Reality TV may help its stars earn a pretty penny, but it doesn’t make their lives any less scandalous.
The Hollywood Gossip has rounded up some of the biggest scandals to rock reality TV. Seriously, these are huge — and yet not all are that surprising.
Know what we mean? Just think of the kind of person it takes to actually go on reality television, right?
Scroll down to read through each one…
Chrisley Most Definitely Does NOT Know Best
Todd and Julie Chrisley, the stars of USA Network’s wildly successful reality series, Chrisley Knows Best were indicted on 12 counts of tax evasion and financial fraud in August 2019. They face up to 30 years in prison. Wowza, right? There are even rumors that their reality show is about to be canceled. It’s not like they can take the cameras into prisons, you guys.
TLC Swings the Axe on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
Viewers were already disgusted with the antics from the Thompson-Shannon family, but things reached another level when news spread like wildfire that June Shannon was dating her daughter’s former molester. In a word? YUCK.
June Shannon Makes the Same Mistakes All Over Again
To the surprise of many, June Shannon and her family returned to the spotlight thanks to We TV’s From Hot to Not — a series that focuses Shannon getting a body transformation. Despite the series, and extensive cosmetic surgery being a success, Shannon found warmth in the arms of another man who was less than savory. To everyone on the outside, it looks like June is addicted to crack cocaine. Hell, she was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia in March 2019. Even an intervention months later failed to get June to dump her boyfriend, Geno Doak. Will another TV show be canceled as a result of her dumb decisions?
Big Brother 15’s Racism
Big Brother has had its fair share of controversial houseguests, but Season 15 featured many of them being racist. It was horrible to watch, but Julie Chen managed to call all of the perpetrators out during their exit interviews. You don’t cross Julie and get away with it!
Jon & Kate Plus Lots of H8
Jon & Kate Plus 8 performed very well in the ratings because the titular stars seemed to love each other. All of that came crashing down when it emerged that they were not on the same page and couldn’t stand one another. Yikes.
Abby Lee Miller Dances Her Way Behind Bars
Abby Lee Miller was sentenced to one year in prison for fraud after creating a secret bank account to hide her lavish income from the IRS. Despite having to quit her post on Dance Moms, she returned shortly after leaving jail.
Teresa and Joe Giudice Go to Jail
Teresa and Joe both had stints in the big house after lying about their assets on a number of financial forms. Teresa has since returned to work on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. On the other hand, Joe is probably being deported to Italy.
Farrah Abraham Fired from Teen Mom for XXX Cam Shows
Farrah Abraham tried to milk her fame for as much as she could, but MTV saw red when she started taking part in live sex shows, and her contract was terminated. Buh bye.
Jenelle is Fired, Duuude
Jenelle Evans was a bit of a loose cannon, but MTV decided enough was enough after her husband, David Eason, murdered their dog, and she refused to cut him loose.
Phaedra Parks Gets the Boot
Viewers of The Real Housewives of Atlanta were stunned to learn that Phaedra was the one who said that Kandi Burruss was scheming to drug and rape Porsha Williams. That was too much for TV, and she was fired.
Bachelor in Paradise Drama
Production on Season 4 of Bachelor in Paradise was brought to a close when allegations of sexual misconduct came to light surrounding DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios. The show later re-entered production, without the two controversial contestants.
Little People, Big Lies
Many reality TV shows are accused of being fake by fans, but not from the stars themselves. Jacob Roloff left Little People, Big World, and proceeded to bash producers and loves ones for just how fake the show was. Okay then.
The Faux Housewives of Orange County
Vicki Gunvalson’s ex-boyfriend, Brooks Ayers falsified documents to say that he was being treated for cancer. When the scandal went public, he maintained that he did have cancer, but that he used the documents to show Vicki’s co-stars he did have cancer. Confused? So were the fans.
Dog the Controversy Hunter
He made a living as a bounty hunter, but the world was stunned when a recorded phone call went public in which he used a racial slur repeatedly.
Chip GAINes
The Gaines family are loved by many, but the one-time HGTV host was accused of scamming not one, but two business partners out of their share of Magnolia Realty. Those business partners subsequently sued for damages.
Cooking Up a Storm
Paula Deen was at the height of her career when it emerged that she was accused of discriminating against her own staff and using racial slurs. Yikes.
Controversy Dynasty!
Duck Dynasty was one of the biggest hits on cable several years ago, but the show was almost canceled when Phil Robertson compared homosexuality to bestiality.