The Queer Reality Show You Should Watch Next, Based on Your Zodiac Sign
Have you hopped on the Love Island USA bandwagon, even though it’s the straightest show in existence? You’re not alone. Rest assured, Love Island host Ariana Madix also wants to see some queer bombshells in the villa. (Also, hello, Zach and Bryce “bromance” truthers! Kidding, kidding. Team #Brinity ’til the end.)
It can be tempting to dismiss reality television — particularly dating shows, and doubly so when they’re aggressively heterosexual — as vapid viewing for an era of diminished attention spans. But this genre of TV is popular for a reason. For better or worse, it offers a fascinating look into people’s psychology and cultural norms. And thankfully, there are plenty of LGBTQ+-inclusive series to fill in the gaps left by shows like Love Island, which airs its season finale on July 12.
Below, find a humble recommendation for the next queer reality TV show you should watch to fill in the void, based on the qualities of your zodiac sign. Some are dating shows; others are competition, makeover, or documentary-style series. All are bingeable, even if they’re not very good.
Aries: Gayme Show
Did someone say games? With your competitive streak, Gayme Show will hit for you, Aries. Hosts Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni subject their contestants — all straight people — to quizzes and challenges meant to gauge their familiarity with gay culture. It was tragically short-lived (RIP, Quibi), which also suits your sign. You’re known to come in hot… and burn out fast.
Where to watch: YouTube
Taurus: The Fabulous Beekman Boys
Cityslickers Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge aren’t your average farmers, which is part of their charm, and part of why The Fabulous Beekman Boys is such enjoyable viewing. The WOW Presents series follows the real-life husbands-slash-business partners as they take over a farm in upstate New York and launch an organic beauty brand. It’s lighthearted, and it taps into every Taurus’ secret (or not-so-secret) fantasy: returning to the land.
Where to watch: WOW Presents Plus
Gemini: Are You the One? (but only season 8)
I’ve got two words for you, Gemini: bisexual chaos. This groundbreaking season of MTV’s Are You the One? plops 16 sexually fluid contestants into a giant house and tasks them with finding their predetermined perfect match. Since every cast member is queer, everyone else is fair game. Drama ensues, because of course it does. It’s messy, full of memorable exchanges, and bi as hell — and how fitting for the sign of the Twins, who quite literally embodies duality.
Where to watch: Paramount Plus
Cancer: We’re Here
It had to be an earnest pick for you, Cancer. And no show on this list is quite as much of a tear-jerker as We’re Here, HBO’s Emmy-winning reality series hosted by a trio of drag queens. Each episode sees the queens venture into small towns across America and rope locals — some supportive, some skeptical — into joining them for one-night-only drag shows. It’s real, it’s empowering, and it’s all but certain to tug at your water sign heartstrings.
Where to watch: HBO Max
Leo: RuPaul’s Drag Race
What better choice for fiery Leo than the show that brought drag to the masses? In case you’ve been living under a rock: Drag Race sees a crop of budding drag artists flex their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent for RuPaul herself. At the end of each season — to date, there are 18 — one lucky contestant is crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar. The show has launched dozens of performers’ careers and spawned countless spinoffs. With a legacy like that, you won’t be able to resist it. (A viewing recommendation from a former LogoTV employee: Watch Season 5, Season 6, Season 9, and All Stars 2, in that order. Thank me later.)
Where to watch: Paramount Plus
Virgo: Queer Eye
You’ve got the most discerning eye of the entire zodiac, Virgo, which is why you’ll appreciate Queer Eye. Netflix’s hit reboot of the early-aughts makeover show employs the same format with a new crop of queer experts (aka “the Fab Five”) and a more diverse slate of participants (i.e., not just straight guys). Alas, the series certainly went out with a bang. Come for the gratifying transformations, stay for the ample behind-the-scenes drama.
Where to watch: Netflix
Libra: Love ALLways
Ever the charmer, you’re a sucker for a flirty game, Libra. Enter Love Allways, which dares to ask the question, “What if we took The Bachelorette and made it pansexual?” It stars Lexi, a single queer woman searching for her soulmate among 14 suitors: seven men and seven women. Go in with low expectations, and you’ll have a good time.
Where to watch: YouTube
Scorpio: The Traitors
Mind games, stealth “murders,” Alan Cumming giving high-camp Scotsman realness… there are plenty of elements you’ll love about the US spinoff of The Traitors, Scorpio. Though it’s not strictly queer, this popular mafia-esque game show gets points for casting LGBTQ+ contestants from other reality programming. The strategy (and treachery) make for some addictively watchable television. A fourth season is coming, so catch up now.
Where to watch: Peacock
Sagittarius: Love Trip: Paris
A sapphic dating show with a travel element? Every Sag’s ears just perked up. This queer-inclusive (albeit short-lived) Freeform series whisks four American women away to the city of love, where they’re courted by Parisian suitors of various genders and sexualities. Not every storyline is queer — but the ones that are merit a binge-watch, especially for a restless fire sign like you.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Capricorn: The Ultimatum: Queer Love
In love and life, you don’t like ambiguity, Capricorn. You prefer to lock it down. So you’ll get a kick out of this infamously messy Netflix dating show, which features sapphics who’ve issued marriage ultimatums to their long-term partners. Each pair temporarily splits up, and everybody couples off with someone else in the same predicament to… test their connection, I guess? Or microdose nonmonogamy? It’s as absurd and unnecessarily high-stakes as it sounds — cue the epic fights and emotional unravelings.
Where to watch: Netflix
Aquarius: Legendary
Queer subcultures are your jam, Aquarius. You admire anyone who’s confident enough to do their own thing outside of the mainstream, which is why you’ll adore Legendary. The structure of this competition series pulls inspiration from the house and ballroom scene, a historically BIPOC community with deep roots in New York City. Contestants compete for different teams (a.k.a. houses) in dancing, voguing, and style competitions.
Where to watch: Tubi
Pisces: I Kissed A Girl
Face it, Pisces: You’re a hopeless romantic. And the premise of this Love Island-esque BBC dating show — in which single sapphics spend a summer abroad in a dreamy villa, where they’re pre-paired with someone else upon entry — will instantly appeal to you. A second season just dropped in the UK, though it’s a bit of a hassle to stream stateside. Binge Season 1 for now. Then chase it with I Kissed A Boy, the show’s gay spinoff. And then lament the fact that both series were canceled due to lack of funding.
Where to watch: Hulu
Get the best of what’s queer. Sign up for Them’s newsletters.