When Reality TV Meets Transgender Representation

Billie Lee is a transgender woman who joined the cast of Vanderpump Rules in season six of the popular Bravo Reality TV show. Lee’s introduction to VR represented a significant moment in transgender representation on reality television and propelled her to a position of immense importance for transgender visibility in one of the nation’s most popular TV programs.
However, in season 7, Billie’s narrative quickly grew to focus on her gender identity- the fallout of which caused significant outrage and debate both among her castmates and the general public. While not everybody follows Vanderpump Rules, Billie’s inclusion and the treatment of her story at a national level is an important cultural bellwether.
VICE went to LA to meet the woman behind the show, and to better understand how the nuanced nature of how trans narratives are handled by reality TV - and what we can learn from Billie’s experiences.
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[@TR-ue7rt]

Billie Lee was an expert on playing the victim

[@resh3944]

Ur looking really beautiful mam.. Love from India... Allah created dem accept dem as dey r.. They are best at their lives.. I must say ur looking really gorgeous.. Hit like who agree

[@barriewilson3052]

Looks like no one agree's

[@DeJulius_Caesar]

"I was misdiagnosed as being gay...". If this isn't the stupidest thing I've heard all year, I don't know what is.

[@jaibrooks7666]

DeJulius Caesar what she's saying is others believed she was gay and that label was forced onto her without letting her understand her own identity first....

[@DeJulius_Caesar]

@@jaibrooks7666 I'm sorry but that's just outright retarded. How do you not know what your identity is? If you don't know, then you deserve others forcing their opinions on you. That's not being misdiagnosed, that's you not knowing what you want.

[@larrycopano3642]

@@DeJulius_Caesar The reason a lot of trans people don't know their identity at first is because it is such a taboo. More taboo then being gay. Such a taboo that when she was child people weren't even talking about it. So you get this idea that I can't exist as I am, and you repress the idea.

[@crafael.]

to convince the conservative public, not to acceptance but to tolerate, the LGBTQ should prove they economic value, they contribution in better society process. World just need more Ellen..

[@tanyabrown6969]

I really liked Billie Lee on VPR. Her presence was needed and purposeful. I wish she could have felt more comfortable in front of the cameras. But hearing her state how quickly filming started, I realize now she was in the middle of a whirlwind.

[@AnnWurtzbacher]

Omg how horrible

[@Dave102693]

They should say that they are trandphobic and go

[@barbaramcgee6316]

I just realized how bad I've grown to hate that fake woman voice men put on. It's so obnoxious and false. Like these people

[@anyieth5957]

Love yallllll 🖤🖤🖤🖤🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@danafoley6751]

People just see the word "transgender" and dislike...🤔

[@Archi2g]

Dana Foley it’s Vice ‘Asia’ and they’re covering an American reality television show...

[@danafoley6751]

@@Archi2g i don't understand. Asia? It doesn't matter people see transgender or anything to do with gay or LGBTQ people and dislike

[@danafoley6751]

Dislike the video*

[@x9417m]

​@@danafoley6751 the trans community only have themselves to blame

[@danafoley6751]

@@x9417m the "trans community" who you speak of probably arent even really trans.FAKE transgenders are what gives them bad reputation. You're probably a shitty ass cis peice of shit. Back up your shit dude, lemme see evidence

[@eastxena]

I happen to be transgender and sing songs on my channel and make story videos and I wanna be an advocate towards my trans sisters out there xx