Stars Fired From Reality Shows Through the Years

Credit: Dan Steinberg/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock; Riccardo Giardina for MTV

Stars Fired From Reality Shows Through the Years

A job-altering scandal. Although drama makes for good reality TV, many stars have crossed a line and their actions have real consequences. In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd while in police custody, global protests began and thousands marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. With that, many networks began looking at what their stars were posting on social media and were not happy with what they found. In a huge move by Bravo, the network announced in June 2020 that Vanderpump Rules stars Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were all fired from the show amid racially charged comments made in the past. Schroeder and Doute subsequently apologized after their former costar Faith Stowers claimed that the women had falsely reported her to the police in 2018 for a crime she did not commit. “Racially insensitive comments from my past have resurfaced,” the Next Level Basic author wrote via Instagram at the time. “It is important that I continue to take accountability for what I have said and done, while pushing myself to do better. I have grown significantly from the person I was then, and I am still filled with remorse and regret for the hurt I caused. I am grateful for the people in my life that continue to check me and push me to evolve into a more educated person.” [sendtonews type="float" key="EZYs1hFUlO-2834148-14453"] MTV also made a huge move during the movement, revealing that they would no longer be working with Dee Nguyen, who was participating on the current season of The Challenge, after she made offensive tweets. “As a result of Dee Nguyen’s offensive comments on the Black Lives Matter movement, we have severed ties with her,” the competition series announced via Twitter at the time. “Out of respect for our Challengers, we’ll air our season as planned. We strongly condemn systemic racism and stand with those raising their voices against injustice.” The Challenge account also shared a link to multiple "anti-racism resources" for those who want to help. “We stand united against racism and urge you to join us in taking action to end racism, discrimination, and systemic violence," the social media account added. MTV also has also axed multiple cast members of the Teen Mom franchise over the years, including David Eason, after he made offensive comments via social media. Although many fired stars have apologized for their actions after the fact, sometimes it's too late. Scroll through the gallery below for more reality stars who were let go following scandals. [podcast_block]

Credit: Dan Steinberg/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock; Riccardo Giardina for MTV

Stars Fired From Reality Shows Through the Years

A job-altering scandal. Although drama makes for good reality TV, many stars have crossed a line and their actions have real consequences. In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd while in police custody, global protests began and thousands marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. With that, many networks began looking at what their stars were posting on social media and were not happy with what they found. In a huge move by Bravo, the network announced in June 2020 that Vanderpump Rules stars Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were all fired from the show amid racially charged comments made in the past. Schroeder and Doute subsequently apologized after their former costar Faith Stowers claimed that the women had falsely reported her to the police in 2018 for a crime she did not commit. “Racially insensitive comments from my past have resurfaced,” the Next Level Basic author wrote via Instagram at the time. “It is important that I continue to take accountability for what I have said and done, while pushing myself to do better. I have grown significantly from the person I was then, and I am still filled with remorse and regret for the hurt I caused. I am grateful for the people in my life that continue to check me and push me to evolve into a more educated person.” [sendtonews type="float" key="EZYs1hFUlO-2834148-14453"] MTV also made a huge move during the movement, revealing that they would no longer be working with Dee Nguyen, who was participating on the current season of The Challenge, after she made offensive tweets. “As a result of Dee Nguyen’s offensive comments on the Black Lives Matter movement, we have severed ties with her,” the competition series announced via Twitter at the time. “Out of respect for our Challengers, we’ll air our season as planned. We strongly condemn systemic racism and stand with those raising their voices against injustice.” The Challenge account also shared a link to multiple "anti-racism resources" for those who want to help. “We stand united against racism and urge you to join us in taking action to end racism, discrimination, and systemic violence," the social media account added. MTV also has also axed multiple cast members of the Teen Mom franchise over the years, including David Eason, after he made offensive comments via social media. Although many fired stars have apologized for their actions after the fact, sometimes it's too late. Scroll through the gallery below for more reality stars who were let go following scandals. [podcast_block]

Credit: Bravo

Jennie Nguyen

The Bravo personality was let go from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City after making racist comments about the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

“I want to acknowledge and apologize for my deleted Facebook posts from 2020 that resurfaced today,” she wrote via an Instagram statement in January 2022, shortly after her Facebook posts sparked backlash. “At the time, I thought I was speaking out against violence, but I have since learned how offensive and hurtful my words were.”

Credit: Larry Marano/Shutterstock

Kelsey Owens

Owens shocked Siesta Key fans when she announced that she was leaving the show after four seasons.

"Last night I was walking into scene at a freaking strip club of all places and was informed that I will be cut moving forward on Siesta Key with absolutely no warning," she alleged via Instagram in August 2022. "It’s mind blowing & truly disgusting that after working on a show since I was 19 years old where I’ve shared things about my personal life I wasn’t always comfortable with, revolved my whole life around, and put so much effort into could come to an end in such a disrespectful manner and so abrupt. Not even a simple 'thank you for sharing the past 5 years of your life with us.'"

MTV did not publicly address Owens' claims about her departure.

Credit: Courtesy of Mackenzie Edwards/Instagram

Ryan Edwards and Family

Ryan Edwards, wife Mackenzie Standifer and his parents, Larry and Jen Edwards, were all let go from Teen Mom OG in March 2021. During an interview at the time, Mackenzie claimed that production told them Maci Bookout's agent went over their heads and asked for more time to focus on her "abilities," claiming that the Edwards "took up the time on the show that she could be using to show all that."

Credit: Courtesy of Larissa Dos Santos Lima/Instagram

Larissa Dos Santos Lima

The Brazil native confirmed in September 2020 that she was fired from 90 Day Fiancé after doing a racy adult lingerie livestream for CamSoda's webcam platform earlier that month. "Because of my show with CamSoda, I was released from my contract with TLC by phone the day before ICE arrested me," she wrote on Instagram, referencing her arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on September 19. TLC had no comment.

Credit: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo

Peter Hunziker

The Below Deck Mediterranean star was "terminated for his racist post," Bravo announced via Instagram in June 2020. "Bravo and 51 Minds are editing the show to minimize his appearance for subsequent episodes."

Credit: MTV

Alex Kompothecras

MTV parted ways with the Siesta Key star in June 2020 following his racially charged comments, including using the n-word in an Instagram comment and laughing at other racist posts. “We’ve made the decision to cut ties with Alex and are editing the current season to minimize his presence,” the network said in a statement to Us on June 16. “He will not be in future seasons of Siesta Key.”

Credit: Courtesy of Taylor Selfridge/Instagram

Taylor Selfridge

MTV ended its relationship with the reality star in June 2020 “in light of her past racist statements on social media.” The network also pulled her planned special with boyfriend Cory Wharton, Teen Mom OG at Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special. Selfridge later claimed via Instagram that she was the one to walk away from MTV, writing that she “made the decision … to not film the next season of Teen Mom OG with Cory for the benefit of myself and my daughter [Mila].”

Credit: Riccardo Giardina for MTV

Dee Nguyen

Amid the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020, MTV announced they were cutting ties with The Challenge star after she made multiple "offensive" comments about race via social media. She later apologized on Twitter. "I would like to offer my sincerest apology to my colleagues to whom I have hurt directly and indirectly due to my insensitive remarks,” she wrote. “Let me be clear I am a POC that cares about BLM. I believe in this movement and I’m stepping away from social media to focus on my wellbeing and mental health."

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute

Schroeder and Doute were cut from Bravo's Vanderpump Rules in June 2020 after former costar Faith Stowers revealed they falsely reported her to the police in 2018 for a crime she didn’t commit. The full-time cast members released separate apologies via social media. “What I did to Faith was wrong. I apologize and I do not expect forgiveness,” Schroeder wrote at the time. “I am also sorry to anyone else that feels disappointed in me. I am going to continue to look closer at myself and my actions – to take the time to listen, to learn, and to take accountability for my own privilege.”

Doute echoed the statement in her own Instagram post. "My actions were not racially driven, I am now completely aware of how my privilege blinded me from the reality of law enforcement’s treatment of the black community, and how dangerous my actions could have been to her," the James Mae T-shirt designer wrote. "It was never my intention to add to the injustice and imbalance. I’m ashamed, embarrassed, and incredibly sorry. I will do better. I have to do better.”

Credit: Chris Haston/Bravo (2)

Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni

In addition to Schroeder and Doute, Bravo also fired Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, who joined Vanderpump Rules in season 8. In January 2020, tweets including racial slurs resurfaced from the past. They both apologized during the June 2020 reunion social.

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Abby Lee Miller

Lifetime ended their working relationship with the former Dance Moms star when they decided in June 2020 that they would not be airing their spinoff series, Abby’s Virtual Dance-Off, after a Dance Moms star claimed the host made racist remarks to her daughter. “A statement from her that sticks in my mind to this day… is ‘I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the Country Club with a box of 64,'" Adriana Smith, whose daughter Kamryn was part of Dance Moms season 8, revealed via Instagram at the time.

Credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Dan Spilo

For the first time ever, Survivor removed a competitor from the game during season 39, airing in December 2019. Spilo was ejected from the game after multiple cast members claimed that his touching made them uncomfortable.

"Dan was removed from the game after a report of another incident, which happened off-camera and did not involve a player," a title card read during the episode, which took place days after CBS had warned Spilo. He later issued an apology for his actions and stated that he "regrets" making anyone "uncomfortable."

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Jenelle and David Eason

In February 2018, MTV's Teen Mom 2 cut ties with Eason after he posted multiple homophobic tweets. Although they attempted to film his wife, Evans, around him, it became more difficult. In April 2019, the network announced they were cutting all ties with Evans as well, days after Eason shot and killed their family dog.

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Farrah Abraham

In October 2017, Us Weekly confirmed that Abraham had been fired from Teen Mom OG, due to her career in adult entertainment. During an episode that aired during the following March, executive producer Morgan J. Freeman spoke to the 16 & Pregnant alum, telling her that she's difficult to work with and although he is not judging her, she could not longer be part of the show if she "chose to work in the adult industry." With that, she ended her contract.

Credit: Courtesy of Derick Dillard/Instagram

Derick Dillard

The TLC star was let go by the network in 2017 after tweeting offensive comments about Jazz Jennings' transition. "We want to let our viewers know that Derick Dillard has not participated in Counting On for months and the network has no plans to feature him in the future. We want to reiterate that Derick’s personal statements do not reflect the views of the network," TLC said in a statement at the time. “TLC is proud to share the story of Jazz Jennings and her family and will continue to do so."

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Paula Deen

In 2013, the Food Network announced they were ending their relationship with Deen, who had three shows on the air at the time. The firing came amid the chef using the N-word and being sued by former employee Lisa Jackson for allegedly using racial slurs. She also lost endorsement deals with Walmart, JCPenney, Target and Home Depot. The lawsuit was eventually dropped.

Credit: Danny Johnston/AP/Shutterstock

Josh Duggar

TLC decided to cancel 19 Kids and Counting in 2015, following allegations that Duggar had inappropriately touched multiple girls, including siblings, when he was a teenager. Jill and Jessa came forward with claims at the time. "I think in the case of what Josh did, it was very wrong. I'm not going to justify anything that he did or say it was okay. It's not permissible. But I do want to speak up in his defense against people who are calling him a child molester or a pedophile or a rapist," Jessa said at the time. "That is so overboard and a lie, really."

He apologized in a statement via the family's website. "I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife," he wrote. "I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him."