These days, it seems like every season of a reality TV show needs a token ‘villain’ for it to be truly entertaining.
But as will be exposed in upcoming documentary Creating A Monster, being depicted badly in shows like The Bachelor, Big Brother and Married At First Sight can have a devastating impact on those who are tarnished with the ‘villain’ tag.
The documentary’s filmmaker Gena Lida Riess interviewed several of these former contestants and writing for ABC News on Friday, she shared their experiences.
‘You b*stards’: On Friday, ABC News shared the harsh experiences of former reality TV stars including The Bachelorette’s David Witko (left) and The Bachelor’s Sandra Rato (right) as they describe reality of being cast as a ‘villain’ in eye-opening documentary Creating A Monster
Gina revealed that many of the contestants weren’t aware during filming that they would be portrayed in a negative light and only realised when the scenes went to air.
In a preview for documentary, which is set to screen at the Byron Bay International Film Festival from October 6 to 15, notorious Bachelorette ‘villain’ David Witko said he had a tough time when viewers turned on him during Sam Frost’s season in 2015.
‘It literally felt like the whole of Australia was like, against me,’ he revealed.
‘It literally felt like the whole of Australia was like, against me,’ David was hated by the public after his appearance in Sam Frost’s (right) season of The Bachelorette
International model: David explained his profession as well as sneaky manipulation techniques was used against him to create a sinister persona
The former reality star explained that his modelling profession was used against him after he told producers he had worked overseas in the past, which cemented him as an arrogant Zoolander-type.
‘That’s what it was … David the international model. And I was like, “You b*stards”,’ he said.
David added that producers even used a different soundtrack for his entrance, which was a stark contrast to the romantic music the others suitors received.
He believes this helped shape a more sinister perception of his persona in the minds of the audience.
‘It’s bad’: Sandra (pictured with The Bachelor Sam Wood) broke down as she described the ’emotional’ experience of discovering she had been cast as the ‘villain’ when she watched the first episode
Outspoken Bachelor beauty Sandra Rato said she had enjoyed filming the show in 2015 but broke down as she described the ’emotional’ experience of discovering she had been cast as the ‘villain’ when she watched the first episode.
‘I realised that if this is the start of what the public is going to think of me, it’s bad,’ she explained.
Married at First Sight contestant Clare Verrall, who clashed with her ‘husband’ Jono Pitman when they took part in 2016, has not been shy with her criticism of the reality show in the past.
‘The show is more manipulated than fabricated,’ she admitted.
‘The show is more manipulated than fabricated’: Clare Verrall (left) took a swipe at Married At First Sight in which she clashed with her on-screen ‘husband’ Jono Pitman (right)
Meanwhile, Alex Roe who was portrayed as the ‘bogan’ in season 10 of Big Brother, told the documentary she was insulted by strangers in public.
However, she tried to take it in her stride and find the funny side to things.
‘Every now and then someone would be like, “Fat bogan” or “that voice is annoying” but me and my friends… I find that stuff so hilarious. I don’t take it to heart,’ she said.
‘I don’t take it to heart’ Big Brother’s Alex ‘Boog’ Roe (right) revealed strangers insulted her in public calling her things like ‘fat bogan’