In more than three decades in entertainment journalism (good lighting hides my age well!), I’ve met hundreds of celebs — in interviews, at award shows and parties — some have even become good friends.
So when I tell people about my job, they always want the inside scoop on the stars. Everyone from the waitress at my local seafood stand to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies crave gossip. And the stars they ask about the most? A-list actors? Rock gods? Pop divas? Nope. They all want to know about reality stars. Yup, they get a lot more excited about my attending Countess Luann’s wedding and getting tablescape advice from celebrity chefs than they do about my walking the red carpet at the Oscars.
Reality stars captivate because they’re real — the clue is in the title. They’re not acting or performing, and the emotions you see are authentic. Sure, they may be slightly more glamorous and slightly more dramatic (OK, a lot more dramatic), but their raw, relatable humanity is what hooks us, as individual viewers and the culture as a whole.
For years, reality was considered a lesser form of entertainment. Barbara Walters famously told Kim Kardashian in 2011 that she had no talent. More than a decade later, Kim is still here thanks to her charisma, business savvy and yes, talent. She and others like her have had an undeniable cultural impact. So let’s just say it: Reality TV is officially cool.
Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, More Can’t Get Enough of ‘Real Housewives’
No more pretending we only watch documentaries and prestige television. Reality is bold, boundary-breaking and confident, packed with conventional and unconventional characters alike. What’s more, its players embody every trait we typically associate with coolness: outgoingness, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness and autonomy. Mormon Wives and Dancing With the Stars standouts Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck? Outgoing. The cast of The Valley? Hedonistic. Beverly Hills Housewife Erika Jayne? Autonomous. Reality TV is basically a master class in cool.
Plus, with higher ethical standards and production values than ever before, it’s no longer a guilty pleasure. After a long day, winding down with Below Deck, Selling Sunset or your favorite hard-bodied, over-sexed reality friends of Love Island is self-care.
But it’s not all fluff — reality stars can also teach us something meaningful. Our cover stars (on newsstands now!), the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, are a great example. Heather Gay and Whitney Rose left behind restrictive religious backgrounds. Mary Cosby shared an unflinching view of her son’s struggle with addiction. Meredith Marks has offered an unfiltered look at how hard marriage can get after nearly 30 years.
Reality shows also shape fashion, language and social behavior. Kardashian-inspired spandex may be singlehandedly responsible for the Y2K revival; Love Island swimsuits are globally recognizable; and RuPaul’s Drag Race has guided countless LGBTQIA+ youth toward self-acceptance.
The crown prince of pop culture, Andy Cohen, tells Us reality TV “was always cool — it just took a minute for everyone to realize it.” Thank goodness they did. Being into reality TV is about being interested in life, people and the world, so tell the haters to take a hike in high heels (a new reality format?!). At Us Weekly, we believe the higher your IQ, the greater your need for reality TV.
So, settle in, celebrate and embrace the art form of America’s favorite pastime. Reality TV isn’t just a guilty pleasure — it’s a cultural force. Watch it, own it and never, ever, apologize for loving it.
Enjoy,
Dan Wakeford
Editor-in-chief
