Hundreds of Alabama people have made their marks on reality TV — winning and losing, crying and rejoicing, cooking and singing, dancing and romancing. And well, so much more. Fans are adamant about their favorites, and we applaud all of the state folks who’ve appeared on various shows over the past 30+ years.
It’s difficult to pick the best reality TV stars from Alabama, let alone compare a handful of worthy contenders for their on-screen charisma, compulsive watchability and celebrity appeal. But we gave it a shot at AL.com, and offer the results below. Here are our top 10 reality TV picks from the state, ranked in ascending order for their greatness.
READ: Alabama is having a moment on reality TV, but it’s not the first time
Asher HaVon of Selma is the Season 25 winner of "The Voice." He's the first singer from Alabama to win on the NBC reality series in its 13-year history.(Tyler Golden/NBC)
10. Asher HaVon
Who he is: Soul singer from Selma, Season 25 winner of “The Voice” in 2024.
What makes him great: With his powerhouse pipes and earnest demeanor, HaVon earned effusive praise from celebrity coaches on the NBC reality series — especially country star Reba McEntire — and captivated viewers who voted to determine the winner. He also broke Alabama’s losing streak on “The Voice,” becoming the first singer from the state to earn the title in the series’ 13-year history. Bravo!
Alabama's James "JT" Thomas Jr. won on "Survivor: Tocantins" in 2009.(Monty Brinton/CBS)
9. James “JT” Thomas Jr.
Who he is: Samson native and Mobile-area cattle rancher, Season 18 winner of “Survivor: Tocantins” in 2009.
What makes him great: Nice guys can finish first. Thomas proved that during his time on “Survivor” in 2009, displaying likability, physical strength and down-home charm. He forged loyal alliances among the other contestants, and some said Thomas played a “perfect game.” He won “Survivor” by a unanimous vote of the tribal council and was voted by fans as Sprint Player of the Season. For his efforts, Thomas won $1 million and made Alabama proud.
Trinity the Tuck attends RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7 Premiere screening and panel discussion on May 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for VH1/Paramount +)
8. Trinity the Tuck
Who they are: Glamorous queen, Birmingham native, Season 4 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” in 2019.
What makes them great: Gorgeous, smart, funny and ready for anything, Trinity was a standout on “Drag Race” from Moment One. This queen quickly became a fan favorite with eye-catching and polished looks, a quick wit, snappy comebacks and a willingness to get silly in skits such as Snatch Game, where the contestants lampoon celebrities. Alabama queens are in short supply on national television, and Trinity has represented the state with grace and skill.
Alabama native Bo Bice, right, and Carrie Underwood perform the duet "Up Where We Belong" during the "American Idol" live finale in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 25, 2005. Underwood won the title that year; Bice was the runner-up.(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
7. Bo Bice
Who he is: Southern rock singer, Huntsville native, Season 4 runner-up of “American Idol” in 2005.
What makes him great: Bice kept Alabama’s “Idol” dynasty rolling, impressing the judges and pleasing viewers just two years after Ruben Studdard’s win in 2003. Laid-back and experienced, he stood out with his confident vocals, neo-hippie vibe and penchant for songs by the Allman Brothers Band, the Black Crowes and more. Bice became a fan favorite, impressing folks who wanted more of a rock sensibility on “Idol.” His a cappella cover of “In a Dream” by Badlands was regarded by many as a highlight of the season.
Alabama’s Bryson McGlynn, center, reacts as his name is called as the winner of “MasterChef Junior,” Season 9. He competed against finalists Michael Seegobin, left, and Remy Powell, right.(Greg Gayne/2024 FOX Media LLC)
6. Bryson McGlynn
Who he is: Auburn resident, student at Fox Run School in Opelika, young grillmaster known as “Cheese Curd,” Season 9 winner of “MasterChef Junior” in 2024.
What makes him great: Bryson, the son of Mike and Shannon McGlynn, proved to be a formidable contender in the kitchen, cooking outstanding meals for the celebrity chefs and displaying admirable sweetness. The boy impressed Gordon Ramsay, in particular, with his culinary know-how, innate food sense and respectful Southern charm. Bryson, the first “MasterChef Junior” winner from Alabama, took home a trophy, kitchen appliances and a $100,000 prize. As Ramsay would say, “Well done!”
Alabama's Julie Oliver Gentry, one of the original cast members of MTV's "The Real World," reunited with her former housemates for “The Real World Homecoming: New York." Gentry says her husband, Joshua Gentry, and two teenage children approved of her decision to return to the show. "They were all very supportive and on board," Gentry says.(Danielle Levitt)
5. Julie Oliver Gentry
Who she is: Birmingham native, cast member on “The Real World” in 1992.
What makes her great: She’s the very first reality star from Alabama. Gentry, then known as Julie Oliver, appeared on the debut season of MTV’s pioneering TV series. (The term “reality series” hasn’t even been coined yet.) She bravely allowed the cameras to follow her every movie — well, nearly every move — as she settled into a Manhattan apartment with a motley group of roommates. “The Real World” quickly became a TV sensation and a cultural touchstone, inspiring a wealth of series that have included “Big Brother,” “Party Down South,” “Floribama Shore” and more.
"American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard, right, receives congratulations from Clay Aiken during the show's grand finale on May 21, 2003, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Burbank, Calif.Getty Images
4. Ruben Studdard
Who he is: R&B singer from Birmingham, Season 2 winner of “American Idol” in 2003.
What makes him great: Studdard put Alabama on the reality TV map in a major way, as the first “Idol” champ from the state. With his velvety vocals, the smooth and personable singer earned the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear,” and inspired director Quentin Tarantino to shout “205!” in homage to Birmingham’s area code. Studdard bested Clay Aiken during a much-watched finale as fans in Alabama cheered, united and bursting with pride. His coronation anthem was a winner, too: “Flying Without Wings.”
Alabama Army veteran Noah Galloway earned fame on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2015, teaming with Sharna Burgess. They took third place for the season.(ABC/Adam Taylor)
3. Noah Galloway
Who he is: Army veteran from Shelby County, athlete, inspirational speaker, double amputee, third-place finisher on Season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2015.
What makes him great: Galloway inspired TV viewers with his grace, good humor and grit, working hard in the ballroom and in the rehearsal studio. Partnering with Sharna Burgess, an Austalian dance pro, he mastered difficult dance routines and displayed admirable strength, lasting through the finals in the tough TV competition. Although he didn’t win the Mirrorball Trophy, Galloway became a fan favorite and earned a reputation as a real-deal American hero.
"American Idol" finalist Taylor Hicks, from Birmingham, Ala., reacts after performing the song "Do I Make You Proud" at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
2. Taylor Hicks
Who he is: Country-soul singer from Birmingham, Season 5 winner of “American Idol” in 2006.
What makes him great: Hicks continued the Alabama dynasty on “Idol’ in a high-profile and highly entertaining way. He took the crown during a competitive season, sprinting past front-runner Chris Daughtry and besting Katharine McPhee. His secret? Hicks, a soul-pop singer, knew how to create a vivid character on television, play to the cameras and nurture a devoted fan base. He charmed fans with his energetic performances, exuberant personality and shouts of “Soul Patrol!” In the process, Hicks became a hugely popular figure who exuded Alabama pride.
Alabama's Hannah Brown was a standout as the star of "The Bachelorette" in 2019. She followed that with winning seasons on "Dancing with the Stars" and “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test." (Photo: ABC/Ed Herrera)ABC
1. Hannah Brown
Who she is: Tuscaloosa native, University of Alabama graduate, former Miss Alabama USA, contestant on “The Bachelor” in 2019, star of Season 15 of “The Bachelorette” in 2019, winner of Season 28 of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2019, winner of Season 1 of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” in 2023.
What makes her great: Brown is a reality TV dynamo, plain and simple. The camera absolutely loves her, and Brown hasn’t been afraid to show her feisty nature (or her emotional vulnerabilities) on four — count ‘em, four — different series. She was a standout on “The Bachelor” and an undeniable sparkplug as “The Bachelorette,” creating must-see TV. Her time in the ballroom was extremely compelling, as well. Brown’s rehearsals and performances for DWTS were accompanied by tears and confessions, sparks of frustration and other expressions of raw feeling. As a result, viewers were highly invested in her journey on the show in 2019. Four years later, Brown returned to reality TV with gusto, winning “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” alongside an Olympic gold medalist for soccer, Carli Lloyd. True, Brown has made mistakes and faced controversy on the road to fame, but she rebounded by taking responsibility and vowing to do better. Brown’s proud of her home state, and yes, she roots for the Crimson Tide.
More about Alabama people on reality TV
- 12 times Alabama acts wowed the judges on ‘America’s Got Talent’
- Gordon Ramsay’s temper blazes when Alabama cook serves burned steaks: ‘That’s gross!’
- Kay Ivey honors ‘MasterChef Junior’ winner as Alabama’s Chef for a Day: ‘He is going places!’
- ‘It’s an absolute yes’: Alabama cooks impress Gordon Ramsay on new season of ‘MasterChef’
- Triston Harper reflects on ‘American Idol’ journey: ‘It became my life. I loved it’