by By Kombe-Kajue Destiny
Though much of what viewers see on reality TV is meticulously produced for entertainment purposes, the show promises unscripted drama. Among the most deceptive instruments? The edit of the villain. This tactic makes seemingly insignificant events into contentious ones, portraying some cast members as much worse than they actually were.
The Operation of the Villain Edit
Reality programs are carefully crafted narratives constructed from hundreds of hours of video; they are not documentaries. Producers frequently employ strategies like selective editing, which highlights dramatic moments while omitting background, and frankenbiting, which involves stitching together clips from several sequences to create fictional conversations, in order to generate gripping drama. A villain emerges when menacing music, slow-motion cutaways, and well-placed lighting are added.
Crucial Strategies:
Edited talks that never transpired are known as “frankenbiting.”
Selective editing: Only the most tense or intense scenes are included.
Emotional cues: Camera angles and music affect the audience’s perception of a character.
Recent Evildoers Who Spotted It
In 2025, a number of reality stars are resisting inaccurate representations:
Huda (Love Island USA, June 2025): Huda was portrayed as the antagonist of the season following a number of altercations and a dramatic pillow toss. However, viewers saw that Jeremiah, her co-star who was also participating, was hardly seen. Classic manipulation is suspected by many. (Indian Times)
Whitney (The Mormon Wives: The Secret Lives, 2024): After being cast as the antagonist in the midst of arguments, Whitney later claimed that the show did not fairly depict her behavior. Her story demonstrates the ease with which narratives may be created. (Source: Business Insider)
(Real Housewives of Orange County, May 2025) Katie Ginella: Since the premiere, Katie, the new cast member, has been positioned as the cause of group strife. Many people think that the dramatic portrayal of events that viewers observed overstated her role. (The Beast Every Day)
Hunter (The Bachelor): Castmates claim that the producers’ disturbing portrayal of Hunter didn’t reflect his actual conduct because of the frequent use of the word “aggressive.” (Refinery 29)
The Significance of This
The Bottom LineReality TV fabricates narratives rather than facts. Producers have the power to wrongly paint someone as a villain through frankenbiting, chosen scenes, and emotional manipulation. Huda to Whitney’s 2024–2025 reality season demonstrates the harm that these modifications can do. Remember that you’re watching a script, not real life, the next time you’re rooting for someone on screen.
Through the University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism and the Scripps Howard Foundation, Destiny Kombe-Kajue is an intern for Texas Metro News. She likes to study biology and watch movies in her spare time.
