About Us

What is Reality?

Reality is any and everything we can experience and reflect upon. Reality is the everyday moments, great and small, from birth to death. Reality is the challenges, successes and failures of our shared experience. To experience the real is to know what it’s like to hope, to have faith, to be challenged, to love, know heartache and to reflect on the passage of time from youth to old age. Reality is found in exotic places, the homes of the elite, the kitchens of your local eateries, the halls of your schools and in your own backyard. The real is in the here and now.

Mission Statement

The American Reality Television Awards supports, examines, and redefines the art of reality in media by rewarding excellence, encouraging experimentation, and recognizing that the public is the heart of our industry. We embrace the spirit of fun and camaraderie which is an inherent part of what makes this industry great. We value the rich diversity of programming that puts reality in media on the leading edge of entertainment.

History

Executive Producers Kristen Moss and Andrew Ward founded the American Reality Television Awards (The ARTAS ®) in 2012, with the first ceremony held in 2014 to celebrate and redefine reality television. Joined shortly before the inaugural event, John Barra, a 2-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer for Jeopardy!, has served as showrunner and talent producer for over a decade. What began as a vision to honor excellence has grown into a global platform, with millions of votes cast annually, reflecting the public’s passion for reality TV. Reality television continues to be a dominant force in the industry, with shows like 90 Day Fiancé, The Masked Singer, and American Idol leading the pack.

Recent Winners and Notable Figures

The ARTAS have celebrated both rising stars and industry icons. In 2023, Wayne Brady won “Best Host” for Let’s Make a Deal, Dr. Sandra Lee took home the “Reality Royalty Award” for Dr. Pimple Popper, and 90 Day Fiancé claimed “Overall Show.” Historical winners of note include Ellen DeGeneres accepting “Best Game Show” in 2019, Steve Harvey for “Best Host” in 2019, Leah Remini as “Reality Queen” in 2015, and Gordon Ramsay for “Best Host” in 2015. Deadliest Catch holds the record for the longest streak, winning “Bad Ass Crew” four years running, while Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms secured “Best Villain” from 2014-2016. For a full list, visit Past Winners.

Hosts

The ARTAS have been led by an eclectic lineup of hosts, including Michelle Visage of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Matt Iseman of American Ninja Warrior, Jonathan Bennett of Cake Wars, Melissa Peterman of 25 Words or Less and Young Sheldon, Renee Paquette of WWE fame, Rachel Reilly of Big Brother and The Amazing Race, Vivica A. Fox, celebrated film and TV star, and most recently, Heather McDonald, who hosted the 11th annual awards in 2024.

Follow the American Reality Television Awards on social media at @RealityAwardsTV or trend #TheARTAS. For more details, visit www.realitytelevisionawards.com.