40+ Shocking Scandals That Reveal MTV's Hidden Secrets

Since the time it was made, MTV has always been the one-stop-spot for anyone wanting to keep up with everything concerning music and media. Yet, it's those laugh-out-loud real-life shows that keep pulling audience members back, making them want to watch episode after episode, time and time again. MTV, with its countless reality shows featuring stars and famous personalities, isn't shy about showing the gritty truth, even when it's bizarre and unexpected. Amidst the glitz and glamour, MTV has a shadowy facet. This includes all those scandals and hidden secrets that they've attempted to hide from the public eye. Here, we unveil the tales revealing what truly transpired when the cameras stopped rolling.

Violence Was Excused by MTV

In the most popular reality shows on MTV, there's an unspoken rule against physical violence. Even though it's not officially mentioned, the cast members know better than to use their fists, no matter how heated their disagreements become. This helps them retain their spots on the show.

Violence Was Excused by MTV
Screenshot from "Real World: Portland"

In 2013, a controversy stirred up when Nia Moore, a cast member of 'Real World: Portland,' faced accusations of physically confronting her fellow housemates. Despite this altercation, after a swift unofficial vote among the remaining housemates, Moore was permitted to remain on the show.

Nia Moore’s Last Straw

Even though Nia Moore wasn't asked to leave during her time on Real World: Portland, her aggressive behavior and bullying towards a co-star, Jordan Wisley, on the another show, The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes 2, resulted in her immediate expulsion from the program.

Nia Moore’s Last Straw
Screenshot from "Real World: Portland"

In a heated situation on the show Real World, both individuals came back even more aggressively on The Challenge. Nia Moore crossed the line this time. She engaged in actions involving Johnny Reilly Wisley such as pulling down his pants and speaking to him inappropriately, that were extremely unsuitable. Her hand activities went into areas it was not supposed to be. It was this type of unacceptable behavior that resulted in her removal from the show.

Tonya Cooley Sued MTV

Throughout the early 2000s, Tonya Cooley arose as a prominent name in the reality television scene. She first appeared on the show Real World: Chicago and her popularity her earned a steady presence on eight more spin-off series of this famed MTV reality show. The public came to know her as a regular face on their television screens.

Tonya Cooley Sued MTV
Screenshot from "Real World: Chicago"

Cooley, after her last time on the show in 2009, took legal action against MTV. She blamed them for fostering harmful manners among their performers, confirmed by her own encounter with assault on the program. In line with the Hollywood Reporter, she accused the showrunners of giving contestants unlimited drinks. She added that they go even beyond this by tempting additional controversial conduct by offering incentives.

MTV Said Cooley Was Too Flirtatious

Being mindful of its image was always a challenge for MTV due to the raw nature of its content, often chock-full with violent, alcohol-fueled episodes, and high-drama scenarios. Hence, when Tonya Cooley came forward with her lawsuit, the network didn't shy away from pointing fingers back at her for the problems she had raised.

MTV Said Cooley Was Too Flirtatious
Screenshot from "Real World: Chicago"

The major company Viacom, which owns MTV, came back at her court case saying some of the issues she was raising were because of how she behaved herself. The well-known Hollywood Reporter shared that Viacom said in their reply to the lawsuit that Cooley was often "frequently [under the influence]...rowdy, combative, flirtatious and...intentionally exposed her [body]." They met privately to get this court case settled and closed.