When Jen Saviano appeared on “The Bachelor,” a reality show in which a group of women compete for the affection of one man, she knew she stood to gain something besides a diamond engagement ring.
“I know it’s a big no-no in ‘Bachelor World’ to say this, but there’s no way any contestant can honestly say that growing [his or her] personal brand isn’t a slight motivation,” says Saviano, in an email.
And while she didn’t get the guy, Saviano used her 2016 TV appearance — and a subsequent stint on spinoff show “Bachelor in Paradise” — to boost the online clothing boutique, Hot Pink Hanger, and blog, Miss Lifestyler, she launched before the shows had aired. “I love being an entrepreneur, and I have the ‘Bachelor’ franchise to thank for giving me a leg up in the industry,” says Saviano, who’s based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
For aspiring reality television stars, appearing on a highly rated reality TV show may look like the ticket to a new, or improved, career. With the advent of social media platforms such as Instagram and the popularity of podcasting and blogging, it doesn’t take much startup capital to cash in on your reality TV fame.
“For many people, going on reality TV is a deliberate exercise in self-branding,” says June Deery, a communications and media professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and author of the book “Reality TV,” in an email. “Cast members are being exploited by producers to varying degrees, but many also exploit the situation to suit their own ends.”
So, is appearing on reality TV a legitimate entry to a better career? Can your 15 minutes of fame translate to 15 years — or more — of earning potential? Here’s what to know.
[See: The Best Side Business Ideas for Busy People.]
A reality TV appearance augments skills, but it doesn’t create them. Reality TV stars who leverage their appearances into successful careers can use their fame to boost the career — or skills — they had beforehand. But if their goal is simply to be famous for being famous, then they’ll likely flounder, experts say.
“Believe me, [Los Angeles] is littered with the corpses of the people riding high on the fame of their 15 minutes of reality TV, who made the misinformed decision to move to LA and seek a job in entertainment,” says Max Dawson, a former “Survivor” contestant and Northwestern University professor, who is now vice president of the media and entertainment group Penn Schoen Berland in Los Angeles.
For Dawson, who already worked in the Los Angeles media scene, his brush with “Survivor” fame added “instantaneous rapport” with clients, he says. Professional contacts recognized that, in addition to his professional background in unscripted television, he had firsthand, behind-the-scenes experience as a contestant. “Being on television in general creates a talking point or a conversation-opener or ice-breaker,” Dawson says. “That’s [true] whether your sidling up to someone in a bar or making a sales pitch to a room full of executives.”
Finding a way to brand yourself consistently on the show — and maintaining that brand once you’re off — is key to post-show success, says Rob Cesternino, a two-time “Survivor” contestant, who translated his appearances and love for strategic reality TV into a long-running podcast called ” Rob Has a Podcas t.” “You have a chance to expose yourself and passions to the world,” he says. “So, when you are done with the show, be ready to cash in on that newfound fame.”
For example, Cesternino says: If you’re cast on an unscripted show as a comic book geek, use that platform as an opportunity to find like-minded fans and embed yourself in the community. But, he adds, “If your plan is just to be the loudest and craziest person out there, [then] there is always going to be someone to top you right around the corner.”
[See: 10 Foolproof Ways to Reach Your Money Goals.]
Bad actions, or bad luck, can destroy your career. For every reality TV career success story, there are a dozen stories of failure.
Of the 18 to 20 people who appear on a season of “Survivor,” Dawson says, “One guy wins $1 million, one guy or girl gets 100,000 Twitter followers and 16 other people look like idiots.”
Most former reality TV stars fall back into obscurity once their season ends. Even worse, some may find their reputations and career prospects sullied after a particularly bad appearance on a television show. One example: Recent “Survivor” contestant Jeff Varner outed another star as transgender, an unpopular move that cost him his real-life job at a real estate agency. Another example: During the recent filming of “Bachelor in Paradise,” production halted after contestant DeMario Jackson was accused of allegedly engaging in a sexual encounter with another contestant who was reportedly too inebriated to give consent, inspiring countless news headlines and backlash from fans.
“For older contestants and contestants that are more professionally oriented, sometimes you literally have to risk everything you’ve worked for in your career to pursue [an appearance on reality television],” Dawson says.
At the end of the day, you have only limited control of your portrayal on reality television. You could become the villain — and have thousands of fans band together to get you fired from your day job. Or you could be portrayed as the hero — and walk away with 500,000 new Instagram followers and an email inbox full sponsorship opportunities.
But play your cards right and, with a little luck on your side, you could be thrust into a new, or better, career. Says Cesternino: “I’ve really gotten way more mileage out of my time on ‘Survivor’ than I ever deserved to.”
More from U.S. News
10 Money Mistakes New Grads Make
15 Financial Steps to Take Your First Year After Graduation
10 Offbeat Ways to Earn Extra Money
What to Know About Making a Living as a Reality TV Star originally appeared on usnews.com
