Miriam: Death of a Reality Star Episode 2, 30 April 2024, Channel 4

In the second episode of Miriam: Death of a Reality Star, airing on Channel 4 on Tuesday 30 April, the documentary series shifts its focus to Miriam Rivera’s troubled childhood and the events leading up to her appearance on the controversial reality show There’s Something About Miriam.

Born in Mexico in 1981, Rivera, assigned male at birth, displayed signs of gender dysphoria from a young age. Preferring dolls to baseball, she began taking hormones at the age of 11. Her disapproving father performed an exorcism in an attempt to “cure” her, leading Rivera to flee to Tijuana and later the United States in search of a better life.

Rivera’s journey eventually brought her to the UK, where she joined the transgender girl band Speed Angels. It was here that TV producer Remy Blumenfeld spotted her and cast her in There’s Something About Miriam. The show, set in Ibiza, featured six men competing for Rivera’s affections, unaware that she was a transgender woman. The contestants were subjected to various physical challenges and dates with Rivera, with the winner receiving a £10,000 reward.

In the final episode, Rivera revealed to the contestants that she was born a man. This revelation led to a furious reaction, with one contestant vandalising the set and chasing the director. The contestants sued the show’s producers, alleging conspiracy to commit sexual assault, defamation, breach of contract, and emotional distress. The show’s airing was delayed due to the legal proceedings, but it eventually premiered in February 2004, attracting high ratings.

Exploring the impact on Rivera’s life

Miriam: Death of a Reality Star looks into the aftermath of the show and its impact on Rivera’s life. She became known as “Britain’s first transgender TV star”, but her treatment by the media and the public was far from positive. Friends believe she suffered from PTSD, and her life took a tragic turn as she struggled with drug addiction and was allegedly kidnapped and forced into sex slavery. Rivera was found dead in her mother’s apartment in Mexico in 2019, with her death ruled as suicide.

Miriam: Death of a Reality Star Episode 2 airs on Channel 4 at 9:00 pm on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.