Men vied for the attention of Miriam Rivera and a £10,000 prize on a reality show that has since been criticized for its problematic nature.
For many in the UK, growing up meant tuning into reality TV staples like Geordie Shore, Gogglebox, and Come Dine With Me.
These shows became household favorites, offering a mix of chaotic entertainment—from drunken disputes and TV remote battles to full-blown food feuds.
But beneath the humor and drama, reality TV has also had a darker side.
Fortunately, many of the most controversial practices in the industry have been left in the past.
“Yet, some reality shows have left a lasting impact beyond the screen.
This is the central theme of Channel 4’s new documentary, Miriam: Death of a Reality Star.“
The film explores the remarkable life of Miriam Rivera, a transgender woman whose story captivated audiences.
In 2004, Miriam participated in a Sky1 reality series, setting out to find love among six male contestants flown to Ibiza.”
Miriam: Death Of A Reality Star explores a reality show from 2004.Channel 4
They vied for an opportunity to win the heart of the Mexican model, a £10,000 reward, and a luxurious yacht getaway.
Although the audience was aware from the beginning that Miriam was a trans woman, the competing men were kept in the dark.
The finale of There’s Something About Miriam is widely regarded as one of the most controversial and ethically questionable moments ever aired on television.
Take a moment to reflect on this:
In this episode, Miriam Rivera bravely disclosed her gender identity to the contestants after selecting 23-year-old Tom Rooke as the winner.
Addressing the group, she stated: “I’ve tried to be as honest with all of you as possible. Yes, I’m from Mexico, I’m a model, and I’m 21. But, Tom, I truly enjoyed spending time with you. I love men, and I love being a woman. But I am not a woman—I was born a man.”
The revelation came as the climactic twist of There’s Something About Miriam, a show that has since faced widespread criticism for its exploitative premise—pranking contestants into unknowingly pursuing a transgender woman under the belief that she was cisgender.
“The men responded with laughter, a reaction that stunned viewers, as Miriam revealed her gender identity.
Friends of Miriam have alleged that her speech was scripted by producers who failed to grasp the seriousness of the moment and instead manipulated it for ratings.
The new documentary takes a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes workings of There’s Something About Miriam.“
Crew members recalled the atmosphere as ‘deeply uncomfortable,’ with reactions that were ‘highly volatile.'”
The reality show saw Miriam, a transgender woman, reveal her gender identity to a group of men but tragically, the reaction wasn’t a positive one.Channel 4
Tom told the cameras that he felt betrayed by Miriam and accused her of “deceiving everyone,” later referring to her using male pronouns.
Crew member Leo McCrea described the tense atmosphere, stating: “It was incredibly awkward.
“It felt like all the oxygen had been drained from the room. Tom was gasping, looking around, overwhelmed by the sense of deception.”
Viewers of the documentary were shocked by how Miriam was treated and the lack of support she received both during and after the show.
A troubling revelation came from the show’s psychiatrist, who disclosed the disregard for Miriam’s mental health: “I was supposedly brought in to care for the boys.
“Nobody seemed to consider Miriam’s feelings. The so-called ‘big reveal’ wasn’t just a dramatic twist—it was her being outed to the world. As far as I knew, she hadn’t undergone any psychological evaluation. How was she supposed to handle rejection?”
The show’s lack of regard for Miriam’s emotional well-being highlighted the exploitative nature of its premise, turning a deeply personal moment into entertainment at her expense.
The men’s reaction to Miriam being transgender was nothing short of disgusting.Channel 4
“‘It wasn’t just about who she chose—it was about everyone who saw trans people as freaks. They sold her a dream without ever warning her of the potential fallout. I saw her as vulnerable, someone who had endured an incredibly difficult life, like a bird with a broken wing.’
The exploitation for entertainment in There’s Something About Miriam deeply resonated with viewers, particularly because Miriam had opened up about her personal struggles.
She shared painful experiences—how her first love reacted negatively upon discovering she was assigned male at birth, how she was outed at school, the fact that she had been on hormone therapy since age 11, began living as a woman at 16, and how her father refused to accept her identity.”
After the show ended, Tom declined the £10,000 prize and joined other contestants in filing a lawsuit.
They alleged that the producers were guilty of conspiracy to commit sexual assault, defamation, breach of contract, and inflicting psychological and emotional distress.
Miriam sadly died at the age of 38 in an apparent suicide.Channel 4
The contestants ultimately settled for an undisclosed sum, and the series aired the following year. After the show, Miriam withdrew from public life.
Tragically, in 2019, she was found dead at just 38 years old in what was reported as an apparent suicide at her mother’s apartment.
In a shocking revelation, production executive Jo Josun appeared in the documentary and bluntly admitted:
“I didn’t feel anything. I’m in the business of making television shows.
“I didn’t think there was anything bad or wrong about the format. I genuinely didn’t. Do I believe it crossed any moral lines? No.”
The callous response underscores the industry’s disregard for the emotional toll on its participants, particularly in a show that turned a deeply personal experience into a public spectacle.
