Discovery’s Naked and Afraid has become a ratings juggernaut for the cable channel. For those who know the premise, it’s easy to understand why. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch two strangers enter the wilderness with no food, no water, no clothes, and only one personal item to try and survive three weeks with their partner and team. While this premise does sound daunting, former contestants have revealed Naked and Afraid secrets that will leave you wondering how “real” this reality TV show really is. Prepare to get all the dirt on Discovery’s latest hit show with these incredible Naked and Afraid secrets you’ll wish you didn’t know.
Discovery’s Naked and Afraid has become a ratings juggernaut for the cable channel. For those who know the premise, it’s easy to understand why. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch two strangers enter the wilderness with no food, no water, no clothes, and only one personal item to try and survive three weeks with their partner and team. While this premise does sound daunting, former contestants have revealed Naked and Afraid secrets that will leave you wondering how “real” this reality TV show really is. Prepare to get all the dirt on Discovery’s latest hit show with these incredible Naked and Afraid secrets you’ll wish you didn’t know.
Part of the hook for the show is that contestants are enduring this brutal trial of survival without a cash prize at the end. However, while there isn’t a “prize,” per se, there are “incentives” for participating and/or completing the challenge. Reports and first-hand accounts vary, but some have claimed there’s a $5,000 to $25,000 “incentive” for either completing the challenge or for at least playing along with the producers’ and Discovery’s storylines that they try to create. Wait, “create” storylines? Yep, they most certainly create storylines.
Part of the hook for the show is that contestants are enduring this brutal trial of survival without a cash prize at the end. However, while there isn’t a “prize,” per se, there are “incentives” for participating and/or completing the challenge. Reports and first-hand accounts vary, but some have claimed there’s a $5,000 to $25,000 “incentive” for either completing the challenge or for at least playing along with the producers’ and Discovery’s storylines that they try to create. Wait, “create” storylines? Yep, they most certainly create storylines.
When it comes to reality TV, even the most casual viewer understands that it’s never really that real. After all, there are TV crews, cameras, and emergency medical units always nearby. But Naked and Afraid goes to extra lengths to portray the series as more authentic than its close relative, Survivor. But to hear some former contestants tell it, there’s a whole lot of selective editing happening. Former contestant Shane Lewis told the Daily Mail that the show “gave it the Hollywood treatment” by provoking drama between contestants.
When it comes to reality TV, even the most casual viewer understands that it’s never really that real. After all, there are TV crews, cameras, and emergency medical units always nearby. But Naked and Afraid goes to extra lengths to portray the series as more authentic than its close relative, Survivor. But to hear some former contestants tell it, there’s a whole lot of selective editing happening. Former contestant Shane Lewis told the Daily Mail that the show “gave it the Hollywood treatment” by provoking drama between contestants.
One of the sources for these behind-the-scenes secrets is two-time contestant Honora Bowen, who participated in both the 21- and 40-day challenges but failed in both. Bowen backs up the claim that the producers fuel drama between contestants and twist narratives; she’s also made allegations of impropriety by saying producers groped her and pinched her nipples when she “blacked out.” She called the show a “Nazi experiment.” Producers threatened lawsuits over the remarks.
One of the sources for these behind-the-scenes secrets is two-time contestant Honora Bowen, who participated in both the 21- and 40-day challenges but failed in both. Bowen backs up the claim that the producers fuel drama between contestants and twist narratives; she’s also made allegations of impropriety by saying producers groped her and pinched her nipples when she “blacked out.” She called the show a “Nazi experiment.” Producers threatened lawsuits over the remarks.
Another one of Honora Bowen’s criticisms came after the producers made her pretend she had a family heirloom from her recently deceased father. Bowen’s father passed away months before the show and mentioned to Bowen that the one thing she should take is a magnifying glass. The producers found out about this and gave Bowen a magnifying glass and allegedly made her say it was given to her by her father to add “sentimental value” to the object and again add some fake drama.
Another one of Honora Bowen’s criticisms came after the producers made her pretend she had a family heirloom from her recently deceased father. Bowen’s father passed away months before the show and mentioned to Bowen that the one thing she should take is a magnifying glass. The producers found out about this and gave Bowen a magnifying glass and allegedly made her say it was given to her by her father to add “sentimental value” to the object and again add some fake drama.
For liability purposes, a show like Naked and Afraid would obviously need to have emergency medical staff nearby. If producers are being honest, they’d reveal any time the medical staff had to intervene, but one instance reveals this definitely isn’t the case and viewers should remain skeptical. Kim Shelton was a contestant early on and found a turtle to eat, which she did, including its liver. But Shelton wound up with food poisoning. Viewers saw Shelton struggling for three days with the illness, and on the fourth make a miraculous and sudden recovery. Great story, right? Except a source close to the show revealed that Shelton had been secretly given an IV drip in each arm to rehydrate her. That’s what the medical team is there for, but it begs the question why this wasn’t included in the episode, … and what other secrets the producers keep from viewers.
For liability purposes, a show like Naked and Afraid would obviously need to have emergency medical staff nearby. If producers are being honest, they’d reveal any time the medical staff had to intervene, but one instance reveals this definitely isn’t the case and viewers should remain skeptical. Kim Shelton was a contestant early on and found a turtle to eat, which she did, including its liver. But Shelton wound up with food poisoning. Viewers saw Shelton struggling for three days with the illness, and on the fourth make a miraculous and sudden recovery. Great story, right? Except a source close to the show revealed that Shelton had been secretly given an IV drip in each arm to rehydrate her. That’s what the medical team is there for, but it begs the question why this wasn’t included in the episode, … and what other secrets the producers keep from viewers.
Wilderness survival shows must take extra precautions when it comes to safety, but as we’ve seen, the producers often keep certain medical situations secret from viewers. While the show bills itself on putting participants in life or death situations with nothing but their wits to keep them alive, contestants have revealed producers do allow some to keep taking prescriptions. Matt Struzel was reportedly allowed to keep taking Adderall, and other vegetarian contestants have allegedly been given B vitamins. Honora Bowen was reportedly given Malarone to keep her from contracting malaria, but the side effects gave her nausea, dizziness, and she apparently had very lucid dreams from the pills.
Wilderness survival shows must take extra precautions when it comes to safety, but as we’ve seen, the producers often keep certain medical situations secret from viewers. While the show bills itself on putting participants in life or death situations with nothing but their wits to keep them alive, contestants have revealed producers do allow some to keep taking prescriptions. Matt Struzel was reportedly allowed to keep taking Adderall, and other vegetarian contestants have allegedly been given B vitamins. Honora Bowen was reportedly given Malarone to keep her from contracting malaria, but the side effects gave her nausea, dizziness, and she apparently had very lucid dreams from the pills.
The producers didn’t care to reveal Kim Shelton’s secret IV drip, but that wasn’t the only secret they kept from audiences in that episode. Shelton was partnered with Shane Lewis, as the pair attempted to survive in the Costa Rican jungle on Naked and Afraid XL. Just days before the challenge began, Lewis broke three toes. While this might prevent someone from doing the challenge, the producers used it to drum up extra drama. The injury was not explicitly addressed, and footage was edited to portray it as if it happened during the challenge. Lewis, of course being in pain, was constantly expressing discomfort and pain, but viewers were led to believe he was just weak, and as he later put it, “pathetic.” Lewis believes this was done to boost the drama even more.
The producers didn’t care to reveal Kim Shelton’s secret IV drip, but that wasn’t the only secret they kept from audiences in that episode. Shelton was partnered with Shane Lewis, as the pair attempted to survive in the Costa Rican jungle on Naked and Afraid XL. Just days before the challenge began, Lewis broke three toes. While this might prevent someone from doing the challenge, the producers used it to drum up extra drama. The injury was not explicitly addressed, and footage was edited to portray it as if it happened during the challenge. Lewis, of course being in pain, was constantly expressing discomfort and pain, but viewers were led to believe he was just weak, and as he later put it, “pathetic.” Lewis believes this was done to boost the drama even more.
Phaedra Brothers is a contestant viewers have become well acquainted with thanks to her numerous appearances, but Brothers’ first go-around was a near disaster. When producers found out a tiger was mauling people near their original shooting location in Northern India, they switched to an area closer to the Himalayas. However, Brothers hadn’t trained for this kind of ecosystem, which would have been hard enough if not for more bad luck. Brothers’ luggage was lost, and her fire-starter and all her pre-challenge food never arrived, leaving Brothers hungry and depleted before the challenge started. Out of kindness, one of the Indian crew members cooked her a chicken curry dish the night before the show, but it wound up giving her food poisoning. The producers made it seem like she got food poisoning from drinking the water, not revealing it was from before the show officially started.
Phaedra Brothers is a contestant viewers have become well acquainted with thanks to her numerous appearances, but Brothers’ first go-around was a near disaster. When producers found out a tiger was mauling people near their original shooting location in Northern India, they switched to an area closer to the Himalayas. However, Brothers hadn’t trained for this kind of ecosystem, which would have been hard enough if not for more bad luck. Brothers’ luggage was lost, and her fire-starter and all her pre-challenge food never arrived, leaving Brothers hungry and depleted before the challenge started. Out of kindness, one of the Indian crew members cooked her a chicken curry dish the night before the show, but it wound up giving her food poisoning. The producers made it seem like she got food poisoning from drinking the water, not revealing it was from before the show officially started.
It’s not the contestants who are the only ones facing danger. When producer Steve Rankin was scouting shooting locations in Costa Rica, he was bitten by a Bothrops asper, commonly known in North America as a fer-de-lance snake, one of the most venomous vipers in the world. Lucky for Rankin, he made it to a hospital on time.
It’s not the contestants who are the only ones facing danger. When producer Steve Rankin was scouting shooting locations in Costa Rica, he was bitten by a Bothrops asper, commonly known in North America as a fer-de-lance snake, one of the most venomous vipers in the world. Lucky for Rankin, he made it to a hospital on time.
When a producer survived a venomous snake bite, it was a surprise he survived. Or was it? We have to ask: How far away from civilization does the show take place? According to multiple accounts, the show is usually shot within a few miles of some populated area. Contestants in Brazil could hear the music of a house party one night. Others have heard nearby cars and even a soccer match. One central Florida shooting location was around the town of Sorrento, less than a day’s walk to Disney World.
When a producer survived a venomous snake bite, it was a surprise he survived. Or was it? We have to ask: How far away from civilization does the show take place? According to multiple accounts, the show is usually shot within a few miles of some populated area. Contestants in Brazil could hear the music of a house party one night. Others have heard nearby cars and even a soccer match. One central Florida shooting location was around the town of Sorrento, less than a day’s walk to Disney World.
One of the most popular questions from fans of the show, seeing that two members of the opposite sex are teamed together, is if any illicit behavior is happening at night. After all, they are naked! But, as several contestants have stated, there’s absolutely no hooking up happening behind the scenes. Alyssa Ballestero said, “The answer is no. That’s not what happens out there. Everyone is dirty and tired; it doesn’t really happen.” Stacey Lee Osorio added, “You have no libido out there at all. It’s really not a sexual experience.”
One of the most popular questions from fans of the show, seeing that two members of the opposite sex are teamed together, is if any illicit behavior is happening at night.
After all, they are naked! But, as several contestants have stated, there’s absolutely no hooking up happening behind the scenes. Alyssa Ballestero said, “The answer is no. That’s not what happens out there. Everyone is dirty and tired; it doesn’t really happen.” Stacey Lee Osorio added, “You have no libido out there at all. It’s really not a sexual experience.”