Reality TV stars from Long Island
Only 25¢ for 5 months
Lenny, Philip and Karen Heide, "The Great Christmas Light Fight"
Credit: John Tew
This year Merrick family, from left -- dad Lenny, son Philip, and mother Karen Heide -- participated in season six of ABC's holiday-decor competition "The Great Christmas Light Fight." The competition judges elaborate Christmas displays created by four families across the country. The Heide's were up against families from Connecticut, Nebraska and Seattle for a grand prize of $50,000.
Domenick Abbate, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS / Robert Voets
Domenick Abbate, a construction supervisor, moved to Nesconset from Levittown when he was in ninth grade. He graduated from Smithtown High in 1996. He's competing on "Survivor: Ghost Island," which premiered on Feb. 28, 2018.
Kasey Cohen and Colin Macy-O’Toole, "Below Deck"
Credit: Bravo / Zev Schmitz
Season 3 of Bravo's "Below Deck," titled "Below Deck Mediterranean," features two Long Islanders: Kasey Cohen, of Oceanside, and Colin Macy-O'Toole, who captains a ferry to and from Fire Island. The season chronicles the work hard, play harder activities of a group of 20-somethings who work on the Talisman Maiton, a luxury superyacht.
Michael Naccari, "Love at First Flight"
Credit: Lifetime
Michael Naccari, an accountant, appeared on the Lifetime reality show "Love at First Flight," which premiered on March 20, 2018. Naccari, the youngest of five, was born in New Hyde Park and raised in Wantagh, where he graduated from high school in 2004. He is shown with Alma Lopez on the show.
Stephanie Ver Eecke, "Love at First Flight"
Credit: Lifetime
Stephanie Ver Eecke, a wedding singer from Babylon, appeared on the Lifetime reality show "Love at First Flight," which premiered on March 20, 2018. Ver Eecke, born in Plainview, grew up in Huntington, and attended Harborfields High School in Greenlawn -- alma mater of another singer, Mariah Carey, class of '87 -- as well as Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts, graduating from both in 2006. She is shown with Ryan Pinter on the show.
Jacob Derwin, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS / Robert Voets
Merrick born-and-raised music teacher Jacob Derwin, one of two Long Islanders on "Survivor: Ghost Island," became an early casualty Feb. 28, 2018, when he became the second person eliminated on the two-hour season premiere.
Russell Holmes, "Garage Rehab"
Credit: Discovery Channel
Russell Holmes, a Southold native, co-hosted "Garage Rehab," a reality show that premiered Aug. 30, 2017, on Discovery Channel. He appeared in the first season of the show where he assisted Richard Rawlings and another cast member attempt to save struggling automotive garages across the country.
Justin Russo, "Fire Island"
Credit: Logo TV
Justin Russo, a Smithtown native, starred as one of the housemates on "Fire Island," a reality show that premiered Thursday, April 27, 2017, on Logo. The show followed six young gay professionals looking for romance while sharing a house in Fire Island Pines, but Russo was the only housemate from Long Island.
Catherine Monteleone, "Catfish"
Credit: Catherine Monteleone
Catherine Monteleone, a Port Jefferson resident, appeared on an episode of MTV's "Catfish" that aired Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. Monteleone said she contacted the producers of "Catfish" for help in 2015 after becoming concerned that a man she met on Instagram was a "catfish" -- a person pretending to be someone else or misrepresenting himself online.
David and Jodi Mahler, "Below Deck"
Credit: David J. Mahler
Bellmore native David J. Mahler, left, and his wife, Jodi, with "Below Deck" cast member and chef Ben Robinson, appeared on the yacht Valor during filming of the Bravo reality show in February 2016. The episode aired Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016.
Sal Valentinetti, "America's Got Talent" and more
Credit: Getty Images / Mike Windle
Bethpage's Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti had the world on a string during his run on NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2016. He earned more than one standing ovation from the judges throughout the competition as he sang the standards from Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and more. While he won over judge Heidi Klum (a fan from the beginning) and Long Island, it wasn't enough to win the $1 million grand prize. Valentinetti came in fifth on the season finale Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. He also auditioned for the final season of "American Idol" in 2015.
Kimberly Sherbach, "The Bachelor"
Credit: ABC / Craig Sjodin
Kimberly Sherbach, a yoga instructor from Wantagh, was one of the bachelorettes on the 19th edition of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelor" in 2015. She appeared in the first two episodes before being sent home.
Joaquin Souberbielle, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS / Monty Brinton
Joaquin Souberbielle of Valley Stream was one of the 18 castaways who competed on "Survivor" season 31, themed Worlds Apart: White Collar vs. Blue Collar vs. No Collar, in 2015. He was voted off during the sixth episode of the season.
"Secrets and Wives" cast
Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa
Cori Goldfarb was one of six North Shore women who starred in Bravo's "Secrets and Wives," which aired for one season during summer 2015.
Skip and Alison Bedell, "Catch a Contractor"
Credit: Alison Bedell
Suffolk residents Skip and Alison Bedell host Spike's "Catch a Contractor" alongside comedian Adam Carolla (center), in which they track down contractors who've performed shoddy home construction jobs, and give them the chance to right their wrongs. The show was canceled in 2015 and Skip went on to appear regularly on "Fox and Friends."
Kimberly Birch and Jacqueline Conroy, "I Wanna Marry 'Harry'"
Credit: Fox via YouTube
Kimberly Birch of Malverne, left, and Jacqueline Conroy of Baldwin, appeared on Fox's 2014 reality competition series "I Wanna Marry 'Harry,'" in which 12 women traveled to England, where they were told they'd get a chance at love with Prince Harry. While Conroy was sent home after six episodes, Birch went on to win the show.
Justin Johnes, "The Voice"
Credit: NBC / Tyler Golden
Justin Johnes, from Massapequa, joined Team Blake on "The Voice" season 7 after performing on Oct. 6, 2014. He was selected to become part of Team Blake, but was ultimately eliminated during the eighth episode of the season.
Amanda Zuckerman, "Big Brother"
Credit: CBS
Port Washington native Amanda Zuckerman came under fire for making repeated racist remarks about her housemates on "Big Brother" season 15, which aired in 2013. She became known as one of the most notorious villains on the show and placed seventh during her season.
John and Kathryn Lagoudes, "Newlyweds: The First Year"
Credit: Bravo
John and Kathryn Lagoudes, from Oyster Bay, starred as one of four recently married couples featured in the first season of Bravo's "Newlyweds:The First Year" in 2013.
Marty McCloskey, "The Hero"
Credit: TNT
Centereach's Marty McCloskey competed on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's TNT show, "The Hero," in 2013. He finished in fourth place on the show, which was canceled after the first season.
Alexandra “Allie” Pohevitz, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton
One-time Oceanside resident Alexandra "Allie" Pohevitz competed on "Survivor: Caramoan" in 2013. She placed 19th.
Dan Lembo, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS/MONTY BRINTON
Real estate executive Dan Lembo, who has a home in Water Mill and an office in Great Neck, was one of the show's oldest finalists, eliminated during part 1 of the "Survivor" "Nicaragua" season finale in 2010.
Ashley Massaro, "Survivor"
Credit: MCT/Handout
Ashley Massaro, who lived in East Northport at the time of filming season 15 of "Survivor" in 2007, placed 15th. In 2007, she modeled for Playboy and appeared in an episode of "Smallville" and in Timbaland's video for "Throw It on Me." In 2008, she was in Rev Theory's video for "Hell Yeah."
Scott Disick, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"
Credit: Getty Images
Eastport's Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian's ex-boyfriend and father to their three children, has appeared on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" since its premiere in 2007. The couple, who've dated on and off since 2006, filmed episodes of the spinoff "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" at his parents' home on Long Island.
Tom Westman, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS / Bill Inoshita
NYC firefighter Tom Westman of Sayville won "Survivor: Palau" in 2004. He returned to compete on "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" in 2010.
Rob Cesternino, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton
Rob Cesternino, who lived in Wantagh at the time of filming "Survivor" season 6 ("The Amazon," 2003) and season 8 ("All-Stars," 2004), placed in third and 15th, respectively.
Kim Johnson, "Survivor"
Credit: Newsday/Jim Peppler
One-time Oyster Bay resident Kim Johnson appeared on season 3 of "Survivor" titled "Africa" (2001-02). She was the runner-up.
Kimmi Kappenberg, "Survivor"
Credit: Newsday/J. MIchael Dombroski
Kimmi Kappenberg, who grew up in East Setauket, lived in Ronkonkoma at time of filming season 2 of "Survivor" in 2001, titled "Australian Outback." She placed 12th. She also starred on season 31 in 2015, titled "Cambodia," in which she placed sixth.
Dr. Sean Kenniff, "Survivor"
Credit: CBS/MONTY BRINTON
Dr. Sean Kenniff, who was born in Massapequa, but lived in Carle Place at the time of filming, competed on "Survivor" in 2000, placing fifth. He now lives in Weston, Florida, and is a neurologist in Hollywood, Florida.
Gia Allemand, "The Bachelor"
Credit: AP
Gia Allemand (center), a model-actress and onetime Manorville resident, came in third on the Jake Pavelka season of ABC's "The Bachelor," subtitled "On the Wings of Love," behind winner Vienna Girardi (right) and runner-up Tenley Molzahn. Allemand died Aug. 14, 2013, in New Orleans at age 29.
Barret Beyer, "Hell's Kitchen" and more
Credit: Fox
Patchogue's Barret Beyer competed on season 11 of Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" in 2013. He was eliminated mid-season but went on the appear in a 2014 episode of "Cutthroat Kitchen" and "Kitchen Casino" in 2014.
Erica Gimbel, "Princesses: Long Island"
Credit: Bravo
Old Westbury's Erica Gimbel of "Princesses: Long Island" starred on the show during its only season, in 2013.
Chanel Omari, "Princesses: Long Island"
Credit: Bravo
Great Neck's Chanel Omari of "Princesses: Long Island" starred on the show during its only season, in 2013.
Ashlee White, "Princesses: Long Island"
Credit: Bravo
Roslyn's Ashlee White of "Princesses: Long Island," starred on the show during its only season, in 2013.
Joey Lauren Brodish, "Princesses: Long Island"
Credit: Bravo
Freeport's Joey Lauren Brodish of "Princesses: Long Island," starred on the show during its only season, in 2013.
Amanda Bertoncini, "Princesses: Long Island"
Credit: Bravo
Great Neck's Amanda Bertoncini of "Princesses: Long Island," starred on the show during its only season, in 2013.
Tara Costa, "The Biggest Loser"
Credit: AP
Tara Costa, a "Biggest Loser" season 7 finalist from Bethpage, lost 155 pounds leading up to the show's May 2009 season finale and won a record-setting eight challenges.
Melanie Martinez, "The Voice"
Credit: Getty Images
Melanie Martinez, from Baldwin, made it to the top six on season 3 of NBC's "The Voice" in 2012. She released her debut album, "Cry Baby," in 2015.
Ryan Star, "Rock Star: Supernova"
Credit: AP
Dix Hills native Ryan Star competed on "Rock Star: Supernova" in 2006 for the chance to become the lead singer of Supernova, a band formed by drummer Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe) with bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica) and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses).
Robbie Rosen of Merrick made it to the top 24 on "American Idol" in 2011.
Credit: Smithsonian Channel
Doris Raymond, who grew up in Freeport and Huntington, starred in the Smithsonian Channel's program "L.A. Frock Stars."
Credit: CBS
Alexandra "Allie" Pohevitz, an Oceanside bartender, was voted off "Survivor: Caramoan Fans vs. Favorites" during the second episode on Feb. 13, 2013.
Credit: Brittany Wait
Stephan Bogardus of Southold, chef de cuisine at The North Fork Table & Inn, appeared on "Chopped" on the Food Network on March 12, 2013.
Credit: CBS
Friends Joey "Fitness" Lasalla, who grew up in Atlantic Beach, and Danny Horal, who grew up in Sayville then moved to Holbrook, competed on "The Amazing Race" in 2012.
Credit: Nina Ruggiero
Massapequa's Christopher Palu appeared on season 10 of Lifetime's "Project Runway" in 2012. He made it to the Top 4.
Credit: CBS
Christine Shields Markoski, from North Merrick, appeared on "Survivor: South Pacific" in 2011.
Credit: CBS
Mark Anthony Caruso of Freeport, known as "Papa Bear" on "Survivor: South Pacific," competed on the show in 2011.
Credit: Handout
Theresa Caputo, who was born and raised in Hicksville, is the star of TLC's "The Long Island Medium." The show started in 2011 and still airs today.
Credit: Getty Images
J.P. Rosenbaum of Roslyn was chosen by "Bachelorette" Ashley Hebert on the show's seventh season finale, which aired in 2011. The couple wed on Dec. 1, 2012.
Credit: ABC
Huntington's Ralph Macchio, "The Karate Kid" star, appeared opposite Karina Smirnoff on "Dancing with the Stars" season 12 in 2011.
Credit: Syfy
Mastic's Mary Occhino was the star of the Syfy reality show "Mary Knows Best," which premiered in 2010. It lasted one season.
Credit: AP
A&E's "Growing up Twisted" followed Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, his wife, Suzette, and their four children, who live on LI's North Shore. The show was canceled in 2010 after just seven episodes. In 2012, Dee and Suzette went on to star in an episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap." Dee also appeared on season 12 of "Celebrity Apprentice," and returned for "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" in 2013.
Credit: Getty Images
Jenni "JWoww" Farley of MTVs "Jersey Shore" and its spinoff "Snooki & JWoww" hails from Franklin Square. "Jersey Shore" aired from 2009-2012 and "Snooki & JWoww" aired from 2012-2015. Farley is set to air on "Jersey Shore Family Vacation," which premieres April 5, 2018.
Credit: AP
Dix Hills' Courtney Galiano, a former Knicks City dancer, was a finalist on season four of "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2008. She went on to hold a small role dancing opposite Al Pacino in the 2013 film "Stand Up Guys."
Credit: Handout
Danny Gagnon, a "Top Chef" season 5 contestant eliminated in the fifth episode in 2008, was born and raised in New Hyde Park.
Credit: AP
Twin brothers Bill, left, and Jim Germanakos appeared on season four of "The Biggest Loser" in 2007. Bill, a medical salesman from Lynbrook, lost 164 pounds and took home the $250,000 grand prize. Jim, a police officer from Massapequa, dropped 186 pounds and won a $100,000 prize before he was eliminated during week five.
Credit: Bravo
Ilan Hall, who grew up in Great Neck, won the second season of Bravo's "Top Chef" in 2007, and opened his first restaurant in 2009 in downtown Los Angeles.
Credit: AP
In 2007, Jared Cotter, a native of Kew Gardens and Selden, became an "American Idol" season 6 semifinalist. He went on to become a TV show host for Fuse and MSG Varsity/News 12, as well as a hit songwriter, co-penning Jay Sean's 2009 No. 1 single "Down" and writing for Kelly Clarkson and Flo Rida.
Credit: Melissa Hom
Harold Dieterle of West Babylon won the first season of Bravo's "Top Chef" in 2006 and went on to open a contemporary Thai restaurant, Kin Shop, in Manhattan.
Credit: AP / Richard Drew
Levittown native Kevin Covais was just 16 when he made it to the Top 12 on season 5 of "American Idol" in 2006, alongside the likes of Kellie Pickler, Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry.
Credit: AP
Daniel Baldwin, born and raised in Massapequa with his three other actor brothers (Alec, Stephen and William), has appeared on several reality shows, including "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2005, the first season of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in 2008 and "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" in 2009 with his brother Stephen.
Credit: AP
Joseph Murena, who grew up in Smithtown, was a season 4 finalist on "American Idol" in 2005. He released his debut album, "After the Storm," in September 2010.
Credit: AP
Joe Gannascoli of East Rockaway, who played Vito Spatafore on "The Sopranos," appeared on "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2005.
Credit: AP
Victoria Gotti, daughter of the late mob boss John Gotti, and her sons, from left, John, Frank, and Carmine Gotti Agnello starred in the A&E series "Growing Up Gotti," which aired from 2004 to 2005 and was shot at the family's Old Westbury mansion. Victoria went on to appear as a contestant on season 12 of "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2012.
Credit: AP
Massapequa native Stephen Baldwin appeared on season 3 (2003) and 4 (2004) of "Celebrity Mole." He came in fifth place on "Celebrity Apprentice" season 7 in 2008, and appeared on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" with his brother Daniel Baldwin in 2009. He also appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars" in 2013.
Credit: AP / Kevork Djansezian
Eddie McGee of Commack won $500,000 for being the last person standing on the first season of CBS' "Big Brother" in 2000. He went on to appear on "Hollywood Squares," "Law & Order" and "Desperate Housewives," as well as several films.