20 celebrities who showcased explosive family drama on reality TV

Toni, Trina, Tamara, Towanda, and Traci Braxton appeared in the WETV reality show about their family, The Braxton Family Values, from 2011 to 2020. Throughout the production's original run, the famous sisters constantly fought over industry drama, such as singing background and releasing another family album, as well as much more, including relationship drama between romantic partners. 

During the show's sixth season, the family invited inspirational speaker and spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant into their home to help fix their issues. The gathering, however, only resulted in additional tears, screams, and wounds than before. 

We know that the Kardashian family, especially Kim, has showcased a lot of their drama on reality television, thanks to their long-running series that aired 20 seasons before concluding in 2021. Some of their feuds have been petty, especially the time the girls fought over a $250,000 Bentley. However, several have been quite explosive, such as the time Kourtney and Kim got into a physical fight over a miscommunication about work. 

Todd and Julie Chrisley appeared to have it all, and they flashed it on their family show Chrisley Knows Best. That act, although entertaining, was just that. In 2022, the Chrisleys were found guilty on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion and, in November, sentenced to a combined 19-year prison term. Although they couldn't share much about the specifics of their case while filming, the show certainly did highlight it over the last couple of seasons. 

Former Bengals wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson filmed the family edition of the WETV reality show Marriage Boot Camp with his mother, Paula, in 2017. "I am here to repair [our] relationship," he told the cameras about the bond he had with his mother. "When I was five years old, my mom left me with my grandmother. So, there's always been a disconnect." 

Grammy-winning songwriter Kandi Burruss was a mainstay on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta for nearly 15 years. Throughout her run on the show, Burruss, who also featured her family members and best friends in her storylines, showcased her fair share of drama. From explosive fights with her husband to memorable fights with her mother, the singer owned it all, and we're thankful for that. 

Kyle and Kim Richards first began feuding during Season 1 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills . Since then, they've experienced ups and downs, which have been chronicled in the series, making for gripping television. Their eldest sister, Kathy Hilton (yes, that Hilton), also joined the series in the 2020s, and if you thought her experience would be peaceful —think again. She, too, has fought with her sisters on camera, and although they always make it through, it's always a sight to see. 

Original "bad girl" Natalie Nunn appeared in one of the earlier seasons of WETV's Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars. At the time, she was going through a difficult period in her marriage, considering her football player husband, Jacob Payne, wanted her to settle down. Nunn, however, only wanted to keep partying. 

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from The Hills also appeared in Marriage Boot Camp. Their storyline, however, was not new to viewers, considering the pair have been showing their relationship on camera since the early 2000s. Why stop now? 

Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens appeared in an emotional episode of the TV show Iyanla Fix My Life. During his meeting with the motivational speaker and spiritual coach, T.O. shared a lot about how his "broken" relationship with his parents impacted him growing up. The former 49ers player displayed much vulnerability, telling his mother through tears that his heart had been "shattered." 

Former Detroit Pistons player Jason Maxiell wasn't the focus of Basketball Wives; however, his wife, Brandi, was. During their stint on the VH1 show, they let viewers into their lives, where they showed it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Much of their storyline revolved around Maxiell's infidelity and unwillingness to commit to his family. He also addressed his behavior on an episode of Iyanla Fix My Life, where he admitted to having sex with "341" different women. 

Gospel singers Mary Mary, also known as Tina and Erica Campbell, filmed six seasons of their electrifying reality show from 2012 to 2017. Not only did the sisters get into explosive showdowns themselves over their looks and sound, but they also discussed Tina's husband's continued infidelity. Now, that was an unexpected storyline. 

Famous singers Brandy and Ray J shared it all during the early seasons of their reality show, A Family Business. Even then, the siblings fought, and it doesn't seem like things are much better today. “Nothing, it’s just, Brandy’s goals since the beginning have been totally different from [mine]," the "One Wish" singer told Shannon Sharpe. 

"And lately even certain events I think they been having…I haven’t got the invite, and I’m good with that. But I understand why. It’s just a lot of the sh-t I’m doing now is just a little more left field, a little more outrageous, a little louder. A little more dramatic. A tad bit distasteful at times.”

Ronnie and Shamari DeVoe let viewers into their marriage and bedroom during Season 11 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The "Blaque" singer told her co-stars about her and Ronnie's open marriage, which lasted for over a year and a half. 

Superstar singer Keyshia Cole said she learned many "life-long lessons" while filming the drama on her reality show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. In a later interview, she reflected on the several seasons of the show, saying she showcased the tough moments, like her mother's addiction struggles, because they were real things she experienced.

T.I. and Tiny had no choice but to share it all, including the rapper's legal troubles and stints in jail while filming their reality show T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle from 2011 to 2017. Talk about drama!

Like many others, Xscape singers (and sisters) Tamika and LaTocha Scott had a falling out on reality TV over money. During episode 6 of SWV & XSCAPE: The Queens of R&B, the two performers almost came to blows after Tamika confronted her sibling over a business deal gone wrong. 

Who could forget about Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day and her relationship with Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D? We certainly can't. The two beauties appeared on a previous season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, where they attempted to work through their problems, such as listening and communication. 

16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham became a seasoned reality star after appearing on MTV in 2009. Throughout her career, Abraham has been featured on other shows, like Ex On The Beach and Celebrity Big Brother. However, she showcased more of her personal and family life during an emotional season of Marriage Boot Camp. There, she discussed her fractured relationship with her parents while participating in different activities to help strengthen it. 

Real Housewives star Shereé Whitfield and her former NFL player husband Bob shared their messy divorce on the first few seasons of Bravo's Atlanta iteration. Shereé also blasted the ex-Falcons player for allegedly not providing care for his children at the time. "It's going on four years in September that you have not paid child support," she told him. 

Bob Whitfield wasn't the only football player on Bravo. Former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart also went through a nasty divorce from his ex-wife Porsha Williams during Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.