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Brookie L. Crawford
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Are Reality Contestants Entitled to Any Privacy?

News Type: Opinion — Tue Mar 4, 2008 4:31 PM EST

Live Poll

Do you care about a contestant's personal life?

  • Yes, I love gossip
    13%
  • Yes, if it pertains to the show
    30%
  • Yes, if it's interesting
    19%
  • No
    38%
  • Other (please explain)
    1%

Total Votes: 189

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When someone decides to become a contestant on a reality show, does that mean that they give up all rights to their privacy?

Sure when people sign up for shows like Moment of Truth or Amnesia they are asking for the personal lives to be delved into. But what about other shows?

Let's take American Idol as an example. I think it's reasonable for the audience to wonder about the past singing experience of any American Idol contender.

I myself did some searching to find out the past experience of the Top 12 men and the Top 12 women when the Top 24 was announced. I checked for evidence of their skills in music, theater and modeling because I thought those were the things that could impact their success on the show.

But where is the line of what is relevant and what is just gossip?

Does it matter that David Archuleta had already done the arrangement of John Lennon's "Imagine" that won him accolades from the judges in '70s week? I would say yes, to some that changes the opinion of his abilities.

Does it matter that wannabe rocker Robbie Carrico's hair might not be real? For some people, the artist's image has an impact on their opinion of his/her music.

But then we have the stories that clearly have no impact on the contestants singing ability. Does it matter that David Hernedez might have worked at as a striper in a gay club or that Ramiele Malubay has some "racy" photos on a Facebook page?

Do you care that Amanda Overmyer was once convicted of a DUI? I mean it would be different if she had skipped bail or it happened during the contest. Don't get me wrong, I think DUIs are a serious offense. But Overmyer committed this offense two years ago, she plead guilty and took her punishment.

I learned in Journalism Law that once you step in the spotlight for your 15 minutes of fame you pretty much open your life to the media.

I personally wouldn't want anyone delving into my life like that. But apparently the invasion has discouraged people from signing up for reality shows.

  • 10 Votes
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{"commentId":1540085,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

As fans of the shows, how much is too much? Do you really care this much about the contestants' personal lives?

{"commentId":1540085,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Mar 4, 2008 4:36 PM EST
{"commentId":1542814,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Scott (Scoop) Butki

Good question. I'm gonna have to think on this one and get back to you.

{"commentId":1542814,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 10:50 AM EST
{"commentId":1543058,"authorDomain":"furnk"}
furnk

I don't think they can have it both ways. When people sign up for reality shows, they are doing it for attention (American Idol) or greed (Moment of Truth). The public gets to decide how much it wants to know about the individuals.

(I for one, tend to not care about personal lives -- whether it be of reality show contestants, sports figures, bona fide celebrities, or politicians. But I understand some people crave that information to develop their own opinions.)

Why do celebrities (including reality show contestants) get hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars? Because they work harder than you or me?

Of course not. It's because they have to deal with the public, which is an exhausting and painful experience. It's a trade-off.

And don't let celebrities try to argue that they don't deserve the anguish since they are just expressing themselves artistically. If you are an artist and want to express yourself without the fame (or the money), go play the local bar scene.

{"commentId":1543058,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"furnk"}
  • 1 vote
#1.2 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 11:50 AM EST
{"commentId":1543093,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

Excellent points furnk

{"commentId":1543093,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 12:01 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1544649,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
Ms CYPRAH

Mmmmm...this is a difficult one for me, actually. On the one hand, just because they participate doesn't mean their private life is fair game. but because you know them, you then tend to get interested in the gossip. Ah, well, human nature, I suppose.

{"commentId":1544649,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 5:38 PM EST
{"commentId":1544838,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

Kind of a catch 22 for the participants.

{"commentId":1544838,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 6:37 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1544870,"authorDomain":"cmf1977"}
Cece

There shouldn't be a "Catch 22". They are trying to do a job which is to entertain us with their voices and performances. It is a disgusting component of human nature that so many people want to see and hear "dirt". I dont believe anyone's life can stand up to the scrutiny to which so many in the public eye are subjected. It is none of my business whether that kid was a stripper or a constuction worker. The question is ...Can he sing?

{"commentId":1544870,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"cmf1977"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 6:53 PM EST
{"commentId":1545016,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts
I dont believe anyone's life can stand up to the scrutiny

I know I wouldn't want to find out if my life would.

The question is ...Can he sing?

I think you summed it up nicely.

{"commentId":1545016,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#3.1 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 7:34 PM EST
{"commentId":1546400,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
Ms CYPRAH
It is none of my business whether that kid was a stripper or a constuction worker. The question is ...Can he sing?

That is so true, though sometimes the background can help to put the person in perspective, as long as it is not done in a salacious or too intrusive way.

{"commentId":1546400,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
  • 2 votes
#3.2 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 6:36 AM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1544957,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
Dr Know

Last night on Idol is a good example. They asked for the "most embarrassing moment". As if anyone was really going to give anything but a 'pablum' answer.

If there is information that might disqualify a contestant I might think the information to be pertinent. I do not think any celebrity should have their lives fileted and displayed for all to see.

{"commentId":1544957,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 7:21 PM EST
{"commentId":1545024,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

Yeah I thought last night's fluff was pretty useless. Give them more time to sing instead.

{"commentId":1545024,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#4.1 - Wed Mar 5, 2008 7:35 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1547469,"authorDomain":"biggerguy-sf"}
BiggerguyInSF

I think it's not right or relevant most of the time, but is the reality of being a known quantity on a show that asks for public input. It's for this reason that I won't ever try out for something like Survivor, which I love. I just don't want all of my college dirt and pictures from my past to come back and haunt me.

{"commentId":1547469,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"biggerguy-sf"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 12:26 PM EST
{"commentId":1547523,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

Do you ever wonder what makes these people try out knowing their privacy will be so invaded?

{"commentId":1547523,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 1 vote
#5.1 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 12:42 PM EST
{"commentId":1547586,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
Ms CYPRAH

The desire for attention, and to feel significant and to be validated, vacelts.

{"commentId":1547586,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}
  • 2 votes
#5.2 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 12:54 PM EST
{"commentId":1547609,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
vacelts

It's a shame people have to go on reality shows to get that.

{"commentId":1547609,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
  • 2 votes
#5.3 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 12:59 PM EST
{"commentId":1549381,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
Dr Know

American Idol is a bit different from the other 'reality' shows. Some of the 'losers' have gone on to start pretty decent careers that might not be in existence.

It has the same success ratio as becoming a professional athlete. A whole lot of "wannabes" for the few "bes"

{"commentId":1549381,"threadId":"229273","contentId":"1343427","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
  • 3 votes
#5.4 - Thu Mar 6, 2008 9:22 PM EST
Reply
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