These Are The Top 8 Reality TV Stars Of The Year So Far

Summary

• Reality TV stars like Aesha Scott and Lisa Vanderpump are making major waves in the industry, gaining massive fan bases and success.
• Representation matters, with stars like Jenn Tran breaking barriers as the first Asian American lead in the Bachelor franchise.
• Household names like Julie Chen Moonves and Gordon Ramsay continue to dominate reality TV, with successful long-running careers.

Reality TV has captivated people from across the globe and with these shows, viewers have met people from all walks of life. Shows like MTV's The Real World launched careers for the likes of Jamie Chung and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, while reality programs such as Survivor and Fear Factor have made hosts Jeff Probst and Joe Rogan household names.

This year is no different. Numerous reality TV stars have become a much bigger deal than A-list celebrities in movies and music. These reality stars made constant headlines and their careers (and wallets) got a major boost. As the year nears its end, it's important to look at just how influential these specific reality TV stars are, and how they should earn GOAT status for their success in their career and in life.

8 Jenn Tran

The Bachelorette Season 21

Jenn Tran made history when she became the first Asian American lead in the Bachelor franchise. Jenn had previously been a contestant on Joey Graziadei's season of The Bachelor, but was eliminated in week seven. With the franchise having been heavily critiqued for not diversifying their leads, it was great to see Jenn announced at the next Bachelorette.

As Today reported, Jenn spoke to host Jesse Palmer about the historical moment for the reality show. "It's honestly incredible and I feel so, so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian Bachelorette in this franchise. Growing up I always wanted to see Asian representation on TV."

7 Aesha Scott

Below Deck Franchise

Below Deck and its spinoffs have been a hit with fans, with Aesha Scott quickly becoming the face of the franchise. Viewers first met Aesha in Season 4 of Below Deck Med when she was a second stew. She later appeared in Season 5 in the same role, but she worked her way up, getting the chief stew position in Season 1 and 2 of Below Deck Down Under. Fans admired Aesha's fun personality and how well she got along with her crew.

Aesha returned as chief stew for Season 9 of Below Deck Med. There, Aesha continued to show her hard-working mentality, and laid down the law to her stews. Her warm presence and humor are loved by viewers. And, she's gained a massive fan base since starring in the latest Below Deck Med season.

6 Lisa Vanderpump

Vanderpump Rules

Reality TV's queen, Lisa Vanderpump's Vanderpump Rules ended in the most dramatic way for Season 11 earlier this year. Although the future of the show is up in the air following the intense conclusion of the series, Lisa has been keeping busy with other reality TV ventures.

Lisa faced off with iconic chef Gordon Ramsay in Season 2's Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars, with CinemaBlend stating that the addition of Lisa to the season was an incredible idea.

"In Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars Season 1, it was all about the competitors going against each other for the grand prize. Season 2 makes it not about them but about Ramsay and Vanderpump going against each other. It adds an extra layer of competition that makes the show more fun."

In addition to starring alongside Gordon, it was also announced that Lisa's Vanderpump Villa was returning for Season 2 and was bringing back OG Vanderpump Rules cast member Stassi Schroeder.

5 Julie Chen Moonves

Host Of Big Brother

The Things included Big Brother on their list of the best reality TV competition shows, and they are absolutely right. With 26 seasons under its belt, viewers love the concept of the series, and how the show takes it further by allowing fans to watch 24-hour feeds.

The show's host, Julie Chen Moonves, has been a part of Big Brother since Season 1 in 2000. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about her future on the show, Julie shared that she wasn't going anywhere, unless viewers no longer wanted her. However, that doesn't seem to be the case.

"Going into Season 25, I'm like, 'I never want it to end.' I think there would have to be a few things [to make me step away], like if I feel like the public is getting tired of me or the show is not what I want it to be. But with [executive producers] Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan leading the way, I can't imagine it ever being something that I feel is not in alignment with me or what the show should be in my mind."

Julie has become a reality TV icon, much like host Jeff Probst is the face of Survivor.

4 Khloé Kardashian

The Kardashians

Although pretty much all the Kardashian and Jenner family members should make this list, seeing as they have been massively successful each and every year, Khloé Kardashian stands out because she has won awards for being so well-liked.

During the 2024 People's Choice Awards, Khloé took home the award for Reality TV Star of the Year, something that she has won six times in a row. As Us Weekly reported, Khloé took to Instagram Stories to thank her fans for voting for her.

"I was only 22 when we started filming our show, and I never could have imagined back then the journey we would go on, and the amazing community that would come on this wild ride with us."

The Kardashian/Jenner family has devout fans who have followed them since their humble beginnings as reality TV stars on Season 1 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which aired in 2007. Moving over to Hulu with The Kardashians, people are still intrigued about their lives. Plus, they'll get to see more of Khloé as the show has been renewed for a sixth season.

3 Gordon Ramsay

Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef, Next Level Chef, Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars

There is no denying that people love watching Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay on TV. Whether it's binging episodes of Hell's Kitchen or MasterChef, there is something about Ramsay's approach to cooking that is just so intriguing.

This year, Gordon had four reality TV competition shows air. The first one to come to a conclusion was Season 22 of Hell's Kitchen, followed by the third season of Next Level Chef. Season 2 of Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars starring Lisa Vanderpump concluded in July, while MasterChef is the last of Gordon's reality TV programs to come to an end this year.

All of these shows are getting another season. However, fans are looking forward to news that Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef Juniors will also make their return.

2 Ariana Madix

Vanderpump Rules

Ariana Madix claimed GOAT status last year after Tom Sandoval's affair with Rachel "Raquel" Leviss played out on Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules. Instead of Ariana crying herself to sleep after her boyfriend cheated on her, the reality star took advantage of it and launched herself into stardom.

Ariana appeared on Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars, in which she placed third, made her Broadway debut in Chicago, and had several brand deals.

This year was no different for Ariana. She returned for Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules and hosted the No.1 streamed reality TV show across all platforms, Love Island USA.

In addition, Ariana opened up her own sandwich shop called Something About Her with co-star Katie Maloney, and found a new love interest that fans are raving about.

1 Alan Cumming

Host of The Traitors

When fans think of Alan Cumming, they think of his stage performances in hits like Cabaret and his various movie roles, including Sweet Land, Battle of the Sexes, and X2: X-Men United, in which Alan portrayed the iconic Nightcrawler.

Alan brought his witty personality as host of Peacock's The Traitors for its first and second seasons. A reality TV hit, it was announced that its celeb-filled cast for a third season will launch in 2025.

What makes Alan such a terrific host of the show is that he honestly loves the job. Plus, he treats the role as if it was just another acting gig. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Alan shared, "I really love doing it. I love the fact it's connected with everyone in this way. Everyone's really obsessed by it."

And, yes, people are obsessed with Alan and the show. When Season 2 aired in January, it became "the most watched unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms," as The Wrap reported.