Who are the reality TV stars from Charlotte? Find out who they are and how to watch them
We’ve recently been blessed with an explosion of Charlotteans on reality TV, and it’s hard to keep up with it all. But no worries, we’re here to help sort it out for you.
After their time on streaming services like Netflix or Hulu and network television channels such as ABC and CBS, we’ve got many locally famous folks who are shifting into influencer status (including several members of the “Love is Blind” cast) — while others (such as “Survivor” star Kenzie Petty) have gone right back to work in everyday jobs.
Here are a few stories to get you up to speed on who’s who among Charlotte television stars — but watch out for spoilers on shows you haven’t watched before. And bonus: Now there’s a new “Bachelorette” contestant from Raleigh, too.
‘The Amazing Race’
“The Amazing Race,” which premiered on CBS back in 2001, can be streamed on CBS.com.
Former “Big Brother” winner Jordan Lloyd (see below) went on afterward to compete in the “Amazing Race” in Season 16 in 2010. Scott Flanary of Charlotte won Season 29 back in 2017.
Other Charlotte residents who have competed included Rowan Joseph, Shane Partlow, DeAngelo Williams and Sam Greiner also competed on the show. And we haven’t forgotten Kim and Penn Holdnerness, who keep us all entertained from the Raleigh area and won the show during Season 33 in 2022.
These former Carolina Panthers came out of retirement for ‘The Amazing Race.’
Watch familiar faces from West Charlotte begin their ‘Amazing Race’ tonight.
‘American Idol’
“American Idol,” a TV stalwart that has been on since 2002, has seen more a few stars from North Carolina — and you can stream some episodes on ABC.com and Hulu. Others, you may have to search out on YouTube.com.
You can still find Clay Aiken, a UNC Charlotte alum, in the spotlight, along with Fantasia Barrino (see below). Charlotte native Blake Proehl sang earlier this year on Season 22.
(Also note Season 10 winner Scotty McCreary is from Garner, while Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson is from Asheville. And don’t forget fellow North Carolinians Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Anoop Desai.)
Why Clay Aiken is done with politics but can’t quit touring with ‘Idol’ pal Ruben Studdard.
Charlotte native and former NFL player with Panthers ties to compete on ‘American Idol.’
Meet the 6 NC singers who advanced to ‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week.
‘America’s Got Talent’
AGT, which you can stream on Peacock, just premiered a new season on May 28.
After being featured on the show in 2012 and again in 2023, Dennis Reed Jr. of Charlotte returned to the franchise in January to be featured on spinoff “America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League,” which you can also see on NBC.com. He also worked with 2004 “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino, who also lives in Charlotte.
‘The Bachelor’
Season 28, featuring Madina Alam of Charlotte, is streaming on ABC.com and Hulu.
Meet the 31-year-old Charlotte therapist and model looking for love on ‘The Bachelor’
‘The Bachelor’ premiere: Did Charlotte therapist/model Madina hit it off with Joey?
‘The Bachelor’ Week 2 recap: What happened with Charlotte’s Madina Alam this week?
‘The Bachelor’ Week 3 recap: The Madina + Maria + Sydney drama explained.
‘Bachelor’ Ep. 4 recap: Drama comes for Madina again. What happened with Charlotte therapist.
‘Bachelor’ Ep. 5 recap: Did Madina survive Sydney + Maria drama to get a rose? Updates here.
Going back further, Season 27 starred Kylee Russell of Charlotte, who then went on to star on “The Bachelor in Paradise.”
Emily Maynard of Charlotte was on Season 15 of “The Bachelor,” back in 2011 and went on to star on “The Bachelorette, as well (see below).
‘The Bachelor in Paradise’
Russell planned a move out of Charlotte after her appearance on “The Bachelor in Paradise,” streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.
‘The Bachelorette’
Season 27’s Charity Lawson, a Georgia woman with Charlotte ties who was on Season 27th of “The Bachelor,” became “The Bachelorette.” It’s streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.
Maynard, “The Bachelor” contestant from 2011, also appeared in the eighth season of “The Bachelorette” in 2012.
‘Big Brother’
“Big Brother,” a staple at CBS since 2000, has seen a few Charlotte-area connections. You can stream all the seasons at CBS.com.
Jordan Lloyd lived in Waxhaw won when she competed in Season 9 in 2009 and returned in Season 13 in 2011 and came in fourth. That year, Rachel Reilly from Kannapolis won.
Lloyd married fellow contestant Jeff Schroeder, and they later competed on Season 16 of “The Amazing Race,” too.
’To Have and To Hold: Charlotte’
“To Have and To Hold: Charlotte,” which is on the Oprah Winfrey Network and can be streamed on OWN.com, featured five couples from Charlotte in 2019.
‘Love is Blind’
Season 6, filmed in Charlotte, is now streaming on Netflix.
Meet the Charlotte singles starring in the new season of ‘Love is Blind’ on Netflix.
Charlotte-filmed ‘Love is Blind’ drops trailer for new season on Netflix.
Biggest moments from Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind’ premiere filmed in Charlotte.
How was filming ‘Love is Blind’ in Charlotte? Local stars reveal best and worst moments.
Which Charlotte couples from ‘Love is Blind’ do you think will say yes at the altar?
Woman says she caught cheating boyfriend on new season of ‘Love is Blind.’ Is it true?
All of the Charlotte restaurants, bars and date spots featured in ‘Love is Blind.’
Love is blindsided: Charlotte reality TV contestants face cheating rumors.
‘Love is Blind’ finale: Which Charlotte couples got married and who broke up?
New updates: Chelsea from ‘Love is Blind’ spills tea on current relationship with Jimmy.
‘Love is Blind’ reunion recap: Which contestants from season 6 are still together?
‘It is the worst trash ever’: Travis Kelce calls out Charlotte season of ‘Love is Blind.’
‘Y’all were robbed of how we really ended’: The ‘Love is Blind’ scene Brittany says was cut.
‘Love is Blind’s’ Amy & Johnny on best date spots + the worst of Charlotte’s dating scene.
Laura from ‘Love is Blind’ talks about love triangle drama, who she matched with on Hinge.
Going back further, Kenny Barnes of Charlotte starred in season 1.
‘Love Island USA’
“Love Island USA,” the American version of the British dating show, is streaming on Peacock.
The newest season, premiering June 11, features Charlottean Hannah Smith, along with Coye Simmons of Winston-Salem, Axios Charlotte reports. Former Panthers and current Hornets cheerleader Dasja Johnson of Charlotte also appeared on the show in 2023, WCNC reported.
’Superfan’
“Superfan” has only been broadcast for one season, which you can see on CBS.com. Episode 2 featured Maggie Notter of Charlotte, who is a superfan of Shania Twain.
‘Survivor’
Season 46, featuring Charlotte hair-salon owner Kenzie Petty, is streaming on Paramount+.
A psychic knew this Charlotte hair salon owner would be on ‘Survivor.’ Or ... did she?
Kenzie Petty could be the first Charlotte resident to win ‘Survivor.’ Here’s what to know.
Charlotte’s Kenzie Petty has a big night in ‘Survivor’ finale. Here’s what happened.
‘Survivor’ 46 winner Kenzie on missing Charlotte, motherhood and ‘mermaid dragon’ legacy.
‘The Ultimatum, Marry or Move on’
Season 2 was set in Charlotte, and you can stream episodes on Netflix.
The Charlotte restaurants where Netflix’s ‘The Ultimatum’ cast flirted, fought and ate.
Charlotte-area contestants from ‘The Ultimatum’ reveal their favorite date spots.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know at CharlotteFive.com and we’ll update.
