As 2025 comes to a close, it is once again time for the annual Reality Tea Awards! While reality shows feature many lovable heroes, they often include some villains as well. With the drama of reality television, it’s nearly impossible to have any type of show without at least a few villains.
2025 saw dozens of reality television villains, although some stood out over others. While there were many to choose from, I’d stood out above the rest. Without further ado, here are the nominees and winners for the Reality Tea 2025 Villain of the Year Award!
Nominee: Gino Palazzolo – 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?
While the 90 Day Fiancé franchise saw multiple villains in 2025, Gino Palazzolo ultimately emerged as a standout. During 90 Day: The Last Resort Season 2, Gino agreed to have an open marriage with his wife, Jasmine Pineda. Shortly after the open marriage began, Gino kicked Jasmine out when he felt that she was breaking the rules. He continuously accused her of cheating before the agreement, although he didn’t have any proof.
During 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Season 9, Gino violated the open marriage agreement by dating another woman without telling Jasmine. Despite Jasmine trying to make amends with him, Gino refused to take her back. When Jasmine finally moved on with Matt Branistareanu, Gino was bitter, despite rejecting Jasmine. Gino went as far as trying to report Jasmine for immigration fraud. All of his controversial actions made Gino quite the reality villain in 2025.
Nominee: Whitney Leavitt – The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Dancing with the Stars
Whitney Leavitt became a villain on not one, but two different reality shows in 2025. After redeeming herself on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2, Whitney became a villain again during Season 3. Whitney was on bad terms with many women in the group and threatened to break away to create her own MomTok. She also indicated that she only came back for a chance to be on Dancing with the Stars, which rubbed some viewers the wrong way.
It turned out that Whitney was chosen to compete on DWTS Season 34, along with her co-star Jen Affleck. Whitney did well in the competition, but struggled with fan votes. She became controversial due to her previous dance experience as well as a failed social media giveaway. When Jen got eliminated, fans were convinced that Whitney laughed and smirked upon hearing the news. Whitney didn’t present herself in the best light during SLOMW Season 3 or DWTS Season 34, earning her a nomination as a 2025 reality villain.
Nominee: Tamra Judge – The Real Housewives of Orange County
Tamra Judge had a problematic run on The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19, earning her a spot on our villains list. Throughout the season, Tamra was considered a bully by several of her co-stars. Tamra had feuds with several of the women on RHOC Season 19, most notably with Gretchen Rossi. While Tamra opened up about going to therapy, some fans felt that she still acted harshly.
The biggest scandal Tamra was involved in this year was allegedly leaking information to the press. An anonymous source claimed that Tamra was giving bloggers inside information, which she denied. However, the information consisted of things that only the RHOC cast would be familiar with. Between her bullying and the leaking allegations, Tamra was quite the reality villain in 2025.
Nominees: Amber and Trent Johnston – 7 Little Johnstons
Amber Johnston and her husband, Trent Johnston, are a controversial couple. They star on 7 Little Johnstons, along with their five children. While four of the children currently live at home, Amber and Trent’s eldest daughter, Anna Johnston, has her own home. Since the beginning of the series, Anna has consistently been treated like the black sheep of the family. However, the poor treatment of Anna has hit an all time high on 7 Little Johnstons Season 16.
Anna decided to take a break from the family after they continuously got mad at her over small things. Viewers have noticed that Amber and Trent are way harder on Anna than on their other four children. Amber and Trent have also tried to turn Anna’s siblings against her and have stopped including her in family events. Many fans only watch the show for Anna, as they find Amber and Trent’s behavior to be inexcusable.
Winner: Joe Ferrucci – Love Is Blind
While there were many reality television villains in 2025, Joe Ferrucci wins our villain of the year award. Joe was featured on Love Is Blind Season 9, where he became engaged to Madison Maidenberg. While their connection was strong in the pods, things weren’t as romantic when the couple met in person.
Joe was open about not being physically attracted to Madison, to the point where it was just mean. He claimed he was typically attracted to thinner women, which was completely inappropriate. If looks were so important to Joe, he should’ve never gone on a show like Love Is Blind. Joe eventually broke things off with Madison, who was heartbroken by everything that went down. Madison later opened up about developing an eating disorder as a result of Joe’s comments, which is heartbreaking.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK WAS THE BIGGEST REALITY VILLAIN OF 2025?
