A Reali-Tea Star Is Born nominees in the Virtual Reali-Tea ‘VRT’ Awards 2025

Reality TV has so many living legends who have graced our screens, social media pages and hearts for many, many years. But there’s always room for new favorites to settle in right beside the OGs.

In the past year, there have been several unforgettable reality TV newcomers who’ve made their mark in the entertainment sphere thanks to their show-stopping personalities and quotable one-liners.

From “Love Island USA” to “The Real Housewives,” all our favorite shows have introduced us to newbies we love so much that we had to create an entire category for them at the inaugural Virtual Reali-Tea “VRT” Awards — A Reali-Tea Star Is Born.

Although each nominee has provided countless quotable moments and stolen the hearts of millions, only one can be crowned the winner… and that’s where you come in.

You can vote for the person you think should be given the “A Reali-Tea Star Is Born” crown from now until Aug. 27, and come celebrate the winner live with hosts Evan Real and Danny Murphy at City Winery in NYC on Sept. 17.

Amaya Espinal from “Love Island USA” Season 7

She never said she was perfect, but in viewers’ eyes, she always was.

Amaya “Papaya” Espinal graced our screens when she entered the “Love Island USA” villa as a bombshell on Season 7. The 25-year-old was immediately praised for keeping it real while other Islanders seemed to be playing it up for the cameras.

It took her a bit of time to find her love match, but her “emotional gangster” ways took her all the way to the finale where she won the series with Bryan Arenales.

Baylen Dupree from “Baylen Out Loud”

Baylen Dupree first made waves on TikTok as an advocate for people with Tourette’s syndrome, frequently posting about her own diagnosis and tics.

Her life was put even further on display when she became the star of TLC’s “Baylen Out Loud,” a reality series that gave a candid look at her life, relationship and highs and lows of living with the disorder.

The show was such a hit that it was renewed for a second season in February 2025.

Gabby Windey from “The Traitors” Season 3

Gabby Windey is no newbie to the reality TV world (she was “The Bachelorette” in 2022 after making the finals on “The Bachelor” the year prior), but had a renaissance when she joined “The Traitors” for Season 3.

Windey — who also placed second on “Dacning With the Stars” Season 31 — quickly became the talk of the internet thanks to her roundtable reads and witty confessionals.

The former NFL cheerleader was not only a favorite among fans, but also among her fellow “Traitors” stars, as she was kept in the castle until the end and ultimately won the game alongside her fellow faithfuls.

Angela Oakley from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” Season 16

Angela Oakley was up against some true reality TV royalty when she joined “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for Season 16, but she held her own and fit right in with the rest of the cast.

The real estate investor made for an epic finale when she called out longtime “RHOA” star Phaedra Parks for allegedly making up rumors that her husband, Charles Oakley, cheated.

Oakley solidified herself as one of the most epic “Housewives” newcomers of all time when she brought a folder full of evidence to the reunion; even as a newbie, she knew to come with receipts.

Bronwyn Newport from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” Season 5

Bronwyn Newport joined Season 5 of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” serving looks and fiery reads.

The fashionista was never afraid to go up against her fellow castmates, but always kept it classy and chic in over-the-top designer duds.

Now that you know the nominees, you can cast your vote for the newbie who should be named “A Reali-Tea Star Is Born” at Virtual Reali-Tea’s “VRT” Awards.

And don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of juicy interviews with iconic reality stars at our live show on Sept. 17.