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Why Do So Many Reality TV Couples Get Divorced?
Is there any truth to the oft-discussed reality TV divorce curse?
Danielle Staub and Marty Caffrey, Scheana and Mike Shay, Gina and Matt Kirschenheiter, Vicki and Donn Gunvalson, Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas, Yolanda Hadid and David Foster, Ramona and Mario Singer.
We're just scratching the surface here.
Kelly and Michael Dodd, Shannon and David Beador, Luann de Lesseps and Tom D'Agostino, Tamra Judge and Simon Barney.
Speaking of Tamra, The Real Housewives of Orange County mom recently weighed in on her castmate Emily Simpson's marriage saying that she thinks Emily and husband Shane will soon fall victim to the same curse.
It's safe to say with this track record, that there will be more divorces to come on reality TV, not that we'd wish that on anyone. Perhaps divorce would have happened anyway for many of the couples who have split since allowing cameras into their lives. But there's no denying filming your life adds even more pressure, and can even contribute to the demise of a relationship.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Melissa Gorga even revealed she "gets it" when it comes to fighting over the show (and Teresa Giudice) with her husband, Joe.
New York City-based therapist Liz Lasky explained to Personal Space why so many reality TV couples end up calling it quits.
"Many couples in the public eye get divorced because the pressure is just too much," she said. "Most couples don't have to go through their lives with millions of people judging their every move. When we hear what others say — or see it with our own eyes during a replay — people begin to second guess themselves, their choices, and their partners."
Lasky noted all privacy goes out the window, too, so there's really nothing left that's "yours" as a couple.
"Another complexity is that when people fully share their lives with others, there is sometimes very few things left that are entirely sacred. When people share their business, their feuds, their sex lives, what is left that is personal and special?"
Jealously also plays a major role.
"When one person of the couple is getting more attention than the other, underlying dynamics may bubble to the surface," Lasky said. "Some people change when they become very successful or famous. This rocks relationships. Any unstable foundation will crumble under pressure."
