Carlos King Talks Building Black Reality TV, Creative Ownership, and Storytelling Power
Carlos King has become the creative force behind some of television’s most-watched unscripted shows - a producer whose name now carries as much weight as the series he creates.
The Detroit native, called by fans the “King of Reality TV,” has turned overlooked regions into prime destinations for storytelling. His Love & Marriage franchise transformed Huntsville, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. into cultural centers for relationship-driven drama, while Belle Collective showcased the power and complexity of women in Jackson, Mississippi. The OWN hit returns Friday with a new season that deepens both the storytelling and King’s creative reach.
How a Detroit Producer Changed the Script
King’s career began at Bravo, where he became the first Black man to executive produce a season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. That experience shaped his creative lens. “Working on Housewives gave me the confidence to lead,” he says. “But it also showed me I could create shows that look like the world I know — layered, funny, ambitious, and honest.”
From that foundation, he launched Kingdom Reign Entertainment, now responsible for more than 60% of OWN’s unscripted programming. “It’s still surreal,” he says. “I watched Oprah Winfrey every day with my mom in Detroit. Now I get to produce multiple shows for her network. That’s purpose coming full circle.”
Why Ownership Defines His Path
For King, control over his work is as important as the work itself.
“When you sell a show, you lose it,” he explains. “You spend months developing something, casting, writing, producing — and the moment it’s sold, you no longer own it. That never sat right with me.”
That mindset led him to prioritize ownership in every project — from his television slate to his hit podcast Reality with the King. “It’s mine,” he says. “No one dictates what I say, when I say it, or how I move. That’s freedom — and that’s legacy.”
A Focus on Authenticity and Representation
King has long understood the power of authentic representation. As an openly gay Black man, he’s navigated spaces where diversity often stops at the casting call. “I’ve seen it all — racism, homophobia, bias — but I use it as fuel,” he says. “You can lead with strength and still carry grace. You can make change without turning every moment into a confrontation.”
His productions reflect that balance — dramatic yet grounded, stylish yet sincere. “I want my shows to look like real life,” he says. “The audience can feel what’s genuine. The more honest it is, the more they stay invested.”
The Blueprint for a Hit Show
King’s process comes down to three elements: people, perspective, and truth. “The cast is everything,” he says. “The show succeeds or fails on who you choose.”
He also pushes for originality. “If the story feels familiar, it won’t last. We’ve seen Atlanta. We’ve seen L.A. But when you take us to Huntsville or Jackson, it feels fresh.”
And above all, honesty drives it all. “Audiences can sense when someone’s performing. They want transparency. That’s the currency now.”
Defining His Own Legacy
Some compare King to Bravo’s Andy Cohen — a parallel he takes as acknowledgment, not competition. “Andy’s brilliant at what he does,” King says. “And I’m brilliant at what I do. But my story is rooted in ownership and creating spaces that show who we really are.”
For King, the next chapter is about expansion — more platforms, more stories, more creative freedom. “I’ve worked every job in this business,” he says. “Now my focus is building opportunities for others to do the same.”
Carlos King’s work isn’t just entertainment — it’s infrastructure for the next generation of storytellers. His formula is simple: build truthfully, create intentionally, and keep the ownership where it belongs.
