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10 Reality TV stars from Texas

10 Reality TV stars from Texas

Joanna and Chip Gaines Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

By Joi Louviere

January 13, 2025

Big trucks, big hats, and big personalities—Texans seem to make great reality television stars. It could be their authenticity, big hearts, or unapologetic drive to win, there are several reality stars who were plucked for stardom right here. Let’s check out some of the most notable ones from the last decade. 

Rachel Lindsay

We first met Rachel Lindsay as a contestant on season 21 of ABC’s “The Bachelor.” The attorney from Dallas and UT graduate was the third runner-up, but was then selected to be the star of the next season of “The Bachelorette,” becoming the first Black person to lead a franchise show. 

Makensy Manbeck

In 2024, when competing in the 26th season of “Big Brother,”  Makensy Manbeck was the show’s youngest contestant of all time. The 22-year-old Houston-native graduated from Texas A&M and immediately headed into the Big Brother house, where she was respected for her gameplay and persuasion. 

Alyssa Edwards

Mesquite’s Alyssa Edwards is a drag performer and choreographer who was a contestant on season 5, All-Stars 2, and Global All-Stars  “Rupaul’s Drag Race.”Endlessly memeable, The fan-favorite won the Global All-Star season, along with $200,000 and a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. She’ll be performing at the Dallas House of Blues in May of 2025. 

10 Reality TV stars from Texas

Alyssa Edwards attends 4th annual RuPaul’s DragCon at Los Angeles Convention Center on May 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

Drew Haas and Drake Vliem

Drew and Drake are the notorious contestants from season 2 of Netflix’s “Outlast.” The men bonded over being “Texas boys,” Drew from Hallettsville and Drake from Midland. The duo moved through the wilderness survival game with their youthful brawn and cunning strategy, staying loyal to only themselves, which ended up winning them the game and a $1 million prize to split. 

Tiffany Derry

Chef and restaurateur Tiffany Derry competed in season 7 of “Top Chef” and won “fan favorite” after placing fifth. She was brought back the next season for an all-star edition of the show and placed fourth. The Beaumont native now runs several successful restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, including Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch. 

Mike Gabler

Kingwood’s Mike Gabler joined the coveted list of CBS “Survivor” winners in 2022. He was a congenial player who won the fire-making challenge in record time, giving him the runway to become the second-oldest winner in “Survivor” history at 52. As a son of a Green Beret, Gabler knew he wanted to help veterans if he won and when that happened, he donated all of his $1 million prize money to veterans in need. 

Kordell Beckham 

Twenty-two year old Kordell Beckham made a name for himself in the summer 2024 season of “Love Island USA.” The little brother of NFL wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr, left his home in Dallas to find love on the competition dating show and ended up winning the season with partner Serena Page. The two split a $100,000 prize and Beckham, a working model, is now an ambassador for Cheez-It and other brands. 

 

10 Reality TV stars from Texas

Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images

Nina Palmer

If you’re a “60 Days In” fan, you’ll remember Nina Palmer from season 9. She was the spunky, blond, bail bondswoman from Dallas who went undercover in a Utah prison to secure intel about inmates and staff. She played her own game, speaking frankly and almost blowing her cover as she experienced harsh realities of lockup, but she completed her 60 days. 

Jadejha Edwards

Jadejha Edwards of Houston was a well-liked contestant on season 7 of Netflix’s “The Circle” and made it far in the competition. Although she didn’t win the show, it did bring her Darian Holt, a contestant who played the game closely with her —so close that they’re now fiancés. Holt popped the question in December of 2024 and will make them the first contestants from the show to tie the knot.  

Chip and Joanna Gaines 

Chip and Joanna Gaines have now become a household name after their HGTV show “Fixer Upper” was a network hit, boasting five seasons and only halted by the couple’s desire to step back. The ending of the show didn’t stop the Gaines’ popularity as they’ve built about a dozen businesses and a cult following, making Waco a destination for folks around the country. Their fun-loving personalities and business savvy also landed them their own cable network, Magnolia Network.

CATEGORIES: LOCAL PEOPLE

Author

  • Joi Louviere

    Joi Louviere is the community editor for Courier DFW. She’s a seventh generation Texan and world traveler, passionate about college access, DIY projects and trying out all the coffee shops in Dallas.

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