Gabby Windey Is Reason Enough to Add a Reality-TV Performance Emmy

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As I reflect on the TV shows I’ve watched this year, undeniably, series like Hacks, Severance, and (if you share my good taste) Andor have left a lasting impression. However, it’s not just those high-profile shows that linger in my mind; The Traitors, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives also deserve mention. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey certainly captivated me with their performances in the gripping episode of The Last of Us, but Genevieve Mushaluk and Andy Rueda’s “Operation Italy” maneuver on Survivor had my jaw dropping too. Could our TV year have been as diverse and fulfilling without Gabby Windey’s rise to stardom on The Traitors or Suzie Toot’s boundary-pushing antics on Drag Race?

As a devoted cinephile, I find myself pondering: Why is it that Pascal, Ramsey, and numerous other cast members from “The White Lotus” are poised to receive Emmy nominations, while reality TV stars such as Lexi Love, Mary M. Cosby, and Dr. Orna Guralnik lack a category for their nomination? It’s high time the Emmys created a new category – Outstanding Individual Performance in a Reality Series – don’t you think?

In essence, it’s only fair to say yes, because reality TV personalities don’t receive industry awards, unlike those in other television genres or sports (ESPYs excluded). Reality shows display individuals in their natural environment, but the real skillset often lies with the crew behind the scenes. There are 17 Emmy categories dedicated to reality TV, excluding “nonfiction” ones, and they honor directors, producers, and hosts. However, the contestants themselves are not recognized. From a work perspective, it seems inconsistent that the showrunners and hosts can be nominated for Emmys, while the actual talent on-screen – the contestants – are overlooked.

Mike Bloom, who writes about reality TV for Parade and Rob Has a Podcast, states that it’s unfair to the contestants because “they’re not receiving the majority of the praise” despite the possibility that the cast of Drag Race season 16 might protest if their show wins the Competition Series Emmy.

The difference becomes understandable if we consider the origins of reality TV, starting with the premiere of Survivor in 2000. At that time, reality as a genre wasn’t as diverse as it is now, and most popular series were competition-based, resembling evolved game shows. The contestants on shows like Jeopardy!, for instance, weren’t vying for Emmys but cash prizes, much like the participants on Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, and Fear Factor. Additionally, authenticity was a key aspect of early reality shows; any suggestion that the contestants were acting or performing went against the core intent of these shows, which aimed to present real people and genuine interactions.

As a film enthusiast, it’s been fascinating to witness the transformation of reality TV over the past two and a half decades. We’ve learned to view reality-TV personalities as not just subjects, but collaborators in their own right. Some, like the cast of Love on the Spectrum, might still break the fourth wall, adding an authentic touch. On the other hand, stars such as Kyle Richards and Countess LuAnn, who are synonymous with Housewives, seem to have turned their lives into a self-produced cabaret, performing for the cameras. This shift in perception has occurred concurrently with efforts to unionize reality stars, suggesting that we’re moving towards recognizing them as active participants rather than passive subjects in the production process.

Ethan Zohn, a former “Survivor” contestant and winner, shared with me what ultimately transformed his experience. According to him, it was during the season of “Survivor” featuring Mike White that made all the difference. There’s an instance where Mike was in the water, discussing Christian Hubicki. He essentially said, “Everyone, let’s eliminate Christian because people at home are going to adore him immensely.” In that moment, Mike was strategizing like a producer rather than just a player.

Reality stars have historically been self-entrepreneurs, leveraging their fame from reality TV to pursue other opportunities. For instance, after being cast in a Rob Schneider comedy following her appearance on Survivor in 2001, Colleen Haskell used the platform to transition into acting on shows like One Tree Hill and So You Think You Can Dance. This trend has led to stars like Jennifer Hudson (American Idol) and Arianna DeBose (So You Think You Can Dance) winning Oscars in the Best Supporting Actress category. Moreover, in recent years, it’s become common for reality stars to move between series or even platforms to sustain their reality careers. Cirie Fields, a Survivor alum, is a prime example of this trend. Over the past five years, she has appeared on four other reality shows, including Australian Survivor and The Traitors, which she won.

Parvati Shallow, a well-known figure in the realm of reality-based competitions, has featured on Survivor, The Traitors, Deal or No Deal Island, and also the upcoming Australian version of Survivor. She’s observed how the public perception of reality television stars has evolved over time. “It’s an outdated notion that reality stars are just dirty little creatures who will do anything for fame,” she shared during a FaceTime call. “All those fame-hungry individuals! They just want their moment in the spotlight! Well, there are likely many people like that across various fields. However, I do believe we’re behind in acknowledging that those participating in games, competitions, and performances within reality TV exhibit unique acting abilities that are distinct to this genre.” (Not everyone shares this view, of course. Shallow herself encountered issues with Phaedra Parks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta during their stint on The Traitors due to her claim that the Housewives are skilled in acting. “For me,” Shallow explains, “everyone is performing to some extent.”)

Bloom remarks, “Today, individuals are building careers from participating in reality TV shows.” Initially, it appeared that the goal was to do reality TV, which would boost one’s career as a television personality and lead to film stardom. Now, likening them to free agents is quite fitting: they have the opportunity to play for various teams, like the Odell Beckham Jr.’s of the reality world, by appearing on numerous shows for a single season contract due to their unique talents.

As these reality television personalities transition from one program to another, we observe how they adapt their inherent traits to fit the novel situations they encounter. This isn’t unlike the acting profession! In essence, it can be likened to improvisational comedy: “You understand the general format,” she explains. “There are obstacles and rules to contend with. Suddenly, you find yourself in the midst of other unpredictable participants, personalities you must collaborate with. Then, you have to ask yourself, What do I make of this?

Tom Campbell, the executive producer of RuPaul’s Drag Race, remarks that it isn’t always clear if people fully appreciate the daily and weekly efforts put in by our contestants. He believes that the queens could be strong candidates for an individual performance Emmy. “They need to perform improv comedy, create impressions, compose their own lyrics, style their outfits, and even make items live on set,” he explains.

In recent times, the Emmys have broadened their acceptance of reality television as a diverse and dynamic genre. During the surge of reality shows in the 2000s, spearheaded by Survivor, the Television Academy appeared to mirror the television industry’s mixed feelings towards reality TV, by introducing the Outstanding Reality Competition category in 2003, but consistently honoring the same shows. This repetitive pattern suggested that voters were not exploring the full spectrum of reality programming. However, recent years have witnessed a growth in the number and scope of reality categories and eligibility rules, aiming for greater inclusivity. The Television Academy has now categorized reality series into structured and unstructured genres, and created separate awards for cinematography, editing, casting, and directing. In 2018, the Outstanding Choreography category was divided into scripted and reality categories, which means that choreography from shows like Hacks no longer competes with routines on Dancing With the Stars.

Discussing the creation of a category for Exceptional Performance in a Reality Show series is not an easy task. Many individuals I consulted for this article seemed puzzled about how to distinguish among various types of reality performers. Andy Dehnart, creator of Reality Blurred and president of the Television Critics Association, shares this sentiment. “The cast members are incredibly diverse,” he says. “A contestant on a one-off game show is very different from a ‘Real Housewives’ star, who in turn differs from someone on ‘The Challenge’, then someone on ‘Survivor’. It’s challenging to categorize these performances due to the varying levels of production, authenticity, and reality involved in each genre.

Instead of causing more debates about genre categorization at the Emmys, let’s simplify it by creating three distinct categories: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Formatted Reality Series, Outstanding Individual Performance in an Unscripted Reality Series, and Outstanding Individual Performance in a Competitive Reality Series. This should ensure fairness for everyone involved, don’t you think? However, the question then arises about who will be casting votes in these categories. The Emmy nominations are currently based on votes from professional groups within the TV industry. To include reality television performers, it would be necessary to invite them into the TV Academy, correct?

In a simpler and more conversational tone: A shallow person might think that casting teams, story producers, hosts, executive producers, and even fellow contestants, who all witness the assembly of reality-TV performances, could serve as suitable judges. However, she notes that adding contestants to the judging panel may make it feel a bit like a game.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing idea that if reality stars were to compete for an Emmy, the competition would undoubtedly be fierce. Reflecting on this possibility, Dehnart muses, “It’s debatable whether some reality stars could transform into even more formidable figures than they already are. However, I suspect the allure of a genuine Emmy statuette might serve to amplify those traits beyond recognition.

Campbell points out that drag queens excel at self-publicity, especially through social media platforms. On the other hand, more conventional actors express admiration for reality television personalities. For instance, during a recent episode of the Today show, The White Lotus’ Leslie Bibb acted as co-host with Jenna Bush Hager. As Bush Hager announced Jinkx Monsoon’s visit with an exciting surprise, Bibb reacted with enthusiasm, saying something like “Why aren’t I here tomorrow? What’s going on?” According to Campbell, it’s as if both reality TV stars and drag queens share a similar level of popularity. As Sasha Colby would put it (if she were to win an Emmy in this category), they are the beloved TV personalities among other TV personalities.

And the Emmy goes to … Gabby Windey!

Discussing who would deserve an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Reality Competition Series in 2025, it’s clear that Gabby Windey from “The Traitors” is the most deserving candidate. Hailing from Bachelor Nation, Windey initially lacked allies in the “Traitors” mansion but formed a strong alliance with Chrishell Stause and Nikki Bella. She was instrumental in pointing out Tony Vlachos as a threat and helped in his elimination. Alongside Dylan Efron, Dolores Catania, and Lord Ivar Mountbatten, she won the season. However, her exceptional ability to deliver compelling talk-head interviews, showcased on her podcast and social media platforms, truly elevated her to stardom. A notable quote like “I love smoked salmon, I love goat cheese, and I love talking shit” could easily be included in an Emmy clip highlighting her talent. I reached out to Windey via email to gather her thoughts on the well-deserved award.

In simpler terms, what makes a reality TV personality shine and potentially win awards is their ability to be authentic and captivating on camera. It’s not just about performing for the cameras, but rather showcasing genuine, unique traits that make them interesting and likable. The charm and appeal of these individuals exists whether or not a camera is present. It’s hard to quantify something as intangible as charisma, but some people naturally possess it while others do not. You, specifically, mentioned that I brought “panache” to the show, so I’m trying to explain what I believe contributes to that quality.

To what extent do you personally contribute to the creation of storylines or drama during show production? Are contestants known to shape their own narratives? Can you provide any instances as examples? Honestly, I’m so focused on surviving the intense filming conditions and dealing with whatever food and facilities are provided in different countries that I don’t really notice if others are self-producing. While it’s possible for people to have their own agendas, I can’t say I’ve seen or experienced anyone actively crafting their own narratives because I simply don’t have the energy for that.

The Emmys aren’t decided by fans, but rather by professionals within the television industry. If we were to create a hypothetical award for reality TV performances, who do you think should be casting the votes? Would it be the producers, crew members, or fellow reality-TV stars? Or perhaps anyone who simply appreciates my work?

If you were vying for an Emmy nomination in this category this year, what approach would you take to achieve that recognition?

In a more casual tone: What kind of strategy would you use if you wanted to be nominated for an Emmy in this category this year?

As a movie buff who’s been captivated by the drama of The Traitors, if I were to cast a vote for the Best Individual Performance in a Reality Show category, it would be Bob the Drag Queen. His exit was nothing short of legendary! He dished out some unforgettable, fiery comments about his fellow contestants, even taking aim at those not present like Zac Efron and (in Bob’s own words) God. All this while passionately arguing for his survival as a Traitor. Truly iconic!

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2025-06-21 18:55