TOWIE's Vas J Morgan on being the ONLY Black man on Reality TV
"I don't feel anyone got to see the real Vas"
Following on from fantastic names such as The Vivienne, The X Factor's Janet Devlin, Queen of Reality TV Alison Hammond and Love Island's very own Amber Gill, Fleur East was joined by Vas J Morgan on The Reality of Reality TV.
Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.
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Catching up with Fleur East just a week after the death of George Floyd and just days after the Black Lives Matter protests started, it was a time of heightened emotions. As Fleur describes in her introduction, it was a very honest, open and raw chat.
Explaining to Fleur his reasons for going on TOWIE, Vas J Morgan said, "Do you know what? Reality TV was never something I set out to do. I never wanted to be famous, I never wanted to be on TV."
However, he explained but he was offered the role and wanted to give others the opportunity of seeing, "a Black gay man on Reality TV," something that hadn't been seen before.
Vas wanted to bring some diversity onto British TV because he had never seen it himself. The TV star went on to reveal that he felt going on to Reality TV allowed him to, "Spread good and positivity", and talk about what's going on in the world.
Speaking about his experience of being on TOWIE, Vas admitted he felt the pressure to conform to some of the stereotypes because of what he looks like. "I just feel like I am a multi-dimensional person, I'm multi-faceted, I'm sensitive, I'm funny, I'm caring, I'm loyal. Of course I'm direct and stand up for myself, but I'm not confrontational and aggressive.
"I feel like during my entire time on The Only Way Is Essex I felt this intense pressure to perpetuate the Black stereotype of the angry 6 foot 2 Black man."
He continued, "That's a stereotype that's been going round for years, if you watch any single soap opera the Black character is always the criminal, the angry person, or killed first. And I felt like that's what the viewer wanted to see so the producers pressured me to be that person."
He went on to explain that he would turn up at work and be given scenes where he was fighting, or arguing, but it was, "Either you play this role or you don't get airtime, and when you're in that environment you believe that airtime is the be-all and end-all of life."
The TOWIE star then explained what the show was like behind the scenes. Although there was no script as such the producers would plan the scenes and then brief the cast before they started filming.
Listen to the full episode NOW and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss future episodes.
The Reality of Reality TV is available every Tuesday through Apple podcasts, Spotify, the Hits Radio website and all mainstream podcast providers.
Now take a look at the Reality of Reality TV podcast episodes:
Episode 1: RuPauls' Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne
In Episode 1 is all about RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the gruelling work involved in the show, why drag is not just fab make-up and a gorgeous body, and what REALLY happened in that 'red wig and silver dress' moment. 👀
Next episode lands Tuesday 14th July, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out.
Episode 2: The X Factor's Janet Devlin
"Do I swallow that, or be the girl who throws up on national television?" Quite the conundrum for Janet Devlin, singer-songwriter, and finalist on The X Factor, who joins Fleur East on The Reality of Reality TV.
Episode 3: Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond has been on a lot of Reality TV shows, but there are some she wouldn't go on, Fleur East caught up with her to find out what she wouldn't go on.
Episode 4: Love Island's Amber Gill
Since leaving the famous Love Island villa, Amber has remained in the public eye, so we were over the moon to have her join The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, when she revealed how she really felt after THAT Casa Amor moment.
Episode 5: Vas J Morgan
Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.
Episode 6: JB Gill
JLS singer JB Gill admitted that they saw The X Factor almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.
Episode 7: Harry Redknapp
Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."
Episode 8: Vicky Pattison
Former Geordie Shore star and I'm a Celebrity winner, Vicky Pattison joined Fleur East to talk about her experiences of Reality TV and how two of the biggest shows she's been on differed in their support and preparation.
Episode 9: Jordan and Perri from Diversity
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, and have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.
Episode 10: Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona needs no introduction and in her own words, 'you hear before you see her!'. Through highs and lows, husbands and children, she's been gracing our reality TV screens for almost twenty years. So in the final episode of this series of The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, she speaks openly and honestly to one of our absolute Queens of Reality TV.
Who is Vas J Morgan?
Vas J Morgan is a Reality TV star who first appeared on The Only Way Is Essex back in 2014.
What is Vas J Morgan famous for?
Vas is famous for appearing on The Only Way Is Essex from 2014 to 2019 where he was a series regular.
Which TV shows has Vas J Morgan been on?
The TV star has appeared on The Only Way Is Essex from 2014 to 2019, and Celebs Go Dating in 2018.
What is Vas J Morgan doing now?
This year, Vas has launched the I AM ENOUGH foundation which is a fund that helps give free, professional mental health resources for the Black community.
What is The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
The Reality of Reality of TV is a podcast with Fleur East who has appeared on The X Factor twice and I'm A Celebrity. Throughout the podcast she speaks to some of the biggest names around in the reality TV world.
When is each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV released?
Each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV is released on a Tuesday, including this episode five are now available to listen to. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of the others!
How to listen to The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
You can now listen to all of the available podcast episodes from the Hits Radio website, through Apple podcasts, Spotify, and all mainstream podcast providers.
Who's been on The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
So far on the The Reality of Reality of TV podcast we’ve had The Vivienne from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Janet Devlin who appeared on The X factor, Alison Hammond who started out on Big Brother and Love Island's Amber Gill.
Catch Fleur East every weekday morning on Hits Radio from 6am. Wake The Fun up with Fleur joined by the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.