Men competed for the affections of Miriam Rivera and a £10,000 prize on the problematic show
These programs have become a staple in many households. While they are undoubtedly entertaining, showcasing everything from drunken disagreements and tussles over the TV remote to food-related fallouts, they also have a darker side.
Yet, some reality shows have had lasting real-life effects.
This is the focus of a new Channel 4 documentary titled “Miriam: Death Of A Reality Star.”
In 2004, Miriam joined a series on Sky1, hoping to find love among six male contestants who had been brought to Ibiza.
They competed for a chance to win over the Mexican model, a £10,000 prize, and a romantic yacht trip.
The series finale of “There’s Something About Miriam” is remembered as one of the most shocking and unethical surprises ever broadcast.
She addressed the group, saying: “I tried to be honest with all of you as much as I can. Yes, I’m from Mexico, I’m a model and I’m 21. But, Tom, I really love spending time with you. I love men and I love being a woman. But I’m not a woman, I was born as a man.”
Friends of Miriam have claimed that her speech was scripted by the producers, who misunderstood the gravity of the situation and exploited it for viewership.
Crew members described the atmosphere as “incredibly uncomfortable” with “extremely volatile reactions.”
Tom expressed to the cameras that he felt deceived by Miriam and criticized her for “lying to everybody,” subsequently using male pronouns to refer to her.
“It felt like all the air had been sucked out the room. And Tom, he was gasping, and looking around at all the deceit.”
A disturbing insight came from the psychiatrist brought on by the show, who revealed the neglect of Miriam’s mental well-being: “I had been brought in ostensibly to look after the boys.
“Not just from who she picked, but everyone who thought trans people were freaks. They sold her a dream without anybody telling her what could go wrong. I thought, she’s vulnerable, she’s had a really really hard life, like a bird with a broken wing.”
She talked about her first love’s negative reaction upon learning she was born male, being outed at school, taking hormones since age 11, living as a woman from age 16, and her father’s refusal to accept her identity.
They accused the producers of conspiracy to commit sexual assault, defamation, breach of contract, and causing psychological and emotional harm.
They settled for an undisclosed sum.
Tragically, in 2019, she was found dead in an apparent suicide at her mother’s apartment at just 38 years old.
“I didn’t feel anything about the format that I felt was bad or wrong. I didn’t feel that way, I really didn’t. Do I think it went beyond any moral codes of conduct? No.”
