Be mean and get famous

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Bani, Anmol, Shambhavi and Rhea — what do these girls have in common? All of ‘em are reality show contestants who failed to win the show, but managed to make big names as VJs despite being controversial on their respective shows. Bani was infamous for her tantrums and attitude in Roadies 4, whereas Anmol and Shambhavi were despised by many Roadies fans for their mean behaviour. Rhea, although not very controversial, was overconfident and chose another contestant over her friend when she had to choose the third finalist. Does being mean, badly behaved and throwing attitude help in making you famous? Youngistaanis share their views.

Says Taniya Kalra, finalist of MTV’s Teen Diva 2, who has been with VJ Rhea on the show, “Rhea used to tell us that she always wanted to be a VJ. I think throwing attitude and behaving badly sometimes helps in gaining popularity. Recently, a girl slapped a guy on Splitsvilla. Until then, no newspaper had written about the contestants, but very soon a paper carried an article about the girl.” Being mean sometimes helps draw attention, she says.
Some people become popular on reality shows because they are mean, says Rukshar Mir, another participant from Teen Diva. “They know that if they act that way, attention will be drawn towards them and people will watch the show for that drama. The viewers will obviously watch a show if there is mirch masala in it,” she says.
Taking the example of ‘mean girls’ Anmol and Shambhavi, participants of Roadies 5, who got to host a show on MTV, we ask whether being mean is overlooked if you’re pretty? “Yes, being pretty contributes to a person’s positive side,” says Taniya. Is that why Palak who was badly behaved on Roadies 5 didn’t make it big? “At least people like Anmol, Shambhavi and Bani were reasonable, but Palak was violent and abusive. Nobody would like that,” she says.
Agrees Rukshar, “The others at least maintained a level of dignity, but Palak raised her hand on people. She would use abusive language while talking and that’s why it didn’t take her a long way. At least Shambhavi and Bani knew how to get attention without being vulgar!”
Of course, however mean or not nice you are on a show, if you have good speaking skills you can still make it big as a VJ. “Bani was a bad girl on Roadies but now she’s doing a great job as a VJ,” says engineering student Nitya Mohan.
If they speak well and are presentable and confident while facing the camera, they will make good VJs, believes Rukshar, adding. “Earlier, people would have seen their bad behaviour on the show, but now they don’t care as long as the VJ is good. I know many who want to take part in reality shows only to become VJs.” Taniya too believes that as long as they have good communication skills, they will make it big as VJs. “Bani has proved herself and is doing great. Rhea is improving too. But Shambhavi just couldn’t talk!” Being mean and throwing attitude surely helps in grabbing attention, but remember that you need talent as well if you’re dreaming of making it big as a VJ or TV host!

Ikyatha Yerasala
The Asian Age