Between drama, hard work, and raw emotion, reality TV is known to make an audience feel truly connected to its cast members. In recent years, increased representation of minority groups and underrepresented communities in the genre has strengthened these connections.
In 2026, stars like Beatriz Hatz (Love Island USA Season 8) and Ezra Frech (Dancing With the Stars Season 35) have both represented the disabled community, creating important conversations around disabilities.
Frech was born with a congenital limb difference, missing the knee and fibula of his left leg, along with missing all but one finger on his left hand. In surgery, Frech’s left leg was amputated above the knee, and one of his toes was attached to his left hand to help him hold objects more easily. After having his left leg surgically removed at only two years old, Frech spent his childhood in athletics, and went on to become a two-time Paralympic Gold Medalist in Para Track and Field. At just 21 years old, he is now competing on Dancing With the Stars and has opened up about challenges with sharp turns and quick movements on the show.
Hatz was born with a congenital condition known as fibular hemimelia, meaning she was missing her right fibula at birth. At only 10 months old, she underwent surgery, having her right leg amputated below the knee. Hatz became very involved in sports throughout childhood, such as softball, basketball, and soccer, and is now a Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Para Track and Field. At 25, she was a contestant on Love Island USA, where she was very open about her experiences, and had many conversations with other contestants about how she navigated her amputation.
Frech and Hatz’s dedication to representing their community goes beyond reality TV. As medalists in the Paralympics, dedication and hard work are nothing new to them. Frech competed in his first world championship for Team USA at just 14 years old. Hatz was not too far behind, competing for the first time at 18 years old. With Hatz being a below the knee amputee and French’s amputation being above the knee, both experience unique challenges. Above the knee amputations often require a much larger amount of practice and strength to gain mobility, as the stability of the knee is removed. Above the knee amputees must learn to coordinate their leg with just the femur bone, relying on it fully to walk with prosthetics. Below the knee amputees still have their knee intact, but individuals must learn to navigate with a prosthetic leg which can cause pressure and pain to accumulate in the knee.
In the U.S., there are approximately 1.6 million people living with limb loss or deficiency. Frech and Hatz are breaking stereotypes, and proving each day that their differences only make them stronger. Their hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. Many amputees on TikTok and Instagram have made posts expressing how much this representation means to them. One user (@nataliemo14 on TikTok) even made a post of her friend’s reaction to Frech being on Dancing With the Stars. As they shared an emotional moment, she noted that this news represented “all she has accomplished with her short arm.” Beautiful moments like this exemplify why it is so important to create spaces for disabilities in the media.
For many people in the amputee community, limb loss came later in life, sometimes through traumatic events. Others may have been born with congenital limb loss like Frech and Hatz. No matter the experience, visibility makes underrepresented communities feel seen and understood. When a child with congenital limb loss sees Frech competing, it can inspire them to do things they may not have even thought possible. When an amputee sees Hatz finding love, they may be inspired to put themself out there and do the same.
From social media to TV and movies, our understanding of the world is significantly influenced by what we see presented. Exposure to prosthetics in these mediums encourages acceptance and inclusion while inspiring other amputees. Creating spaces in the media for amputees also brings awareness to biases and pre-existing notions about the community.
There is still a long way to go for disability visibility in reality TV, but Hatz and Frech have made their mark. How are your favorite shows implementing inclusivity and representation into their programs?