:Shahs of Sunset

File:Shahs of Sunset season 4 cast.jpg

Born in Tehran, Iran in 1973, raised in Beverly Hills, Reza Farahan is a real estate agent in Los Angeles. Married to Adam Neely,{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/theadamneely/ | title=Adam Farahan (@theadamneely) • Instagram photos and videos }} Farahan is openly gay and often struggles with gossip and prejudice regarding his sexuality.Lynn Ebler, [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/10/reza-farahan-gay-iranian-shahs-of-sunset_n_1336858.html Reza Farahan, Gay Iranian, Stars In Bravo's 'Shahs Of Sunset' Reality Show], The Huffington Post, March 10, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012. He wanted to participate in the show after seeing news reports of the suicides of teenagers who were bullied because they were gay, and he wanted to help by portraying a positive image of both gay people and Middle Easterners.Yvonne Villarreal, [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/04/shahs-of-sunset-reza-farahan.html 'Shahs of Sunset' star Reza Farahan: It's not National Geographic], Los Angeles Times, April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012. Reza's husband Adam, a former fashion model, works for Ryan Murphy in post-production on his various shows. Reza and Adam have been involved since 2010, and their engagement was featured in the third-season finale. In season four, Adam and Reza have complications in their relationship and call off their wedding after tumultuous issues arise inside their group of friends following a fake rumor of the drunk MJ carrying the gay couple's love child. Reza and the gang continue on Reza and Adam's wedding trip to Thailand.{{cite web|title=All the Details Inside Shahs of Sunset's Reza Farahan's Engagement|url=http://www.lifeandstylemag.com/posts/exclusive-all-the-details-inside-shahs-of-sunset-s-reza-farahan-s-engagement-34846|work=Life & Style|access-date=February 11, 2014|author=C Waldholz|date=February 4, 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Bacle|first=Ariana|title='Shahs of Sunset' stars are engaged|url=http://news-briefs.ew.com/2014/02/05/shahs-of-sunset-engagement/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 11, 2014|date=February 11, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Strohm|first=Emily|title=Shahs of Sunset's Reza Farahan and Adam Neely Are Engaged|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20783569,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222051931/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20783569,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|work=People|access-date=February 11, 2014|date=February 5, 2014}} His father is Jewish, and his mother is Muslim. In an episode, he reveals his father converted to Islam to marry his mother. When his parents' marriage ended in divorce, his father moved back to New York City to be with his Jewish family; in an episode, it's revealed that Farahan's paternal grandmother pressured his father and rejected Reza because he was not Jewish.[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/shahs-of-sunset-rezas-family-torn-apart-religion-video_n_1411812.html 'Shahs of Sunset': Reza's Family Torn Apart By Religious Issues (VIDEO)], The Huffington Post, April 9, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012. He works with MJ at Keller Williams Realty.Gary Baum, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shahs-of-sunset-persian-palaces-homes-la-loves-hate-306321 'Shahs of Sunset' Stars on LA's Love and Hate Relationship With 'Persian Palaces'], The Hollywood Reporter, March 30, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.

Gharachedaghi is an entrepreneur who begins the show unemployed and financially dependent on her father. She comes from a wealthy, nominally Muslim family.Charlotte Safavi, [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/charlotte-safavi/shahs-of-sunset-episode-3_b_1382996.html Shahs of Sunset: Episode 3 With a Nugget From Episode 1], The Huffington Post, March 28, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012. She lunches with her friends during the day and socializes at night. She has eight tattoos, including one on the inside of her lip. With a fiery, combative personality, she claims to have been kicked out of a number of schools while growing up due to fighting.Diana Falzone, [https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/shahs-of-sunset-star-gg-kicked-out-of-10-schools-says-shell-always-be-a-spoiled-brat/ 'Shahs of Sunset' star GG kicked out of 10 schools, says she'll 'always be a spoiled brat'], Fox News Channel, February 6, 2013 Growing up she attended Jewish daycare, Catholic preschool and Loyola Marymount University.Martha Groves, [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-mar-08-la-et-shahs-of-sunset-20120308-story.html 'Shahs of Sunset' stirs concerns among Iranian Americans], Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2013. Her father is Mahmoud Gharachedaghi, architect and principal at GA Architecture and Planning, who appears on the show starting in season one.[http://www.gadarchitect.com/ Green Architect Design – Home of the top architecture company based in California] Over the second season, she launches "GG's Extensions", a brand of hair extensions, with her sister Leila.[http://www.realitytea.com/2013/01/14/shahs-of-sunset-recap-cabo-being-a-skinny-bitch-aint-everything/ Shahs Of Sunset Recap: "Being A Skinny Bitch Ain't Everything"], RealityTea, January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.[http://news.lalate.com/2013/01/20/mike-shouhed-from-shahs-of-sunset-praises-gg-extensions-launch/ Mike Shouhed from Shahs of Sunset Praises GG Extensions Launch], LALate.com, January 20, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013. In December 2012 she told Andy Cohen that she was engaged to Omid Kalantari, who has a recurring role in season 2.[http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/shahs-of-sunsets-golnesa-gg-gharachedaghi-is-engaged-to-omid-kalantari-20121012 Shahs of Sunset's Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi Is Engaged to Omid Kalantari: All About the Proposal!], Us Weekly, December 10, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013. The two broke off their engagement the following month.[http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/shahs-of-sunsets-golnesa-gg-gharachedaghi-breaks-off-engagement-to-omid-kalantari-2013221 Shahs of Sunset's Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi Breaks Off Engagement to Omid Kalantari], Us Weekly, January 22, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.

Shouhed is real estate agent in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of UCLA.[http://www.bravotv.com/people/mike-shouhed/bio Mike Shouhed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128064437/http://www.bravotv.com/people/mike-shouhed/bio |date=November 28, 2014 }}, BravoTV.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013. After losing some money in the Las Vegas commercial real estate market, he has moved back home to rebuild. He and his family are Persian Jews. Shouhed married Jessica Parido on March 29, 2015 at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. According to the documents, the couple separated on August 1, 2015, and less than eight months after they tied the knot, Parido filed for divorce from Shouhed on November 20, 2015 citing irreconcilable differences. Nearly a year after Parido filed for divorce from her ex-husband, a judge signed off on the divorce documents; the date of termination on their marriage is October 21, 2016. They share no children together. In July 2022, Shouhed was charged with 14 criminal charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident involving his fiancée Paulina Ben-Cohen.{{Cite news |title='Shahs of Sunset' star Mike Shouhed faces 14 criminal charges in alleged domestic incident - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9018735/shahs-of-sunset-mike-shouhed-criminal-charges-domestic-incident/ |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}

Javid is a real estate agent living in the Hollywood Hills. She was born on August 16, 1972. MJ grew up conscious of her weight and was put on diet pills by a physician at age 14 in order to try to lose extra pounds, though she later quit them.Erin O'Sullivan, [http://www.accesshollywood.com/shahs-of-sunsets-mercedes-mj-javid-opens-up-about-weight-struggles-a-doctor-put-me-on-diet-pills-at-age-14_article_76059 "Shahs of Sunset's Mercedes 'MJ' Javid Opens Up About Weight Struggles: A Doctor Put Me on Diet Pills at Age 14"], Access Hollywood, February 6, 2013. MJ and her mother have a very difficult relationship and argue frequently on the show. MJ and her father, however, were very close before his death in February 2018.{{cite web | last=Ibrahim | first=Samantha | title=Mercedes 'MJ' Javid Shares Heartfelt Tribute To Her Father 2 Years After His Death | website=OK Magazine | date=February 29, 2020 | url=https://okmagazine.com/photos/shahs-of-sunset-mercedes-mj-javid-tribute-dad-shams-2-years-after-death/ | access-date=May 20, 2024}} She works with Reza at Keller Williams Realty. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from California State University, Northridge in 2002. During the season 2 reunion, Javid admitted she is a felon, having been convicted of bank fraud in 1994.Nik Richie, [http://thedirty.com/2013/01/shahs-of-sunset-mercedes-mj-javid-is-not-who-you-think/ "Shahs of Sunset Mercedes 'MJ' Javid Is Not Who You Think"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130411225433/http://thedirty.com/2013/01/shahs-of-sunset-mercedes-mj-javid-is-not-who-you-think/ |date=April 11, 2013 }}, TheDirty.com, January 8, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.[http://www.realitytea.com/2013/01/08/shahs-of-sunset-star-mercedes-mj-javid-has-a-criminal-past/ Shahs of Sunset Star Mercedes MJ Javid Has a Criminal Past], RealityTea, January 8, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.[http://www.realitytea.com/2013/03/04/shahs-of-sunset-reunion-recap-part-two-of-friends-ripping-each-other-apart-mj-reza-gg-mike-asa-lilly/ Shahs Of Sunset Reunion Recap: Part Two Of Friends Ripping Each Other Apart], RealityTea, March 4, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013. On April 21, 2018, Javid married Tommy Feight at the Jeremy Hotel in Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/925887/shahs-of-sunset-s-mercedes-mj-javid-marries-tommy-feight|title=Shahs of Sunset's MJ Javid Marries Tommy Feight|date=April 21, 2018|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=September 7, 2019}} On April 17, 2019, Javid gave birth to a son, Shams Francis Feight. She was taken to the ICU due to "complications" during labor{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/mercedes-mj-javid-complications-during-labor-icu-hospitalization|title=Mercedes "MJ" Javid Had a "Ton of Complications" During Labor and Is "Still in the ICU"|date=April 18, 2019|website=Bravo TV Official Site|language=en-US|access-date=September 7, 2019}} and later revealed on Instagram that she "can never carry a baby again."{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/shahs-of-sunset-star-mercedes-mj-javid-says-she-cant-carry-a-baby-again-after-difficult-pregnancy|title=Mercedes 'MJ' Javid Says She Can't Carry a Baby Again|website=Entertainment Tonight|language=en-US|access-date=September 7, 2019}} MJ has a YouTube channel with her husband Tommy.{{cite web | website=YouTube | title=Till the Dirt with Tommy and MJ | url=https://www.youtube.com/c/TilltheDirtwithTommyandMJ | access-date=May 20, 2024}}

(Seasons 7–9) (friend in season 6)

Destiney Rose first became known to television viewers as one of the stars of The People's Couch. Destiney appeared on the show with her sister Cathy, and at the time was a general manager at a nightclub, where Cathy worked under her as a supervisor and bartender. As Shahs of Sunset began filming, Destiney was scaling back her life in the nightclub industry and working in party planning as she tried to get a more healthy work environment.

She got involved in Shahs being a good friend of co-stars Reza Farahan and Shervin Roohpavar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/destiney-rose-who-is-new-shahs-of-sunset-star/|title=Destiney Rose: Who is new Shahs of Sunset star?|date=July 16, 2017|work=Monsters and Critics|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-US}} In an October 2018 Watch What's Happening Now episode, Reza claimed he has known Destiney Rose since she was 1 month old.

{{unreferenced section|date=May 2024}}

(Seasons 7–9)

Nema Vand is a former talent executive turned bicoastal director. Vand joined the cast of Shahs of Sunset in season 7 (2018). Born in New York, but raised in Los Angeles, Vand has helped create award winning content for brands such as Adidas, Nike, Ford, Jordan, Target, Samsung, among many more. A relative newcomer to the group, Vand's career is now focused on directing original content in the digital media space. In 2021, Vand directed an acclaimed short film on the artist, Beeple. Vand speaks openly about having grown up without his mother or sister, his love for rosé wine, and reconnecting with his Persian culture. He graduated from UCSD and started his first company at 26.

(Seasons 1–6) (guest appearance in season 7)

Rahmati is an entrepreneur and artist from Venice, California. Her paintings were published in the art book Imagining Ourselves, published by the International Museum of Women in San Francisco.{{cite web |title=Welcome |publisher=International Museum of Women |url=http://imaginingourselves.imow.org/pb/Index.aspx?id=37&lang=1 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010000008/http://imaginingourselves.imow.org/pb/Index.aspx?id=37&lang=1 |archive-date=October 10, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Over the second season, she developed and launched Diamond Water, a bottled water that is alkaline water put in contact with diamonds before being bottled.[http://news.lalate.com/2013/01/27/diamond-water-by-asa-gets-splash-on-wwhl/ Diamond Water by Asa Gets Splash on WWHL], LALate.com, January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013. She is from a Persian family; her parents and her brother, Arta, all appear on the show. Soltan Rahmati has been in a relationship with Jermaine Jackson Jr., the eldest child of Jermaine Jackson since 2010 and he has appeared in the second season.[http://tamaratattles.com/2012/12/19/tamaratattles-exclusive-steaming-hot-persian-tea-on-shahs-of-sunsets-asa-soltan-rahmati/ TAMARATATTLES EXCLUSIVE: Steaming Hot Persian Tea on Who Shahs of Sunset's Asa Soltan Rahmati is Dating], tamaratattles.com, December 19, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013. The couple gave birth to their son Soltan Jackson on January 20, 2017.{{cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/jermaine-jackson-ii-asa-soltan-rahmati-welcome-son-soltan/|title=It's a Boy! Jermaine Jackson II and Asa Soltan Rahmati Welcome Son Soltan|newspaper=People|language=en|access-date=September 7, 2019}} She graduated from UCLA with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. She claims her family left Iran as political refugees when she was a young girl; she grew up in Europe before moving to Los Angeles as a teenager.{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/reality-tv/shahs-of-sunset-asa-soltan-rahmati/story/interview/|title=Q&A: Asa Soltan Rahmati Talks 'Shahs of Sunset'|publisher=MSN TV|access-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420081216/http://tv.msn.com/reality-tv/shahs-of-sunset-asa-soltan-rahmati/story/interview/|archive-date=April 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}

(Season 1) (friend in season 2) (guest appearances in seasons 3–4, 7)

Younai is a residential developer in Beverly Hills, specializing in building multimillion-dollar homes. Sammy comes from a Persian-Jewish family. His family left Iran and moved to Florida when he was young, later moving to Beverly Hills when he was a teenager.Ilana Angel, [http://www.jewishjournal.com/keepingitreal/item/a_conversation_with_sammy_younai_of_shahs_of_sunset_20120325 A Conversation with Sammy Younai of Shahs of Sunset], The Jewish Journal, March 25, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013. During season 1, he worked with celebrity developer Mohamed Hadid on a 48,000-square-foot, $58-million house in Bel Air called The Crescent Palace.[http://www.realitytea.com/2012/07/11/got-58-million-lying-around-buy-the-mansion-featured-on-shahs-of-sunset/ Got $58 Million Lying Around? Buy the Mansion Featured on Shahs of Sunset!], RealityTea, July 11, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.Morgan Brennan, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2012/06/28/celebrity-developer-asking-58-million-for-his-most-opulent-mansion-yet/ Celebrity Developer Mohamed Hadid Asking $58 Million for Crescent Palace], Forbes, June 28, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.

(Seasons 2–3)

Ghalichi is an entrepreneur and blogger that other characters describe as a "Persian Barbie".[https://www.tmz.com/2012/12/02/shahs-of-sunset-bravo-niki-ghazian-lily-ghalichi-cease-desist-letter/ 'SHAHS OF SUNSET' Slammed by Hot Model ... I'm the Real 'Persian Barbie'], TMZ.com, December 2, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2013. She founded a lingerie-inspired line of swimwear known as Swimgerie that later merged with another swim line to be renamed Have Faith Swimgerie.[http://www.havefaith.com/designers/ The Designers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025137/http://www.havefaith.com/designers/ |date=September 24, 2015 }}, Have Faith Swimgerie. Retrieved January 20, 2013. She also founded her own line of eyelashes known as Lilly Lashes. Raised in Houston, Texas, she comes from a Persian Muslim family. Her sister Yassamin has appeared on the show, and her brother Mohammed is a cardiologist.Jana Waring, [http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/shahs-of-sunset/episode-4-recap-2/25421/ Shahs of Sunset Episode 4: RECAP] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215063950/http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/shahs-of-sunset/episode-4-recap-2/25421/ |date=February 15, 2013 }}, Reality Nation, December 23, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.Lilly Ghalichi, [http://lillyghalichi.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-brother-who-is-cardiologist-had-this.html Life is a Gift], Lilly Ghalichi's Blog, June 15, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013. She attended the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2008.[http://www.utexas.edu/events/honorsday/2004/business.html HONOREE LISTING McCombs School of Business Distinguished Scholar], The University of Texas at Austin, 2004. Retrieved January 20, 2013.[http://www.utexas.edu/events/honorsday/2005/business.html HONOREE LISTING McCombs School of Business Distinguished Scholar], The University of Texas at Austin, 2005. Retrieved January 20, 2013.[http://abovethelaw.com/2012/12/fame-brief-the-sun-sets-on-jokes-about-aids/ Fame Brief: The Sun Sets On Jokes About AIDS], AboveTheLaw.com, December 13, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013.[http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/259078 CalBar Attorney license]. Retrieved January 20, 2013. Ghalichi has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Houston-based lawyer named Ali; after she graduated from law school in Los Angeles, they became engaged, and she moved back to Texas to live with him. They later broke up due what she described as bad habits, notably cheating on her.Lilly Ghalichi, [http://lillyghalichi.blogspot.com/2012/12/lilly-and-ali.html Lilly and Ali], Lilly Ghalichi's Blog, December 30, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013.See Lilly Ghalichi's comment dated June 14, 2012 at 11:19 am: "My boyfriend was cheating on me because I was never available (ASSHOLE)" -- Lilly Ghalichi, [http://lillyghalichi.blogspot.com/2012/06/omg-shoes.html Omg SHOES!!], Lilly Ghalichi's Blog, June 13, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013. She also struggles with her conservative family due to her decision to leave law and pursue a career in fashion and beauty. She was the subject of controversy after joking during an episode that HIV/AIDS can be spread from a used pair of bikini bottoms and issued an apology.[http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/shahs-of-sunset-star-lilly-ghalichi-apologizes-for-joking-about-catching-aids-from-a-dirty-bikin?directory=100011 'Shahs Of Sunset' Star Lilly Ghalichi Apologizes For AIDS Joke] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130216071013/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/shahs-of-sunset-star-lilly-ghalichi-apologizes-for-joking-about-catching-aids-from-a-dirty-bikin?directory=100011 |date=February 16, 2013 }}, Instinct, December 10, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2013. Ghalichi's involvement with the show was discontinued at the end of season three, having separated herself from the cast in season 3.{{cite web|last1=Takeda|first1=Alison|title=Lilly Ghalichi Fired from Shahs of Sunset Before Season 4: Report|date=9 July 2014|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/lilly-ghalichi-fired-from-shahs-of-sunset-before-season-4-report--201497|publisher=usweekly.com|access-date=August 30, 2014}}

(Season 4) (guest appearance in season 5)

Mirza has made appearances in seasons 4 and 5.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bravotv.com/people/asifa-mirza|title=Asifa Mirza|newspaper=Bravo Tv Official Site |date=8 September 2014}}

(Seasons 5–6) (friend in seasons 4, 7–9)

Roohparvar is an entrepreneur from Silicon Valley who found success in the tech, nightlife, and retail industries.{{cite web|url=http://www.bravotv.com/people/shervin-roohparvar|title=Shervin Roohparvar|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=June 25, 2016}}

|-

| scope="row" | Sammy Younai

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| colspan="2" {{cGuest}}

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| scope="row" | Lilly Ghalichi

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| scope="row" | Asifa Mirza

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| scope="row" | Shervin Roohparvar

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| scope="row" | Destiney Rose

| colspan="5" {{n/a|}}

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| scope="row" | Nema Vand

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| scope="row" | Anita Gohari

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| scope="row" nowrap | Adam Neely Farahan

| colspan="1" {{n/a|}}

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| scope="row" | Omid Kalantari

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| scope="row" | Jessica Parido

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| scope="row" | Bobby Panahi

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| scope="row" | Tommy Feight

| colspan="4" {{n/a|}}

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| scope="row" | Mona Vand

| colspan="6" {{n/a|}}

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| scope="row" | Sara Jeihooni

| colspan="7" {{n/a|}}

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| scope="row" | London Laed

| colspan="8" {{n/a|}}

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{{main|List of Shahs of Sunset episodes}}

{{:List of Shahs of Sunset episodes}}

Before the show debuted, there was concern among the Iranian-American diaspora that Shahs of Sunset would promote an unwelcome image at a particularly tense historical moment. Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi, worried that "Americans have a chance to see a slice of materialistic, shallow and downright embarrassing Iranian culture. I just want to shout, 'We are not all like that!'" Two-time Mayor of Beverly Hills, Jimmy Delshad, voiced concerns that instead of showcasing the professional class of doctors, lawyers and business executives, the show would "take us back and make us look like undesirable people." Iranian American Novelist Porochista Khakpour took issue with the cast's self-description as "Persian" rather than "Iranian", but otherwise found the show to be just another reality television show in the "been-there-done-that Kardashian-Real-Housewives-Jersey Shore mash-up" with characters that reminded her of elements in those she grew up with in the diaspora. West Hollywood's City Council passed a resolution on March 22, 2012, condemning the show. Professor Gina B. Nahai lamented that the cast was "unattractive, unsophisticated, unproductive" and "consists entirely of every negative stereotype floating around this city about the community".Gina Nahai [http://www.jewishjournal.com/gina_nahai/article/opinion_the_bad_the_worse_and_the_ugly_20120229/ The bad, the worse and the ugly, The Jewish Journal, February 29 2012, accessed February 7, 2013.] Author and scholar Reza Aslan felt the concerns of the Persian community were overstated, commenting "Only the most moronic viewers would watch 'Shahs of Sunset' and extract an opinion about Iranians and Iran."

In response to criticism producer Ryan Seacrest dismissed the notion the series would cast the community in a bad light, describing the show as simply "escapism" that is "meant to be entertaining and fun." The president of Bravo described the cast members as representative of what the channel deems "affluencers:" 30-something, upscale, highly educated and influential."

The members of the cast have stated that they portray a more Americanized and modern version of Persians than those depicted in such films as 2012's Argo, where Iranians are depicted in ways they felt made them "savages" or "homeless people." Mike Shouhed has commented that the show's producers sometimes add to the confusion by using Arabic music on the show; Reza Farahan has received mistaken feedback complimenting Arab American culture.Ramin Setoodeh, [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/03/shahs-of-sunset-cast-members-review-ben-affleck-s-argo.html {{"'}}Shahs of Sunset' Cast Members Review Ben Affleck's 'Argo{{'"}}], The Daily Beast, December 3, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2013.

The show holds a 45 out of 100 score from Metacritic.[https://www.metacritic.com/tv/shahs-of-sunset/season-1/critic-reviews Shahs of Sunset: Season 1] Mike Hale's review in The New York Times commented that the show's characters "are a more diverting bunch than the high school football coaches and community activists of the well-meaning, admirable but prosaic All-American Muslim on TLC", but the "one really unfortunate thing about Shahs of Sunset is the way it exploits, and will in turn amplify, a previously localized phenomenon: the longstanding stereotyping of Los Angeles's Iranian-Americans as vulgar, materialistic show-offs who don't fit in among the city's supposedly more cultured elites."Mike Hale, [http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/10/arts/television/shahs-of-sunset-on-bravo-about-iranian-americans.html The Children of Old Tehran Go Hollywood], The New York Times, March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2013. Tom Conroy of Media Life Magazine mentions that the show sparks some interest due to the cultural backgrounds of the cast, "but that is nearly outweighed by their dislikability."[https://web.archive.org/web/20120311005024/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reviews_21/-Shahs-of-Sunset-spoiled-Iranian-brats.asp 'Shahs of Sunset,' spoiled Iranian brats] Verne Gay of Newsday described the show as "Another insufferable nose-pressed-against-the-glass reality romp that says the rich are just like you and me -- only rich, and exceedingly, tiresomely narcissistic."[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/review-shahs-of-sunset-familiar-bravo-fare-1.3586706 Review: 'Shahs of Sunset,' familiar Bravo fare] Linda Stasi of the New York Post wrote: "If the goal of Bravo's newest stereotyping gang bang, Shahs of Sunset, is to make Persians in LA look like egomaniacs, soulless bores whom you wouldn't want to spend five minutes with, let alone an hour, then they've succeeded."{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/stache_of_gold_964wYn24DarvoiDY1HKrUK#ixzz1otjqz1SN\website=nypost.com|title= Money can't buy class on Persian 'Jersey Shore'|date= 8 March 2012}}

Los Angeles resident Kathy Salem alleged she was subjected to "demeaning and humiliating" situations while filming in Shahs of Sunset. Salem has settled her lawsuit against Ryan Seacrest Productions. Per the settlement, she will be removed from the episode. Financial terms were not disclosed.Beard, Lanford. [https://ew.com/article/2012/03/06/ryan-seacrest-shahs-of-sunset-lawsuit-settled "Ryan Seacrest: 'Shahs of Sunset' lawsuit settled"] Entertainment Weekly. March 6, 2012.

On September 10, 2014, after receiving no response from Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) in reference to their pursuit of a union contract, the 16 post-production crew members of the series walked off of the job site.Patten, Dominic. [https://deadline.com/2014/09/shahs-of-sunset-bravo-union-charges-iatse-843108/ "IATSE Hits Bravo With Unfair Labor Practices Charges Over 'Shahs Of Sunset' Firings."] Deadline. September 29, 2014. September 29, 2014.{{cite web| url = http://www.postproud.org/#!Crew-of-Bravos-Shahs-of-Sunset-Shuts-Down-PostProduction/c17en/26D43057-E0BA-4389-B3B2-3A47EDE20B51| title = Post, Proud {{!}} Organizing with the Editors Guild}} The Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) called a strike against the show until it met the demands of its editors and assistant editors. On September 26, Bravo took control of the production away from RSP and fired the entire editorial staff.Handel, Jonathan. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shahs-sunset-ryan-seacrest-productions-736002 "'Shahs of Sunset': Bravo, Ryan Seacrest Productions Drop Striking Editors."] The Hollywood Reporter. September 26, 2014. September 29, 2014. Firing employees who are engaged in "protected union activity" is illegal, which is why Bravo took control away from RSP and act as though the strikers were not employees of Bravo.Robb, David. [https://deadline.com/2014/10/iatse-rallies-against-bravos-shahs-of-sunset-847538/ "IATSE Rallies Against Bravo's 'Shahs Of Sunset' At NBCUniversal HQ."] Deadline. October 7, 2014. October 7, 2014. In response, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E) "filed unfair labor practice charges against Bravo Media" and issued a press release saying, "Federal law protects employees' right to organize, including their right to strike. It is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act for an employer to retaliate in any way against employees for their exercising their rights under the law."McNary, Dave. [https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/bravo-hit-with-unfair-labor-practice-charges-over-shahs-of-sunset-1201316589/ "Bravo Hit With Unfair Labor Practice Charges Over 'Shahs of Sunset.'"] Variety. September 29, 2014. September 29, 2014.[https://www.editorsguild.com/FromTheGuild.cfm?FromTheGuildid=482 "From the Guild: Charges Filed Against Bravo."] MPEG. September 29, 2014. September 29, 2014. "This is no longer just a fight about whether this crew gets health and retirement benefits," MPEG President Alan Heim said, "It's an unabashed attack on the right to organize."Hamedy, Saba. [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-shahs-of-sunset-bravo-unfair-labor-20140929-story.html "Union accuses Bravo of 'unfair labor practice' on 'Shahs of Sunset.'"] Los Angeles Times. September 29, 2014. September 30, 2014. Picketing was called off on October 10 when RSP ratified a union agreement.

Kiara Belen, a former America's Next Top Model contestant, sued Bravo, Ryan Seacrest Productions and other defendants over a scene in which she appeared "nearly fully nude" while changing in a dressing room in a 2017 episode of Shahs of Sunset. She filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Ryan Seacrest Productions, Ryan Seacrest Enterprises, Bravo Media, Truly Originals, and 50 unnamed defendants.Sippell, Margeaux. [https://www.thewrap.com/former-americas-next-top-model-contestant-sues-ryan-seacrest-productions-bravo-over-nearly-fully-nude-shahs-of-sunset-dressing-room-scene "Former 'America's Next Top Model' Contestant Sues Ryan Seacrest Productions, Bravo Over 'Nearly Fully Nude' 'Shahs of Sunset' Dressing Room Scene"] TheWrap. July 30, 2019.

• Iranian Americans
• Tehrangeles
• List of Persian-language television channels
• Glendale Life, an Armenian-American reality television series with a similar concept, which has received backlash from the Armenian community for stereotyping

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.bravotv.com/shahs-of-sunset}}
• {{IMDb title|tt1997999}}

{{Bravo programming}}

Category:2010s American reality television series

Category:2012 American television series debuts

Category:2021 American television series endings

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Television shows set in Beverly Hills, California

Category:Television series by Ryan Seacrest Productions

Category:Bravo (American TV network) original programming

Category:Iranian-American culture in California

Category:Iranian-American culture