A Hot Take from an Avid Reality TV Watcher and Crisis Management Practitioner

Celebrities and influencers were once untouchable. Not only were fewer tv shows and movies produced than they are now, but there are more “famous” people walking our streets today as the increased opportunities to go viral are now given to anyone who uploads a piece of content to their social feeds. Anyone can be a podcaster, anyone can livestream online, and most of all, any and everyone can share their hot take opinion whether they are a credible source or not. More content, more room for mistakes. 

This deems true especially for shows like, Love Island, where 20+ singles fly to Fiji for a shot at love. They date, make friends, make tough voting decisions and then come back home 6 weeks later to face the world and public scrutiny. It’s hard out here. The cast’s every move is monitored down to what they say and even what they wear on (and now off) the show.

With this in mind, I’m sharing a few tips for how our new celeb friends should answer difficult questions upon returning to their new realities.

Avoid “No comment”. We’ve seen it with Tyla. It’s not a good look. Whether you say “no comment” verbatim or you sit and smile while being asked a difficult or controversial question, it’s better to address the question and redirect the host, rather than saying nothing at all. Come on now, Ace! There is an art to this so it’s best to practice curveball questions with your PR manager. 😉

The truth shall set you free. We live in an era where everyone is a historian and screenshots and screen recordings are at our fingertips. The internet will find out the truth anyways. Beat them to the punch by being honest and try not to contradict yourself or you’ll find yourself on your own FYP in a highlight reel.  

Lead with accountability. We all make mistakes, even really bad ones. Instead of justifying your actions, take accountability of them and respond with humility. You’ll retain more supporters that way and even gain a few. 

Authenticity is your best friend. As viewers, many of us can read through bs. Be yourself. Be real and you will never have to worry about anyone speaking on your behalf because you never wavered from being 100% you. 

Know that it’s your interview. I tell this to every client I media train: the host is there to hear you. You’re not just answering questions, you’re shaping your narrative. Come prepared with a few key topics you want to highlight, and take your time responding. At the end of the day, it’s your words that will be quoted, clipped, and shared. Make them count.

Fame today is fast, fragile, and unforgiving. But with the right mindset and media strategy, you can turn scrutiny into strength, and build a reputation that lasts beyond the cameras.