Who is Josh Seiter? All About ‘Bachelorette’ Contestant who Faked being Transgender

Josh Seiter became a name that many recognize thanks to his brief appearance on The Bachelorette in 2015, but since then, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Known for stirring controversy, Seiter has made headlines multiple times for his wild antics and personal declarations that have shocked and intrigued the public. From faking his death to pretending to be transgender as part of a so-called “social experiment,” his life has been anything but predictable. But behind all of the drama lies a complex figure whose actions have forced people to question his motivations and the lines between reality and performance.

Who is Josh Seiter?

Josh Seiter first rose to fame as a contestant on The Bachelorette, where he was eliminated in the first week, making him one of the most memorable early exits in the show’s history. Before his reality TV stint, Seiter earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2013, showcasing a different side to his persona—one rooted in academia and legal studies. While his reality TV fame never truly bloomed, Seiter’s ability to stay in the public eye has largely been driven by his social media presence and controversial moments.

In addition to his time on The Bachelorette, Seiter has built a career on platforms like OnlyFans, where he has continued to push boundaries and create buzz. Throughout his journey, he has spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health, including bipolar depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His openness about these challenges has garnered a following, but it has also opened him up to public scrutiny, especially given the contentious nature of his recent decisions.

What has Josh Seiter been known for?

Seiter briefly competed on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2015.
Source: ABC

While many associate Seiter with his brief appearance on The Bachelorette, his actions following the show have kept him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In 2023, he shocked followers by claiming that he had died, only to later claim that his account had been hacked and the news was false. The bizarre episode drew outrage, and Seiter’s response was dismissive and unapologetic, fueling further public skepticism about his motives. His claim of being “hacked” didn’t quell the controversy but deepened the mystery surrounding his actions.

But the drama didn’t stop there. In May 2024, Seiter made another bold claim: he “came out” as a transgender woman, posting about his “transition” to garner attention. As expected, this announcement didn’t go unnoticed. Seiter received backlash from the transgender community, who felt that he was mocking their struggles for the sake of a “social experiment.” What followed were videos of him wearing makeup, jewellery, and clothing typically associated with women, all while speaking about his supposed gender transition. This behaviour quickly stirred up outrage, leading to accusations that Seiter was exploiting the transgender experience for personal gain.

In October 2024, Seiter revealed that his “transition” was all part of a social experiment to expose what he claimed was the “delusional” nature of postmodern gender ideology. He stated that his intention was to showcase how gullible and “delusional” people are when it comes to issues surrounding gender identity. His actions sparked further controversy, leading many to label him as insensitive and harmful to the transgender community. Seiter’s attempt to justify his actions as an experiment only fueled the fire, leaving the public questioning his motives.

How did Josh Seiter’s fake death incident unfold?

In August 2023, an Instagram post claimed that Seiter had passed away. The post, written by a supposed family member, announced his death and was widely reported by news outlets like People and Variety. However, within hours, Seiter’s account posted another message claiming that his initial death announcement resulted from a hack. Seiter explained that he had technical difficulties with his account and later regained access with the help of “tech-savvy friends.” This bizarre series of events only deepened the public’s distrust of Seiter, and many began to speculate that the entire incident was a publicity stunt.

Seiter, who has long been accused of seeking attention and creating drama for personal gain, failed to offer concrete evidence that his account had been hacked. Despite this, he continued to defend his actions, further fueling the narrative that he was not to be taken seriously. His apparent lack of remorse or accountability for the death hoax only solidified his reputation as a controversial figure with questionable motives.

Why did Josh Seiter pretend to be transgender?

Josh Seiter while he was pretending to be a transgender.
Source: Instagram

In an attempt to further challenge gender norms, Seiter announced in 2024 that he was transitioning to a transgender woman. This claim, however, seemed to have no foundation in reality. Seiter made it clear that he was not undergoing hormone treatment or gender-affirming surgeries. Yet, he continued to post videos and photos of himself in women’s clothing, speaking about his journey as though he were genuinely transitioning. In a series of interviews, Seiter explained that he felt liberated after the death of his father and that coming out as transgender allowed him to express himself freely.

However, Seiter’s behaviour quickly garnered backlash from both the transgender community and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Many accused him of trivializing the very real struggles that transgender individuals face, particularly when it comes to navigating a world that is often hostile toward them. Seiter’s actions were seen as a deliberate attempt to mock the transgender experience for the sake of a “social experiment.” His announcement, paired with his history of creating drama for attention, led many to believe that Seiter was using the transgender community as a means to fuel his notoriety.

What’s the connection between Monica Beverly Hillz and Josh Seiter?

Monica Beverly and Josh Seiter.
Source: Reddit

In 2023, Seiter found himself at the centre of a controversy involving RuPaul’s Drag Race star Monica Beverly Hillz. The two briefly dated in what Seiter described as a “three-week relationship.” However, after their breakup, Seiter posted on social media that they had parted ways, citing his focus on his adult film career. Hillz, however, was vocal in her criticism of Seiter, particularly regarding his fake death hoax. Hillz claimed that Seiter’s explanation for the incident was unconvincing, and she wrote a post criticizing men who seek attention by exploiting others for fame.

Seiter’s tumultuous relationship with Hillz and their subsequent fallout only fueled the public’s perception of him as someone who seeks out drama and thrives on controversy. Hillz’s critique of Seiter highlighted the toxic behaviour many fans saw as indicative of his more extensive pattern of attention-seeking actions.

FAQs

Who is Josh Seiter? Josh Seiter is a reality TV personality known for his brief appearance on The Bachelorette in 2015. He later became infamous for his controversial online behavior, including faking his death and pretending to transition as part of a social experiment.

What was Josh Seiter’s fake death incident? In August 2023, Seiter’s social media accounts posted a message claiming he had passed away. Hours later, Seiter announced that his account had been hacked, and the death claim was false. This incident raised questions about his credibility.

Why did Josh Seiter pretend to be transgender? In 2024, Seiter claimed to have transitioned to a transgender woman as part of a social experiment to expose what he called the “delusional” nature of gender identity politics. His actions sparked outrage from the transgender community, who accused him of mocking their experiences for attention.

What is the connection between Josh Seiter and Monica Beverly Hillz? Seiter briefly dated RuPaul’s Drag Race star Monica Beverly Hillz. After their breakup, Hillz publicly criticized Seiter, particularly for his involvement in the fake death incident, which led to further public backlash.