Running header: ARE REALITY SHOW CAST MEMBERS ACTORS?
Many have wondered whether a reality tv star could be considered as an actor, yet some have
speculated that they are not. There are multiple things that separate actors from reality tv
stars. For a person to be an actor they portray a character to an audience, have previous
experience in acting and have been professionally trained, and follow a script. Based on this
definition, reality TV stars are not actors.
An actor is a person who portrays a character to an audience. Portraying a character refers
to showing thoughts and emotions through body language and dialogue. Some people may
assume that anyone on a tv show is an actor. However, according to Westbrook (n.d), “Anyone
can train to be an actor, anyone can learn the skills required.” (p.1) In other words, just because
someone hasn’t been recognized by the media as an outstanding performer and deemed famous,
it does not mean they are not an actor. If a person has spent time learning the necessary crafts of
acting and have implemented those teachings in front of an audience on a theatrical platform,
then they are an actor.
Amongst one of the many arguments that can be used to argue against the fact that reality
TV stars are not actually actors is due to the fact that actors have had previous experience or
training for their job. Reality TV stars are usually normal everyday people portraying themselves
on screen, meanwhile actors are individuals who practice rigorously everyday over a script to fit
the character they are set to portray. Also, the actors may have to undergo changes to their
appearance to fit the role needed, while reality TV stars are not expected to train their body or
mannerisms to fit a character because they are not portraying one.
Another defining criteria of an actor would be following a script. Actors receive a script
with the characters they are to become along with how they are supposed to act, word, and
perform these roles. These scripts are written beforehand and are used in the basis of their work,
while as reality TV stars are put in front of a camera and told to act as themselves, maybe a little
dramatized, but as far as scripts go they do not have a set one which tells them how to act line by
Many have wondered whether a reality tv star could be considered as an actor, yet some have
speculated that they are not. There are multiple things that separate actors from reality tv
stars. For a person to be an actor they portray a character to an audience, have previous
experience in acting and have been professionally trained, and follow a script. Based on this
definition, reality TV stars are not actors.
An actor is a person who portrays a character to an audience. Portraying a character refers
to showing thoughts and emotions through body language and dialogue. Some people may
assume that anyone on a tv show is an actor. However, according to Westbrook (n.d), “Anyone
can train to be an actor, anyone can learn the skills required.” (p.1) In other words, just because
someone hasn’t been recognized by the media as an outstanding performer and deemed famous,
it does not mean they are not an actor. If a person has spent time learning the necessary crafts of
acting and have implemented those teachings in front of an audience on a theatrical platform,
then they are an actor.
Amongst one of the many arguments that can be used to argue against the fact that reality
TV stars are not actually actors is due to the fact that actors have had previous experience or
training for their job. Reality TV stars are usually normal everyday people portraying themselves
on screen, meanwhile actors are individuals who practice rigorously everyday over a script to fit
the character they are set to portray. Also, the actors may have to undergo changes to their
appearance to fit the role needed, while reality TV stars are not expected to train their body or
mannerisms to fit a character because they are not portraying one.
Another defining criteria of an actor would be following a script. Actors receive a script
with the characters they are to become along with how they are supposed to act, word, and
perform these roles. These scripts are written beforehand and are used in the basis of their work,
while as reality TV stars are put in front of a camera and told to act as themselves, maybe a little
dramatized, but as far as scripts go they do not have a set one which tells them how to act line by
