Not only did Worcester native Alisan Porter triumph on “The Voice” this week, her victory has finally put to rest the idea that Worcester is “cursed” when it comes to reality TV competitions. For a long time, it seemed being from Worcester was a guarantee to be cut in either the first or second episode. But that’s been eroding for a while now as locals have scored successes on shows ranging from “Sweet Genius” to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Here are a few notable competitors:

Jessica Cabral: This Worcester native’s early elimination from "American Idol" was a shocker, as several watchers had her pegged as a winner. That hasn’t stopped her career from developing though, and she recently signed a songwriting deal with OC Hit Factory in California.

Alina Eisenhauer: The owner of the restaurant Sweet on Shrewsbury Street, Eisenhauer competed on shows such as “Chopped” and “Cupcake Wars” before winning the premiere episode of the Food Network’s dessert showdown, “Sweet Genius.”

Joslyn Fox: Worcester drag queen Joslyn Fox, who’s real name is Patrick Allen Joslyn, almost made it to the finish line on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but has since made a career performing nationwide, including in a couple of music videos by Auburn-native country musician Glenn Stewart.

Sam James: A veteran of the local music scene, James was the first local to appear on “The Voice,” competing for Adam Levine’s team in the third season. He was eliminated in the “knock-out” rounds, but has been knocking out live audiences both locally and on the road ever since.

Katya: The hilarious Katya, whose alter-ego is Marlboro native Brian McCook, has kept busy since her elimination last year on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” including a hilarious guest spot on the current season’s finale.

Tim LaRoche: Country musician LaRoche was raised in Athol and Gardner before moving to Nashville to pursue a career in music, and scored a spot on the now-gone “Nashville Star.” He was eliminated first (the Worcester curse!) but to put things in perspective, current country music darling Kacey Musgraves was on that season, and she only came in seventh!

Athena Lazo: There was once a TV show called “The Hero,” where contestants were tested in areas such as “Climbing and Rappelling” and “Honesty & Bus Searching.” Also, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would appear and try to tempt you with money. Southbridge native Lazo, a former NFL cheerleader, got pretty close to the end before being eliminated on a “Weapons Targets & Cavernous Abseiling” challenge.

Wesley Nault: This Blackstone native may have gotten eliminated early on “Project Runway,” but that hasn’t hindered his fashion career at all: Nault was a recipient of a New Garde grant from GEN ART, and has exhibited at New York Fashion Week. His collections are viewable at http://www.wesleynault.com/.

Carmelo Oquendo: The Worcester police officer turned baker made it to the eighth episode of season two of “Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker.” Since then, he can be found at his at-home bakery, The Cakefather.

J. Christian Rea: The owner of Salon 647 was a contestant on Bravo's “Split Ends” in 2008, and organized a red carpet premiere for his episode at Temple Emanuel. More than 400 people attended, raising $12,000 for AIDS Project Worcester.

Email Victor D. Infante at Victor.Infante@Telegram.com and follow Pop Culture Notebook on Twitter @TGPopCulture.