When Ratings Hurt the Brand: The Impact of Reality TV on Black Women in Business

Reality television has built empires. It has created influencers, millionaires, product lines, and household names. But it has also shaped narratives — and not all of those narratives have been helpful.

When it comes to Black women in business, reality TV has often blurred the line between entertainment and representation. And in many cases, the cost of ratings has been the reinforcement of stereotypes that ambitious Black women are still fighting to dismantle in corporate spaces, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and leadership rooms.

Entertainment may not be reality — but perception influences opportunity.