Welcome to the second annual Reality Tea Awards! As we bid farewell to 2025, what better time to reflect upon the reality TV excellence that we have enjoyed this year? Of course, a huge part of keeping a show fresh and interesting is the casting. Viewers become weary of the same old drama, so fresh faces keep fans interested. Usually.
And naturally, sparks fly when someone new enters the mix. Shifts happen between friends and enemies, and some new chaos is ignited. Even competition shows benefit from unknown talent who can later surge into fan favorites.
Plus, a newbie can draw our attention with their shady takes, their natural charm, or their quirky personality. Of course, this year reality TV fans saw a bunch of new faces who brought us the gift of laughter, drama, and some hip action that we won’t soon forget. Here are the 2025 nominees and the winner for the Best Reality TV Newbie of the Year.
Nominee: Josh Bingham – Below Deck Mediterranean
It takes plenty of chill to be a chef on a super yacht. So, that may be why Josh Bingham is killing it on Season 10 of Below Deck Mediterranean. Of course, past chefs have let their tempers simmer and explode while working in the kitchen. However, Josh is not that kind of chef. While he has been a chef in the industry for several years, he nabbed a newbie nomination for his sense of humor, his drive to succeed, and his love of clowns.
Personally, I enjoy a fetching confessional look, so seeing Josh chatting while in his clown make-up gave me fun circus vibes. In addition, Josh’s food is fantastic, he is always prepared, and he hasn’t garnered any guest complaints. Plus, this Michelin-trained galley star is artistic and enjoys playing the guitar besides tickling his guests’ taste buds. Josh is truly an artist, and I have my fingers crossed that we will see this BDM freshman back in the galley for Season 11.
Nominee: Stephanie Shojaee – The Real Housewives of Miami
Stephanie Shojaee roared into Season 7 of The Real Housewives of Miami. She is incredibly rich and not afraid to flaunt it. Stephanie also had no fear taking on queen bee Alexia Nepola and her bestie, Marysol Patton. I feel that Stephanie gives us early Real Housewives vibes with her jaw-dropping Birkin collection, her backstory, and her habit of being blunt.
Of course, Stephanie’s private plane deserves a guest star credit on RHOM. When Stephanie offered to fly Julia Lemigova and the rest of the cast for a day trip to Marbella from Seville, Spain, the drama took off. You see, Stephanie has rules on her plane, and Alexia and Marysol didn’t like them. Meanwhile, Stephanie dropped $40,000 to transport her cast members and didn’t feel appreciated.
Does Stephanie show off her incredible wealth? Always. And can she be shady and cutting when feuding with her co-stars? Of course! That is why Stephanie took on a major role in RHOM Season 7 and slayed.
Nominee: Dylan Efron – The Traitors, Dancing with the Stars
Before he joined Season 3 of The Traitors, influencer Dylan Efron was probably best known as the brother of actor and singer Zac Efron. However, Dylan caught everyone’s attention in The Traitors. He was friendly, smart, and the most faithful Faithful of Season 3.
As you may recall, he teamed up with Survivor legend “Boston Rob” Mariano and flirted it up with Summer House star Ciara Miller. In the end, Dylan won the game along with three other Faithfuls, and they split the prize pot.
After being the breakout star of The Traitors, Dylan signed on for Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. And his pro partner, Daniella Karagach, had her work cut out for her. He had zero performance experience but steadily improved each week. Viewers loved his willingness to embrace the process. And all three judges were mildly obsessed with his hip action.
Meanwhile, Dylan discovered his inner leading man and excelled in the ballroom dances. This newbie reality star landed in fourth place for DWTS Season 34. Not bad at all!
Nominee: Ariana Biermann – Next Gen NYC
Our next nominee, Ariana Biermann, is known to Bravo viewers from The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Don’t Be Tardy. She is also Kim Zolciak’s daughter, and that has put Ariana in some allegedly tough situations. However, she really came into her own when she signed on for Next Gen NYC.
The new show debuted this year, with a mix of New York City friends and the children of Bravo stars. Of course, Ariana was joined by fellow RHOA alum Riley Burruss, and the two strengthened their bond. However, Ariana’s sometimes rocky relationship with her boyfriend, Hudson McLeroy, also played out onscreen. The duo split up after Season 1 of Next Gen aired, leaving fans clamoring for the second season.
Part of what made Ariana a fan-favorite in the series was her honesty about her parents taking her trust fund money that she earned. Ariana hit us with vulnerability and honesty, and it was refreshing.
Winner: Angela Oakley – The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta featured some new peaches, including Angela Oakley. And she came to play! Unless you want to age her up several years, like Shamea Morton tried to do. Wielding a fan at all times, Angela was shady, confident, and unafraid. And that is why she is our 2025 Best Reality TV Newbie of the Year.
Poor Angela had to contend with cheating rumors about her husband, Charles Oakley. She accused returning RHOA star Phaedra Parks of bankrolling someone to spread these rumors. Plus, a drunken Porsha Williams boasted that she could sleep with Angela’s husband. Yikes! Add in some financial woes, and you have a great storyline for a newbie.
Still, Angela stood her ground and met her co-stars with confidence and not a barrage of low blows. This is a different kind of housewife vibe, and that is what makes Angela so dynamic and so entertaining to watch.
TELL US – WHO IS YOUR PICK FOR BEST REALITY TV NEWBIE OF THE YEAR? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF OUR CHOICES?
