Reality television has been a guilty pleasure of mine throughout my teenage years and now through my 20s. Offering a glimpse into the messy, dramatic, and chaotic lives of people as an outlet of entertainment. Whether I am sitting on the couch with friends, laughing with my sister, or spending time alone, I know I can watch a reality TV show to have a good time. Besides the entertainment aspect, reality TV significantly influences how we connect with people in our own lives and shapes our perceptions of relationships, loyalty, and morality.
When I am watching a reality show, I feel as if the people’s problems in the show are also my problems. Bravo has mastered the art of reality television. The production creates compelling narratives that keep you invested and wanting to watch more. From the intense arguments of The Real Housewives franchise to the workplace drama of Vanderpump Rules, Bravo’s approach to production guarantees entertainment while maintaining a mix of authenticity.
As a Vanderpump Rules fan, my perceptions and connections were instantly shifted after hearing and watching “Scandoval.” Not only did the scandal captivate me, but also created widespread discussion with audiences on infidelity, trust, and personal growth. It was a cheating scandal I had never seen before.
For those unfamiliar, “Scandoval” refers to the explosive revelation when Tom Sandoval, a Vanderpump Rules cast member, had an affair with friend/co-star Raquel Leviss while in a 10 year long relationship with Ariana Madix in May 2023. The fallout of this news was not just reality TV gold, it was a social phenomenon. Fans took sides, analyzed every moment leading up to the scandal, and engaged online reevaluating loyalty, deception, and self-worth. The scandal even affected Sandoval’s businesses.
“Scandoval” reinforced skepticism toward trusting others, making them more cautious in their personal relationships. After growing a connection to the show and seeing the deceit and the treatment displayed on the screen, my best friend and I both grew skeptical. We re-evaluated our lives and the people in it.
The scandal served as a reminder that deception can exist even in long-term relationships, pushing people to reevaluate their own bonds and the importance of honesty and transparency. The public nature of the betrayal also highlighted how social perception can shift overnight, turning favored public figures into deceitful liars.
The betrayal exposes a painful truth that the people we trust and love the most are capable of deceit. For many fans, myself included, it created questions. How well do we really know the people we love? Could I, too, be blindsided in the same way? The relatability of the situation made “Scandoval” more than just a scandalous headline.
Reality TV blurs the lines between fiction and reality. The friendships, betrayals, and conflicts portrayed on-screen often become a reflection of your own life. The widespread public reaction to “Scandoval” demonstrated how reality TV can create a form of parasocial relationships. From personal experience, at times, I feel personally connected to the cast members and their experiences in reality TV shows.
While reality TV provides a source of entertainment, it has the power to introduce meaningful conversations and it can skew perceptions of relationships. Vanderpump Rules and the “Scandoval” drama serve as an example of how reality TV shapes our perceptions and influences the way we navigate our own relationships. It reinforced the importance of trust and recognizing who adds value to your life.
If you have a reality TV connection, read this report on parasocial relationship breakups: https://www.csus.edu/faculty/m/fred.molitor/docs/parasocial-breakups.pdf
To learn more about the infamous “Scandoval,” read about the timeline: https://www.today.com/popculture/vanderpump-rules-cheating-scandal-explained-rcna73784
Natalie Thomas 