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Reality Check: The Reality Shows Gen Z Is Living For in 2025
Okay, real talk—reality TV is still that girl in 2025. And Gen Z? We’re hooked. Whether it's watching someone cry over a broken hot tub on Love Island or seeing social media masterminds scheme in The Circle, these shows aren’t just guilty pleasures—they're cultural events. Like, if you're not watching, are you even in the group chat?
So if you're looking to dive into the chaotic, hilarious, and sometimes weirdly wholesome world of reality shows, here are the ones Gen Z is completely obsessed with right now.
1. Love Island (UK & USA)
This show is the ultimate hot mess—and we mean that in the best way. Half-naked singles in a villa? Check. Dramatic recouplings? Double check. Cringe-worthy pickup lines? Oh, absolutely.
Why it hits: The drama is addictive, the accents are elite, and the memes basically write themselves. Plus, it's become a whole aesthetic—bikini fashion, phrases like "mugged off," and neon-lit confessionals have totally infiltrated Gen Z culture.
A personal fave moment? When someone got dumped and said, “It is what it is,” with tears in their eyes. Iconic.
2. The Circle (Netflix)
This one is for the keyboard warriors and catfish pros. Contestants live in separate apartments and can only communicate through a social media-style platform—some as themselves, others playing a whole character.
Why Gen Z loves it: It’s like Black Mirror but fun. Strategy, social anxiety, and TikTok-level editing make it super bingeable. Also, it's one of the few shows that feels like it gets internet culture.
I still think about Season 5 when someone pretended to be their aunt and won. The AUDACITY.
3. Drag Race (US & UK)
RuPaul’s Drag Race has been serving looks, drama, and life lessons for years—and it’s only getting better. Whether you’re here for the runway slayage, emotional backstories, or lip-sync battles that leave you gasping, it’s a whole vibe.
Why we stan: It celebrates creativity, queerness, and individuality—all things Gen Z is loud and proud about. And the lingo? Shantay, you stay is practically part of the Gen Z lexicon now.
4. Survivor (New Era Seasons)
You didn’t think this OG was still relevant? Think again. With faster gameplay, wild twists, and contestants who play like it's Among Us IRL, Survivor is back in our good graces.
Why it’s trending again: Gen Z loves a comeback story, and Survivor’s glow-up is the stuff of legends. Plus, it's all about alliance shifts and strategy—like, who knew voting people off an island could be this deep?
5. Too Hot To Handle (Netflix)
This show took the “no touching” rule and made it reality TV gold. A group of super-hot singles has to abstain from anything steamy to win money. Spoiler: they fail. A lot.
Why it works: It’s thirst-trap central, but also weirdly educational? It’s like Sex Education meets Ex on the Beach, and it surprisingly talks about emotional connections, not just hookups.
I watched a guy cry because he couldn’t kiss someone. Honestly? Mood.
6. Selling Sunset & Selling The OC
Drama? Check. Luxe real estate? Check. Hair flips, passive-aggressive compliments, and designer handbags? CHECK.
Why it slaps: Gen Z loves mess with aesthetics. It’s like if The Devil Wears Prada and Real Housewives had a real estate baby in LA. You don’t even need to care about houses. Just stay for the tea.
7. The Traitors (Peacock)
This is Among Us but with British accents and better outfits. Celebs and normies are thrown into a castle, and some are secretly “traitors” trying to sabotage the rest.
Why it’s addictive: It’s psychological, cutthroat, and gives Game of Thrones energy—minus the dragons, sadly. The mind games are so real, I’ve started doubting my friends’ loyalty during game nights.
8. Nailed It! (Netflix)
Because sometimes you wanna watch people totally flop—and still be celebrated for it. Nailed It! is pure serotonin, hosted by the hilarious Nicole Byer, as amateur bakers try to recreate Pinterest-level desserts.
Why it’s a vibe: It’s low-stakes, feel-good chaos. And sometimes we need that. Not everything has to be betrayal and hot tub makeouts.
9. Are You The One? (Global Edition)
This dating show goes full algorithm mode, matching contestants with their “perfect match” using data. Spoiler: They never agree with the algorithm.
Why it’s spicy: It’s messy, mathy, and feels like Tinder turned into a Hunger Games experiment. There’s tension, strategy, and so many love triangles it’s basically geometry class.
10. Big Brother (New Gen)
Yes, it’s still around—and thriving. The live feeds, the alliances, the betrayals… it’s like The Circle grew up and got way more savage.
Why it’s back in our rotation: The newer seasons have diverse casts, better twists, and actually smart gameplay. Plus, the drama is 24/7. You could literally watch it all day and not run out of content.
Why Reality TV Still Slays in 2025
Gen Z isn’t about watching perfectly polished lives—we want the chaos, the authenticity, the awkward confessions in confessional booths. These shows offer something traditional TV rarely does: raw, unpredictable entertainment. Plus, the fan communities on TikTok and Reddit are half the fun.
Personally, I live for the weekly Twitter breakdowns during The Circle finale. Watching strangers argue over alliances and catfish reveals in real-time? Chef’s kiss.
So whether you’re in it for the tea, the feels, or just background noise while scrolling TikTok, these reality shows have something for everyone. And the best part? There’s always another season on the way.
Stay tuned to Woke Waves Magazine for the drama, the chaos, and the absolute mess that is reality TV in the Gen Z era.
#RealityTV2025 #GenZObsessed #LoveIslandVibes #TooHotToHandle #WokeWavesTVMagic
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