2025 Critics Choice Real TV Awards: Full Betting Guide & Predictions

The landscape of reality television is more vibrant and diverse than ever, and the Critics Choice Association is set to honor the best in the genre at the seventh annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards. With nominations unveiled on May 1, 2025, the buzz is building towards the announcement of winners online at criticschoice.com on May 20, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET. This guide will delve into the nominees, highlight the frontrunners, predict potential winners in key categories, and discuss the factors that could influence the outcomes – especially with fan voting playing a crucial role in select categories.

The Frontrunners: Shows Dominating the Nominations

This year, a few standout shows have garnered significant attention, leading the pack with multiple nominations.

The Traitors (Peacock): After a triumphant run at last year’s ceremony where it secured an impressive four awards, including Best Competition Series, The Traitors is back and stronger than ever with a leading six nominations for 2025. Its nominations span major categories: Best Competition Series, Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series, Male Star of the Year for both the charismatic host Alan Cumming and contestant Dylan Efron, and Female Star of the Year for Gabby Windey. This strong showing positions The Traitors as a formidable contender to repeat its success.

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) and Top Chef (Bravo): Close on the heels of The Traitors are two beloved reality staples, Dancing With the Stars and Top Chef, each earning four nominations. Dancing With the Stars saw breakout recognition for new host Julianne Hough, nominated for Female Star of the Year, and contestant Stephen Nedoroscik, who earned a nod for Male Star of the Year. Top Chef, a perennial favorite among food enthusiasts, continues to be recognized for its high-stakes culinary challenges and quality production, also vying for Best Competition Series and Best Culinary Show.

Key Categories: Predictions and In-Depth Analysis

While winners are chosen by a vote of the CCA membership, fan voting for Male and Female Star of the Year, Best Ensemble Cast, and Best Show Host (starting May 12 at criticschoice.com) adds an exciting layer of unpredictability and engagement. Here are our predictions for some of the most anticipated categories:

Best Competition Series:

Prediction: The Traitors. With its leading number of nominations and its previous win in this category, the psychological intrigue and compelling gameplay of The Traitors give it a significant edge.

Strong Contenders: Top Chef remains a benchmark for culinary competitions, and Survivor is an enduring powerhouse. However, the current momentum seems firmly with The Traitors.

Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series:

Prediction: This is a tough call and heavily influenced by fan voting. While The Traitors boasts a dynamic and talked-about cast, Dancing With the Stars often features a beloved mix of celebrities and professional dancers that resonates with a broad audience. We’ll lean towards The Traitors due to its overall buzz, but DWTS is a very close second.

Consider: The casts of Top Chef and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City also have dedicated fanbases that could mobilize for the vote.

Male Star of the Year:

Prediction: Alan Cumming. As the masterful host of the heavily nominated The Traitors, Cumming’s performance has been widely praised. However, Stephen Nedoroscik’s breakout appeal on Dancing With the Stars makes him a strong contender, especially with fan votes. Dylan Efron also benefits from The Traitors’ popularity.

Dark Horse: Antoni Porowski has a consistent fanbase from Queer Eye and his new culinary show.

Female Star of the Year:

Prediction: Julianne Hough. Her return to Dancing With the Stars as a host has been well-received, and the show’s multiple nominations indicate strong support. Gabby Windey is also a strong candidate due to her role in The Traitors.

Not to be Underestimated: Joanna Gaines and Ina Garten are lifestyle titans with immense popularity, and Lisa Vanderpump always commands attention. This category will heavily depend on fan mobilization.

Best Show Host:

Prediction: Alan Cumming. His theatrical and engaging hosting style on The Traitors is a standout. Kristen Kish, taking the reins of Top Chef, could also be recognized for stepping into a beloved role with grace and expertise.

Legacy Pick: Jeff Probst is synonymous with Survivor and always a strong contender. Fan voting will be critical here.

Best Competition Series: Talent/Variety:

Prediction: Dancing With the Stars. Given its strong showing in other categories, including nods for its talent, DWTS seems poised to take this.

Alternative: American Idol and The Voice are long-running hits with dedicated viewerships.

Best Culinary Show:

Prediction: Top Chef. Its nomination in the main Best Competition Series category underscores its quality and critical acclaim within the culinary genre.

Fan Favorite: The Great British Baking Show has a charm and international following that makes it a strong challenger.

Factors Influencing the “Odds”: What Sways the Votes?

Several factors can help predict who might take home the honors:

• Nomination Volume: Shows like The Traitors with six nominations naturally have higher visibility and are clearly resonating with the nominating committee.
• Past Performance: The Traitors’ sweep last year demonstrates its appeal to Critics Choice voters.
• Critical Acclaim vs. Popular Appeal: While CCA members (critics and journalists) handle most voting, the introduction of Fan Voting for Star of the Year, Ensemble Cast, and Show Host categories (starting May 12th) is a game-changer. This is where public sentiment directly impacts the results, making these categories particularly exciting.
• Breakout Moments & Narratives: The recognition for individuals like Stephen Nedoroscik (DWTS) and Dylan Efron (The Traitors) highlights the impact of compelling personal stories and standout performances.
• Consistency and Innovation: Long-standing shows like Top Chef or Survivor often win for maintaining quality, while newer, innovative concepts like The Traitors can capture the zeitgeist.

Whether your favorite is a high-stakes competition, a heartwarming lifestyle program, or a captivating docu-series, these awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the stars and shows that keep us glued to our screens. Be sure to cast your votes and tune in (virtually) on May 20th to see who takes home the coveted accolades!