The Complex host joins Boardroom Talks to discuss authentic reality TV, his die-hard Chiefs fandom, and what NFL and Bravo fans can learn by being loyal to their favorites.
Few networks command the loyalty of reality television enthusiasts quite like Bravo. Its lineup of franchises, from The Real Housewives to Vanderpump Rules, has bred stars who have amassed cult followings thanks to their authenticity on camera, iconic one-liners, and business ventures that catapult them to bona fide moguls.
Not as long-running as the aforementioned programs but nonetheless popular among Bravo fans is Summer House. The series premiered in 2017 and follows a group of friends who live in New York City but spend a weekend each July and August sharing a house in the Hamptons. Naturally, chaos and fun ensue, coinciding with just a bit (or plenty) of drama.
Each summer, new faces are introduced, and in Season 8, West Wilson joined the cast and quickly became a favorite among roommates and viewers. A Columbia, Missouri, native, Wilson is currently a journalist and host at Complex, interviewing the likes of Patrick Mahomes and, most recently, Ty Dolla $ign at ComplexCon. Sure, he’s a delight to watch on camera, but the 30-year-old is one of those rare “Bravolebrities” who’s just as likable in real life. His hobbies, like weekly kickball with his rec league and tailgating at least six hours before a Kansas City Chiefs game, prove Wilson has remained the same even if his online following has grown.
“The reason I like doing Summer House is because half of, even sometimes more than half of our show, is just surveillance footage,” he said to Boardroom. “It’s not necessarily scenes where you have to show up and you turn it on or off; there’s production everywhere. Our show is very much just, you show up for three days and live your life, and then you go home.
“And so I’ve always loved that our show is a very accurate portrayal of who you are, whether that’s good or bad. I think sometimes you learn things about yourself that you wouldn’t get to otherwise. It’s like a weird therapy, literally watching yourself from a GoPro. I haven’t done another show, obviously, but ours feels very, very authentic to who we are, which I think people probably like.”
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Captain Country
One of the perks of just being yourself on camera, which many on Bravo have benefited from, is the countless opportunities that arise from brands eager to work with you. In Wilson’s case, he tells Boardroom it was a surreal experience working alongside Captain Morgan. With football season nearing playoff contention territory, fans have likely seen Wilson traveling the country to promote its new interactive experience, “The Captain’s Challenge,” which encourages fans to be the biggest and loudest on their home turf for ultimate bragging rights. A perusal through his social media will tell you that Wilson isn’t just a Chiefs fan, he is THE Chiefs fan.
“It’s pretty flattering when a brand wants just you and caters the partnership around you,” said Wilson about this collab. “So, that was super easy, and then we’ve kind of just kept growing it from there.”
The collab doesn’t stop with on-site activations. There’s also a vintage-inspired merch collection aimed at football fans who missed out on gear during The Captain’s Challenge.
In the latest Boardroom Talks, Wilson opened up about life away from reality TV, the shift in how media is absorbed these days, who his style inspirations are, and left this piece of insight regarding what Bravo and NFL fans can learn from each other when it comes to rooting for their favorites even when they disappoint.
“It’s a long season,” he said. “There’s going to be ups and downs, and if things aren’t going well right in the moment, things can get better. We can always rebuild. If you’ve been a football fan your whole life, no matter what team you’re a fan of, it’s a cycle.”
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