William & Mary Business Law Review
Real Housewives & Real Crimes: The Implications of Broadened Privacy Rights on White-Collar Offenses
Abstract
Reality television stars turn their fame into fortune, often blurring ethical lines as they exploit their platforms for personal gain. These personalities engage in fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement, all while maintaining a prominent presence on-screen. Specifically, stars on The Real Housewives franchise realize tremendous successes from their stints on the famous television show by capitalizing on their exposure through social media. With their newfound wealth and fame, many of these stars commit white-collar crimes under their viewers’ watchful eyes. This Note examines three prevailing examples of reality television stars who committed various white-collar crimes. Interestingly, networks tolerate criminal behavior because the contractual relationship with their talent permits the companies to collect royalties from a star’s business ventures. Although contractual relationships require a star to discuss their legal matters on television, stars are becoming savvy in their ability to call on privacy laws to limit their negative exposure. As technology exploitation and constitutional concerns continue to rise, the courts and state legislatures attempt to balance an individual’s right to privacy with public interest in acquiring important information. This Note proposes that courts and the legislature should resist broadening privacy protections to reality television stars who commit white-collar crimes by exploiting their platforms.