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

From QueerBio.com
Jump to: navigation, search
(48 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
[[File:tv.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]
 +
 +
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'''
 
'''Australia'''
  
 
* [[Jordan Bruno]], My Kitchen Rules
 
* [[Jordan Bruno]], My Kitchen Rules
 +
* [[Anthony Callea]], Australian Idol
 
* [[Tim Campbell]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Tim Campbell]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Joel Creasey]], I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Joel Creasey]], I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 +
 +
'''Austria'''
 +
 +
* [[Conchita Wurst]], Eurovision
  
 
'''Brazil'''
 
'''Brazil'''
Line 19: Line 40:
 
'''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
  
Line 36: Line 61:
 
* [[Saara Aalto]], The X Factor
 
* [[Saara Aalto]], The X Factor
 
* [[Sauli Koskinen]], Big Brother
 
* [[Sauli Koskinen]], Big Brother
 +
* [[Jani Toivola]], Idols
  
 
'''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
 +
* [[Jeremy Brandrick]], Project Runway
 
* [[Talulah-Eve Brown]], Britain's Next Top Model
 
* [[Talulah-Eve Brown]], Britain's Next Top Model
 
* [[Paul Burrell]], I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
 
* [[Paul Burrell]], I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here
Line 48: Line 77:
 
* [[Robin Cousins]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Robin Cousins]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Tom Daley]], Splash
 
* [[Tom Daley]], Splash
 +
* [[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
Line 72: Line 103:
 
* [[Sanjay Sood-Smith]], The Apprentice
 
* [[Sanjay Sood-Smith]], The Apprentice
 
* [[Louie Spence]], Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Circus
 
* [[Louie Spence]], Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Circus
 +
* [[Lucy Spraggan]], The X Factor
 
* [[Chris Steed]], Gogglebox
 
* [[Chris Steed]], Gogglebox
 
* [[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
 +
* [[Matthew Williamson]], Project Runway
 
* [[Will Young]], Pop Idol
 
* [[Will Young]], Pop Idol
 +
 +
'''Iceland'''
 +
 +
* [[Paul Oscar]], Eurovision
  
 
'''India'''
 
'''India'''
Line 87: Line 124:
  
 
* [[Brian Dowling]], Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother
 
* [[Brian Dowling]], Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother
 +
* [[Brian Kennedy]], Eurovision
 +
* [[Riyadh Khalaf]], Celebrity Chef
 
* [[Anna Nolan]], Big Brother
 
* [[Anna Nolan]], Big Brother
  
 
'''Israel'''
 
'''Israel'''
  
 +
* [[Assi Azar]], Big Brother Israel, Eurovision, The Next Star
 +
* [[Jason Danino-Holt]], Eurovision
 +
* [[Dana International]], Eurovision
 
* [[Gili Shem Tov]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Gili Shem Tov]], Dancing With the Stars
  
 
'''Italy'''
 
'''Italy'''
  
 +
* [[Gabriele Bertaccini]], Say I Do
 
* [[Bruno Tonioli]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Bruno Tonioli]], Dancing With the Stars
  
Line 108: Line 151:
  
 
* [[Tamati Coffey]], Dancing With the Stars, New Zealand's Got Talent
 
* [[Tamati Coffey]], Dancing With the Stars, New Zealand's Got Talent
 +
 +
'''Norway'''
 +
 +
* [[Tooji]], Eurovision
  
 
'''Pakistan'''
 
'''Pakistan'''
Line 117: Line 164:
 
* [[Rose Fostanes]], The X Factor Israel
 
* [[Rose Fostanes]], The X Factor Israel
 
* [[Rica Paras]], Piony Big Brother
 
* [[Rica Paras]], Piony Big Brother
 +
* [[Charice Pempengco]], The X Factor
 +
 +
'''Puerto Rico'''
 +
 +
* [[Ricky Martin]], The Voice Australia, The Voice Mexico
 +
 +
'''Romania'''
 +
 +
* [[Leonard Miron]], Eurovision
 +
 +
'''Serbia'''
 +
 +
* [[Marija Serifovic]], Eurovision
  
 
'''Singapore'''
 
'''Singapore'''
Line 132: Line 192:
 
* [[Loreen]], Swedish Idol, Eurovision
 
* [[Loreen]], Swedish Idol, Eurovision
 
* [[Eddie Razaz]], Idol
 
* [[Eddie Razaz]], Idol
 +
* [[Darin Zanyar]], Idol
 +
 +
'''Taiwan'''
 +
 +
* [[Li Jing]], Super Idol
  
 
'''Thailand'''
 
'''Thailand'''
Line 142: Line 207:
 
* [[Nikkie de Jager]], I Can Make You a Supermodel
 
* [[Nikkie de Jager]], I Can Make You a Supermodel
 
* [[Loiza Lamers]], Holland's Next Top Model
 
* [[Loiza Lamers]], Holland's Next Top Model
 +
* [[Duncan Laurence]], Eurovision
  
 
'''United States'''
 
'''United States'''
Line 149: Line 215:
 
* [[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
Line 156: Line 223:
 
* [[Rebecca Black]], The Four
 
* [[Rebecca Black]], The Four
 
* [[Chaz Bono]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Chaz Bono]], 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
Line 166: Line 234:
 
* [[Elgin Charles]], Good Hair
 
* [[Elgin Charles]], Good Hair
 
* [[Chris Cheng]], Top Shot
 
* [[Chris Cheng]], Top Shot
 +
* [[Kim Chi]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Margaret Cho]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[Margaret Cho]], Dancing With the Stars
 
* [[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
 
* [[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
Line 177: Line 248:
 
* [[Matt Evers]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Matt Evers]], Dancing on Ice
 
* [[Tiffani Faison]], Top Chef
 
* [[Tiffani Faison]], Top Chef
* [[Tom Filicia]], Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
+
* [[Thom Filicia]], Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
 
* [[Josh Flagg]], Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
 
* [[Josh Flagg]], Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
 +
* [[Clark Frasier]], Top Chef
 +
* [[Mark Gaier]], Top Chef
 
* [[De’Borah Garner]], The Voice
 
* [[De’Borah Garner]], The Voice
 
* [[Jesse Godderz]], Big Brother
 
* [[Jesse Godderz]], Big Brother
 +
* [[Julie Goldman]], RuPaul's Drag U
 
* [[Frankie Grande]], America's Best Dance Crew
 
* [[Frankie Grande]], America's Best Dance Crew
 
* [[Mitch Grassi]], The Sing Off
 
* [[Mitch Grassi]], The Sing Off
Line 191: Line 265:
 
* [[Richard Hatch]], Survivor
 
* [[Richard Hatch]], Survivor
 
* [[Tyler Henry]], E!Hollywood Medium
 
* [[Tyler Henry]], E!Hollywood Medium
 +
* [[David Hernandez]], American Idol
 
* [[Madison Hildebrand]], Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
 
* [[Madison Hildebrand]], Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
 
* [[Cory Wade Hindorff]], America's Next Top Model
 
* [[Cory Wade Hindorff]], America's Next Top Model
Line 211: Line 286:
 
* [[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
 +
* [[Anita Lo]], Top Chef
 +
* [[Lance Loud]], An American Family
 +
* [[Demi Lovato]], The X Factor USA
 
* [[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
 
* [[Michael Mejia]], Skin Wars
 
* [[Michael Mejia]], Skin Wars
 
* [[Ashley Merriman]], Top Chef
 
* [[Ashley Merriman]], Top Chef
Line 224: Line 305:
 
* [[Josephine Ochoa]], Nuestra Belleza Latina
 
* [[Josephine Ochoa]], Nuestra Belleza Latina
 
* [[George Ortiz]], Project Runway
 
* [[George Ortiz]], Project Runway
 +
* [[James Oseland]], Top Chef
 
* [[Rayvon Owen]], American Idol
 
* [[Rayvon Owen]], American Idol
 
* [[Raquel Pennington]], The Ultimate Fighter
 
* [[Raquel Pennington]], The Ultimate Fighter
 
* [[Jordan Pious]], The Amazing Race
 
* [[Jordan Pious]], The Amazing Race
 +
* [[Monica Pope]], Top Chef
 
* [[Zachary Posen]], Project Runway
 
* [[Zachary Posen]], Project Runway
 
* [[Yigit Pura]], Top Chef: Just Desserts
 
* [[Yigit Pura]], Top Chef: Just Desserts
 
* [[Traver Rains]], America's Next Top Model, Project Runway
 
* [[Traver Rains]], America's Next Top Model, Project Runway
 +
* [[Santino Rice]], Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Law Roach]], America's Next Top Model
 
* [[Law Roach]], America's Next Top Model
 
* [[Raja]], RuPaul's Drag Race
 
* [[Raja]], RuPaul's Drag Race
Line 235: Line 319:
 
* [[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
Line 246: Line 331:
 
* [[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
 
* [[Jonathan Van Ness]], Queer Eye
 
* [[Jonathan Van Ness]], Queer Eye
 
* [[Jaymes Vaughn]], The Amazing Race
 
* [[Jaymes Vaughn]], The Amazing Race
Line 251: Line 338:
 
* [[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
 
* [[Travis Wall]], So You Think You Can Dance
 
* [[Travis Wall]], So You Think You Can Dance
 +
* [[Johnny Weir]], Dancing With The Stars
 
* [[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==
 +
 +
* [[Boy Band Members Who Are Out As Gay, Bisexual or Queer]]
 +
* [[Top Television News Anchors Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
 +
* [[Lesbian Film and Television Producers and Directors]]
 +
* [[Soap Opera Stars and Producers Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
  
 
==Further Reading/Research==
 
==Further Reading/Research==
  
 +
* https://complicatingqueertheory.wordpress.com/queer-representations/reality-tv/
 +
* https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/09/reality-tv-dating-shows-queer-representation
 +
* https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030142148
  
 
<html><br />
 
<html><br />

Revision as of 20:21, 10 September 2021

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

Philippines

Puerto Rico

Romania

Serbia

Singapore

South Korea

Sweden

Taiwan

Thailand

The Netherlands

United States

Vietnam

See Also

Further Reading/Research


Share on Facebook