Ah, reality TV! Much like telenovelas, you either love reality TV, hate it, or pretend to hate it but it’s low-key your favorite way to unwind after a long day. Latin reality TV is on a level of its own when it comes to dramatic moments, heartwarming stories, and just crazy, chaotic moments that have had a huge cultural impact and birthed a ton of funny memes. If you haven’t gotten into Latin reality TV, you’re missing out, so here are X shows you should check out, like, yesterday:
Made in Mexico
Image Credit: Netflix
“Made in Mexico” premiered in 2018 and it has one season, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a reality TV show to binge. It follows a group of young Mexican socialites as they navigate Mexico City’s elite. If you love drama, opulence, and the occasional spicy catfight, you’re gonna love this one. Peeking into the glamorous lives of these people will keep you hooked and watching them all trying to secure their spot in Mexico City’s exclusive social scene is pure gold.
Nailed It! Mexico
Image Credit: Netflix
“Nailed It! Mexico” premiered in 2019 and it has three seasons on Netflix, so there’s plenty for you to watch if you end up loving it. It’s a hilarious baking competition where amateur home bakers try to recreate complicated cakes for a chance to win $10,000. The great thing about the show is that the contestants have epic baking fails because they’re not professionals, so it makes for good LOL moments. The contestants also create a sense of camaraderie that’s very lighthearted and nice to watch. If you’re in the mood for some feel-good reality TV that will make you laugh, this is it.
Forever Queens
Image Credit: Netflix
“Forever Queens” is a reality TV show that follows Mexican showbiz icons Lucía Méndez, Laura Zapata, Sylvia Pasquel, and Lorena Herrera as they reinvent themselves. We see them as they go through their glamorous lives and their personalities are on full display, which makes for highly entertaining moments. Expect some personal drama and a lot of nostalgia if you’re familiar with these icons already. Viewers of the show report enjoying how delusional some of these queens are, which is always fun. “Forever Queens” premiered in 2022 and ended this year with 2 seasons, so you have quite a few episodes to get through!
Stranded with My Mother-in-Law
Image Credit: Netflix
“Stranded with My Mother-in-Law” is a Brazilian reality competition that will surprise you. It premiered in 2023, it has one season, and the competition consists of couples who go to a paradise island, expecting to compete and win a life-changing prize. The twist is that their mother-in-law will be their teammates, not their romantic partners as they first thought, so their dynamics are quite interesting. This switcheroo makes for an entertaining competition full of hilarious, dramatic, and heartwarming moments.
Iron Chef: Mexico
Image Credit: Netflix
If you love a good reality TV show about food, “Iron Chef: Mexico” will scratch that itch. It premiered in 2022 and it has one season of an intense cooking competition where seasoned pros go head-to-head with three of Mexico's finest chefs to win the mythical katana and be crowned the Legendary Chef. Foodies will love this one because the competition is all centered around a variety of Mexican dishes, so you can learn a thing or two. Plus, the competitiveness between the contestants makes for juicy moments!
Too Hot to Handle: Latino
Image Credit: Netflix
If you’ve watched and loved the British reality TV show “Too Hot to Handle,” you’re going to love this Latino twist. “Too Hot to Handle: Latino” premiered in 2021 and it has one season. The show follows the same format, so you have a group of young singles from Latin America and Spain gathered in a tropical paradise. They thought they would be able to go crazy and enjoy the heat, but they must stay abstinent if they want to win $100,000. The show is spicy, very tense, dramatic, and so much fun to watch.
Sugar Rush: The Baking Point
Image Credit: Netflix
“Sugar Rush: The Baking Point” is for anyone with a sweet tooth who loves watching pastry chefs compete against each other. This show premiered in 2023 and it has one season where six teams of pastry chefs compete against time to see who creates the best edible masterpieces. A team gets eliminated in each episode, so the tension rises more and more. It’s a family-friendly reality TV show where creativity and delicious desserts are the main attraction. The competitive banter among contestants makes it super engaging as well. If you’re looking for something fluffy and feel-good but still interesting, this is a great option.
A Queen Is Born
Image Credit: Netflix
If you enjoy shows like “RuPaul's Drag Race” and “Drag Race Mexico,” “A Queen Is Born” will be right up your alley. It premiered in 2020 with one season and it’s hosted by drag queens Gloria Groove and Alexia Twister. The show is focused on helping aspiring drag queens and drag kings find their confidence and transform into stage-ready stars. It’s not a competition, it’s a makeover show, and it’s both heartwarming and entertaining. “A Queen Is Born” is all about self-love, acceptance, queer identity, and transformation, so you can expect glamour, fabulousness, and emotional moments.
Piñata Masters!
Image Credit: Netflix
Who doesn’t love a good piñata? “Piñata Masters!” is another fun, family-friendly reality TV show that anyone can enjoy. It premiered in 2022 and it has one season where seven teams of artists, carpenters, and designers compete to create colorful and creative piñatas. The best part is they’re judged by a group of kids who then get to destroy the piñatas at the end in true Latino fashion. This is just a delightful show to watch and you’ll be impressed by the incredible piñatas these artists get to create. It’s definitely a great show to connect with your inner child!
Taco Chronicles
Image Credit: Netflix
Last but not at all least, “Taco Chronicles” is the ultimate reality TV show/documentary to watch if you’re a taco lover. It premiered in 2019 and it has three seasons you can enjoy. In each episode, they explore the rich history and culture behind some of the most popular and delicious tacos. This show is a love letter to tacos, the people who make them, and the heritage behind them. It’s mouth-watering, feel-good, and a beautiful exploration of Mexican culture through its amazing cuisine. Beware, you will be craving tacos the entire time!
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