Why Reality TV Show "Villains" Steal the Spotlight
Heartache, jealousy, and endless tears - The Bachelor is considered one of the most successful reality television shows of all time. After all, dozens of women competing for the same man makes for great drama, and somehow, leads us to a fairytale union between one lucky girl and her prized bachelor.
While The Bachelor remains a classic, a newer series has arrived on the block: the chaotic and cheeky Love Island USA. In this reality show, ten islanders compete to form the best couple by the end of an eight-week tropical getaway in Fiji.
The two series are very different competitions, but 2024 has been an amazing year for both; The Bachelor Season 28 achieved its largest audience in over two years while Love Island USA Season 6 amassed 919.1 million minutes watched by its viewers according to TheWrap and Variety’s website. With an increase in viewership came the unexpected rise of their two brunette fan-favorites: Maria Georgas and Leah Kateb. Due to their exceptionally bold personalities and controversial character amongst the other contestants, they were the stand-outs of their respective seasons.
During her time on The Bachelor, Maria was caught in drama as a result of a misunderstanding involving the two contestants Sydney Gordon and Madina Alam. While Maria and Madina resolved their issues, Sydney began to spread rumors about Maria. The Bachelor himself, Joey Graziadei, even intervened to resolve the tension between the two women once Maria was labeled as a “bully.” Another moment that added to her controversy was when Maria dismissed Sydney by telling her to “shut up” and saying “I speak the truth, and you make up lies.” Gasps and shocked faces would often follow, but in the end, Maria’s frankness and ability to stay true to herself won over the hearts of fans and even some of the other contestants.
Aside from the drama, Maria is known for her stunning wardrobe. When she performs her introductory speech in episode one, her vintage Ema Savahl Maria gown immediately differentiates her from the other contestants; however, her most iconic outfit is from Bareminimale and appears in the second episode. In this episode, Maria briefly halts her conversation with Joey to change from a mini ivory corset dress to a show-stopping black lace two-piece set that leaves him speechless and her competition intimidated. Combined with her assertive and strong-willed nature, it is to no surprise that Maria caught the attention of many viewers.
In comparison to Maria, Leah faced many more tribulations during her time on Love Island USA. Facing several uncomfortable and vulnerable situations - all televised nightly nationwide - Leah sometimes lost her cool. For example, she dismissed her friend Jana Craig’s feelings toward other islander Connor Newsum and decided to pursue him. When Jana pointed out that she felt it was a demonstration of disloyalty in their friendship, Leah told her to “shut the f– up” during the argument. Another controversy was her role in the decision to send home bombshell Andrea, who was coupled up with Rob Rausch. Taking into account the toxic relationship between Rob and Leah earlier in the show, some fans believe Leah sent the bombshell home as a way to make room for her and Rob’s romance to blossom once again. Even after these events, Leah jumped from a following of 12K to 1 million as soon as she finished the show–the most out of the entire cast.
Maria and Leah are supported by many fans regardless of their “villain” title but villains have not always had this positive outcome. In most cases, women crowned as "villains" were bullied ruthlessly online or even threatened once they returned to social media. For example, the assertive and strong-willed Phoebe Siegel from Love Island USA Season 4 received death threats as a result of her choices in the villa, most of which had to do with how quickly she moved between partners and her not being a “girls’ girl.” Comparing Phoebe’s situation to Leah’s behavior towards Jana, one would expect that she was also accused of not being a “girls’ girl.” However, her choices were heavily swept to the side by her fanbase. Similarly, Courtney Robertson, another assertive personality, from The Bachelor Season 16 received death threats and other harsh comments as a result of the skinny-dipping session she planned for Ben Flajnik.
What has changed over the past decade to allow “villains” like Maria Georgas and Leah Kateb to draw positive attention from so many viewers? The answer is not just their ability to fuel confrontation and drama; it is what these figures mean amidst our current social and political climate that continues to challenge women’s voices and rights to bodily autonomy. As the feminist movement continues to grow, so does resistance against the idea of “America’s Sweetheart” – a woman with a sweet, bubbly personality and a knack for people-pleasing. Traits labeled as dark femininity (intuitiveness, emotional intensity, magnetism, and assertiveness) are now serving as the light–Maria and Leah showcase these traits through their emotional vulnerability; they allow themselves to feel frustration, anger, and desire–emotions that are often viewed negatively when expressed by women in the media. In conjunction with people realizing that women with distinct darkly feminine traits can bring something interesting to reality television, their dark femininity negates the patriarchal expectations that have been set on women for centuries. And now more than ever in recent decades, women’s anger, frustration, and assertiveness are needed to move us to a future where women are able to maintain their individual freedoms.
Strike out,
Strike St. Louis
Written by: Doris Lamour
Edited by: Emily Bekesh