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GLAAD board members Frankie Grande and Peppermint are calling for more inclusivity and LGBTQ representation in reality TV series.

“While we’ve made impressive strides in LGBTQ visibility over the decades, the fact remains that for far too long now, reality shows too often include just one LGBTQ storyline or depend on a single LGBTQ cast member to represent an entire community of individuals and experiences,” Grande, Ariana Grande’s half-brother, and Traitors star and entertainer Peppermint said in an open letter signed by a host of other reality TV stars.

They cite popular unscripted series like Survivor, Big Brother, The Voice, American Idol, The Challenge and The Amazing Race for being held back by minimal LGBTQ representation. “This kind of storytelling is stale, archaic and does not truly reflect the vibrant and diverse queer community that exists in our country and LGBTQ communities around the world,” the duo added...

GLAAD board members Frankie Grande and Peppermint are among those who have penned an urgent letter to casting directors, producers and creatives behind reality TV to “take a bold step towards inclusivity.”

In the letter, Peppermint and Grande push for authentic representation that is reflective of the diversity of LGBTQ lives.

Joining them are a host of stars including Nicole Byer, Michelle Buteau, Paulie Califiore, Alan Cumming, Monét X Change, Racquel Chevremont, Elliott Cooper, Sandra Diaz, Nicole Franzel, Ilana Glazer, Taylor Hale, Bob The Drag Queen, Britney Haynes, Derrick Levasseur, Jazz Jennings, Margaret Josephs, Amrit Kapai, Meghan King, Ts Madison, Meredith Marks, Greg Mathis Jr., Elliot Page, Phaedra Parks, Xavier Prather, Queen Priyanka, Rachel Riley, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Christian Siriano, Bevy Smith, Braunwyn Spinner, Chrishell Stause, Zeke Smith, Andie Vanacore, Sheree Whitfield and Peter Weber.

Said Grande, “It’s the responsibility of casting directors, producers to make sure that there...

It’s time for reality television to get a reality check when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation, according to “Big Brother” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Frankie Grande and Peppermint.

The reality TV icons teamed up with GLAAD to pen an open letter to casting directors, producers, creatives and other innovators on Wednesday, urging the genre to showcase the queer community more authentically and at a rate that more closely reflects its prominence in American society.

“I think there needs to be an industry-wide change, not just casting. I’ll use my experience on ‘The Traitors’ as an example,” Peppermint shared. “I wanted so desperately to be able to show the rest of the world, the rest of the audience, the rest of the viewership that trans people are just like anybody else. And I think that really does reflect how a lot of trans people feel right now.”

“I...

Family Karma season 4 is currently on pause, but there is hope for a return in the future as the show has not been officially canceled. Brian Benni from Family Karma is currently appearing in Winter House season 3 and is trying to get fans excited for a potential season 4. Amrit Kapai and Nicholas Kouchoukos from Family Karma are happily married and enjoying life post-filming, attending events and parties with other Bravolebrities.

Family Karma has quite an interesting cast, and many fans want to know where they are today. In early 2023, Bravo aired Family Karma season 3, the most current season of the reality TV series. The season focused on Amrit Kapai and Nicholas Kouchoukos' wedding, the potential engagement of Monica Vaswani and Rish Karam, and other important moments from the Family Karma cast. The show has become a favorite on Bravo, developing quite a fanbase, but the network has decided to put the series on pause.

BravoCon has announced more than 160 celebrities set for its third event, taking place Friday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 5 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

The event is a reality TV fan gathering celebrating all things about the Bravo Network.

Confirmed names will participate in a series of show and mash-up panels, fan photo experiences, meet and greets, activations and host booths at the Bravo Bazaar shopping experience. BravoCon’s programming schedule and additional celebrities are expected to be announced soon.

The talent roster includes:

Andy Cohen of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton, Kenya Moore, Sanya Richards Ross, Drew Sidora, Sheree Whitfield The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Garcelle Beauvais, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Kyle Richards, Sutton Stracke The Real Housewives of Dubai: Sara Al Madani, Chanel Ayan, Caroline Brooks, Lesa Milan, Caroline Stanbury...

Bravoholics get ready: BravoCon 2023 has revealed its talent list this for year’s event, which includes over 150 Bravoleberties, from Housewives to Million-Dollar Listers to Southern Charmers — and everyone inBravotween.

Andy Cohen is set to attend the 2023 convention while filming five tapings of “Watch What Happens Live” from the Paris Theater at Paris Las Vegas. BravoCon made the cross-country move to Sin City following its two-year run in New York.

“Vanderpump Rules” stars Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval and Lisa Vanderpump — but not #Scandoval participant Raquel/Rachel Leviss, who’s quit the show — are on the list, alongside “Real Housewives” stars Kandi Burruss, Sheree Whitfield, Garcelle Beauvais, Kyle Richards, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Gizelle Bryant, Tamra Judge and Lisa Barlow.

With such a stacked list, it seems like ex-“Real Housewives of New York City” star Bethenny Frankel’s recent call to action for her fellow reality stars...

“Vanderpump Rules” star Rachel “Raquel” Leviss is not part of the BravoCon 2023 lineup that was revealed Friday morning. The former pageant queen and Scandoval participant has not been filming the Bravo reality show — currently in production for eleventh season — and appeared this week on Bethenny Frankel’s podcast to speak out against the network.

Among her claims, Leviss says she has not “seen a penny” after the highly-rated tenth season that focused on her secret relationship with costar Tom Sandoval, who was in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix. On Friday, Leviss announced she has no plans to return to reality TV and has a “no contact” policy with her former castmates.

Frankel is also not part of the BravoCon lineup, which moves from New York to Las Vegas this year.

Also notably absent from the confirmed list is “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Mary Cosby, who rejoins...

Fire Island, Anything’s Possible and We’re Here are among the 2023 GLAAD Media Award winners presented in New York Saturday night.

Fire Island and Anything’s Possible tied for best streaming/TV film and We’re Here won for best reality series.

Other award recipients announced Saturday night include The Problem With Jon Stewart (best variety or talk show episode), “Logo’s Trans Youth Town Hall” (outstanding online journalism, video or multimedia), Heartstopper (best live action kids and family programming), Dove Cameron (breakthrough music artist) and A Strange Loop (best Broadway production).

Those projects and the other award recipients named at the New York GLAAD Awards ceremony at the Hilton Midtown join the winners announced in a Los Angeles ceremony on March 30, where prizes went to Bros, A League of Their Own, What We Do in the Shadows, The White Lotus and more.

At the New York event, hosted by What We...

Throughout 2022, there were plenty of fabulous reality TV moments, but nothing beats the intense showdown between Kathy Hilton and Lisa Rinna in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It's moment like these that show peak non-scripted TV as it brings a sense of normalcy to viewer's lives.

While the Real Housewives franchise may have taken the cake, there are some great runners-up since reality TV moments were never short of memorable fights, controversies, or surprises in 2022. Other memorable television moments include Rhonj's Gia Giudice unfriending her uncle and Leva Bonaparte getting her own spinoff.

Related: Rhobh: Best Fan Reactions To Lisa Rinna’s People’s Choice Awards Hair

3. Below Deck's Captain Lee Leaves View this post on Instagram A post shared by Captain Lee Rosbach (@captain_lee_rosbach)

Below Deck's Captain Lee Rosbach finally gave himself a ticket home off the charter yacht. Viewers watched as the proud...

Amrit Kapai's coming out story on Family Karma is an important conversation not only for the Lgbtqia+ community but also for Indian culture. Fans of Bravo’s hit series watch the show for its humor, drama, and representation of South Asian culture and traditions that are not always shown on mainstream media. Vishal Parvani, Anisha Ramakrishna, Monica Vaswani, Brian Benni, Bali Chainani, and Amrit, along with their parents, bring viewers into their world of Aunties, weddings, and gossip every week. Unlike most Bravo shows, this one primarily focuses on the cast and their families to bring an underrepresented community to the forefront. It shows that, while they may have been raised in a Westernized society, the core values of Indian culture are of the utmost importance to them.

Amrit, in particular, had a more difficult time fitting in with his family as his story and lifestyle does not fit...

One of Bravo’s newer shows, Family Karma, shies away from the typical shows that lovers of the channel are accustomed to, and the parents have become stars. It focuses more on a family element rather than the drama and wealth of the other shows. Now in its third season, the show focuses on Vishal Parvani, Amrit Kapai, Anisha Ramakrishna, Bali Chainani, Brian Benni, Rish Karam, Shaan Patel, and Monica Vaswani, a group of Indian friends living in Miami. The tight-knit group introduces viewers to their families as they maintain the balance between traditional cultural values and a Western way of life.

Some fans of Family Karma, however, would argue that the real stars of the show are the cast’s parents as they are heavily integrated into the series. They have roles of their own, and sometimes have jucier drama. The parents' mindsets on Family Karma are more traditional,...

Family Karma is ready for a big return. Bravo has revealed that viewers will see a supersized premiere for the third season. A reality series, Family Karma follows seven Indian-American friends as they navigate their lives, loves, and careers while balancing the cultural traditions and expectations of their traditional parents and grandparents. The cast includes Amrit Kapai, Anisha Ramakrishna, Bali Chainani, Brian Benni, Monica Vaswani, Rish Karam, and Vishal Parvani.

Read More…...

BravoCon is back.

The fan experience, taking place Oct. 14-16 at the Javits Center in New York City, is returning for the first time since its inaugural edition in 2019.

With over 140 “Bravolebrities” set to participate in over 60 live events, BravoCon will shine a spotlight on the network’s top series. The casts from multiple cities in “The Real Housewives” franchise will turn out en masse — with a notable absence of Lisa Rinna from the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” panel. Rinna, who’s had a difficult time on the current 12th season of “Beverly Hills” — both on screen, as she’s mourned the death of her mother, and on social media as the season has aired — participated in BravoCon in 2019, but as of yet won’t return this year. Nor will “Beverly Hills” cast member Diana Jenkins be on the panel, which includes Garcelle Beauvais, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Crystal Minkoff,...

“Family Karma” is a riveting show that’s definitely worth watching. It’s no wonder viewers love it, as shown by the positive reviews on major entertainment websites. It’s about the lives of a group of young Indian Americans who live and work in Miami. This reality TV series showcases BravoTV’s vision to produce engaging and dramatic shows.

What’s fascinating is that the show talks about something that hasn’t been seen on TV before. Its premise focuses on the lives of several families who provide different insights into what being an Indian means. There’s also a focus on the parents of the young adults since intergenerational dynamics come up a lot. Some parents still believe in traditional values like arranged marriages. The differences between parents’ and children’s beliefs and the aunties’ gossip mill create fun-to-watch drama.

This guide talks about characters in “Family Karma,...

The bromance between Family Karma's Amrit Kapai and Vishal Parvani is taking its next step: the co-stars are going into business together. The Bravo stars and best friends are launching a menswear brand, cheekily named Underwear Dance Party or Udp, that features boxers, briefs and trunks in a range of playful color combinations. "My family has always been involved in the manufacturing of clothing, but underwear was something they hadn't tackled," Vishal exclusively told E! News. "And it seemed so obvious because as a guy, I've had a lot of issues with underwear: not soft enough, riding up, bunching, constricting. I also enjoy fun colors and designs and was never able to find underwear...

Out and proud. Family Karma star Amrit Kapai is opening up about a deeply personal storyline featured on season two of the hit Bravo series, which premieres tonight, June 2. While the lawyer and reality star has been openly gay around his parents and friends on the show, the season two trailer previewed an emotional conversation where Amrit comes out to his grandmother for the very first time. "It was intense," the Bravolebrity told E! News exclusively. "Without giving away too much story because I want you to be able to be excited and watch it, it was really, really intense. I think I mentioned this in the supertease, it's terrifying. And no matter how many times you've come...

Family Karma is not going anywhere. Bravo has renewed the series for a second season, and a premiere date has already been set. Anisha Ramakrishna, Amrit Kapai, Bali Chainani, Brian Benni, Monica Vaswani, Shaan Patel, and Vishal Parvani are all returning for the new season which arrives in June. The reality series is the first to follow an Indian family.

Read More…...

More Family Karma is just around the corner. On Tuesday, April 13, Bravo released the first trailer for season two of the hit docuseries, which returns Wednesday, June 2. The all-new trailer puts Family Karma vets Anisha Ramakrishna, Amrit Kapai, Bali Chainani, Brian Benni, Monica Vaswani, Shaan Patel and Vishal Parvani back in the spotlight, which means plenty of new drama for our viewing pleasure. Season two also welcomes newcomers Dillon Patel and Rish Karam. Family Karma follows the personal lives of an Indian American friend group as they try to navigate love, careers, family and more. The season two first look kicks off with footage from the cast's Diwali celebration. As the crew make their...

Hulu released a trailer for the third and final season of “Shrill,” which premieres on May 7.

The third season finds Annie (played by Aidy Bryant) energized by new momentum at work and her breakup with dud boyfriend Ryan. In the trailer, Annie goes on dates and new adventures while finding her voice. The series stars Bryant, Lolly Adefope, Ian Owens, John Cameron Mitchell, E.R. Fightmaster and Patti Harrison.

“Shrill” is executive produced by Ali Rushfield, who also serves as showrunner, Aidy Bryant, Lindy West, Rob Klein, Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Lorne Michaels and Andrew Singer. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television, Broadway Video, and Brownstone Productions. Warner Bros. Television serves as the international distributor.

Also in today’s TV news roundup:

Dates

Apple TV Plus announced that “Lisey’s Story,” the limited thriller series based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, will debut on June...

Production on pause. E! News has learned that season two of Bravo's Family Karma has halted filming as someone who is a part of production has tested positive for Covid-19. Per our source, production will be paused for two weeks, which is the standard safety protocol. An unnamed person tested positive for the coronavirus amid the show's usual safety protocols. We've been told that production stopped immediately and contract tracing was done. Family Karma follows the lives of several Indian American families in Miami, Florida. The cast includes Shaan Patel, Bali Chainani, Anisha Ramakrishna, Monica Vaswani, Brian Benni, Vishal Parvani and Amrit Kapai. This news comes after Bravo began...

Featuring a TV history first of an all Indian cast, Bravo’s hit docs-series Family Karma, delves into the lives of seven friends: Anisha Ramakrishna, Vishal Parvani, Amrit Kapai, Brian Benni, Monica Vaswani, Bali Chainani, and Shaan Patel, along with their multi-generational families. Family Karma showcases their day-to-day life in Miami, the traditions and culture and most importantly highlights the love that flows within the families and through these seven friends.

We now introduce you to another wonderful cast member Shaan Patel. In a fun and laughter filled conversation, Shaan tells us what it’s like to film live in front of the camera, what he thinks is so cool about the show and so much more!

How did this show come about?

We are such a close group of friends and our families have known each other for more than 20 years. Bravo found us and they said they thought...

Bravo debuted their newest docu-series Family Karma on March 8th and ever since that first episode viewers have been addicted! What makes Family Karma so special is that it is the first show to feature an all Indian cast. The show follows the lives of seven friends, Anisha Ramakrishna, Vishal Parvani, Amrit Kapai, Brian Benni, Monica Vaswani, Bali Chainani, and Shaan Patel, along with their extended families, in Miami. With charm and warmth, Family Karma travels inside their friendships and loves, watching them honoring family and traditions and most of all seeing them living life to the fullest.

We were able to catch Amrit Kapai to have a chat about the show! In this fun, fascinating and revealing conversation Amrit talks about his friends, family and all things Family Karma.

When you first heard about the show, what did you think?

I was completely excited about it. I knew this...

During these tough times, a show like Bravo’s Family Karma is the spice you didn’t even know you needed for that bland daal you’ve been eating during your self-quarantine.

What is so cool, except that the show makes everyone want to see more, is that Bravo’s Family Karma made TV history because it features an all-Indian cast.

As a first generation Indian-American, I finally felt myself being represented in Family Karma. That thought did immediately get squashed when I realized I wasn’t anything like them, with their ultra wealthy lifestyles and life-size statues of themselves, but I could not stop watching. A highly addictive, humorous reality tv show starring an all desi cast of seven friends and their multigenerational families in Miami.

In the first two episodes, we are introduced to Anisha Ramakrishna, Monica Vaswani, Brian Benni, Vishal Parvani, Amrit Kapai, Shaan Patel, Bali Chainani and their moms,...