During the first episode of the new reality tv series by Lifetime, Little Women, one of the women being followed throughout the show exclaims “We all see life from the same perspective!” and laughs.
This is a joke, of course, because she is a Little Person. Little Women: LA follows the lives of 6 women living with Dwarfism in Los Angeles, CA. All of them have had careers in the entertainment industry at some point, some of them are still performing and working in that industry while others have moved on (such as Christy.)
On the one hand, this show is a nice change of pace from the other reality tv shows about people with disabilities. Instead of being about how inspiring and wonderful they are for just living, it definitely shows the interpersonal drama between the five women. This show is definitely not what some in the disability community call “inspiration porn”. There are a few single moms on the show. Two women are getting married, and another just got divorced and is looking at maybe dating again. They are
On the other hand, the show still feels a lot like a sideshow. Reality tv such as Little Women, Push Girls, and Little People Big World are all within the category of letting able bodied viewers ogle the lives of the disabled, and view them through a safe lens in which they don’t have to participate in the life of a disabled individual but can rather look at their story.
To me, these reality tv shows are a continuation of the gaze created by sideshow performances. The exception comes when subjects of importance actually come up – during the second episode of Little Women, Terra asks Elena (who is from Russia) what the worst thing that has ever happened to her because of her dwarfism, because she used the word “midget” a term which most in the Little People community find offensive. When these discussions occur on reality tv, I find it refreshing – because people who may never have thought about it in that way before might now have a sense of the difference.
Little Women: LA airs on Mondays on Lifetime. I’ll be watching all summer long to see if it gets better or worse. These first three episodes aren’t wholly promising, but they also aren’t a total disaster.
This is what I see….
Terra is a pushy, bully. Everything is about her.
Tonya thinks she knows everything, she thinks she is so tough and no rules apply to her. These type of individuals are not true friends, nor can they be true to themselves.
Christy is a trouble maker and in everyone’s business
Elena is a true person, some of the things she has done to the other ladies were accidents.i truly feel she did not know that she did anything wrong.
Traci is whiney….very irritating
Briana only wants to find love. But she needs to watch Matt, keep reservations about him.
Todd has a chip on his shoulder but he loves Christy.
Joe is a obnoxious jerk.
Eric seems ok, maybe a touch of tough guy behavior.
Matt – I have reservations about, simply because of the report about him.
Preston is a quite individual, he loves Elena.
Lila is new to the group but she seems like there is an underlying motive of her friendship.
I believe all of you need to move on with your lives and stay away from each other.
France’s K, you are right on track! I liked this show at first, but due to the petty fighting, I probably won’t watch additional seasons. On the reunion show part 1, I saw the preview for “Terra’s Little Family”. As the most unlikeable personality on current reality tv, this reminds me of when New York succeeded in suckering the network into a spin-off of Flavor Flav. Terra is proof that nasty people come in all shapes and sizes and what is up with that dance she does in the intro? I have fast forwarded most of the reunion, as watching her histrionic bullying of Christy is painful. I, too, would love to hang out with Christy. As far as Brianna goes, she is absolutely beautiful! Why Elena initially put up with Terra’s meanness & jealousy is puzzling, but hopefully her clothing line will do so well she can ditch this show & spend time with her handsome hubby. Christy is a fake, dramatic, self righteous follower & pairs well with Tonya, Terra’s main bulldog. Tonya’s usual response to a conversation is a negative input & where is she getting these guys? My hope for is that after Terra (Finally) has her baby Joe will put aside his passion for Elena & go after Lila and Lila will then kick him to the curb. He is a total jerk. Oh, yeah & I hope someone takes Tonya up on her tough girl act. And I especially hope the producers realize that we want to see strong women overcoming life’s obstacles & treasuring real friendships, instead of giving us yet another mean girl group in another size:(
JOE IS A JERK,
Terra is the biggest trouble maker I have ever seen. If some one gets mad at her, she whines and cries with excuses – and she talks about Christy? She is far worse doing same thing. Her husband a catch? Yuk!!! He is biggest jerk, a very mean person. She gossips and butts in people”s business all the time. The other ladies have issues, but are not mean.
I agree one hundred percent, Terra, is a troublemaker. However, my focus is on the older one, Tanya. How dare you calling out Christie asking her if she has Autism no joke!. To you it’s okay to call transgender people, it or whatever they are. LIFETIME, GET A CLUE. PAY ATRENTIO. TO WHAT YOU REPRESENT.
Terra is the one who causes all the trouble, and gets all the other girls involved. Christy…you go girl your the only one that knows what there doing, and truly has more compassion then all of them put together. Brianna has nothing else to talk about except for Christy. wake up Brianna, Christy is a true friend to you , just listen to what she has to say for once and stop being a follower. You just want to be the center of attention with all the girls.. Ellena can see right through the rest of the group, and she knows Christy is true blue. Tonya you think your above everyone else and everything has to be your way. that’s why Terra is your best friend because shes your little puppet, Terra stop crying about everything !!!!!! We can see right through you. Be Lucky Todd ,Christy is a great person, she dosnt want the drama in her life, (but Terra keeps it going for her. )