Nightline: War with Iran War with Iran: Day 20
Mar 20, 2026
Reza Farahan, reality TV star and author who champions Middle Eastern and LGBTQ+ visibility, shares his life as an Iranian refugee and multiethnic identity. He talks about using television to challenge stereotypes and support queer Persian youth. The conversation also touches on recent combat reports over Iran and regional strikes affecting energy and global gas prices.
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Child Refugee Turned Reality TV Figure
- Reza Farahan fled Iran as a child during the 1979 revolution and built a life in the U.S. as a visible reality TV star.
- He recounts arriving on a vacation that became permanent, facing hostility in America, and later finding success on Shahs of Sunset.
Not A War But A Rescue Mission
- Reza reframes the current conflict not as a war with Iran but as a rescue mission for Iranian people wanting freedom.
- He highlights Iranian democrats who feel hopeful about imagining a free Iran after recent events.
Show Changed How Persians Appeared On TV
- Reza says Persian representation on U.S. TV had been limited to villains before Shahs of Sunset changed perceptions by showing everyday family and community life.
- He credits the show with building cultural bridges by normalizing Persian food, family, and social scenes.