10 episodes
Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera Wondery
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- Society & Culture
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4.5 • 342 Ratings
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It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.
All episodes of are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
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Something About Miriam
When a TV exec hears a pitch for a dating game show with a twist she’s sold. But from the very beginning Miriam must risk everything for the show to succeed.
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Outlaw Superstar
Before she even arrived on the island Miriam had crossed borders, triumphed in the ball scene and made it as a Speed Angel but what if she wants more?
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Champagne, Canapés and Clubbing
With 24 hours until the finale a psychiatrist is rushed to the villa. What he sees disturbs him, but is it too late to change course?
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Sh*t Show
Miriam and the contestants film their final scene. She picks her man. It’s time for her big reveal.
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Scene of a Crime?
Miriam has disappeared, the producers are in hiding and the contestants are out for revenge. Will the show ever see the light of day?
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives.
Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Archive provided by BBC Motion Gallery via Getty Images and ITV Archive.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Speed Angel
Everyone receives some shocking news. As they pick up the pieces they are left to figure out what it all means.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customer Reviews
interesting story bad narration
im not sure if it was the script or the narration but it all felt so clunky, like it was the first read through. It didn’t feel authentic at all. Still, really good to go so in depth into a particularly odd and particularly memorable moment in reality TV.
Good… but
Overall fairly ok podcast, but leaves me feeling confused on what the main message is here. I believe the podcast was created to be more pro-trans than it delivers.
I came away with a great sense of the struggle of many trans people but a) duping men on the show in name of entertainment was abhorrent and I do believe it was “duping” ie lacked consent b) the show perpetuated transphobia and exploited an already marginalised group…. Why did Miriam sign up for this. C) Miriam’s life seemed extremely hard, but I do believe her troubles were compounded by “chasing” fame….. as is the case for so many. Overall sad state of affairs.
duping men into trans nonsense
title says it all. I have no sympathy for miriam. she and the producers decided to dupe these people. it was cruel and ridiculous. Why should anyone feel sorry for her?