parents -- both former Ringling Bros. circus clowns (who would have guessed?) -- now perform at the family-owned Illusions Bar and Theater on S. Charles Street.

Baltimore Sun photo by Colby Ware

Duff Goldman got a lot of attention for his bakery Charm City Cakes through the Food Network Show "Ace of Cakes." *** Since the 2006 broadcast of Duff Goldman's "Ace of Cakes," the pastry-chef-gone-reality-star has been no stranger to reality television. Goldman competed in season 8 of "Iron Chef America" and on the "Food Network Challenge." The Baltimore native also made guest appearances on "Jon and Kate Plus 8," recorded voiceovers for an episode of "King of the Hill" and was a special guest on the MTV show hosted by Rob Dyrdek, "Ridiculousness," in 2012. Read more coverage of Maryland reality show connections.

Ray Mickshaw, Baltimore Sun Photo

The 21-year-old R&B singer from Bowie told "X-Factor" judges that his mom gave him a two-year window to pursue an entertainment career. Canty came in fourth place on "X-Factor" and was allowed to continue following his dream. ***Following his performance on Fox's "X-Factor", Canty was signed by judge L.A. Reid to a record deal with Epic Records. His EP, "This ... Is Marcus Canty" is set to debut Oct. 30. His single, "Won't Make a Fool Out of You," was released in April and failed to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song reached 98 on the Billboard R&B chart. "Won't Make a Fool Out of You"

Photo by Trae Patton/NBC

Julienne Irwin came in fourth place on the 2007 season of "America's Got Talent." In summer 2009, she performed at Rash Field with Uncle Kracker and Kate Voegele. Read more coverage of "America's Got Talent."

André F. Chung/Baltimore Sun Photo

Bryan Voltaggio, owner and executive chef at Volt in Frederick, was a contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef: Las Vegas." He came in second place to his younger Michael. ***Bryan Voltaggio was asked to participate in "Top Chef All-Stars" but declined because he had obligations with his restaurant. Along with his brother, Bryan opened a restaurant in Mumbai, India and co-authored a cook book titled "Volt ink." Read more coverage of "Top Chef."

Jed Kirschbaum, The Baltimore Sun

"Kitchen Nightmares" alum Denise Whiting owns Cafe Hon on West 36th Street. Whiting was met with recent criticism when her iconic restaurant trademarked the term "Hon," which she relinquished in November 2011. This unique public relations problem was addressed in Gordon Ramsey's assessment during the 2012 episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" featuring Cafe Hon.

Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun photo

Timothy Dean, a Prince George's County native, was the sixth contestant eliminated from Season 7 of Bravo's "Top Chef" show. *** Since his appearance on "Top Chef," Dean has seen his share of success and failure. In May 2010, Dean's T.D. Bistro Inc., filed for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The chef filed a lawsuit against the developers of National Harbor, where there was an agreement in place for him to open a dining spot. Also the owner of Fells Point's Prime Steakhouse, Dean opened a new burger restaurant, Timothy Dean Burger, in 2012 at The Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Largo. The restaurant has enjoyed success for offering gourmet burgers and pizza at fast food prices.

Chiaki Kawajiri, Baltimore Sun Photo

Jesse Sandlin, former executive chef at Abacrombie, was a contestant on "Top Chef: Las Vegas" but got sent home in the show's first elimination during a Quickfire Challenge. ***Sadlin left her restaurant Abacrombie after a family death and helped to open a new restaurant, Vino Rosina, in Harbor East. She stayed less than a year before parting ways with the restaurant. Sadlin also has spent time waiting tables at the restaurant Of Love and Regret, which has given her more time to focus on her future endeavors. Read more coverage of "Top Chef."

Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna

Pilot Gus McLeod of Gaithersburg, Md., competed in season six of "The Amazing Race" with his daughter, Hera. Read more coverage of "The Amazing Race."

Bob D'Amico, ABC

Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard grew up in the D.C. area, as well as Palmer Park, Md. Along with partner Anna Trebunskaya, he was eliminated third in the 12th season of Dancing With the Stars. Read more coverage of "Dancing With the Stars" here.