Reality TV nearly destroyed their marriage, so can reality TV help save it?
This season on Vh1′s Couples Therapy, Alex McCord and her husband Simon van Kempen, former stars of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City, have struggled to fix their broken marriage. However, one has to wonder if the constant presence on cameras and television producers led to McCord and Van Kempen’s marital woes.
When it comes to reality television breakups, perhaps no couple knows the perils of “reality” more than McCord and Van Kempen. When Celebuzz asked the couple to share their reality TV lessons, McCord replied, “As far as what not to do on reality TV… don’t let anyone put words in your mouth. Ever.”
“They’re being put there for a reason, to drive a particular storyline,” she continued. “And if it’s not true for you – it’s not something you feel or think – don’t allow yourself to be convinced by somebody wearing a headset.”
Van Kempen added, “To be fair, there were things we agreed to do during Season 1 [of Real Housewives of New York City], that you say, ‘Hold on, these are the professionals.’ You want the show to be a success. Otherwise, why are you doing it?… I could have said no, but you’re there, and you’re green.”
The pair’s eagerness to please producers played out during three seasons of Real Housewives of New York City, adding tension to their already fragile marriage. However, for some, the decision to do reality TV can do more than hurt personal relationships – it can also ruin careers.
“Don’t take it too seriously,” he said. “But don’t do reality TV unless you have a career or a job that isn’t going to be compromised by it.”
McCord agreed, adding, “Unless you have your own business, or you only ever want to have a career in the entertainment industry, don’t do it… If you’re in a career that does not welcome public life, then don’t put your life in the public.”
“That’s a big risk,” Van Kempen concluded. “Whether we should have or not, the jury is still out.”
Catch the finale of VH1′s Couples Therapy on Thursday at 10 PM on VH1.
