Hey, y’all! Rachel Reilly here, your favorite reality TV queen—at least in my own mind! 😜 Let me tell you, if you’re dreaming of stepping into the wild, crazy, and fabulous world of reality television, I’m here to give you the lowdown.

Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Star

First things first—believe that you’re a star! Before the cameras are even rolling, you need to have that mindset. Reality TV is all about big personalities and even bigger dreams. So, whether you’re the next big villain, the drama queen, or the loveable underdog, embrace who you are and turn it up to an 11. No one wants to watch someone boring—so give the people something to talk about!

Step 2: Find Your Niche

Next, figure out what makes you you. Are you a fierce competitor, a hopeless romantic, or someone who can’t help but stir the pot? Reality TV comes in all flavors, from competition shows to dating games to lifestyle series. Find the type that suits you best and lean into it! I mean, I found my home on “Big Brother” and later on “The Amazing Race”, “Fear Factor” and “The Traitors” and throughout all the TV adventures I’ve had I knew I was born to compete, so that’s where I went!

Step 3: Whats your journey

So, how do you actually get on the show? Find a show you want to be on and figure out what the contestants on the show are doing! It’s like dating—sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince… or in this case, your perfect show. Then figure out what journey you’re going to take the audience on and, honey, own it!

Make us care and be your fabulous, unapologetic self. Producers are looking for people who stand out, so don’t be afraid to show your quirks and unique personality!

Step 4: Network Like You Mean It

In the world of reality TV, it’s all about who you know! Get involved in online communities, go to casting calls, and don’t be afraid to slide into a producer’s or recruiters DMs—politely, of course. Be persistent but professional. You never know when a connection might lead to you getting an interview. Networking isn’t just about landing the gig; it’s about building relationships that could lead to future opportunities, when you are right for a show. Trust me, once you’re in, you’re in. For example I’ve had people slide into my DMs when I’m not working on a dating show and let me know they are single and ready to mingle and when I am on my next dating show you better believe I reach out to them.

Step 5: Update us & Be Ready for Anything

Reality TV is unpredictable. One minute you’re sipping margaritas by the pool, and the next you’re in the middle of a dramatic showdown. Be ready for anything. Flexibility and a sense of humor are your best friends here. I’ve personally had 8 days notice before leaving for a show, and I’ve given contestants even less then that. It could be last minute or it could be hurry up and wait. The key here is to let us know what your up to, follow what were up to and communicate what your looking for. Yes, I’ve had people tell me they want to do only an adventure show and I remember that and put it in a file, so when I’m working on an adventure show I call them first.

Step 7: What about AFTER THE SHOW – Keep Pushing Forward

This may be the question I get asked even more then ever now. How do I keep up with the opportunities. Even after the show ends, your journey doesn’t have to. Stay active on social media, keep networking, and don’t shy away from new opportunities. The reality TV world is a community, and once you’re part of it, there’s no limit to where you can go. Podcast, Youtube, people now know you and guess what they want to know more. Reality TV is special, people see a snip of who you are and now they want to learn more. Who knows? You might just end up on another show!

So there you have it! If you’ve got the passion, the personality, and a little bit of pizzazz, reality TV could be calling your name. 🎉 And remember, no dream is too big, no adventure too wild. If you want it, go out and get it, because if I can become a reality TV star, darling, so can you! Now go out there and make your mark—I’ll be watching!