Alabamians On Reality Shows: Summer 2012 Edition

By Nathan Young on June 29, 2012

If there is one thing people in Alabama knows to do well it is being on reality shows. Alabama and Birmingham has been known as the American Idol hot spot as we have seen two guys Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks win their seasons and Bo Bice being the runner-up. And does anyone remember Colton Cumbie from the last season of Survivor? He is from Monroeville, AL and he had a master plan to cause trouble on the island. But he did not make it. So Alabama has had its share of reality show contestants. And right now there are four reality shows on TV with someone from Alabama. Let’s run them down.

Next Food Network Star

From foodnetwork.com

Martie Duncan is from Birmingham and is on team Alton Brown and did you know that Martie is the only contestant this season who has never been to culinary school or worked in the food industry? Martie has been in the bottom where they send you to the producers challenge and then to the pitch room where Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson chooses who goes home. Martie is currently a blog writer and wedding and party planning expert and runs the website http://www.martieknowsparties.com/. If she wins The Next Food Network Star her Culinary POV will be “Martie With A Party.” And for the first time ever America will get to vote for the winner when it gets to the finals. And we do know people in Alabama really does get the vote out. Watch new episodes of The Next Food Network Star Sundays at 9/8c on Food Network.

Go vote for Martie Duncan in The Next Food Network Star fan vote at http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star-fan-vote/package/index.html

Follow Martie Duncan @MARTIEparty on Twitter and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MartieParty

So You Think You Can Dance

From FOX

Does anyone remember Stephen Boss (aka tWitch) from past seasons. He is from Montgomery and went on to be runner-up on season 4. He has now been in numerous movies and TV shows and is doing very well. Well now we have another contestant from Alabama in the top 20 who is a belly dancer. Janelle Issis from Vestavia Hills, AL has made it to the live shows and she will be dancing on live TV! This season there will be a man and women winner on the show so that means there’s extra chances Janelle could win! Here is a video of her being interviewed.

I wish Janelle Issis great luck on SYTYCD. The top 20 shows start on Wednesday July 11th at 8/7c on FOX. Follow Janelle Issis @JanelleIssis and @Dance9Janelle on Twitter and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Dance9Janelle

Big Brother 14

From CBS

Danielle Murphree is on the current season of Big Brother on CBS. She almost got evicted from the game on the first night and I hope she will go far. Danielle is originally from Grant, AL but now lives in the Tuscaloosa area and attends the University of Alabama. She has modeled for the Harley Davidson Heart of Dixie calendar for the 2012 year and the 2012 Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant. She has also done some red carpet events. So this women has done a lot so far and is in school to be a nurse.

You can follow Danielle Murphree @DanielleAlexisM on Twitter or go to her personal website at https://sites.google.com/site/daniellealexismurphree/. But do not expect any updates while she is in the Big Brother house. You have to watch the show on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday on CBS to see any updates!

Big Break: Atlantis

From Golf Channel

Yes even golf has been represented well here in Alabama. Kelly Villarreal was on this season of Big Break on the Golf Channel. But last week she was eliminated from the show. Kelly was born on Valentine’s Day and did not discover golf until age 12. But she has been participating in many other sports as well. If you know the show Big Break the winner gets an exemption onto a national tour. But the main goal on the show is to increase your exposure so you can get sponsorship’s and get invited into major golf events.

So even though Kelly had to leave the show she will be golfing again very soon. You can still even vote for her on the Golf Channel Fan Favorite at http://www.golfchannel.com/fanfavorite/

Watch new episodes of Big Break: Atlantis Mondays at 9/8c on Golf Channel.

Follow Kelly Villarreal @KMVillarreal on Twitter and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KellyMVillarreal. Also visit her website at http://www.kellyvillarreal.com.