4 reality TV shows that have turned their contestants into massive Instagram stars
We often watch reality TV to watch the lives and endeavours of others, and the TV show format has proven that an audience's interest in a contestant lasts long after a season finishes going to air.
And with social media, tracking the lives of reality stars long after their TV appearances is now easier than ever. Here are four reality shows that have seen the contestants who appeared on them shoot to stardom, at times gaining millions of followers.
Love Island
You've probably heard of the Love Island series. The reality show sees a group of young, sexy guys and girls move into a Villa with the hope of finding true love. With this format Islanders need to be in a Couple to remain in the Villa, which means there's a constant rotation of Islanders leaving as new boys and girls enter.
The series originated in the UK and has since had both Australian and American series. But no matter where it's aired, reality stars with huge followings have been created.
RELATED: Love Island UK: Here are the Islanders with the most Instagram followers
For the UK series in particular the show has a cult following and has seen numerous Islanders gain millions of followers after appearing on the show. To date, Molly-Mae Hague from Season 5 is the most followed Islander of all time, with a staggering five million followers.
Dani Dyer from Season 4, as well as Tommy Fury and Maura Higgins from Season 5, all have over three million followers.
Australian Islanders have grown large followings too, with Season 1 winner Tayla Damir amassing over 500,000 followers. Season 2 winner Anna McEvoy has over 300,000.
RELATED: Love Island Australia: Here are the Islanders with the most Instagram followers
Other popular Islanders, such as Josh Moss and Amelia Marni from Season 1 (they're a couple from the show), have over 300,000 followers each.
Stream every episode ever of Love Island UK, Love Island Australia and Love Island USA for free on 9Now.
RuPaul's Drag Race
This series follows RuPaul's search for America's next drag superstar. On the show drag queens compete in a wide range of different challenges that they're judged on. With an abundance of colourful outfits and even more colourful characters, the show has grown a massive cult following of both the show and the drag queens who appear on it.
Most notably, Bianca Del Rio who won Season 6 has over 2.3 million followers, while Trixie Mattel, who was a contestant on Season 7 and the winner of All Stars 3, has 2.2 million followers.
RuPaul's Drag Race is available to watch on Stan.
90 Day Fiancé
Ever thought of tying the knot in less than three months? 90 Day Fiancé follows American couples who have applied for or received a K-1 Visa, meaning they have just 90 days to wed.
It's an incredibly unique situation and it leaves a lot of viewers wanting to follow the lives of those who appeared on the show long after their season ends.
RELATED: 43 thoughts I had watching 90 Day Fiancé for the first time
In particular Paola Mayfield from Season 1 has over 1 million followers, as does Loren Brovarnik from Season 3.
Russ and Paola on Season 1 of 90 Day Fiancé. 9Now
Many of the men and women who appear on 90 Day Fiancé undergo a surprising transformation after appearing on the show, including Paola who currently has bright pink hair.
Stream complete seasons of 90 Day Fiancé on 9Now.
Married At First Sight
If you're Aussie then you've almost certainly heard about Married At First Sight, a show where singles are matched by experts in the hope of finding true, long-lasting love. The big twist? They meet at the altar and their relationship basically plays out in reverse.
Some participants in the social experiment have found love, such as Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant, who officially wed and have recently welcomed their baby boy Oliver Chase Merchant into the world. But in addition to love Jules and Cam grew large social followings, with over 369,000 and 234,000 followers respectively.
Other popular participants include Martha Kalifatidis from Season 6, who has over 350,000 followers, and Elizabeth Sobinoff who appeared on both Seasons 5 and 6, and has 320,000 followers.
Married At First Sight Season 8 will air on Nine in 2021. Stream every episode of Married At First Sight and Talking Married on 9Now.
