What do we love about reality TV? What don’t we love! For our annual Reality Stars of the Year issue, we honored The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Robert Irwin of Dancing With the Stars, Christina Haack of The Flip Off, Nic Vansteenberghe of Love Island USA, Maddie Reese of Southern Hospitality, Riley Burruss and Ariana Biermann of Next Gen NYC, Rachel Reilly of Big Brother and Dylan Efron of The Traitors and Dancing With the Stars. And then we took a look at the landscape and collected all the you-had-to-be-there moments that had Us laughing, cringing, rejoicing, hissing and just about every other reaction you can imagine. Our list starts with the 2024 .
FALL 2024
Us Weekly’s Reality Stars of the Year issue
Last year’s cover girl: Beverly Hills Housewife Kyle Richards!
NOVEMBER 26, 2024
The Real Housewives of New York City
For the first time, Erin Lichy shared her abortion story with her (now deceased) dad. His supportive response was everything.
JANUARY 7, 2025
Deal or No Deal Island
Recognizing David Genat from Australian Survivor, Parvati Shallow of Survivor U.S. allied with him, saying, “We’re gonna eat [our competitors] like little gummy bears.”
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
Southern Charm
Lovesick Shep Rose texted Sienna Evans, asking her to understand his feelings and “exalt” them. (Also noted: her “perfect little freckled lips.”) They split that episode.
Editor’s Letter: Why Reality TV Is Officially Cool!
MARCH 4, 2025
With Love, Meghan
The hostess taught Mindy Kaling about crostinis and royal names, specifying that Meghan Markle is out: “You know I’m Sussex now.”
MARCH 9, 2025
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Away two seasons, Porsha Williams returned with sass to spare: “Honey, you know I had to circle the block, and I’m back!”
MARCH 13, 2025
Love Is Blind: Sweden
Oh, Ola. He hated Milly’s “masculine” hair and her enjoyment of cocktails, French fries, Coke and the occasional vape. Yeesh.
MARCH 26, 2025
Survivor
Overstimulated by a challenge, Eva Erickson spiraled. After Joe Hunter crossed tribal lines to soothe her, she chose to finally reveal her autism diagnosis to everyone.
APRIL 15, 2025
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Exit, stage left! After Garcelle Beauvais renounced her Housewife status in March, fans finally saw her dramatic reunion walkout. “F**king a**holes,” she muttered.
Garcelle Beauvais Is ‘Thriving’ After ‘RHOBH’ Exit, Doesn’t Miss It
APRIL 22, 2025
The Valley
After a blow-the-roof-off argument with estranged wife Brittany Cartwright, Jax Taylor headed to rehab: “I’m a little scared.”
MAY 15, 2025
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
“Barely surviving” and grappling with prenatal depression and suicidal ideation, Jennifer Affleck broke off filming. (She’s now in a better place and on Dancing With the Stars!)
‘Mormon Wives’ Season 3 Trailer Features Jessi Crying Over Affair Rumors
MAY 18, 2025
Sister Wives
With a Viking ship urn to reflect Garrison’s love of Norse myth, the Browns laid Janelle and Kody’s son to rest in a moving episode.
MAY 25, 2025
Love Hotel
Ashley Darby faked her period to escape a makeout session, explaining to Gizelle Bryant the next day: “[He] was giving, like, lizard.”
MAY 28, 2025
Summer House
On the reunion, Paige DeSorbo got the last word on her breakup, calling bulls**t on Craig Conover’s claims that he returned an engagement ring.
JULY 7, 2025
Below Deck
New duties?! “I’m horny about, to manage something because bar — I love bar,” exclaimed stew Solène Favreau. Non, chérie. “Horny” does not equal “excited.”
Below Deck Med’s Captain Sandy Addresses Nathan Gallagher Damaging the Boat
JUNE 18, 2025
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
A radiant Armani Latimer, who lost her hair due to alopecia, ditched her wig and inspired Us all.
JULY 7, 2025
Christmas at Sea
On Hallmark’s holiday cruise, a daughter died as Mom revealed which actor aboard was her “Hallmark pass” (yes, a hall pass).
JULY 31, 2025
Project Runway
“The back is a couch cushion!” “She looks like a Nigerian auntie.” New judge Law Roach quickly set a standard for truth above all.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
The Chrisleys: Back to Reality
Mainstays of the genre, the family entered a new era of candor as it documented Todd and Julie Chrisley’s release from prison.
OCTOBER 1, 2025
Love Is Blind
Talk dirty to me… said no one in the pod. But Kacie McIntosh dove in: “I’ll kiss you from your neck all the way down.” Patrick Suzuki: speechless.
OCTOBER 2, 2025
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
We had trouble breathing, too, when an exercise on a sinking plane nearly sunk Eva Marcille for good.
