The Iconic Reality TV Stars You Should Dress Up as For Halloween

Published on 10/15/2023 at 11:00 AM

Photo Illustration: Aly Lim

If there's one thing we can count on from reality television, it's plenty of memorable moments — and lucky for you, a lot of them are great inspirations for Halloween costumes! While many of the most iconic touchstones in pop culture have made our spooky-season list, now's also a great time to look back at some of the reality TV stars, past and present, who have contributed to the zeitgeist.

Keep up with the Kardashians and channel some of Kim's most fashionable and talked-about moments, or better yet, transform into her mom, Kris Jenner — her family pulled off some spot-on looks for her birthday in 2022. You can also be a real showstopper at parties this year by cosplaying the queen of modern reality TV, aka Tiffany "New York" Pollard, or turn up the heat by dressing up as the foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay.

Over the years, the heroes and villains from the most popular reality shows have become iconic memes, and, in turn, have given us some great Halloween costume inspiration. That goes for "Vanderpump Rules," "Jersey Shore," "America's Next Top Model," and major franchises like "The Real Housewives" and "Love & Hip-Hop."

Scroll ahead for our roundup of Halloween costumes inspired by reality TV stars.

Kim Kardashian From "The Kardashians"

Before she became a business mogul, reality TV was Kim Kardashian's bread and butter — and still is. Her days on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" will always be iconic, but this Halloween, channel her fashionista persona by copying her hot pink velvet suit featured in Hulu's "The Kardashians." You may recognize it from one of her "Saturday Night Live" rehearsals.

Kris Jenner From "The Kardashians"

Kris Jenner is an equally iconic reality TV figure for her time on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," and now "The Kardashians." Her family poked fun at many of her signature looks during an episode of the latter. You can create the one pictured above with a black lace cardigan, black top, strings of pearls, and a cocktail in hand. Bonus points if you can nail her trademark short haircut.

Raquel Leviss, Tom Sandoval, and Ariana Madix From "Vanderpump Rules"

"Vanderpump Rules" stars Raquel Leviss, Tom Sandoval, and Ariana Madix were already well-known before the infamous Scandoval affair made them one of the most talked about celebrity scandals of 2023. So if you're looking to dress up as the trio for Halloween, these costumes might just make you the talk of the party. For Leviss, find a yellow-and-blue marble top and style your hair in a flipped bob. Grab a tan panama hat and black long-sleeve shirt for Sandoval, and a peach button-up for Madix.

Lisa Vanderpump From "Vanderpump Rules"

Former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Vanderpump masterminded a reality TV gem when she created "Vanderpump Rules," and 11 seasons later, she still sits on the show's cast as a mainstay. If you want to channel her boss persona and create a look for Halloween, find a sheer red top, black skirt, and a gold bangle bracelet to re-create her season-two reunion outfit.

Vanessa and Nick Lachey From "Love Is Blind"

By now, most "Love Is Blind" fans might dub hosts Vanessa and Nick Lachey as the villains of the reality TV dating experiment, but they still make for a great Halloween couple costume. You'll need a red wrap dress to copy Vanessa's look, then a white button-up shirt, gray slacks, and a black jacket to replicate Nick's outfit.

Nene Leakes From "The Real Housewives of Atlanta"

Nene Leakes, the mother of memes, is reality TV royalty and the perfect Halloween-costume inspiration. Never mind her iconic phrases that still make rounds on social media daily; some of her "Real Housewives of Atlanta" outfits are just as memorable. Take her season-five reunion look, which consists of an ocean-blue gown with gold accents and her signature blonde waved shortcut.

Chef Gordon Ramsay From "Hell's Kitchen"

Gordon Ramsay, one of the most famous reality TV villains of all time, is pretty easy to copy for a last-minute Halloween costume. Just grab an all-white chef's ensemble and head to the kitchen to shout a bunch of insults in your best British accent.

Tyra Banks From "America's Next Top Model"

Tyra Banks's name rings bells in the modeling world for her 20-plus-season run with her reality TV staple "America's Next Top Model." Though the show has caught some backlash in recent years, Banks's signature send-off for contestants continues to be a running joke — and a great last-minute Halloween costume. Just wear a black mesh top with matching pants and pumps, then grab a "top model" title card and strike her pose above.

Lisa Rinna From "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" staple Lisa Rinna made a lasting impression after eight seasons of her sassy one-liners and drama-filled moments. Perhaps what's more renowned than her reality TV fame is her iconic spiky bob. To dress up as Rinna for Halloween, you'll need to re-create that haircut and pair it with an all-back suit like the one above.

Tiffany "New York" Pollard From "I Love New York"

Tiffany "New York" Pollard is known as the queen bee of modern reality TV, and she never misses a moment to remind us. She got her start on VH1's "Flavor of Love" before spawning her own TV empire with shows like "I Love New York" and "New York Goes to Hollywood." While she has plenty of unforgettable TV moments that've been referenced through the years — like when she stormed out on Flavor Flav after getting eliminated — you can make a last-minute Halloween costume out of her outfit above. Just grab a bedazzled black mesh top and go a little dramatic with some dark makeup.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie From "The Simple Life"

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were two peas in a pod during their "Simple Life" reign. The pair of besties ruled the Y2K era with their reality TV show, which has a handful of memorable looks that can serve as the perfect Halloween costume for two. For Hilton's outfit pictured above, grab a yellow polka dot two-piece set and some heels. For Richie, grab a sleeveless blue top, satin running shorts, some tan fringe boots, and a pink cocktail glass. Top off these looks with twinning blonde pigtails.

Snooki From "Jersey Shore"

Snooki's "Jersey Shore" era was iconic for her unique fashions alone, which helped solidify her as one of the most memorable reality TV stars of our time. So if you want to throw it back to 2010 to her early years in the limelight, try re-creating her outfit above. Just grab a black rhinestone-studded top, Ed Hardy mesh hat, and some huge silver hoops.

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag From "The Hills"

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag's love story became a staple on MTV's "The Hills" in the early 2000s, and the reality TV couple are still going strong. If you need Halloween couples costume inspiration, try replicating the pair's outfits from the "Hills" season-three premiere party. Just find a zebra-pattern top for Montag and a black suit, blue button-up, and striped tie for Pratt.

Whitney Port, Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, and Audrina Patridge From "The Hills"

The ladies of "The Hills" will always be remembered for how their lives played out during their reality TV saga. If you're looking for the perfect

group Halloween costume, try replicating Whitney Port, Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, and Audrina Patridge's pink dresses from their show poster.

Max and Nev From "Catfish"

"Catfish"'s Nev Schulman and Max Joseph turned online dating mysteries into one of the biggest reality TV phenomena with just a tiny camera and some serious detective work. So if you're looking for an easy DIY Halloween costume, look no further than these two. Max's outfit can be copied with a simple burgundy T-shirt, black pants, and his trusty hand-held camera. And for Nev, just find a blue plaid button-up, dark-colored pants, and a Macbook. Now you're a mystery-solving duo.