Difference between revisions of "Reality Television and the LGBTQ Community"

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The vast majority of reality television shows are competitive in nature with a focus on a specific profession or skill.  These include singing, cooking, modelling, dancing, slam poetry, and more.  Many of the shows set up their characters in programmed elimination bouts, with the final character standing declared the winner.  A smaller number of the shows are focused on documenting the daily lives of the characters in the show and their interactions with others.   
 
The vast majority of reality television shows are competitive in nature with a focus on a specific profession or skill.  These include singing, cooking, modelling, dancing, slam poetry, and more.  Many of the shows set up their characters in programmed elimination bouts, with the final character standing declared the winner.  A smaller number of the shows are focused on documenting the daily lives of the characters in the show and their interactions with others.   
  
−
To appreciate the size of the industry, we have identified a total of 82 global reality television shows from 29 countries that have had prominent LGBTQ representation.  In many cases, the original show concept has been so popular that it has become an international franchise that is replicated in numerous countries and broadcast more locally.   
+
To appreciate the size of the industry, we have identified a total of 84 global reality television shows from 29 countries that have had prominent LGBTQ representation.  In many cases, the original show concept has been so popular that it has become an international franchise that is replicated in numerous countries and which are broadcast more locally.   
  
 
LGBTQ representation can be by way of producers or directors of the show, hosts, or characters.  Many of theses individuals have become household names around the world as a result of their profile on reality television.   
 
LGBTQ representation can be by way of producers or directors of the show, hosts, or characters.  Many of theses individuals have become household names around the world as a result of their profile on reality television.   
  
−
The ranking of the top twelve shows in terms of the greatest number of LGBTQ participants is: the Big Brother franchise; the RuPaul Drag Race franchise and the Idol franchise (tied); X Factor and Project Runway (tied); Eurovision; the Next Top Model franchise; Top Chef; The Amazing Race; and So You Think You Can Dance, the Got Talent franchise, and the Queer Eye franchise (tied).  
+
The ranking of the top thirteen shows in terms of the greatest number of LGBTQ participants is: the Big Brother franchise; [[RuPaul]] Drag Race franchise; the Idol franchise; X Factor and Project Runway (tied); Eurovision; the Next Top Model franchise; Top Chef; The Amazing Race and The Voice (tied); and So You Think You Can Dance, the Got Talent franchise, and the Queer Eye franchise (tied).  
  
−
The wide acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in reality television has helped educate the public about the community.  The appeal of this genre has helped move the dial forward on tolerance around the issue of sexual orientation, and the wide representation of lesbians, gays, transgender and others has truly reflected the diversity of the community itself.  Because it is reality television, the community believes they are being represented authentically and are shown as a genuine and real segment of society.  The success of the genre is because the shows are entertaining and the audience develops an intense interest in the character's lives.  In the quest for ratings however, there is concern about the risk of sensationalizing the characters to the extreme to attract popularity and advertising support.
+
The wide acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in reality television has helped educate the public about the community.  The appeal of this genre has helped move the dial forward on tolerance around the issue of sexual orientation, and the wide representation of lesbians, gays, transgender and others has truly reflected the diversity of the community itself.  Because it is reality television, the community believes they are being represented authentically and are shown as a genuine and real segment of society.  The success of the genre is because the shows are entertaining and the audience develops an intense interest in the characters' lives.  In the quest for ratings however, there is concern about the risk of sensationalizing the characters to the extreme to attract popularity and advertising support.
  
 
We have identified the following LGBTQ individuals as prominent in the reality television industry around the world.  Simply click on their name to read more about each of them.
 
We have identified the following LGBTQ individuals as prominent in the reality television industry around the world.  Simply click on their name to read more about each of them.
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* [[Anthony Callea]], Australian Idol
 
* [[Anthony Callea]], Australian Idol
 
* [[Tim Campbell]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Tim Campbell]], Dancing With the Stars
 +
* [[Dominic Clarke]], The Voice
 
* [[Joel Creasey]], I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Joel Creasey]], I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 +
* [[Maria Thattil]], I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
  
 
'''Austria'''
 
'''Austria'''
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'''Canada'''
 
'''Canada'''
  
 +
* [[Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman]], Canada's Drag Race
 
* [[Gigi Gorgeous]], The Avenue
 
* [[Gigi Gorgeous]], The Avenue
 +
* [[Brooke Lynn Hytes]], Canada's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Sabrina Jalees]], Vanderpump Rules
 
* [[Sabrina Jalees]], Vanderpump Rules
 
* [[James Makokis]], The Amazing Race Canada
 
* [[James Makokis]], The Amazing Race Canada
 +
* [[Stacey McKenzie]], Canada's Drag Race, Canada's Next Top Model
 
* [[Rosa Mendes]], Total Divas
 
* [[Rosa Mendes]], Total Divas
 
* [[Mike Ruiz]], America's Next Top Model, RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Mike Ruiz]], America's Next Top Model, RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Emanuel Sandhu]], So You Think You Can Dance Canada
 
* [[Emanuel Sandhu]], So You Think You Can Dance Canada
 
* [[Jenna Talackova]], Brave New Girl
 
* [[Jenna Talackova]], Brave New Girl
 +
* [[Ilona Verley]], Canada's Drag Race
 
* [[Richie Wilcox]], Canadian Idol
 
* [[Richie Wilcox]], Canadian Idol
  
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'''Great Britain'''
 
'''Great Britain'''
  
 +
* [[Nicola Adams]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Luke Anderson]], Big Brother
 
* [[Luke Anderson]], Big Brother
 +
* [[David Atherton]], The Great British Bake Off
 
* [[Amanda Barrie]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Amanda Barrie]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Remy Blumenfeld]], Come Dine With Me, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Remy Blumenfeld]], Come Dine With Me, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
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* [[Tom Daley]], Splash
 
* [[Tom Daley]], Splash
 
* [[Evan Davis]], Dragon's Den
 
* [[Evan Davis]], Dragon's Den
 +
* [[Levi Davis]], Celebrity X Factor
 
* [[Mark Foster]], Strictly Come Dancing, The Weakest Link
 
* [[Mark Foster]], Strictly Come Dancing, The Weakest Link
 
* [[Honey G]], The X Factor
 
* [[Honey G]], The X Factor
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* [[Nick Grimshaw]], X Factor
 
* [[Nick Grimshaw]], X Factor
 
* [[Jaymi Hensley]], The X Factor
 
* [[Jaymi Hensley]], The X Factor
 +
* [[Becky Hill]], The Voice UK
 
* [[Craig Revel Horwood]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Craig Revel Horwood]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Colin Jackson]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Colin Jackson]], Strictly Come Dancing
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* [[Vangelis Polydorou]], The Voice UK
 
* [[Vangelis Polydorou]], The Voice UK
 
* [[Lee Ryan]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Lee Ryan]], Celebrity Big Brother
 +
* [[Jill Scott]], I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[George Shelley]], The X Factor, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[George Shelley]], The X Factor, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Ranj Singh]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Ranj Singh]], Strictly Come Dancing
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* [[Lucy Spraggan]], The X Factor
 
* [[Lucy Spraggan]], The X Factor
 
* [[Chris Steed]], Gogglebox
 
* [[Chris Steed]], Gogglebox
 +
* [[Matt Terry]], XFactor UK
 
* [[Ian H. Watkins]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Ian H. Watkins]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Andy West]], Big Brother
 
* [[Andy West]], Big Brother
 
* [[John Whaite]], Great British Bake Off
 
* [[John Whaite]], Great British Bake Off
 +
* [[Layton Williams]], Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Matthew Williamson]], Project Runway
 
* [[Matthew Williamson]], Project Runway
 
* [[Will Young]], Pop Idol
 
* [[Will Young]], Pop Idol
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* [[Brian Dowling]], Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Brian Dowling]], Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Brian Kennedy]], Eurovision
 
* [[Brian Kennedy]], Eurovision
 +
* [[Riyadh Khalaf]], Celebrity Chef
 
* [[Anna Nolan]], Big Brother
 
* [[Anna Nolan]], Big Brother
  
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'''Italy'''
 
'''Italy'''
  
 +
* [[Gabriele Bertaccini]], Say I Do
 +
* [[Alex Di Giorgio]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Bruno Tonioli]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Bruno Tonioli]], Dancing With the Stars
  
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* [[Ali Saleem]], Big Boss
 
* [[Ali Saleem]], Big Boss
 +
 +
'''Peru'''
 +
 +
* [[Nicola Porcella]], La Casa de los Famosos México
  
 
'''Philippines'''
 
'''Philippines'''
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* [[Rica Paras]], Piony Big Brother
 
* [[Rica Paras]], Piony Big Brother
 
* [[Charice Pempengco]], The X Factor
 
* [[Charice Pempengco]], The X Factor
 +
 +
'''Puerto Rico'''
 +
 +
* [[Ricky Martin]], The Voice Australia, The Voice Mexico
  
 
'''Romania'''
 
'''Romania'''
  
−
* [[Leonard Miron]], Eurovision,
+
* [[Leonard Miron]], Eurovision  
  
 
'''Serbia'''
 
'''Serbia'''
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* [[Loreen]], Swedish Idol, Eurovision
 
* [[Loreen]], Swedish Idol, Eurovision
 
* [[Eddie Razaz]], Idol
 
* [[Eddie Razaz]], Idol
 +
* [[Darin Zanyar]], Idol
  
 
'''Taiwan'''
 
'''Taiwan'''
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* [[Ted Allen]], Chopped, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
 
* [[Ted Allen]], Chopped, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
 
* [[Jared Allman]], Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys
 
* [[Jared Allman]], Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys
 +
* [[David Archuleta]], American Idol
 
* [[Austin Armacost]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Austin Armacost]], Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Chip Arndt]], Amazing Race
 
* [[Chip Arndt]], Amazing Race
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* [[Rebecca Black]], The Four
 
* [[Rebecca Black]], The Four
 
* [[Chaz Bono]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Chaz Bono]], Dancing With the Stars
 +
* [[Wayne Brady]], Dancing With The Stars
 +
* [[Jeremiah Brent]], Say I Do
 
* [[Karamo Brown]], Queer Eye, The Real World
 
* [[Karamo Brown]], Queer Eye, The Real World
 
* [[Nao Bustamante]], Work of Art: The Next Great Artist
 
* [[Nao Bustamante]], Work of Art: The Next Great Artist
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* [[Milan Christopher]], Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood
 
* [[Milan Christopher]], Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood
 
* [[Andy Cohen]], Housewives series
 
* [[Andy Cohen]], Housewives series
 +
* [[Cat Cora]], Iron Chef America
 
* [[Laverne Cox]], Transform Me
 
* [[Laverne Cox]], Transform Me
 +
* [[Alan Cumming]], The Traitors
 
* [[Frenchie Davis]], The Voice, American Idol
 
* [[Frenchie Davis]], The Voice, American Idol
 
* [[Ellen DeGeneres]], American Idol
 
* [[Ellen DeGeneres]], American Idol
 +
* [[Ariana DeBose]], So You Think You Can Dance
 
* [[Nyle DiMarco]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Nyle DiMarco]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Kyan Douglas]], Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
 
* [[Kyan Douglas]], Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
 
* [[Drew Elliott]], America's Next Top Model
 
* [[Drew Elliott]], America's Next Top Model
 +
* [[Laganja Estranja]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Matt Evers]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Matt Evers]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Tiffani Faison]], Top Chef
 
* [[Tiffani Faison]], Top Chef
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* [[Sam Harris]], Star Search
 
* [[Sam Harris]], Star Search
 
* [[Richard Hatch]], Survivor
 
* [[Richard Hatch]], Survivor
 +
* [[Asher HaVon]], The Voice
 
* [[Tyler Henry]], E!Hollywood Medium
 
* [[Tyler Henry]], E!Hollywood Medium
 
* [[David Hernandez]], American Idol
 
* [[David Hernandez]], American Idol
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* [[Adam Lambert]], American Idol
 
* [[Adam Lambert]], American Idol
 
* [[Reichen Lehmkuhl]], The Amazing Race
 
* [[Reichen Lehmkuhl]], The Amazing Race
 +
* [[Jeff Lewis]], Flipping Out
 
* [[Lazarus Lynch]], Chopped
 
* [[Lazarus Lynch]], Chopped
 +
* [[Jenna Lyons]], The Real Housewives of New York
 
* [[Anita Lo]], Top Chef
 
* [[Anita Lo]], Top Chef
 +
* [[Lance Loud]], An American Family
 +
* [[Demi Lovato]], The X Factor USA
 +
* [[Ilona Maher]], Dancing With The Stars
 +
* [[Sanjaya Malakar]], American Idol, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Kelly Mantle]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Kelly Mantle]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Jeffrey Alan Marks]], Million Dollar Decorators
 
* [[Jeffrey Alan Marks]], Million Dollar Decorators
 +
* [[Ross Mathews]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Trixie Mattel]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Trixie Mattel]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Michael Mejia]], Skin Wars
 
* [[Michael Mejia]], Skin Wars
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* [[Jen Richards]], I am Cait
 
* [[Jen Richards]], I am Cait
 
* [[Brent Ridge]], The Fabulous Beekman Boys
 
* [[Brent Ridge]], The Fabulous Beekman Boys
 +
* [[Cody Rigsby]], Dancing With The Stars
 
* [[Danny Roberts]], The Real World
 
* [[Danny Roberts]], The Real World
 
* [[Fatima Robinson]], The Voice
 
* [[Fatima Robinson]], The Voice
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* [[Amiyah Scott]], Real Housewives of Atlanta
 
* [[Amiyah Scott]], Real Housewives of Atlanta
 
* [[Adam Shankman]], So You Think You Can Dance
 
* [[Adam Shankman]], So You Think You Can Dance
 +
* [[Ari Shapiro]], The Mole
 
* [[Jenny Shimizu]], Make Me a Supermodel
 
* [[Jenny Shimizu]], Make Me a Supermodel
 
* [[Miles Siir Brock]], Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood
 
* [[Miles Siir Brock]], Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood
 
* [[Christian Siriano]], Project Runway
 
* [[Christian Siriano]], Project Runway
 +
* [[JoJo Siwa]], The Masked Singer, Dance Moms
 
* [[Terrance Stone]], American Idol
 
* [[Terrance Stone]], American Idol
 
* [[Jonathan Van Ness]], Queer Eye
 
* [[Jonathan Van Ness]], Queer Eye
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* [[Jim Verraros]], American Idol
 
* [[Jim Verraros]], American Idol
 
* [[Nick Verreos]], Project Runway
 
* [[Nick Verreos]], Project Runway
 +
* [[Michelle Visage]], RuPaul's Drag Race, Ireland's Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing
 
* [[Daniel Vosovic]], Project Runway
 
* [[Daniel Vosovic]], Project Runway
 
* [[Travis Wall]], So You Think You Can Dance
 
* [[Travis Wall]], So You Think You Can Dance
 +
* [[Johnny Weir]], Dancing With The Stars
 +
* [[Mike White]], Survivor
 
* [[Dashaun Williams]], America's Best Dance Crew
 
* [[Dashaun Williams]], America's Best Dance Crew
 
* [[Nathan Hale Williams]], Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys
 
* [[Nathan Hale Williams]], Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys
 
* [[Jody Williams]], Chopped
 
* [[Jody Williams]], Chopped
 +
* [[Avery Wilson]], The Voice
 +
* [[Braunwyn Windham-Burke]], Real Houswives of Orange County
 
* [[Vern Yip]], Design Star, Trading Places
 
* [[Vern Yip]], Design Star, Trading Places
 
* [[Pedro Zamora]], The Real World
 
* [[Pedro Zamora]], The Real World
 +
 +
'''Vietnam'''
 +
 +
* [[Thai Nguyen]], Say I Do
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 15:00, 21 September 2024

Tv.jpg

Reality television is a genre of television show that presents its characters and story line in an unscripted and spontaneous format, intending the show to represent real life with real people. Over the past twenty five years, it has become one of the largest segments of programming on television networks, specialty channels, and streaming services.

The vast majority of reality television shows are competitive in nature with a focus on a specific profession or skill. These include singing, cooking, modelling, dancing, slam poetry, and more. Many of the shows set up their characters in programmed elimination bouts, with the final character standing declared the winner. A smaller number of the shows are focused on documenting the daily lives of the characters in the show and their interactions with others.

To appreciate the size of the industry, we have identified a total of 84 global reality television shows from 29 countries that have had prominent LGBTQ representation. In many cases, the original show concept has been so popular that it has become an international franchise that is replicated in numerous countries and which are broadcast more locally.

LGBTQ representation can be by way of producers or directors of the show, hosts, or characters. Many of theses individuals have become household names around the world as a result of their profile on reality television.

The ranking of the top thirteen shows in terms of the greatest number of LGBTQ participants is: the Big Brother franchise; RuPaul Drag Race franchise; the Idol franchise; X Factor and Project Runway (tied); Eurovision; the Next Top Model franchise; Top Chef; The Amazing Race and The Voice (tied); and So You Think You Can Dance, the Got Talent franchise, and the Queer Eye franchise (tied).

The wide acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in reality television has helped educate the public about the community. The appeal of this genre has helped move the dial forward on tolerance around the issue of sexual orientation, and the wide representation of lesbians, gays, transgender and others has truly reflected the diversity of the community itself. Because it is reality television, the community believes they are being represented authentically and are shown as a genuine and real segment of society. The success of the genre is because the shows are entertaining and the audience develops an intense interest in the characters' lives. In the quest for ratings however, there is concern about the risk of sensationalizing the characters to the extreme to attract popularity and advertising support.

We have identified the following LGBTQ individuals as prominent in the reality television industry around the world. Simply click on their name to read more about each of them.

Australia

Austria

Brazil

Bulgaria

Cameroon

Canada

Denmark

Finland

Great Britain

Iceland

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Mexico

New Zealand

  • Tamati Coffey, Dancing With the Stars, New Zealand's Got Talent

Norway

Pakistan

Peru

Philippines

Puerto Rico

Romania

Serbia

Singapore

South Korea

Sweden

Taiwan

Thailand

The Netherlands

United States

Vietnam

See Also

Further Reading/Research


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