Jersey Shore icon Vinny Guadagnino has waded into the current debate surrounding whether US reality contestants should unionise.
Vinny feels that he would sign up to a union should they guarantee ongoing residuals for their show appearances around the world - similar to how actors are paid for their work. However Vinny admits that the presentation on screen by production companies of contracted reality show participants is a “grey area”.
He revealed that even after 15 years of the Jersey Shore, their cast has no control over what footage is aired on the show. Some female cast members get riled “all the time” over how they are presented on the MTV hit series.
But the 35-year-old feels that participants should be “aware of their actions” when filming, given the most extreme and controversial moments are likely to be used. The star claims he has seen fame-hungry contestants purposely “act up” for cameras to get coverage, which can prompt issues.
Vinny reflected on the hot Hollywood topic in an exclusive interview for The Mirror upon his return as celebrity guest host for The Chippendales show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
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Vinny Guadagnino shared that the Jersey Shore cast has no control over what footage is aired on the show (WireImage)
Vinny Guadagnino advises younger reality television stars to be aware of their actions (Getty Images)He calls himself the “luckiest mother f***er alive” over his treatment on screen, after building a lucrative career from his partying antics on Jersey Shore during 15 years.
Unlike others In the genre, Vinny “feels he cannot ask for anymore” and has no complaints about how his life has played out on screen.
Asked about reality stars unionising, Vinny said: “It's so hard to say, because each show is so different. I can kind of only speak for my show and we do work hard. I'm not going to lie. People think it's just all fun and games and partying, but there were hours and hours that get put into it.
“And also if someone said, 'here, we want you to party now, it's your job.'
"It kind of takes the fun away from it. You know what I'm saying?
“So it definitely is a hard thing that people should always be conscious of how hard they're working.
“But at the same time, we have a great relationship with MTV. We've been doing our show with the same production company since the beginning 15 years later. So we have a good relationship with them. But yeah, I mean listen, if things wanted to unionise and I get some sort of residuals one day, I'm with it. I'm not fighting it.”
Vinny spoke out after Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel led the call for reality stars to earn residuals given global networks and streamers across multiple platforms replay them constantly.
(Getty Images for MTV)Frankel alleged some shows are exploitative, inappropriate and insensitive which at times lead to people’s lives being destroyed.
Asked about how participants could “protect their reputations", he replied: “It is such a grey area because you don't control the edit?
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"We still don't control our own edit. The girls all the time are complaining because they're like, why'd you edit me like that? Or why'd you edit me like that? Ultimately it is reality TV.
"You're being real. Don't go on there and start doing stuff you don't want out there into the world now. Now, should you get completely chopped and screwed into something you're not, probably not.
“But at the same time, just be aware of your actions on TV because usually the crazy stuff that you do is going to be the first thing to make the show.”
Vinny says he has worked with some younger contestants on reality shows, who actively try to make drama to get air time.
“I think that they kind of almost hurts sometimes when people are thinking about how they're going to be edited and what they're going to look like going into it.
“I do shows with newer people sometimes, and I'm just like, you guys got to chill. Just be yourself and be a good person and then let that show. Don't think about, 'I got to act up. I got to do this. I got to do that.'
"Jersey Shore, we never lived like that and we still don't. In fact, we lived the opposite way. We're hiding from the cameras because we're just like, oh God, we're old. We've done this before.
"We're not thirsty for the airtime and stuff like that. But I can see how people now go into it with that mindset.”
He added: “Ultimately if you just are on a show, being yourself, that's what reads the best. You don't have to be the craziest person. People have always given me compliments just for being authentic and that's all I could ask for.”
Vinny Guadagnino says that the Jersey Shore cast were lucky that they were able to make a career off just being themselves (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)Vinny’s comments come as a battle is waging in Hollywood over how reality stars are rewarded financially and protected after their appearances on shows.
Frankel claimed she was paid $7,250 (£5,800) for the first season, but has never received any compensation based on the show’s massive success.
Frankel added to Variety “Reality television exploits affairs, bankruptcy, falling off the wagon, not really having what you say you have, something inappropriate, risking cancellation every single time the camera goes on.”
High-powered attorneys Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos claim they are investigating alleged abuse of reality stars.
The powerhouse lawyers fired off a letter to NBCUniversal accusing the company of “a pattern and practice of grotesque and depraved mistreatment of the reality stars and crew members on whose account its coffers swell.”
The letter notes that allegations of physical, mental, and financial victimization are being investigated.
A wide range of claims are made about the treatments of cast members with the use of alcohol and food and sleep deprivation, adding not enough "mental health treatment " was provided.
Other more serious allegations were stated. NBC denies all claims.
Actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has since stepped forward to review reality TV practices and performers’ work.
Vinny Guadagnino's limited engagement will be until September 17 at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Vinny heats up the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City for six sexy performances only September 21 through 24, 2023. For more details visit www.Chippendales.com.
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