Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Reality.
Hi Zachary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always loved being a storyteller and making people laugh. I have also always loved reality tv since I was 6 six years old and starting watching survivor. Growing up in theater, I knew I was always a creative and when I got to college, and starting taking classes to find out what I wanted to do after school, I fell in love with Journalism. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Communications and Media Studies with a focus in Broadcast Journalism from Caldwell University back in 2019. I made the move to Los Angeles, from New York shortly after to pursue my career in entertainment. It wasn’t super easy to break into the industry, especially only knowing 2 people in the city and moving here without a job. I had to start temp jobs as an administration assistant, and doing date entry for various companies while I was pursuing a career in hosting and looking to make connections.
Over time, I stayed hungry and focused as I was able to start hosting gigs, at AfterBuzz TV, Hollywire, and Shared News. While I was doing lots of freelance work, I also utilized social media to report on the reality shows that I loved watching and keeping up with such as The Bachelor, The Real Housewives, Dancing with the Stars, Selling Sunset and more. My consistency of creating content and genuine passion for the topics helped me build an audience of now over 400 thousand followers on Tiktok. Having a following and staying focused has brought more opportunities to me such as creating content for FOX and joining various campaigns for different networks and brands. I have also stayed consistent on my YouTube channel and podcast, where I have done my own interviews with some of my favorite people from the shows I cover! And most recently I partnered with Icelandic to work the carpet at the Golden Globes. While I still just getting my feet wet, it’s been over 3 years in Los Angeles and I am so proud of the work I have done and have learned the importance of “one step at a time”.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think it’s gotten smoother the longer I have been here working. But, it was the farthest thing from “smooth” in the beginning. I had to not only break into the industry but also had to. learn the adult “life lessons” the hard way, since I moved here at 22. How to balance money and pay rent, how to get my car registered, how “LA” people socialize and interact is different than what I grew up with on the east coast. I had to prove to myself and the people I was working for and the followers I had that I was a professional, as we all want to be taken seriously. And yes, reporting reality tv is a very serious job. LOL. Well, it’s a job; and I do my best to be fair and spread kindness throughout all the gossip. Getting work in LA in the entertainment industry is based on connections, experience, and focus. None of that came overnight and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I want to work for everything I earn.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make TikTok videos every day. I recap reality shows that are sometimes over two hours long and squeeze the highlights into less than 60 seconds. I do this with relevant podcast interviews too in the space. In my niche. I work with brands on campaigns to promote reality shows, and if I am lucky, I get to do interviews too. I host panels and red carpets for different outlets and monetize all. my videos on social media. I am probably most known for recapping the bachelor on TikTok, to be honest. I think growing a platform you need to be niche specific. As I have grown, I have expanded my content to all reality tv and pop culture, and I also enjoy sharing lifestyle content too. What set’s me apart from others is that I am a very unique personality. I will give my honest opinion and add to the conversation but in a very respective way. When I first started making videos, it was the pandemic, so I didn’t see the outside world I was talking about. As time, went on and I started to get recognition and be invited to events or to work events, I realized how there is so much more to this world than talking about the shows. I had to be one step ahead with what’s to come and balance the relationships I was organically making with people on these shows. I work hard, stay true to myself and I think I’m funny. Definitely witty and sassy, very sassy.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Kindness, respect and listening sometimes more than talking are skills that I have been practicing and have to keep reminding to obtain. We all like to hear ourselves talk, but building relationships is a two-way streak. Building relationships also takes time. I started reaching out to journalists who inspired me back in college before I moved here. I think showing support and admiration for those “above” you or just a few years ahead of you working in the industry is important because they will eventually show love back to you. But, it’s also important to remember that you are in your own lane and not to compare yourselves to other people because everyone is unique. I think people admire me for saying what I want and putting it out there, but actually doing it too. Manifesting, networking, building connections are all important, but actually doing the work is another. Saying yes to things, offering advice to other people is great too so we can all help each other grow.
Contact Info:
- Website:zacharyreality.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharyreality
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-weinberg-857b2b179?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharyreality
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZacharyReality
- Other: https://twitter.com/zacharyreality
