Reality Stars You Wouldn't Want To Meet In Real Life
Becoming a star has been an easy task since the early 2000s. Reality TV has taken people from obscurity and turned them into household names and viral memes. For the stars, there is nothing more flattering than an audience falling in love with your personality. For the fans, there's nothing more entertaining than someone fully being their messy selves in front of a camera. Though these stars have played a role in a show becoming successful, the fame that came along with it has played a role in their everyday lives, sometimes for the worse.
During an appearance on the "This is Paris" podcast, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi reflected on the challenges of her "Jersey Shore" fame. "I really want to go to the beach and do all these things with my kids but it's like really hard because you know, people see us and they feel like they're best friends with us because they watch the show so much," Polizzi said. "And you know, anywhere I go it's just a spectacle."
Fans that tune into their show every week might dream of one day crossing paths with them. However, Bad Bunny's recent bad encounter with a fan reminds us that sometimes it's best to keep your distance. If you ever catch this group of reality stars in public, you might want to cross the street. It won't be all smiles and selfies, these following stars have a serious mean streak.
Drita D'avanzo isn't so neighborly
Some reality stars play it up for the cameras while others are truly authentic. Drita D'avanzo off camera is very similar to the hothead she showed us on the VH1 hit, "Mob Wives". The outspoken mob wife delivered memorable scenes that included catchy tag lines and jaw-dropping brawls with her co-stars. D'avanzo proved herself as one tough cookie that never backed down from a fight. In 2016 she displayed the same behavior off-camera. TMZ leaked a video of D'avanzo and her husband Lee angrily confronting a neighbor in Staten Island. The argument over a parking spot quickly turned physical when D'avanzo approached her and began swinging. Following the altercation, the neighbor needed medical attention for a minor concussion.
D'avanzo was later arrested for misdemeanor assault but the charges were dropped after her neighbor refused to cooperate, per TMZ. However just because that neighbor didn't rat to the police doesn't mean others weren't talking about the D'avanzos. In 2020, ABC 7 reported that D'avanzo's home was raided by the police after receiving tips from those living in the neighborhood.
During the raid cops reportedly found loaded firearms and guns on their property. According to New York Daily News, Lee later pleaded guilty to the federal gun charges and was sentenced to five years in prison. An emotional D'avanzo broke down in tears outside the courtroom.
Geoffrey Paschel went from TV to behind bars
TLC's "90 Day Fiancé" reminds viewers that looking for love isn't easy. On the show, hopeless romantics work against the clock to walk down the aisle. One star of the series franchise ended in a walk of shame to prison. Geoffrey Paschel appeared on "90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days" during Season 4 in hopes of marrying Varya Malina. Despite him finding love, his appearance on the show caused controversy. The blog Starcasm released court documents from his second divorce. In the divorce filings, Paschel's ex-wife made strong accusations against him, including rape.
As the story gained traction, fans created a petition to have him removed from the show. However, Paschel remained on the show but didn't appear on the tell-all special. He responded to the snub on a Instagram live saying, "The mentality of keeping me off the tell-all because somebody said something is the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life" (Via The Sun).
In 2021, Paschel's past came back to haunt him again. He was charged and found guilty of kidnapping and assaulting his then-fiancé in 2019. The report alleged he viciously beat her and prevented her from leaving his apartment for hours. According to E! News, Paschel even confiscated her cellphone during the ordeal. His former fiancé waited until he fell asleep before escaping to a neighbor's house for help. In February 2022, the former reality star was sentenced to 18 years in prison without parole, per People. Malina continues to support him as he appeals the conviction.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Chad Johnson was exposed on Instagram
Bachelor Nation was shocked in 2020 when Chad Johnson made the news. Though he was the villain during his appearance on "The Bachelorette," fans were shocked by his arrest. TMZ reported the reality star was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence and robbery. His then-girlfriend Annalise Mishler told police that Johnson was drunk and assaulted her while at her apartment. Mishler also backed up her claims by posting videos of the incident on her Instagram. She documented the hole he punched in her wall and the threats he screamed at her. At one point in the videos Johnson could be heard yelling "I hope you f**king die," as he bangs on her door.
Mishler claimed the incident started when she confronted him about dating app notifications she found on his phone. After his arrest, she took to Instagram and thanked fans for their support. "Wow so many nice messages today. Things escalated this morning and are being taken care of now," she wrote (Via People).
Following the incident and prior to his arrest, Johnson spoke with TooFab. He denied ever getting physical with her. "I don't remember actually seeing her," he said. "I drank to the point where I didn't even know I was with her. I just gotta take the Instagram Story's word that I was there." Johnson blamed his emotional turmoil and alcohol relapse on the incident.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Amber Portwood's trouble with the law
As a "Teen Mom" OG, viewers have watched Amber Portwood's story from a 16-year old that's pregnant to a grown adult. During her journey, there have been plenty of bumps in the road and trouble with the law. In 2012, the reality star was sentenced to five years in prison for drug-related charges. Portwood only served 16 months out of her sentence before being released on parole, per Us Weekly. Her legal troubles continued In 2019.
As reported by People, Portwood was arrested after assaulting her boyfriend as he was holding their child. The police report released by The Ashley's Reality Roundup alleged that Portwood threatened her boyfriend with a machete as he locked himself in a room with their child. She allegedly swallowed a handful of pills and threatened to kill herself during the ordeal.
Fearing for the safety of himself and his child, Portwood's boyfriend contacted the police. Portwood denied using a machete and swallowing pills, but admitted to assaulting him while he was holding their child. This was not the first time she was charged with domestic violence. In 2010, TMZ reported that the star was arrested after an altercation with ex-boyfriend Gary Shirley.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Spencer Clawson made a big mistake
When you enter the "Big Brother" house, you should be aware that Big Brother is always watching. Despite knowing that, Spencer Clawson made some eyebrow raising comments during Season 15. As reported by Huffington Post, a mic'd up Clawson made flippant remarks about consuming child pornography. The police in his hometown didn't find the jokes too funny and immediately launched an investigation. The local department told TMZ, "The Conway Police Department was alerted to comments made. Due to the nature of the comments, our department moved quickly to look into the matter. At this time we haven't found that any criminal act was committed."
That wasn't the only controversy Clawson found himself in during his Big Brother appearance. According to RealityBlurred, he also used homophobic slurs against a housemate, sexist slurs towards women, and even praised Adolf Hitler for his speaking abilities. His behavior on the show didn't just anger viewers, his employer was forced to speak out and condemn him.
Upon leaving the Big Brother house, Clawson offered up an apology for his offensive comments. "I said some unfortunate comments I'm very sorry for. I hope I didn't offend anybody out there [...] That's all I can say about it. I said some stupid things," said Clawson (Via The Atlantic). "Sometimes my jokes are poor, and that absolutely was a grand prime example of my bad jokes."
David Puck Rainey was evicted over his behavior
The earliest example of the captivating style of reality television is the MTV staple, "The Real World". The series premiered in 1992 and showed the world what can occur when you bring various personalities together under one roof. With a format like that, it made room for storylines centering around conflict and the rise of fan favorites and villains. On "The Real World: San Francisco," there was one villain that some viewers will never forget. David "Puck" Rainey immediately rubbed viewers and his housemates the wrong way. He was notorious for his poor hygiene and his abrasive attitude toward others.
Rainey repeatedly harassed housemate Pedro Zamora, who was the first person with AIDS to ever appear on reality television, per People. In 1994, as misinformation about HIV/AIDS was rampant, Zamora's time in the house was made contentious. As noted by AV Club, Puck harassed Zamora with homophobic slurs and ignorant comments about his illness. Zamora who appeared on the show to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, was left feeling uncomfortable and even debated leaving the show early. The cast soon rallied around him and decided that Rainey should be the one evicted due to his behavior. After leaving the show, Rainey hasn't lived a controversy-free life. In 2012, TMZ reported he was sent to jail for stalking. In 2013 he was arrested for domestic violence, per TMZ.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Angelina Pivarnick wasn't liked on the Shore
The "Jersey Shore" cast was filled with many personalities but none were as polarizing as Angelina Pivarnick. During the six seasons, Pivarnick mostly bickered with the cast and had two dramatic exits from the show. While living in the shore house, Pivarnick struggled to make friends and found herself an outcast. Despite not being a fan favorite, many were confused about why Pivarnick was mostly disliked by the cast. In 2020, a story and field producer on the MTV hit series did a Reddit AMA to answer a few burning questions from fans.
When asked about Pivarnick, the anonymous producer gave some insight into her behavior behind-the-scenes. "I do think she was bullied at times but she brought a lot of it upon herself. How? She would routinely alienate herself from the others when there were no issues," they explained. "And it really came across as condescending." The producer alleged that Pivarnick routinely lied to the cast about irrelevant things which rubbed them the wrong way.
The producer also admitted that Pivarnick didn't receive a favorable edit on the series, which might have been done intentionally. "But I can say, she didn't get the best edit either. Not that there was a lot of good to show but most of her edit was negative and dramatic," they explained. "And I can tell you why ... she was rude to production and the crew."
Aaryn Gries behavior on Big Brother
Season 15 of "Big Brother" was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Viewers were shocked and disgusted when they heard multiple cast members making racist and homophobic comments about each other. Contestant Aaryn Gries showed her true colors during the show by repeatedly instigating fights with other cast members. During one incident, Gries targeted castmate Candice Stewart by flipping over her mattress and throwing her clothes on the floor. When confronted by Stewart, Gries mocked her by using a "blaccent." Gries sneered, "Watchu gon' do gurl ... watchu gon' do? Class girl. Where's your class?"
As Daily Mail noted, Gries also made racist comments about Stewarts' skin color. "Be careful what you say in the dark because you might not be able to see that b****h," Gries said behind her back. That wasn't the one castmate she targeted. At one point Gries was caught on camera mocking Helen Kim behind her back by saying "Shut up, go make some rice." After being booted from the show, Gries was forced to confront her bigoted comments by host Julie Chen.
During her memorable post-eviction interview, Gries made note of her southern background and claimed that her comments were taken out of context. "I do not remember saying those things...those [comments] were not meant to be serious and if I said those things I feel horrible for that," she said as the live audience groaned in response. Despite her amnesia, Gries was later dropped by her modeling agency, per TMZ.
Shake wasn't blind to love
Netflix's "Love Is Blind" gives contestants the opportunity to find love without focusing on physical attraction. The format of the show forces contestants to speed date without seeing the person they're talking to by putting a literal wall between them. Despite the clear premise of the show and the rules, in Season 2, Abhishek "Shake" Chatterjee tried to work around it. During the blind speed dates in the pods, Chatterjee repeatedly asked women questions in an attempt to figure out their body type. One of the first questions he asked upon meeting them was what size clothing they wear, per Insider.
In his first date with Deepti Vempati, he even asked if he would be able to carry her in an effort to determine her weight. After proposing to Vempati and meeting her for the first time, Chatterjee spoke negatively about her behind her back. He told other castmates that he's not physically attracted to her and described her as an "aunt". During the Season 2 reunion, instead of offering an apology, he doubled down on those comments and claimed the only woman he was attracted to was host Vanessa Lachey.
A source revealed to Entertainment Tonight that viewers didn't see the worst of him during the reunion. "What you're seeing in the reunion is a watered-down version. Shake wouldn't stop. He kept interrupting everyone and when he said the only woman he was attracted to was Vanessa Lachey, the cast erupted," the source revealed. "There were some very harsh things that were said to him that were taken out."
Colton Cumbie wasn't the nicest on the island
If there's one person you don't want to be stuck with on a stranded island, it's Colton Cumbie. On "Survivor: One World," Cumbie's game strategy included making racist and bigoted remarks toward his castmates. During one elimination, Cumbie rubbed viewers the wrong way when he called Bill Posley "ghetto trash" and told him to kill himself, per Today Show. While confronting Posley, Cumbie denied he was a racist by smugly informing everyone that he has a Black housekeeper, per Vulture.
Despite the repeated personal and racist attacks on him, Posley ended up feeling sorry for Cumbie's ignorant world view. "Even though Colton's more well-off than I am, I have empathy and compassion for the lack of experience in his life," he told E! News following his elimination. "Which is why I don't hate the guy — that's his truth, that's his reality."
His ignorant comments didn't stop there. During his time on the series, he repeatedly referred to Leif Manson as an "Oompa Loompa" and "munchkin" behind his back, which Manson found shocking and ignorant. However, Cumbie claims his comments were simply coming from a comedic place. In since deleted tweets, Cumbie addressed his behavior and denied being a bigot. "Were my comments ignorant? YES!" he wrote. "They were meant to be funny..I see they weren't. Do I regret them? I'm torn. In a way, yes b/c it hurt ppl" (Via RealityBlurred).
David Eason's pet scandal
Jenelle Evans and David Eason aren't new to controversy. On "Teen Mom 2" the couple fought constantly and even made headlines for their social media posts. In 2019, a scandal erupted over the family dog. Evans first took to Instagram to share a photo and a heartbreaking caption about saying goodbye to her dog, Nugget. "Nugget ... I'm crying everyday. I love you so much and I'm so sorry. I'm speechless," she wrote in the caption.
According to TMZ, after her ex-fiancé Nathan Griffith got word of Eason shooting and killed Nugget, he phoned police and asked for a welfare check on the son they share together. After the outlet leaked the 911 call, the story of Eason shooting the dog went viral. Fans were outraged and demanded answers. In an interview with People, the couple explained they made the decision to kill Nugget after he bit their daughter.
"It was a situation where my daughter, her health, her safety was in danger," Eason explained. "This was something that nobody wants to ever have to do. The dog was aggressive. Yes, she might not be huge or whatever, but you know when a dog bites a child on the face more than one time, then it should never be around the child again." Despite the reasoning, MTV briefly parted ways with the couple, per E! News. However in 2022, she returned to the franchise.
Fans even suspected Eason killed their other dog after the pup went missing, per The Sun.