Anybody who had TikTok at some point or another could probably list off a couple of the “A list” stars without skipping a beat. Think Addison Rae, Charlie and Dixie Damelio, Avani, the list goes on. If you know who those people are then you are most likely also aware of this stepping stone at the beginning of their careers: the Hype House. 

The Hype House is a group of risen or currently rising TikTok celebrities that live in a large house in Los Angeles with the goal of creating fun content together and collaboratively gaining fame and followers. The Hype House took TikTok by a storm in 2019 and has been known to produce some of the most well known TikTokers to exist. Unsurprisingly this unique concept caught the attention of Netflix and before long a reality TV show centered around the members of the Hype House’s lives was produced. 

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The first season of Hype House was released on Jan 6 2021 containing eight episodes lasting about 30 minutes or more. Personally, I had very low expectations of this show for various reasons and I told myself I wasn’t going to watch it, but curiosity got the better of me and I ended up starting and finishing the series within the first two days that it was released. 

However entertaining, the Hype House show was far from perfect. The ideal time to film this show would have been during its peak fame at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020. This was back when the content house was most popular and they still had the most famous members, such as the D’amelio sisters and Avani Gregg. Many of the most loved members of the Hype House had already left before the idea of a reality show was formed. 

As someone who doesn’t pay a significant amount of attention to the rise and fall of TikTok stars, at the beginning of the show I enlisted my sisters help to give me the details and past dirt of each and every character, given that I had only heard of three of the many members of the house. But once I figured out who was who, it only got better from there. 

Speaking from someone who hardly watches reality TV or TikTok, I was surprised by how invested I became in this show. None of the documented drama within the content house was overwhelming, over exaggerated, or purposefully hurtful. The show mainly documented the highs and lows and struggles and triumphs that naturally came with sticking 10 people in a house and telling them to live together, work together, and maintain strong friendships and relationships. All problems that arose were dramatic in the moment but always resolved without an excessive amount of sides being taken or names being dragged through the mud, which was a relief considering those are the two main aspects of the average American reality show. 

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The show also showcased the effects that come with instantaneous fame and buried personal trauma. Viewers learned more about the pasts of their beloved TikTokers throughout this show as they worked through their individual trauma and experiences. This show emphasized the idea that nobody is without issues. A level of vulnerability was shown from the characters which helped the viewers feel like they personally know these stars and see them for who they are, more than just a dance on TikTok or a prank on Youtube. 

All in all, I would give Hype House eight out of 10 stars, for its more supportive take on reality TV, interesting plot and confessionals, and its personable demeanor. The main downside of this show was its lack of “A list” TikTokers, however I still enjoyed learning the names and personalities of each member of the house for the first time. Enjoyment of the show would require a basic understanding of TikTok and social media as a whole, however being familiar with the concept of content houses or the members of Hype House is not necessary to be entertained and invested.