Dear Bravo,
I can’t believe I’m writing this. Again.
In 2017, I penned a note to you lamenting the lack of women featured in leading roles in your Million Dollar Listing reality show franchise.
At the time, you only had one female lead: Tracie Tutor Maltas in Los Angeles. Fast forward to 2019 — you have exactly one female lead — and it’s still Tracie in Los Angeles.
On the East Coast, the number remains zero. After Luis Ortiz originally left Million Dollar Listing New York (MDLNY) back in 2016, I thought for sure you’d cast a female lead to give a more realistic picture of the real estate industry.
But no. That time around you cast Steve Gold, a top Town-turned-Corcoran agent. I am sure Gold is a great guy and a wonderful broker, just as I know Ryan Serhant and Fredrik Eklund are both amazing at what they do — but what about the women?
We’re out here in the trenches everyday, hustling just as hard to close deals, and yet we have no representation on what is possibly the most visible real estate show on the planet.
About a year ago, Bravo began casting calls again in search of a new star broker for MDLNY, and you cast a wide net among both genders.
At last! Here’s a shot for the girls, I thought.
However, news soon broke that Triplemint’s Tyler Whitman snagged the part and that Luis Ortiz is back for Season 8. (Full disclosure — Whitman is a friend and a great agent, and I am really happy for him, and I also think Ortiz is brilliant on the show).
Personal feelings aside, this doesn’t change the fact that more spots are going to guys — and it’s literally an all-male cast!
What gives, Bravo? Is it that hard to find a qualified woman who can bring all the drama, flare and big-ticket listings to your show? I know for a fact New York City is chock full of fierce female brokers — and we’re overdue for the spotlight. Some of the most influential real estate leaders and top-producing agents are women — so why not give credit where credit is due and cast a leading lady on your show?
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), women make up 67 percent of the entire Realtor workforce nationwide. It does not make sense for MDLNY to alienate more than half of the population it represents. And while I understand the show is strictly entertainment, it has become ubiquitous and synonymous with our industry on a global stage.
So, I ask again: Where are the women? I’ll keep asking until you do your part.
The ball is in your court, Bravo.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ann Stribling Kivlan
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Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan is the president of Stribling & Associates.
