When Reality Hits Too Close For Comfort, And Reality TV Stars Die
April 8, 2016 — was the day Daisy Lewellyn — one of the stars of Bravo’s — Blood, Sweat & Heels — tragically passed away — at the age of 36. I remember being stunned by the news and slightly taken aback by my heightened emotional reaction to it.
The reality TV show about a group of successful Black women — who were conquering the brutally competitive media circuit while strutting their goods and services on the paved runway of NYC — only lasted two seasons (2014–2015) — and the final season showcased how Daisy gorgeously dealt with her cancer struggle.
Ever since MTV’s The Real World: New York made its debut back in 1992 — I’ve been a sucker for the deceit of how television makes anything seem “real” when the cameras are rolling — even when its obvious that we’re witnessing the best version of a soap opera that could ever be conceived.
The earlier shows from MTV’s most popular franchise were amazingly raw and still rule supreme when it comes to the realness of a White young woman from the South — butting heads with a budding activist — who also happens to be a Black guy from Jersey City — who doesn’t have the time or privilege to accommodate the blatant ignorance of his woefully sheltered housemate.
