Welcome to the Reality Tea Awards 2025, celebrating the best in reality TV from this year! To start off, we’re celebrating the most stylish stars on reality TV. These are the people whose outfits make our jaws drop just as much as their shows’ twists and turns. Here are the nominees for Reality TV Fashion Icon of the Year. Let us know what you think of our picks in the comments!
Nominee: Rachel Zoe, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
How does it feel to have Rachel Zoe back on Bravo? Bananas! The former Rachel Zoe Project star is a breath of fresh air on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills this season.
In addition to being a stellar reality star, Rachel also reminds us why she was the stylist of the aughts. Her perfect boho chic outfits are still as cool as ever. Think glamorous caftans, dazzling bling jewelry, feathers, and huge sunglasses. Even before her RHOBH debut, Rachel reminded us of her style cred when she was one of the best dressed at BravoCon. Once we saw her Bianca Jagger-inspired all-white ensemble, we knew we had lots of amazing RHOBH outfits to look forward to.
We can’t wait to see what else she wears this season. Hopefully, she inspires some of her RHOBH co-stars to step up their fashion game. Not naming names!
Nominee: Alan Cumming, The Traitors
Last year’s winner of Reality TV Fashion Icon Award Alan Cumming once again served high fashion on every episode of The Traitors Season 3. As with every year, his looks included suits, kilts, berets, and boots, all perfectly suited for the Scottish setting. And almost every outfit had at least one amazing detail we couldn’t stop obsessing over. Like fun brooches or glitter sleeves.
The host has a flair for the dramatic with his style. And in Season 3, he beautifully tied together his outfits with the challenges. Who could forget that bridal outfit, complete with the most intricate red brooch? Or his chess piece headband?
Alan’s outfits clearly inspire Traitors contestants to up their style game. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long to see more of Alan’s amazing style, as The Traitors Season 4 premieres very soon.
Nominee: Venita Aspen, Southern Charm
At least once on every episode of Southern Charm Season 11 so far, Venita Aspen will show up wearing the cutest dress I’ve ever seen.
In the premiere, it was the ”60s-inspired geometric print shift dress with a feather trim, worn to Madison LeCroy’s baby shower. At Salley Carson’s singles party, Venita went beyond basic beach wear to rock a flirty, low cut hibiscus pattern frock. At Whitner Slagsvol’s chaotic birthday party, Venita managed to look Old Hollywood glam while in costume as Medusa. The green sequin dress with a low back, paired with a gold snake headpiece, was a seductive spin on the classic character.
If I had to pick a favorite look from her in 2025, it would be the metallic two piece set pictured above. Venita was far and away the best dressed at the Southern Charm Season 10 reunion. Her outfit rightfully earned comparisons to ultimate style icon Miss Diana Ross.
It’s no wonder Venita became close to Paige DeSorbo. Even if the two fashionistas’ friendship caused some drama on Southern Charm this season!
Nominee: Bronwyn Newport, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Bronwyn Newport surely knew she had to top her famous heart coat outfit on her sophomore season of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. And boy, has she ever!
Bronwyn knows how to get people talking with her outlandish ensembles. Like when she arrived late to the boat trip wearing a yellow Moschino dress with an lifesaver skirt (and matching hat). Mary Cosby called it her favorite outfit ever. Or how about Whitney Rose’s eventful lunch, when Bronwyn removed a coat that looked like it was made of flowers to reveal an intricate butterfly Oscar de la Renta dress? A look that would make Effie Trinket proud. At BravoCon, she wore a Christian Siriano number right off the runway. The designer praised her as a muse.
Bronwyn’s style landed her new career opportunities, like covering the red carpet for the SAG Awards. She also recently appeared in British Vogue! And to make that even more iconic, the entire photoshoot was all in outfits that were already from her wardrobe!
Winner: Olandria Carthen, Love Island USA
When she was in the Love Island USA villa, Olandria Carthen was already a style standout thanks to her mix of country girl chic and sexy and sleek outfits. But Olandria really made her mark as Reality TV Fashion Icon of the Year once she left the villa and entered superstardom. Who could forget her golden goddess gown at the Love Island USA Season 7 reunion?
In every appearance since, from a cute short suit set at the US Open to a crimson suit with a leather corset and gloves when she spoke at Harvard, Olandria always understands the assignment. At the VMAs, Olandria outshone the biggest names in music to earn a spot on every best dressed list. It’s no wonder she’s earned the nickname Bama Barbie. With her supermodel looks and perfect outfits, she’s like a real life fashion doll.
She’s a beauty icon too! Her signature lip combo (which memorably got on boyfriend Nic Vansteenberghe’s face during their makeout) sold out in seconds. We can’t wait to see what amazing looks Olandria pulls off in 2026 as her star continues to rise!
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR NOMINEES AND WINNER FOR REALITY TV FASHION ICON OF THE YEAR? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LOOKS FROM OUR NOMINEES? WHICH REALITY STARS WOULD YOU NOMINATE?
