What’sreality televisionwithout some controversy? In 2024,the genre hosted some major scandals, shocking lies, and extraordinary moments.With so many dramatic moments, finding the most controversial can be hard. To say that there are endless moments that could be included is an understatement. For this list, we’re discussing the moments that went viral.
From massive breakups to shocking cheating scandals, from games of deceit to an entire cast being dropped,2024 has been the gift that keeps on giving in the world of reality television.Here are ten of the most controversial moments this year!
10The Ongoing Christina Haack and Josh Hall Divorce Drama
‘Christina on the Coast’
If you’ve gotten whiplash regarding the high-profile separation ofChristina HaackandJosh Hall, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, Christina and Josh Hall were announced to join her ex,Tarek El Moussa, and his new wife,Heather El Moussa, for an upcoming HGTV series,The Flip Off. In between the viral promotional moments to hype up the fans,Christina and Josh announced their divorce, separately.
Things quickly got messy, and due to allegations of stealing money and malicious behavior, the pair used social media to share their grievances. WhileThe Flip Offhas dropped Josh Hall, he has still shown face on previously filmed episodes ofChristina on the Coast. The saga is far from over, so expect more drama in 2025.
Christina On The Coast
9Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke’s Shocking Split
‘Summer House’
They were the couple that probably never should have happened. The past few seasons ofSummer Househave chronicled the budding romance between original starsLindsay HubbardandCarl Radke. Back in 2021, the pair officially got together, again, at their costars,Kyle CookeandAmanda Batula’s wedding. From there, the pair quickly got engaged. While chronicled on film, viewers witnessed the good, the bad, and the very ugly. In 2022, the pair were engaged, but the engagement was called off a year later.
Fans witnessed the aftermath during Season 8. By the time theSummer Housereunion came around,Carl and Lindsay were forced to confront the situation, withAndy Cohenin the middle. It was quite messy, and many believed that this would be the end of their time together on the show. And yet, when the announcement of Season 9’s filming dropped,it was revealed that both would be a part of the cast.We can’t wait to see how this will turn out!
Summer House
8Devin Strader Dumps Jenn Tran
‘The Bachelorette’
Love is hard. On Season 21 ofThe Bachelorette,Jenn Transelected the controversialDevin Straderto be her husband. But their time together was short-lived. Following the finale, it was revealed that the pair officially parted ways. And it was not pretty.Jenn stated that Devin began to pull away and allegedly broke things off via the phone.
Meanwhile,Devin refuted her claims via a 13-minute video on Instagram.With allegations of other individuals in the mix, the pair simply could not survive.Even with counseling.Many fans felt Devin was the wrong choice to begin with. For Jenn, she moved on as she was cast onDancing with the Stars, shrugging off the drama in the ballroom.
The Bachelorette
7CT Tamburello and Trishelle Cannatella Double Cross MJ Javid
‘The Traitors’
The Traitorshas quickly become one of the biggest reality competition series around the globe. On the American version of the series, the second season’s cast was filled with reality stars. Some were familiar with one another. Others became friends via the game. But, when you cast a group of reality stars with some history, expect that history to infiltrate the game. With a friendship that spanned nearly two decades.The ChallengestarsCT TamburelloandTrishelle Cannatellaplayed parallel games, yet had an understanding and respect for one another in the game. Both playing as Faithfuls, they were able to make it to the end, alongsideMJ JavidandKate Chastain.
After successfully snuffing out Kate as a Traitor, there were three Faithfuls remaining. So, they were going to split the prize, right? Wrong! With fear that another Traitor might be in their midst, they voted again. With a deadlock vote, Trishelle had fears about her longtime friend and rival. But after convincing her that he never doubted her, CT and Trishelle ousted MJ.The double-cross meant that MJ would earn none of the prize pot.As MJ said, “It was a plot twist of a lifetime.” While CT was a fan favorite during the season, many viewers saw Trishelle as a villain. No matter where you stand, it was a brilliant ending to a strong season.
The Traitors (US)
6Jeramey Lutinski’s Cheating Scandal
‘Love Is Blind’
Love Is Blindis one of the most fascinating social dating experiments ever. Men and women date without seeing one another. If they believe they are meant to be, they will get engaged and finally get to see one another. When dating the normal way, some villains emerge. On a show like Love Is Blind, those villainous tendencies can be amplified.
Such was the cast in Season 6. AfterLaura DadismanandJeramey Lutinskidecided to take their love outside the pods, their relationship soon turned sour when Jeramey secretly began seeing another Pod Squad ex,Sarah Ann Bick. Between excruciating lies, heated confrontation, and the proof in his phone’s tracking,Laura and Jeramey end their engagement, only for Jeramey and Sarah Ann to become official.They didn’t hide it, making the situation even worse. To the shock of no one,Jeramey and Sarah Ann have officially split.Further, it was not amicable.
Love Is Blind
5Stars ofThe Secret Lives of Mormon WivesGoes Viral Again with New Series
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’
Only a few years ago, #MomTok went viral after allegations of soft swinging within the Mormon community. The shocking allegations of social media influencers rocked the community, which meant that a docufollow reality series was obviously in the works. In September,The Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesdropped an eight-episode season on Hulu that chronicled the aftermath of the scandal.
The series became a massive hit, as eager fans became curious about the ins and outs of these women. Following the split group composed of the Sinners and Saints,the first season became one of the most watched series of the year.Have no fear, fans are about to get a second season as so much drama has unfolded since Season 1 finished filming. They left us with a juicy cliffhanger; surely, they knew they had to give us more!
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives
4Anna Delvey Has a Dramatic Exit
‘Dancing with the Stars’
Dancing with the Starshas been known for some shocking and controversial stunt casting. For Season 33,Dancing with the Starsinvited notorious con artist and fraudulent heirAnna Delveyto the ballroom in hopes of hoisting up the covetedLen GoodmanMirrorball Trophy. When her promo photo was revealed, all that fans could see was her rhinestoned ankle bracelet.
To say her time on the show was a stunt might be accurate. Lasting only two weeks, Anna Delvey and her partnerEzra Sosawere eliminated first. When co-hostJulianne Houghasked her what she would take away from the experience,Anna Delvey simply responded with, “Nothing.“And scene. The comment went viral, as did her feeling that she was being used as a gimmick. During the finale, Anna Delvey returned to the dance floor as she was lifted up to the tune of “I Have Nothing” byWhitney Houston. As they say, if ya can’t take a joke!
Dancing with the Stars
3Kenya Moore’s Season 16 Dismissal
‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
Kenya Mooreis gone with the wind, but maybe not fabulous this time. The long-time star ofThe Real Housewives of Atlantawas set to appear in Season 16 of the series, which helped her reality star status rise. WhenKandi Burrussrevealed that she would not be returning for the sixteenth season, it was announced thatPorsha Williamswould make her long-awaited return, exciting fans to see the rivals turned friends turned rivals again share the screen again.
Along with Porsha’s return,Shamea Morton Mwangiwas promoted to full-time Housewife, withnew castmembersBrittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell, andAngela Oakleyjoining Kenya Moore and Drew Sidora. Well, as the season was in the middle of filming, Kenya Moore was forced to stop filming afterallegations of sharing a sexually explicit photo of Brittany Eady.Her departure opened up the door for the return ofPhaedra Parks, who departed the series after Season 9.Andy Cohen has confirmed that you will see Kenya next season,as it is all a part of what happened. The footage remains, and so does the piping-hot tea!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
2Reality Von Tease
‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’
Way back in January, the Bravo world was rattled when one of the biggest scandals to ever hitThe Real Housewivesrocked reality television. Season 4 ofThe Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citysaw the arrival of a new Housewife,Monica Garcia. She was an outsider who desperately wanted to be part of the clique. At first, viewers saw her as someone who may be closer to them, compared to the other women who live a life of wealth.
As the season went on, Monica integrated herself seamlessly as the other women have been dealing with the aftermath of a troll social media account that had been haunting them and causing chaos within. Thanks to some amazing sleuthing byHeather Gay, she found the “Receipts. Proof. Timeline. Screenshots.” During the Bermuda trip, it was revealed thatMonica Garcia was one of the masterminds behind the troll account, Reality Von Tease.The confrontation came at the final dinner, uniting the original castmembers in a moment that has gone down in reality television history.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Set against the stunning backdrop of Utah’s mountain ranges, a reality TV series follows a group of affluent women navigating life in Salt Lake City. The show captures their opulent lifestyles, complex relationships, and personal and religious challenges, providing a unique glimpse into how tradition and modernity clash in a tightly-knit community.
1’Vanderpump Rules’ Drops Cast
‘Vanderpump Rules’
The Scandavol grenade has officially detonated. TheTom Sandoval-Ariana Madix-Raquel Levisscheating scandal took a massive toll onVanderpump Rules. So much so that it affected the cast, their loyalties, and their trust in one another. So,Bravo made a bombshell decision to reboot the series ahead of Season 12.
The current cast of the series has been dropped and will be replaced by employees currently working at SUR and TomTom. The overhaul will refresh the series as other Bravo intellectual properties have done recently. The original story is complete, and nowVanderpump Ruleswill tell a new story.
