10 episodes
Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera Wondery
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- Society & Culture
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4.3 • 48 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.
You can binge all episodes of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.
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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.
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. -
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
Brilliant
Absolutely brilliant podcast . So enlightening and moving . This gives an amazing glimpse into the massive societal difficulties that trans people are confronted with on a daily basis . Miriam conducted herself with such dignity during the tv show despite the fact that the show tried to reduce her to a mere freak show
Spell binding and incredibly sad
Left with no words to describe hie incredibly sad this ends for Miriam & he family.
A story everyone should hear
Amazing podcast about Miriam and the harsh reality of being a trans person in the early 2000’s. Great fun to have this story told as I can’t find much paper trail online. R.I.P Miriam