How Many Reality Show Contestants Don't Survive?

With the popularity of Reality Television, there are a lot of people who come from nothing to end up being in the front and center on television. We all know that being a celebrity can take it's toll in several ways, but how many people realize just how out of control it can be? Has anyone really ever stopped to think about the number of Reality Television "stars" that end up committing suicide after their show is over?

Recent headlines has brought to the forefront the problem of reality television stars rising to rapid fame, either positively or negatively and the problems that this rapid rise to call. The most recent, Paula Goodspeed was found to have committed suicide outside the home of Paula Abdul, who is a judge on American Idol. Goodspeed had been, according to some stories, stalking Abdul for the last 17 years and was let through to the judges auditions during the 2005 audition for the 2006 season of American Idol.

Goodspeed, however, is not the first to commit suicide after being on a Reality show and it's not just a problem with Reality television shows here in the United States either. For instance, a contestant from Australian Idol's first season recently committed suicide after a performance recently. And it's not just Idol contestants who are committing suicide either. In 2007, Cheryl Kosewicz, Pirate Master hopeful, takes her own life. This happened after the show had been filmed but while it was being aired. It was pulled from the air before it was completed, due to low ratings.

Even a contestant on the NBC Reality Show, The Contender, committed suicide before the series ever aired. The show went on, as planned, and was picked up by ESPN for two more seasons and possibly Versus for a fourth season. Not much has been said about any of these suicides, outside of Goodspeed's, but they are definitely not something that should be taken lightly, especially if you're going to apply for a Reality Show.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that suicide is not the only issue that is facing reality television stars. Much like the rest of the celebrity world, they face the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the lure of the party scene. Another thing to keep in mind is that these problems don't just affect celebrities, they affect every single person in this world. Every single person in this world can fall into the lure of drugs, alcohol and partying, they can also fall victim to suicide. No matter the person or the circumstances, everyone is the same. We're all human beings.

Think long and hard before putting that celebrity up on a pedestal to worship, remember that they are just like the rest of us.