Real characters
Rhode Islanders who found fame, fortune and romance on reality TV
When it comes to reality television, Rhode Islanders have historically brought the drama. A Rhode Islander won the original season of “Survivor” and then proceeded to keep living his life like a reality television show. A Rhode Islander is part of one of the most successful couplings in “The Bachelor” franchise. A Rhode Islander even managed to be a core cast member of “Jersey Shore” despite not being from Jersey. Here’s a look at some of the most famous reality show stars to come out of the Ocean State.
Richard Hatch, ‘Survivor’
In 2000, Richard Hatch was the $1 million dollar winner of the first season of “Survivor,” the ratings hit credited with launching the reality show genre. Sometimes described as the guy people loved to hate for his penchant for forming alliances and then pitting those alliances against each other, or just as “that naked guy,” since he had a habit of shedding clothes, he became a regular on the reality television circuit. He went back to “Survivor” for the All-Stars season, and he was also on the fourth season of “Celebrity Apprentice” and the 17th season of “Biggest Loser.”
Off the TV screen, Hatch has been convicted of tax evasion, and tax officials are still pursuing him to recover some $2.9 million in back taxes, plus interest, dating to his winnings two decades ago.
Hatch isn’t the only Rhode Islander to make an appearance on “Survivor.” Other contestants with Ocean State links include Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Helen Glover, Bruce Perreault and Rafe Judkins.
‘The Bachelor,’ Jared Haibon
One of the major success stories of “The Bachelor” universe, Jared Haibon, of Warwick, was first a contestant on the 11th season of “The Bachelorette,”
making it to week eight. He was then on the second season of “The Bachelor in Paradise,” where he met Ashley Iaconetti. The two split in week five, but three years later, they announced they were dating. In season five of “The Bachelor in Paradise,” they made a guest appearance during which Haibon proposed. They are now married with a child, and own Audrey’s Coffee House in South Kingstown.
Other Rhode Island contestants from “The Bachelor” universe are Lauren Marchetti, Krisily Kennedy, Jay Resmini, Karen Lindsay, and, most recently Sydney Gordon from Newport.
Pauly D, ‘Jersey Shore’
DJ and reality television star Pauly D took some flak when the show “Jersey Shore” became popular, since he’s not actually from New Jersey. Johnston native Paul DelVecchio was on
the show from 2009 to 2012 and had a spinoff show, “The Pauly D Project.” He won the 2011 and 2012 Teen Choice Award for Best Male Reality Star and was a nominee for DJ Times magazine’s America’s Best DJ.
Olivia Culpo, ‘The Culpo Sisters’
Olivia Culpo first made a name for herself in 2012, when the Miss Rhode Island USA winner went on to become Miss Universe. The Cranston native did well in the spotlight because, as Vogue put it in a feature, she’s “one of those people who seems to be good at just about everything she does. She’s also likable, which surely contributed to her landing her reality show “The Culpo Sisters” on Discovery+. The show premiered in 2022, and so far there’s no word on a second season.
Daniel and Jordan Pious, ‘The Amazing Race’
While driving a stick shift was not their forte, once they got over that hump, Barrington brothers Dan and Jordan Pious were fierce competitors, going on to win the 16th season of “The Amazing Race.” One of the moves that helped them secure the win? Getting moved up to first class on a flight to San Diego, which allowed them to get off the plane faster.
Other contestants with Rhode Island ties on “The Amazing Race” include Duke Marcoccio, of Narragansett, and his daughter Lauren Marcoccio, of Warwick, in 2006; and Michael Naylor, of Warwick, and Louie Stravato, of Bristol — Newport and Providence police detectives in 2010.
Joseph Aaron Segal, ‘Project Runway’
Joseph Aaron Segal wasn’t afraid of bold looks while on season 11 of “Project Runway.” In fact, he told the other contestants, “If it gets on ‘What Not to Wear,’ that’s a proud moment for me.” He later noted that a lot of great designers end up on what not to wear lists. That philosophy didn’t win him the season, but his line Pretty Snake is sold around the world and has been picked up by large retailers such as Urban Outfitters and ModCloth. Originally from Framingham, Massachusetts, he completed his master’s at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he still works as a faculty member.
Jonathan Joseph Peters, another Rhode Islander, appeared on the show in season 7.
Omi Hopper, ‘Next Level Chef’
A delight to watch cook, Omi Hopper started making cooking videos during the pandemic to keep boredom at bay, and then says she kept at it because she loved educating about Puerto Rican cooking. She became so popular as a social media influencer that she landed a spot on season 2 of “Next Level Chef.” She made it to the semifinals before being eliminated.
Claudia Jordan, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
Yes, a show called “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” seems like it might preclude a Rhode Islander. But no, there are Rhode Island connections everywhere. She was Miss Rhode Island in 1997, and since then has made several reality television appearances. She was on two seasons of “The Celebrity Apprentice” and was more recently on the seventh season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, ‘Ghost Hunters’
By day, they were two plumbers in Rhode Island. At night, they were ghost hunters. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society, hosted the show, investigating locations around the country for signs of paranormal activity using electronic equipment. Amy Bruni, another Rhode Islander, started appearing on the show in 2007.
Megan O’Cain, ‘Next in Fashion’
From Providence, Megan O’Cain was on season 2 of Netflix’s show “Next in Fashion.” O’Cain, who is known for colorful, whimsical pieces and her signature daisy print, placed sixth in the show. A lover of fun fashion, on Instagram she said it was “so surreal and exciting I never could’ve imagined that would be happening” to see Gigi Hadid model her bunny dress.
Nuts ‘N More, ‘Shark Tank’
When Providence-raised Peter Ferreira became a fitness nut, it sent him looking for protein-packed peanut butter that tasted good. When he couldn’t find one, he had the idea for Nuts N’ More. Fast-forward to 2013, and Ferreira, along with Dennis Iannotti and Neil Cameron, was on “Shark Tank” pitching the Pawtucketbased company so they could expand and bring their high-protein nut butters to more markets. Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec invested, and today Nuts ‘N More bills itself as one of the biggest successes on “Shark Tank.”
Shanna Moakler, ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Providence native and 1995 Miss USA Shanna Moakler has been on several reality shows, including “Growing Up Supermodel,” “Hollywood Exes” and “Meet the Barkers” as the ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who is now married to Kourtney Kardashian. For purposes of this list, we’ll nod to her time on the third season of “Dancing with the Stars.” She didn’t last long on the show, though, and was part of the second couple to be eliminated.