In case you hadn't heard, the new season of ABC's "The Bachelor"— starring none other than one of the show's biggest villains, Nick Viall— is returning January 2.

ABC has released the full cast of women competing for Viall's heart and (spoiler alert!) they're all gorgeous and young.

Here are some stats for you: Only three of the 30 women competing for 36-year-old Viall are over 30 years in age. The average age of the contestants is 26.

We rounded up some facts about each woman below.

Vanessa Gimaldi is a 29-year-old special education teacher from Montreal in Canada. She speaks fluent French and Italian.

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Rumor has it, she'll go far on the show. You can read more about her here.

23-year-old New Jersey resident Alexis Waters in an "aspiring dolphin trainer." You’ll recognize her in a "dolphin" costume in the premiere.

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Read more about her here.

Angela Amezcua is a 26-year-old model from South Carolina. She says her guiltiest pleasure is when she "lick[s] the popcorn bag."

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You can read more about her here.

 The INSIDER Summary:

•  These are the best books that tell-all from former Bachelorettes and Bachelor contestants.
• Courtney Robertson admits that reality TV isn't over for her.
• Jen Schefft dishes on her life as an unattached woman and why she chooses to live her life this way — so far. 

The reality TV dating shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette aren't exactly known for their fairy tale happily-ever-after romances. Most of the pairingsend in separation, if not divorce, after the final episode. 

Behind the scenes, the contestants' lives aren't as picturesque as they might seem: Being on the show isn't exactly lucrative for the contestants, especially the women, many of whom quit their jobs and even go into debt in order to compete. 

Even though the hitprograms are rarely sources for true romance or healthy representation of sexuality, their alumni haven't shied away from offering advice. Many of them have published self-help and advice books, as well as some slightly scandalous tell-alls. Read on to see what your favorite reality TV alumni have to say. 

1. "I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends" by Courtney Robertson

"I didn't come here to make friends" is perhaps one of the most well-known phrases from reality TV; it's also the title of infamous TV villain Courtney Robertson's book. She unleashes one juicy tidbit after another about her life before and after winning season 16 of Ben Flajnik's season of The Bachelor.

After crediting her sexual awakening to Dawson's Creek, she dishes about romantic encounters with Adrian Grenier and Jesse Metcalfe, her thoughts on breast implants and uncensored gossip about the other contestants, she admits that reality TV isn't over for her. She'd like to be on The Bachelorette.  

2. "Better Single Than Sorry" by Jan Schefft

Jen Schefft, of the 2003 seasonof The Bachelor, and host of the 2005 edition of The Bachelorette, has turned down many men. And this book, which asks, "What do I really have to complain about? Nothing. And I'm certainly not the only woman who feels this way,"expands on her life as an unattached woman and why she chooses to live her life this way — so far. 

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On this season's finale of "The Bachelor," Nick Viall met Santa, played with dogs, and, finally, gave out his last rose (and a flashy ring).

The episode marked the end of a season that's spotlighted some rather unusual occupations, from aspiring dolphin trainers to adult nannies. But what does becoming a contestant on reality television really do to your career? Can having a national platform help you snag bigger and better opportunities? Or does taking time off (or even quitting your job) just derail your professional progress?

Business Insider spoke with six people who have appeared on "The Bachelor,""The Bachelorette,""Amazing Race," and "Survivor." We specifically sought out people who've participated in competition-type shows, as opposed to reality shows that focus on a group of specific people, like the "Real Housewives" franchise, because competition-type shows usually require participants to take a bigger professional risk (there's almost always one competitor who takes weeks off of work, only to get eliminated in the first episode).

Here's what they had to say about what reality TV did to their real-life careers:

SEE ALSO: A former 'Bachelor' star shares what he thinks is one of the most misunderstood jobs in America

DON'T MISS: Millionaire entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel shares the trait she looks for in every job candidate

DON'T FORGET: An ex-Bachelor contestant describes how reality TV almost destroyed his career

'It fueled a fire for me'

Chris Soules, "The Bachelorette,""The Bachelor"

Former "Bachelor" star Chris Soules said he had to get away from his Iowa farm to appreciate how much he loved his job — and how little non-farmers know about the industry.

Before appearing on reality television, Soules worked on his family's third generation farming operation, Soules Farms. The farm focuses on soybean and corn production, and also raises hogs. Soules also worked in land investment with the Peoples Company Land Investment Team.

Soules' first brush with reality television came when he appeared as a contestant on season 10 of "The Bachelorette," ultimately finishing in third place.

Almost as soon as he returned home, he got an offer to star in season 19 of "The Bachelor." The opportunity would mean that he'd have to miss harvest for the first time ever, which Soules said made the decision to leave tough for both him and his parents.

"The biggest concern going into 'The Bachelor' was being away from work again," he said. "Luckily I've got a great team back at home on the farm who were able to manage a lot of jobs and keep that going."

He said that he wouldn't have left if it was just "for fun."

"It seemed like a great opportunity," he said. "I felt like I would be able to do more for the state of Iowa, by putting it in the spotlight even more. And it was a very good opportunity to meet somebody."

Soules said he first recognized the widespread misunderstanding about farming during his stint on television. He told Business Insider that agriculture is one of the most important industries in the US, but that there's a serious "lack of knowledge about what farmers do."

This prompted Soules to consider a new career path: agricultural advocacy.

"Many people don't see farmers as looking like me — they think, perhaps, more of somebody in denim overalls," Soules said. "It fueled that fire for me to be able to really want to speak on behalf of it and help educate through social media and public speaking and utilize those platforms to educate."

In his new capacity as an advocate for farmers, Soules appeared at both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions during the last presidential election (although he didn't endorse either candidate). Today, Soules juggles land investment and his new advocacy platform, but continues to focus on the family farm as well.

"Right now, my focus has been to continue to manage the farm and make it better," Soules said.

'We jumped right back into our normal life'

Kelsey Gerckens and Joey Buttitta, "The Amazing Race"

"Amazing Race" winners Joey Buttitta and Kelsey Gerckens describe themselves as "career-oriented people."

The now-engaged couple works at California-based ABC affiliate station KEYT TV. Buttitta is the morning news anchor, while Gerckens is the station's reporter covering Ventura County.

Still, they said they were prepared to quit the jobs they loved in order to participate in season 27 of "The Amazing Race." Fortunately, things didn't come to that. The couple ended up getting about four weeks off of work.

"We were pretty lucky," Buttitta said. "Our boss was really into it. He's a big 'Amazing Race' fan."

Gerckens and Buttitta agreed that their jobs may have given them an edge in the fast-paced competition.

"Having a camera in our faces wasn't a new experience for us," Gerckens said. "For other people who are getting used to having a camera and having people ask them questions, I think that was an added element that they had to get used to."

Once they returned home, the couple couldn't tell anyone that they had won the competition. They both took three days to recover, and then headed right back to work. Their coworkers had to watch the whole season to find out.

"We jumped right back into our normal life," Gerckens said. "Some other contestants take time off. But as soon as we could back to work, we went back to work. Literally that Monday, we were back at work like nothing had ever happened."

Buttitta said that traveling around the world has changed the way he reports on global news.

"It's certainly changed my outlook on my job, because you have a more personal connection with the people who you've met and interacted with, who have helped you in some way, through a reality show," he said. "For me, it's changed the way I read a story on the news that has to do with another country."

All in all, Gerckens and Buttitta agreed that their stint on reality television hasn't flipped their careers upside down by any means, other than the fact that they both get recognized a bit more — and not just for being on the news.

"We love working on TV and we love being reporters and anchors and doing what we do," Gerckens said. "We honestly just kind of jumped back into what we were doing and that's what we're currently doing now."

Gerckens and Buttitta said that reality show contestants should not expect lasting, life-changing fame to come from appearances on such programs.

"In my opinion, I don't ever think it's disruptive," Gerckens said. You have one life to live and you only get this opportunity once. I haven't heard of anyone who's had it destroy their life. But it definitely is different for every person."

'It was hurting me mentally and physically'

Chris Bukowski, The Bachelorette,""Bachelor Pad,""Bachelor in Paradise"

In terms of his career, Chris Bukowski said he was doing "better than 99% of the people my age" before reality television almost derailed his whole life.

When he was selected as a contestant for the eighth season of "The Bachelorette," Bukowski said his bosses at his sales job even gave him the time off to pursue the show. Bukowski ended up making it to week eight out of ten and was one of the final four contestants when he was eliminated.

As soon as he returned home, he received another opportunity, this time to appear on the third season of the spinoff series "Bachelor Pad." The season would start shooting in four weeks, and he decided to quit his job. Unlike "The Bachelorette," contestants on "Bachelor Pad" were paid — and given the chance to compete for $250,000.

"Going on 'Bachelor Pad,' I felt like a pro," he said. "I was just on camera for 30 to 40 days and I was confident in myself because I made it all the way to the hometown dates. Going on 'Bachelor Pad,' I kind of went in there confident and more of looking to just have fun, enjoy myself, and maybe win some money."

However, that's not how things played out. Bukowski ended up getting labeled one of the season's villains. This is when Bukowski said his career really began to suffer.

Bukowski's dream since college had been to open his own restaurant. After "Bachelor Pad"' he pursued that goal with his business partner and in 2013 opened up the Bracket Room in Arlington, Virginia.

But despite the time commitment it took to run his own restaurant, Bukowski said he still couldn't get the siren song of reality TV out of his head, and he made the "awful decision" to go back on "Bachelor in Paradise" twice and to "party crash" the tenth season of "The Bachelorette," in an appearance that he said was staged.

His TV appearances could help drive revenue and attract customers to the restaurant, he reasoned. But ultimately, he said, he wanted to redeem his villainous image from "Bachelor Pad." The TV appearances took their toll on Bukowski. While the restaurant itself didn't suffer, Bukowski said his ability to run the eatery began to fray.

"It was hurting me mentally and physically," he said. "When you're not at full strength mentally and physically, then your career will be affected no matter what you do."

After a drunken appearance on "Bachelor in Paradise," Bukowski decided to call the reality TV portion of his career quits. He got the chance to retire on air and read his letter of resignation to the cameras.

"It was a good therapy session for me, where I could just kind of write how I really felt about everything," he said. "That's the best medicine for anything."

He is still involved with his restaurant, but he's no longer runs day-to-day operations. Today, Bukowski works on his digital web development agency KCM Create, which he cofounded. He is also the head of investor relations at fitness startup Forte and an adviser for the dating app The Catch.

Bukowski said that he does not regret going on the show in the first place.

"I'm definitely happy where I'm at right now," he said. "I wouldn't change anything because everything has somehow benefitted me or made me learn from my mistakes."

The 911 call from the fatal accident involving former“Bachelor” Chris Soules and a tractor driver reveals what happened in the moments after the collision early Tuesday morning.

“I rear-ended a guy on a tractor,” a winded and emotional man who identifies himself as Soules admits to the dispatcher. When asked who is injured, Soules replies, “the man on the tractor.” He then confirms both the tractor and the driver are in the roadside ditch.

“He’s not conscious,” Soules describes the victim, adding “he doesn’t appear” to be breathing.

When asked if he knows how to do CPR, Soules replies, “No I don’t.” He is then heard asking unidentified bystanders if they know CPR. “Anybody know how to do CPR,” the reality TV star is heard asking repeatedly.

Soules then says he can feel the victim’s pulse and that he’s bleeding from the mouth before abruptly asking, “Can I call you back?” The five-minute call ends at that point.

As previously reported, Soules was arrested early Tuesday morning, charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The tractor driver, identified as Kenneth Mosher, was transported to a local hospital and died from his injuries.

Soules appeared at the Buchanan County Courthouse for his arraignment on Tuesday morning. He was released from Buchanan County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 2.

TMZ originally posted audio from the 911 call.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bachelor' star Chris Soules was arrested after a fatal car crash

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NOW WATCH: Everything you need to know about Corinne Olympios — the newest villain on 'The Bachelor'

"Silicon Valley" star Thomas Middleditch is a huge "Bachelor" fan and he's not afraid to express his feelings about the ABC dating show.

"It's like a masterclass in human manipulation," he told TMZ recently of why he watches "The Bachelor.""You get to see all the various sides of our human element all in one show."

And as a "Bachelor" fan, he's well acquainted with last season's big villain, Corrinne Olympios. With a penchant for drama and her clothing optional attitude, Olympios created a lot of enemies among her fellow bachelorettes and the show's fandom. And Middleditch is no different.

In speaking of her tactics, Middleditch showed a similar dislike for President Donald Trump.

"Corrine reminded me of Trump. It was kind of sad," he said.

When asked why he felt that way, the actor responded, "Re-watch it. It's like a mirror for the Trump and [Hillary Clinton] election. I think she's probably a really sweet person, but her tactics were very Trumpian."

Watch the "Silicon Valley" star weigh in on Olympios below:

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NOW WATCH: Everything you need to know about Corinne Olympios — the newest villain on 'The Bachelor'

It's hard to believe, but "The Bachelor" has been on the air for 15 years.

But when the show first launched in 2002, no one knew it was going to last this long. It was critiqued for throwing personal relationships into the public eye and allowing one man to date multiple women at once.

Despite that, the show has become one of ABC's best-performing reality series, and has produced multiple spinoffs like "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor in Paradise."

And though there's been plenty of seasons, the majority of contestants aren't with the winner they fell in love with over the course of a few months. 

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SEASON 1: Management consultant Alex Michel picked Amanda Marsh, but didn't propose.

The two dated for a nearly a year before Marsh broke up with him after reportedly learning he was keeping in touch with runner-up Trista Rehn.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Michel later became a spokesperson for Match.com as well as for Princess Cruises. Today he lives in Washington, DC, and works as a consultant.

Source: PRnewswire, PR Newswire, and LinkedIn

Marsh married her childhood friend Jay Caldwell and lives in Chanute, Kansas, with their daughter Chloe. She works as a registered nurse.

Source: People

The next season of "The Bachelorette" is going to make history. The ABC series is going to have its first black Bachelorette.

"Bachelor" host Chris Harrison stopped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Monday night to confirm that 31-year-old Rachel Lindsay, who is currently on the "Bachelor," will be the next Bachelorette.

Lindsay herself stepped out on the late-night show to greet the audience during the reveal. 

The 31-year-old is a civil defense litigation attorney from Dallas, Texas. She also made history being the first black woman to receive the first impression rose. Lindsay emerged as a fan favorite on the show early on in the current season of "The Bachelor." 

She told Kimmel she was approached pretty soon after her run on "The Bachelor" ended.

"I honestly thought that they were doing it just to make me feel better from the heartbreak," said Lindsay.

TV guru Reality Steve broke the news earlier Monday about Lindsay becoming the first black woman to be the Bachelorette. His report was followed by separate confirmations from various media including Vulture and The Hollywood Reporter.

Ahead of the Bachelorette announcement, "Bachelor" showrunner Mike Fleiss teased the news would be coming on late night.

Fans are already excited to see the next Bachelorette.

While many are delighted, others are upset and confused ABC spoiled its current season of "The Bachelor" since Lindsay is still a contestant vying for Nick Viall's heart, something Kimmel pointed out on the late-night show. "This is a bit of a spoiler because you're still on the show."

"Yes, it is, but, you know, we're a couple of weeks out from filming," Lindsay said. "We're ready to get this started. I'm ready to find love, find a husband. If you know anybody out there who needs to apply, sign up."

Practically every response to ABC's announcement tweeted is filled with upset viewers.

Lindsay will participate on the 13th season of the "Bachelorette," and, frankly, it's about time we have a woman of color on the series. ABC has been criticized in the past for its lack of diversity in casting its Bachelor and Bachelorettes. Last January, former ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee said the network was aware of the casting problem and was working to fix it. It's taken 12 seasons, but it looks like ABC has finally gotten there.

You can watch the full "Bachelorette" reveal below:

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The INSIDER Summary:

• Allegations of sexual misconduct on the "Bachelor in Paradise" suspended production Sunday.
• A reality-TV producer explains what it's like to handle alcohol consumption and sexual activity among cast.
• Explicit rules include "no drunk driving, no drugs in front of kids, no nonconsensual sex."
• He says its common for reality shows story producers to "play matchmaker" and plan out TV romances before the cameras start rolling.

James Callenberger has produced reality shows for MTV, VH1, National Geographic, and Fox. Writing under a pseudonym, he explains how sex and romance is manufactured behind the scenes on reality TV.

Producing reality TV isn’t for the faint of heart. Nearly every show, regardless of the nondisclosure and arbitration agreements that cast and crew are required to sign, faces the risk of a PR explosion if the methods used to create compelling TV entertainment are exposed in all their sordid glory. From the perennial allegations of vote rigging on American Idol to the occasional Caitlyn Jenner traffic death, ugly reality has a way of usurping the most carefully crafted story lines and focusing audience attention on what goes on behind the scenes. This week’s scandal on "Bachelor in Paradise," involving allegations of sexual misconduct between cast members DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, demonstrates the risks that both cast members and producers face when they sacrifice safety and self-interest on the altar of reality-TV spectacle.

For those just tuning in, news broke Sunday that "Bachelor in Paradise" suspended production pending investigation of “misconduct” on the set in Mexico. While no charges have been filed, a producer apparently reported what appeared to be nonconsensual sexual activity between the two contestants, triggering a full investigation by ABC and Warner Bros. of the incident. Unverified reports claim the production staff encouraged the two to hook up, and that by the end of a sexual encounter in a hot tub, Olympios may have been too intoxicated to give consent. Olympios has reportedly lawyered up.

As a seasoned reality-TV producer, I’ve both led and endured countless crew meetings regarding alcohol and drug consumption and sexual activity among cast members. Television executives are overwhelmingly risk-averse, and the whiff of litigation can ruin a career, so we make sure that when we go into the field, we know the rules: no drunk driving, no drugs in front of kids, no nonconsensual sex. If we see that someone is moving toward nonconsensual sex, we step in, or better yet, encourage another cast member to step in, and capture the fallout on camera.

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The INSIDER Summary:

• DeMario Jackson confirmed that he would return for the "Bachelor in Paradise" and "Bachelorette" reunion shows.
• He left "Bachelor in Paradise" amidst a sexual misconduct scandal.
• No misconduct was found after an investigation.
• "Bachelor in Paradise" will air later this summer. 

DeMario Jackson says he's returning for ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" reunion show, despite leaving the show over a sex scandal. 

The 31-year-old reality star also said that he would attend the "Bachelorette" reunion. 

"I'm doing the 'Men Tell All' for 'The Bachelorette' and I'll be doing 'Paradise' as well," Jackson told TMZ Sunday. "I owe it to my cast mates. They've been very supportive of me throughout this whole entire thing, and I want to thank them all personally, face-to-face — give them all hugs and bro out, sis out, or whatever. They've been so helpful."

Jackson and co-contestant Corinne Olympios, 25, were involved with a sexual misconduct investigation while taping "Bachelor in Paradise" in Mexico. The investigation temporarily shut down production, but taping soon resumed after no misconduct was found by show producer Warner Bros. Olympios confirmed that she would not return, but Jackson never explicitly said he wouldn't. 

Following the accusations, Jackson said his character had been "assassinated" and has since accused the scandal of being a "conspiracy." 

When asked if he would confront Olympios at the reunion should she attend, Jackson said no.

"That's not who I am as a person. I'm not one of those petty people," he said. "I'll wait for her to [bring it up]. If she wants to come up to me, we can talk on camera. We can talk offline. Whether it's [at the reunion show] or in the future, 10 years from now, it doesn't matter."

He said he would "love to talk with her" and has "nothing but love for her and her family."

Olympios has said that she was a "victim" in the alleged incident. She released a statement to BuzzFeed June 29 that her legal team completed the investigation "to her satisfaction." 

"Bachelor in Paradise" will air later this summer. The original premiere was set for August 8.

Representatives for the "Bachelor" franchise didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment on Jackson's potential return for the specials.

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For 15 years, single hopefuls have taken to "The Bachelor" and its spin-offs looking for love.

Every season of ABC's "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" typically starts with 25 people. And over the weeks, these are whittled down to the final two. But winning the season doesn't necessarily mean the couples will stay together. Sometimes, it's the runners-up who have the better luck. Some have even become bachelors or bachelorettes in their own right.

The 13th season of "Bachelorette" ended on Monday and there's a new runner-up from Rachel Lindsay's season, Peter Kraus.

Here's what he and the other runners-up are up to now:

"The Bachelor" season one (2002): Trista Rehn

Rehn was living in Miami where she spent four years working in pediatric physical therapy and two years as a Miami Heat dancer before heading to the first season of "The Bachelor" to win Alex Michel's heart.   

Where is she now? She was later cast as the first bachelorette on ABC's spin-off show and ended up marrying her winner, Ryan Sutter. The couple married in 2003 and have two kids. She has since appeared on other reality shows, like "Dancing With the Stars," and even wrote a book.

"The Bachelor" season two (2002): Brooke Smith

Smith was in her senior year of college at the University of Alabama when she left to find love on Aaron Buerge's season.

Where is she now? She went back to school to finish her degree and is now married with two daughters. She works as a TV news anchor in Alabama and runs marathons. 

"The Bachelorette" season one (2003): Charlie Maher

Maher was a financial analyst from California before seeking love on the first season of "The Bachelorette" with Trista Rehn.

Where is he now? No idea. After having his heart broken, he did appear on "Extra" as a special correspondent, though. 

All's fair in love when you're looking for it on reality TV, which means there are always surprises in store. 

Fans of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," know by now that anything can happen when contestants are vying for one person's heart and they're being taped. From broken hearts to surprising secrets, there is always some drama on the ABC reality dating show.

Here's a look back at 20 of the craziest "Bachelor" moments: 

Jesse Palmer picks the wrong woman.

The football player messed up during a rose ceremony when he called out the wrong name. He gave a rose to Katie Gehart when he meant to give it to Karen Lindsay. He pulled host Chris Harrison aside to tell him. Gehart was given the option to stay, which she did. 

Wes Hayden has a girlfriend.

Hayden went on Jillian Harris' season of "The Bachelorette" with bad intentions, but nothing was quite as surprising as his limo revelation. After making it to the top four and then being rejected, he bragged about having a girlfriend the entire time as the limo was taking him away.

"I'm going down in flames," he said. "The first guy on 'The Bachelorette' to ever make it to the top four with a girlfriend."

Jason Mesnick changes his mind.

Mesnick became the bachelor for its 13th season, having been a runner-up on "The Bachelorette" season four. He picked Melissa Rycroft, but on the "After the Final Rose" special episode, Mesnick revealed that he changed his mind. He broke up with Rycroft on TV and asked runner-up Molly Malaney if she wanted to give him another try. She said yes, and the couple has now been married since 2010. 

The INSIDER Summary:

• Vienna Girardi shared that she's sufferred a miscarriage just days after revealing the sex of her twins.
• The "Bachelor" alum shared that her baby girls hearts' stopped beating after her water broke prematurely.
• The reality alum reveals that she "did everything to save them."

Just days after excited mommy-to-be Vienna Girardi revealed the sex of her twins with the world, the 31-year-old is sharing the heartbreaking news that she’s suffered a miscarriage.

In a post she called “the hardest thing she’s ever had to write,” the reality alum broke the news on her Facebook page that the 18-week-old baby girls hearts’ both stopped beating after her water broke prematurely and she was forced into labor. “My little angels went to Heaven on August 5^th and I was rushed into the OR for emergency surgery and was in the ICU for four days,” she said.

According to Girardi, her babies had shown early signs of twin to twin transfusion syndrome, which occurs when abnormal blood vessel connections form and make blood flow unevenly between the two twins.

After her water broke, Girardi said she was warned that if she did not go into labor, she would be risking her own life and causing a very serious infection. “I did everything to save them, but their hearts stopped beating on day two, which is when I went into septic shock with 104 fever,” she wrote.

She closed the tear-inducing note by thanking fans for their support and asking for privacy to grieve.

“Your mommy will never forget you and I loved you both with my entire heart.”

Our hearts go out to Girardi and her family.

Join the conversation about this story »

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The INSIDER Summary:

• Former "Bachelorette" JoJo Fletcher started flipping homes earlier this year.
• The reality TV star, who previously worked as a real estate developer, even flipped her own house in Dallas, Texas.
• On Tuesday, Fletcher shared a video of her latest house flipping project on Instagram.
• In the video, Fletcher, her fiancé Jordan Rodgers, and a general contractor transform a dated home into a modern, bright space.
  

Earlier this year, former "Bachelorette" JoJo Fletcher ventured into the world of flipping homes. 

Back in January, the real estate developer turned reality TV star shared a few posts on Snapchat documenting her search for potential homes to renovate. In May, Fletcher confirmed on Twitter that she was flipping her house in Dallas, Texas, with her fiancé Jordan Rodgers. 

On Tuesday, Fletcher shared a video of her latest house flipping project on Instagram— and it looks like an episode straight out of HGTV's "Fixer Upper."

"This house was one heck of a job, but we did it," Fletcher captioned the post. "Now on to the next." 

Fletcher also tagged Rodgers and a general contractor named Derek Maderas who helped her transform the dated home into a bright, sleek space. In the video, the three kick down and strip paint off walls, tear down cabinets, install a new sink and toilet, demolish a swing set, and more.

Here are some photos of the impressive transformation:

Fletcher gave the dull living room a fresh, modern look. 

She also opened up the kitchen and added sparkling new appliances.

Fletcher completely transformed the bathroom with black tile and gold accents.

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The INSIDER Summary:

• Britt Nilsson competed on season 19 of "The Bachelor" where she tried to win Chris Soules' heart. 
• She later competed against Kaitlyn Bristowe to become "Bachelorette," but wasn't chosen by the guys.
• But none of that matters, because she found the man of her dreams: Jeremy Byrne.
• The two married in California Saturday, September 9. 

Former "Bachelor" hopeful Britt Nilsson has handed out her final rose!

After suffering her fair share of heartbreak on season 19 of "The Bachelor," which she openly admitted to battling an eating disorder throughout, the 30-year-old lost out on a shot at the Bachelorette after being voted off in favor of Kaitlyn Bristowe. It looks like it was for the best, however, as the reality alum has officially tied the knot with her one *true* love, Jeremy Byrne.

The brunette babe said "I do" to her California beau in front of 160 guests (none of who were "Bachelor" alums) at Green Oak Ranch in Vista, California, which holds a very special place in her fiancé's heart.

"Jeremy’s great-grandfather actually started this ranch way back when, so it’s been in his family forever," the blushing bride revealed to Us Weekly. "It's really beautiful and very nostalgic for Jer for sure."

Making it all the more special was the fact that the the groom's grandfather actually officiated the ceremony, which took place in front of a floral cross.

Nilsson’s bridesmaid and BFF, Shelly Burkard, gave us a glimpse of her in her stunning off-the-shoulder trumpet gown from Matthew Christopher, which she paired with a veil perched atop her loose, flowing curls.

While breathtaking, to be sure, it was her custom white bedazzled Converse sneakers that we couldn’t take our eyes off of.

Adorned with pearls and dainty jewels, the shoes were unlike any we've ever seen.

"I have the best roomie everrr!" Nilsson gushed. "Look at the shoes she made for me to wear today! @juliasobo you are a wizard!!! I mean, come on!!! I love you!!!"

The unconventional kicks seemed fitting for the free-spirited newlywed, who began dating Byrne in 2016 and got engaged this past May, managing to plan everything in just under four months with help from Erica Spencer of Erica Marie Events.

"We were just like, 'We know we wanna get married, we love each other, let’s do it!'" she told Us.

They likely won't waste any time before starting a family, either: As Nilsson told the outlet, "We’re thinking a year or two just to really have our adventure of just us as a married couple. Once I start having kids, I'll just be popping them out left and right!"

Congrats, you two!

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• Rebecca Kufrin (AKA Becca K.) is a "Bachelor" contestant this season.
• After a one-on-one date with Arie, many are projecting her to be a frontrunner.
• She can't live without Chapstick, facial lotion, bobby pins, popcorn, and stamps.

Now that the 22nd (!) season of "The Bachelor" is officially underway, chances are good that, if you are a viewer of the show, you are finding yourself faced with a few pressing questions.

One of those questions is likely "Who, exactly, is Becca K.?"

You may remember Becca K. (full name: Rebecca Kufrin) as the contestant who had Bachelor Arie Luyendyk, Jr. get down on one knee to "propose" as soon as she got out of the limo, or, perhaps, the girl who got to go on what Glamour called the "best date in 'Bachelor' history," in which she received an entire rack of Rachel Zoe dresses, Louboutin heels, and Neil Lane diamonds.

Either way, Becca K. is rapidly turning out to be one of the show's most prominent frontrunners. (Just remember: Becca K., who has hair that is long and dark, is not to be confused with Bekah M., another fan favorite, who has hair that is short and dark.)

There's no telling what Becca K's eventual Bachelor fate might be (unless you want to look up spoilers) but, for now, let's check out everything there is to know about her right here:

She has eclectic entertainment tastes.

In her ABC bio, Becca lists her favorite movies as "Sister Act 2,""Gladiator," and "Pitch Perfect."She also seems to be a "Game of Thrones" fan — on her Instagram page, she wrote that she was "pulling a Daenerys" when she made Arie get on one knee for his faux proposal.

She lost her father when she was 19.

Becca's father died in 2009 from brain cancer, according to a post on her Instagram. Becca was 19 at the time, according to her father's obituary, which was reported by Bustle. 

She's a publicist.

According to Becca's LinkedIn profile, she's a Senior Account Executive at Skyya, a public relations agency in Minneapolis. She's worked there since September 2012. Before that, she went to Minnesota State University, Mankato. She graduated in 2012 with a degree in Mass Communications 3.795 GPA.

She knows what she likes.

According to Becca's ABC bio, the five things she can't live without are Chapstick, facial lotion, bobby pins, popcorn, and stamps. A solid list!

She's politically active.

A glance at Becca K.'s Instagram shows that she's quite politically engaged — she's posted about voting for Hillary Clinton and participating in the women's march— but she seems to have a particular soft spot for Joe Biden. In February 2017, she posted a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt that says "Biden My Time 2020."

She has pets.

A corgi and a cat, to be more specific. Becca K. has posted lots of (adorable) pictures of her pets on Instagram, calling her relationship with the animals "unconditional love."

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• Becca Tilley is a former "Bachelor" contestant turned social media star.
• In 2016, she quit her job as a chiropractor's assistant moved to LA to start her career as a full-time influencer.
• Tilley now has 1.1 million followers and has landed contracts with brands like Dermalogica, McDonald’s, Ponds, and Calia by Carrie Underwood.
• Social-media influencers are more and more commonly using their fanbase to promote products—and they're getting paid for it.
• A study from the agency Mediakix valued the social-media-influencer market at $500 million in 2015; it’s estimated to hit between $5 billion and $10 billion by 2020.

Every Season of  The Bachelor ends the same way: A limo pulls up, often to a tropical location festooned with flowers, candles, and anything else you’d find by Googling “fairy-tale marriage proposal.” Then the first of two final contestants exits Limo Number One, the bad, scary limo carrying the soul who won’t be receiving an engagement ring. On March 9, 2015, Louisiana-born Becca Tilley stepped out of Limo Number One, and the world watched Chris Soules—“Prince Farming,” if you’re a fan—dump her on the show’s season 19 finale. (In the grand scheme of the series, Tilley was spectacularly gypped: Instead of Antigua or Fiji, she got the news in Soules’s Iowa barn.) And so Tilley’s time on the franchise came to an end.

Only it didn’t.

The next year, she showed up as a contestant on Ben Higgins’s season (he was a second runner-up on The Bachelorette and won over scads of viewers—including Tilley—with his heart of gold). Higgins sent her packing about midway through their “journey,” and by all accounts, she should’ve joined the ranks of adored-then-forgotten reality stars. Instead she’s managed to prolong and capitalize on a brief moment of cultural relevance because of the social media sponconomy—aka sponsored content economy—wherein people with substantial followings are paid to plug the wares of advertisers.

Tilley, like most every Bachelor contestant who sticks around for half a season or more, saw her Instagram following skyrocket. A squeaky-clean image and sweet, self-deprecating personality earned her an army of online worshippers, many of whom stayed put after the cameras stopped rolling. The newfound fame allowed her to tap into the sponconomy’s ample perks (at worst, free products; at best, lots of money). “I have a friend who is a blogger, and she was like, ‘You can get stuff sent to you in exchange for a photo,’ ” Tilley says. “It was a new concept in my world that anyone was getting paid for posting anything. I was mesmerized that someone would send me a free outfit or makeup and all I had to do was post a photo.”

The more that companies pursued Tilley in an effort to reach her fan base, the more she realized she wasn’t suited for her gig as an assistant in a San Diego chiropractor’s office. In 2016, she moved to L.A. to start her career as a full-time influencer, a job whose description includes floating in the cerulean sea off Panama’s coast, enjoying a night out with Gal Gadot, and brunching with her Bachelor bestie, JoJo Fletcher (who, as the occupant of Limo Number One on Higgins’s season, has scored 2.2 million followers herself). She then posts pictures of it all after the fact. “I felt like L.A. was where I needed to be, so I took this leap of faith, hoping Instagram could support me,” says Tilley, who lives in an apartment in Brentwood now.

The decision to move has paid off. At the time of this article’s writing, Tilley has 1.1 million followers and counting. She’s landed contracts with brands like Dermalogica, McDonald’s, Ponds, and Calia by Carrie Underwood, some of which are for single posts, while others are for ongoing deals. Many of the pictures on her feed are just pictures, but the rest are the fruit of brand partnerships. In one, she fluffs her ponytail while wearing specific workout gear (subtle); in another, she’s casually lounging alongside a pouch of Ponds Towelettes, as if lying next to skin-care products was a totally normal thing to do (a little more in-your-face). Captions on those images always include a hashtag denoting their sponsored status—something like #ad or #PondsPartner. According to her management team, it isn’t uncommon for an influencer of Tilley’s caliber to be making more than $1 million in brand partnerships per year. “Every single day I have a moment where I say, ‘I can’t believe this is my life,’ ” she says.

Brands are betting big on the idea that Instagram users see themselves in the influencers they follow, which means seeing themselves wearing the same sweater or staying in the same hotel. A study from the agency Mediakix valued the social-media-influencer market at $500 million in 2015; it’s estimated to hit between $5 billion and $10 billion by 2020. While celebrity endorsements are nothing new, what is new is that anyone with a good camera, a strong personal brand (wanderlusty millennial, makeup tutorial maven), and the admittedly ample time necessary to snap, edit, and caption a picture can become a celebrity on social media.

From fashionistas and exercise gurus to recipe bloggers and especially adorable pets, social celebrities are followed because their brands are synonymous with their lifestyles, and theirs are the lifestyles people want. New York Magazine’s vertical The Cut publishes a recurring series called “I Like This Bitch’s Life,” which encapsulates the phenomenon: In each article, a writer begrudgingly admits to an infatuation with an influencer (the infuriatingly chic farmer Molly Yeh; L.A.’s reigning smoothie bowl queen Lee Tilghman). The way they explain it, lifestyle blogs are all about aspiration, which is code for making people envy you and inspiring them to shop accordingly. For a fashion blogger, this may mean looking off-camera and laughing at nothing while standing in her impeccably decorated home (the furniture in which likely came from brand partners). For us, it means impulse-buying her bar cart and the requisite accoutrements because we “need” them.

In the sponconomy, micro-influencers, or accounts with between 50,000 and 200,000 followers, can bring in as much as $1,500 per sponsored post. Mega-influencers, whose followers start in the low millions, can command tens of thousands for a single advertorial image. Multiply that by the number of partnerships an influencer has, and the money piles up as fast as the likes. Advertisers benefit in the form of clicks, site visits, video views, and purchases. Unlike TV spots, billboards, or other traditional tactics, Instagram marketing is targeted in such a way that it’s the only type of advertising to monetize the idea of social reach. And the career path is particularly suited for normal people with fascinating lives or interests. “Teens trust influencer opinions over traditional celebrities by a factor of two to one,” says Kim Getty, president of the Los Angeles arm of the advertising firm Deutsch. She estimates that companies have begun to devote at least 10 percent of their marketing budgets, if not more, to working with influencers. “They’re allowing brands to expand their relevance toward people,” Getty says. “Influencers, when used appropriately, are filling a vital role for brands when they look to connect.”

Some companies even choose to collaborate with animal celebrities despite being human-facing brands. The Ritz-Carlton has sent Tuna the Chiweenie (1.9 million followers) to its property in Puerto Rico in an effort to showcase the chain’s dog-friendliness. “Pets offer the traditional benefits of humans, only with higher engagement and a higher likelihood of going viral,” explains Loni Edwards, whose company, the Dog Agency, represents pet influencers. “The content is relatable across age, gender, and location. And a pet isn’t going to get drunk at a party and say something offensive or politically charged.”

It’s a little more complicated with humans, of course, but what both types of influencers have going for them is a sense of authenticity. Advertisers are particularly drawn to that quality, which social celebrities cultivate through transparent and conscientious posting. The result is a flock of followers who not only “like that bitch’s life” but who also become emotionally engaged with the content, almost as if the posts were coming from a dear friend or family member.

Suddenly influencers become trusted sources of information, which in turn makes their fans more likely to buy whatever it is they’re selling. “I did one brand, and it was for one of those skinny teas, and I got a pretty intense backlash because it wasn’t something I really used or felt comfortable promoting,” Tilley remembers. “I quickly realized that if I was going to do it and do it the right way, it had to be something I would use if I was going to try and get other people to use it or buy it.” Getty agrees. “You can look at that world and see some of these arranged marriages that feel pretty inauthentic to the brand and to the influencer,” she says, “and that’s not a win.”

Influencers must protect their own empires while promoting others’, and it’s a tricky dance. “Instagrammers turn down jobs pretty frequently,” says Brian DiFeo, co-founder of Instagram marketing and advertising agency the Mobile Media Lab, which acts as a middleman to introduce brands to influencers. “We’ve been shopping around this 12-month [endorsement] job for a lot of money, but influencers want to be true to their audience.”

As for where the sponconomy is headed, it’s hard to say at a time when disruption is the norm. Even mega-influencers like Tilley are dipping into other media to safeguard their empires should the adver-tides turn (she’s got a YouTube channel with travel vlogs, a Grey’s Anatomy-themed podcast, and a lifestyle blog dedicated to shopping and makeup tips). The only way influencers will be able to ride that sponcon horse into the sunset is by keeping their brands relevant in any way they can. “Instagram takes a combo of talent and realness,” says Anthony Danielle, Mobile Media Lab’s co-founder. “Anybody can be the flavor of the week, but I would not bank on that person’s career being a super-long one.”

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• Corinne Olympios is no stranger to stirring up a little controversy.
• She recently posted a photo to Instagram of her and bachelor, Nick Viall, embracing in a hug.
• The photo caused quite the uproar with fans wondering if Olympios and Viall were in fact dating.

Season 22 of The Bachelor has certainly had its fair share of weirdness, what with the case of the mistakenly reported missing contestant, but it hasn’t exactly been the most exciting installment of the long-running reality show. Former contestant Corinne Olympios might be looking to stir up a little intrigue within the franchise, though, as she just posted a cutesy photo with former Bachelor leading man Nick Viall that has fans wondering what’s up.

The photo, posted on Monday afternoon, shows Olympios and Viall embracing in a hug as they both look at the camera, smiling. There was no caption, and no indication as to when the pic of the former season 21 costars was taken, but it certainly has commenters in a tizzy.

Reactions ranged from confused to excited and outraged. “Um ok WHAT,” one commenter wrote, expressing what everyone else seemed to be thinking. Variations on this sentiment ranged from “omg wut” to confused “ummm”s and “uhhh”s. Honestly, we get it.

“Yesss!!! I hope they’re dating I loved their chemistry,” one optimistic user wrote. Another wrote, “Yes please,” complete with multiple heart-eyes emoji.

“Now he knows who he really should’ve ended up with,”yet another user noted, alluding to Viall’s Bachelor engagement and eventual breakup with Vanessa Grimaldi.

Viall has most recently been linked to actress January Jones, and although neither has confirmed if they’re dating (or have even gone on a date!), we know there was some admitted previous mutual interest between the two.

Olympios, meanwhile, recently revealed that she got engaged IRL after Viall sent her home on The Bachelor, but the engagement ended a short time later. A quick look at Viall’s Instagram account shows that he hasn’t posted a similar picture of himself with Olympios, but that hasn’t stopped fans from flooding his comments asking about his love life.

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• I was an avid viewer and fan of ABC's "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette."
• I felt there was so much progress in the production of the series, particularly on Rachel Lindsay's season of the show.
• But now I'm changing the channel and skipping the show because, in my opinion, it's only taken several steps back.

I refuse to count the number of times I've sobbed uncontrollably while watching "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette"— not only because it's embarrassing, but also because I just don't have the time to count that high.

Seriously, when Rachel Lindsay and Peter Kraus called it quits I was unsure whether I'd ever recover or believe in love again. I took it harder than any breakup of my own.

The only way I can explain the tears and the dramatics is by saying I am a fan of the show and feel a strong connection — a familiar word for "Bachelor" fans — to the contestants and their mission, as cheesy or contrived as the whole concept may sound.

I believe in true love and love at first sight, despite the evidence against it, and I root for most of these lovable weirdos to find the one, even if that means wearing a shark costume or introducing the world to their complicated families. The ups, the downs, and the whole concept just resonate with me as a hopeless romantic.

But I, a self-confessed "Bachelor" addict with an all-encompassing knowledge of the series and a soft spot for this particularly bizarre depiction of romance, have made the conscious choice to skip out on this season of "The Bachelor," starring Arie Luyendyk Jr.

My feelings of discontent began with Rachel Lindsay taking over as the leading lady of 'The Bachelorette.'

Let's be perfectly clear: I love Rachel. In my opinion, there was literally no better person for the job. Rachel is a lawyer who is intelligent, honest, funny, and a real woman with actual, mature communication skills and a clear idea of what she wants. She isn't melodramatic, cutthroat, or any other stereotypical trope that often plagues the women of the show. From the very beginning of her time on TV, I felt uncomfortable watching her vie for Nick Viall because it was obvious that she was, to put it nicely, way too good for him. Her strengths would clearly be better served handing out the roses.

I was immediately grateful to have Rachel enter the spotlight, and as a woman of color she marked a much-needed, historic change for the mostly hegemonic cast of white front-runners and scene-stealers.

I was excited, but I want to make one thing clear: Rachel Lindsay serves as a demonstration of just how excellent women of color have to be just to be in the same position as mediocre white men. To follow Nick Viall and those before him (Juan Pablo, seriously?) was a break from tradition in so many excellent ways but also an example of the double standard that had obviously plagued the show's casting for years.

And as Rachel went through the season, she proved just how the game can and should be played. She wasn't making the same mistakes as those before her but instead was bringing it up a notch, initiating new conversations about mental health and making decisions that were so emotional for me as a viewer because they actually felt substantial, real, and measured.

Once her time came to a close, I was eager to see who'd be taking over. But first, I'd need to get through a trip to one fateful island, courtesy of a motley crew of players.

Of course, that tropical vacation was "Bachelor in Paradise," before Arie was even a glimmer in ABC executives' eyes.

My trust in production, casting, and the powers that be in regard to the show waned with the sexual-misconduct scandal that rocked the fourth season of the series. I felt icky watching the series in light of the events and how they were handled, so I watched sparingly and critically but was hopeful that — with at least some lessons learned and productive discussions about things like consent, alcohol, race, and boundaries — there would be some reprieve in the casting of the next leading man, as well as production, moving forward.

And there were so many candidates. Maybe Eric, who had proved how he'd matured and grown beyond the tough circumstances of his life on Rachel's season? I knew Peter was unlikely, but I also hoped that someone like Alex, who had a unique, quirky personality, or Kenny, a single dad with a big heart, would have a chance to hand out the roses. I strongly hoped Rachel had raised the bar on a tradition of excellence for the show's leads so they could all be people actually worth fighting for.

Then ABC announced that Arie, who appeared on Emily Maynard's 2012 season, would be the star of "The Bachelor."

To be transparent, when Emily was the Bachelorette, I was a senior in high school who had little interest in the show but watched randomly because I thought she seemed nice. Arie was forgettable at best for me, but I do know that he sustained a loyal following after he lost to Jef Holm.

At 36, Arie was the same age as the most recent "Bachelor" star, Nick Viall, but still a little bit older than I was expecting. His age meant he could be marketed as looking to settle down, get serious, and marry someone who was ready to raise a family, as opposed to looking for a sexy fling or a throwaway engagement in exchange for an appearance on "Dancing With the Stars."

But despite the narrative that the network pushed upon his announcement, reports to the contrary emerged, including stories from Arie's ex-girlfriend and a former "Bachelorette" castmate about his penchant for younger, college-age women.

And here's the thing: Despite what the network had attempted to push as some sort of pre-premiere storyline, its cast announcement only proved these reports at least partially true.

The women this year included a 22-year-old, Bekah M., a 25-year-old, Lauren B., and others who made it far into the show.

Though these women are all well of legal age, it doesn't mean there isn't a sort of strange dynamic, whether conversationally, financially, or sexually.

It's just uncomfortable, to put it mildly, especially considering what had supposedly been several shifts in production and the show's newer, higher, healthier standards beginning with Rachel taking over and the events in "Paradise."

And though I haven't tuned in, the season seems to have been the opposite. Not only has it been called"the most boring season" of the show, it's also gone above and beyond to perpetuate blatant misogyny in other ways, including a challenge that involved wearing little clothing in exchange for alone time. The older women have mostly been phased out and eliminated, and, of course, it's gone back to its old ways of erasing people of color for the most part.

This was supposed to follow Rachel? Yes, they're big shoes to fill, but honestly, from the moment Arie and the cast were announced, it almost felt as though the network was taking several steps backward, insulting not only my intelligence as a viewer but also the very idea of what the show is supposed to actually be about: love. And without that, there will be no more tears from me.

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• "UnREAL" follows a fictional reality show similar to "The Bachelor."
  
• INSIDER spoke with showrunner Stacy Rukeyser about how "The Bachelor" franchise's "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal inspired season four of the drama. 
• The show returns for its third season on Monday, and the fourth season has already finished shooting.

"UnREAL" draws from reality TV, and that means real drama inspires the Lifetime show.

And while "UnREAL" was already wrapped on its third season (which premieres Monday at 10 p.m.), last summer's "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal influenced season four.

"I don't watch 'The Bachelor,' but I did hear about the scandal on 'Bachelor in Paradise' when one of the producers made a complaint to the studio...and I found it really shocking,""Unreal" Showrunner Stacy Rukeyser told INSIDER.

The "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal

The scandal in question involved the fourth season of ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise." The reality show briefly halted production after one of the show's producers filed a complaint over potential sexual misconduct that occurred between contestants Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson. An investigation was launched by the studio and contestants were sent home.

A little over two weeks later, the investigation found "no charge of misconduct." Production on the season resumed, but Olympios and Jackson didn't return. The two did appear on the show's reunion episode.

Footage of their drunken interactions was shown over the span of just two episodes of the season, but the incident was an underlying presence on the entire season. An episode even included a cast discussion about race, consent, and the media.

How "UnREAL" was inspired by the scandal 

Rukeyser said in the wake of events such as the "BIP" scandal and conversations about consent and sexual harassment in the workplace, the industry is changing.

"I know that ["The Bachelor" franchise] has been on for a very long time, and no one's ever made a complaint ... so this was a big deal to me, that somebody was actually making a complaint to the studio," Rukeyser said. "You have to understand that a crew member working on the crew often doesn't know a person at the studio to call."

Now, she said, crew members are given numbers by human resources and people are learning who they can speak to about such issues. 

"UnREAL" follows the cast and crew of a "Bachelor"-esque reality television show called "Everlasting," mainly centering on show producer Rachel Goldberg, played by Shiri Appleby, and her boss, Quinn King (Constance Zimmer).

The "BIP" scandal is also going to reflect onscreen the Lifetime drama. Due to the romance competition theme of the show, the "BIP" scandal inspired some of season four, which will follow "Everlasting All Stars." Though she couldn't go into specifics, Rukeyser explained what they drew from. 

"The whole issue of the drinking and the sex and that [the producers] had intervened and consent and all of that was really interesting and definitely was some of the inspiration for season four," she said. 

"UnREAL" and the #MeToo movement

The third season also won't specifically touch on the #MeToo movement, but Rukeyser said the season's story line has a place in the narrative nonetheless.

"We had completed everything before there was a #MeToo, and it was fortuitous that we are coming along at this time because there are so many things that are so relevant to what's going on," she said. "This season is Rachel Goldberg's #MeToo moment where she starts to unravel what happened to her, but also just all these issues in gender politics and stuff."

The showrunner certainly has a lot of experience to draw from for the show. In the past, Rukeyser was one of the few female writers on "One Tree Hill," which aired on UPN and later The CW from 2003 to 2012.  She wrote a column for The Hollywood Reporter about the "misogynistic" writer's room she worked in under creator Mark Schwahn. Schwahn was accused of sexual harassment by 18 female cast and crew members who published a letter about their experiences. Rukeyser said her experiences, and those of the other female writers on "UnREAL," do play a part in the show's story lines. 

"All I can say is that [many writers on the show] are women and human beings who have been experiencing the world...and in particular what it means to be a woman in Hollywood, and it's great to have an opportunity to be able to write about things from that personal place," she said. 

She added: "I don't know that we ever felt that there was a change coming, but there are things we were feeling and experiencing, and now there are women on a much broader scale, such courageous women, who are speaking up and talking about it in a way that is finally getting the world to take notice and pay attention, and we're so glad to see a part of that."

"UnREAL" premieres for its third season Monday at 10 p.m. ET on Lifetime. 

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• Reality television should be taken seriously, said the showrunner of Lifetime drama series, "UnREAL," Stacy Rukeyser.
• Rukeyser spoke with INSIDER about what people can learn from reality TV if they actually took it seriously.
• "UnREAL" returns for its third season on Monday at 10 p.m. ET.

Lifetime's "UnREAL" showrunner Stacy Rukeyser doesn't believe reality television should be a joke. 

"We're past the point of not taking reality television seriously, because that's how we got our current president," Rukeyser told INSIDER. "It's worth taking a real look at it."

She believes viewers are getting smarter about understanding the dynamics of reality TV. 

"I think even by the time we started season one of 'UnREAL,' people were starting to get wise to the reality of reality television and the manipulations that are a part of it," she said. "I don't know how much it's like real life, but we do hear from a lot of people who work on reality television shows, and they tell us ['UnREAL'] is really accurate, and that is frightening."

Lifetime's drama "UnREAL" centers around the cast and crew of a fictional "Bachelor"-like show called "Everlasting." The show mainly follows producer Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby) and her boss Quinn King (Constance Zimmer) as they interact with the cast and crew. 

The show may be over the top, but it's based on certain realities, she explained. 

"One of the things we've been looking at, in particular about these competition dating shows ... is really how destructive they are on a cultural level," Rukeyser said.

She said the unrealistic dating standards don't make sense.

"You're basically saying that it's totally fine for a guy to be dating 20 women at the same time and that women should be competing for a prize, which is a man," she said. "And [women] should just look really good in a bikini and get in the hot tub and not talk about work ever, and in exchange, a man will pick you up in a helicopter and take you to Bali for dinner, and that is what relationships with men and women look like. That's crazy." 

She also said the "girl-on-girl hate" often portrayed on TV and the judgmental way viewers watch reality TV is destructive to how women communicate with each other and speak about themselves. 

"We [writers on 'UnREAL'] talk about this a lot because the more you get used to that being the acceptable level of discourse and the way that we talk about each other and other women, the more it becomes acceptable to talk about yourself that way," she said. "I don't think that this is the way to a better future for any of us."

Because of the immense popularity of shows like the "Bachelor" franchise, she said it's important to analyze what makes these fantasies desirable. 

"We do have to look at that princess fantasy that is so ingrained in our society that even smart, successful career women ... still have a fantasy that at the end of the day they'll be rescued by a man on a white stallion who will take them away from all of this," she said. 

"UnREAL" premieres its third season Monday at 10 p.m. ET on Lifetime. 

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