Minority Mindset

When The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives first came out, it totally blew up online. Everyone was debating whether the women on the show fit the traditional ‘wife’ mold or were breaking away from it. It felt like everyone wanted to understand what made that community tick – even people over at The Bachelor tried to capitalize on it, though that didn’t really pan out. But the online community around the show, which people started calling ‘MomTok,’ is still going strong. As Erika Draper put it, and I totally get this, the best friendships are the ones where people actually check in on you when you’re going through a tough time – Taylor Frankie Paul has definitely been there, and honestly, so have I recently. Just having friends call and ask if you’re okay? That makes all the difference.

Vulture’s first-ever Reality TV Masterminds list explores who truly shapes today’s popular reality shows. Unlike scripted television, it’s often unclear who’s responsible for the most memorable moments on shows like The Real Housewives or Dancing With the Stars. To figure it out, we asked dozens of industry professionals – from executive producers and network heads to talent and their representatives – to identify the most influential people, considering their recent achievements and overall career paths. The resulting list reveals how power is distributed in an industry where what happens behind the scenes is just as important as what’s on screen. Influence isn’t just about winning a competition like Top Chef or lasting on The Ultimatum; it’s about controlling the story and turning current events into long-term career opportunities. Someone who leaves a dating show with a podcast idea instead of a partner? A mastermind. The person whose viral moment launches them into the spotlight? Also a mastermind. This list shows how far reality TV has come – it’s no longer just a stepping stone for aspiring stars, but a place where people can build lasting careers, regardless of their background.

When did I realize I’d achieved success? Actually, I’m realizing it right now, in this very moment.

She’s a natural reality TV star, quickly becoming known for memorable quotes like, “God forbid I’m a sensitive gangsta,” “I need to shave my ass crack,” and “Last time I checked, I got ten toes, not one toe missing. So I’m gonna stand on business on my ten toes.” She’s even released a song, “I Never Said I Was Perfect,” that deserves platinum status. And she continues to deliver these moments on her Peacock spinoff, Beyond the Villa. She believes every good reality show needs someone who isn’t afraid to be outspoken. “Let’s be real,” she says, “people aren’t tuning in to see everyone just get along.”

People say Kathy Hilton has many different sides to her personality. It’s like she has multiple personalities, similar to the story of Sybil, who had sixteen distinct identities.

When did you know you had made it in the reality-TV industry? 
I’m still trying to figure that out.