The new reality series Hellbent for Hollywood is being touted as American Idol meets Survivor, which I’m guessing will end up being more like Showtime at the Apollo meets Fear Factor. Out actresses Noelle Messier and Skyler Cooper (Butch Mystique, Don’t Go) have been cast to compete in the upcoming series.
The Hellbent website details the concept behind the show:
In the entertainment industry bankability is king. That means how many people will show up or tune in is critical to the success of an actor’s career. The film and television industry calls this an actor’s “Q” rating and a high “Q” rating equals starpower. Every actor on Hellbent for Hollywood needs your vote to build their “Q.” As the viewer you have the ultimate power to add to any one of these actor’s box office appeal and starpower which is their bankability.
Of course, when you go to the website to vote for your “favorite,” you’re staring at 100 faces, no extra information, no video footage to judge their acting abilities – it’s like a popularity contest based on bad yearbook photos.
It’s hard to tell whether or not Messier got lucky – her photo came out really well compared to most of her competition but her photo is towards the bottom of the page.
She seems to be taking things in stride and at the very least, she isn’t taking the show too seriously. She recently wrote on her blog
Hellbent For Hollywood is the name of the acting competition reality show I have sold my soul to. The word “hell” conjures up images of reciting Shakespeare while dancing over hot coals or receiving electric shock treatments for forgetting lines. The producers assure me this is not the case. But since when do they tell the truth on a reality show? I keep telling myself it will be one of those empowering and life changing events.
Most importantly, she is dedicating her participation to the LGBT community in an effort to gain exposure.
“Being cast in Hellbent for Hollywood is forcing me to market myself and grovel for votes on the Internet,” she said, “but more importantly, it is giving me a chance to put my money where my mouth is. I am always the first one to say how important it is for the LGBT community to be out and visible in the media. The more we are out there, the more people will slowly begin to accept us as normal and not scary, closeted, hell bent sinners. If we can’t accept who we are, how can we expect anyone else to? So, I am planning on winning this show as an out lesbian actress come hell or high water or fire or brimstone or electric shocks or whatever.”
I mean, let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point. Let’s also hope this show isn’t as awful as I’m picturing it to be. Please, prove me wrong, I beg of you! To vote for Messier and Cooper, go to the Hellbent website, subscribe, and press the magic button.
Does this show sound interesting to you at all? Will you be watching simply because you want our gal pal to win?
