Boman Martinez-Reid has always envisioned having his own television show. Thus, the Canadian actor and creator turned that vision into reality—first on YouTube, followed by Instagram and TikTok. His self-made content gained immense popularity online, ultimately leading to a television contract and a part in an A24 series. One thing remains evident across all his ventures: few can grasp the intricacies of reality TV as well as Martinez-Reid.
Online, he is known as @bomanizer—a reference to Britney Spears—having garnered over 3 million followers with his impeccable parodies of reality television. One of his initial viral sensations, the 2020 “cough heard round the world” video, highlighted his ability to elevate mundane occurrences into captivating reality TV moments. Many fans, however, became familiar with him through The Bodashians, a TikTok series inspired by the Kardashians, which he co-created with his best friend Eden Graham. Even those who have never tuned into The Kardashians find themselves engrossed by the humorously uncanny series.
Currently, Martinez-Reid stars in his own Crave TV show, Made For TV, and makes guest appearances in A24’s Overcompensating. He represents a new wave of creators transforming the entertainment landscape—merging digital and traditional media, and showcasing that talent can flourish across various platforms. In Made For TV, he portrays an exaggerated version of himself, exploring different genres of reality TV—from dating shows to competitive drag—as he endeavors to master them all.
Mashable conversed with Martinez-Reid about his comedic influences, passion for format, his journey from TikTok to television, and how he keeps The Bodashians lively after surpassing 60 episodes.
The Bodashians: A Shift from Parody to Cultural Phenomenon
Martinez-Reid’s story began in high school, where he had an obsession with The Real Housewives and aspired to have his own show. His brother proposed that he create one himself, leading him to launch a YouTube series named Reid It and Weep. “It involved me and my friends crafting dramatic narratives,” he reminisces. “We produced it for four seasons. Not a single person viewed it, but it sowed the seeds of my journey.”
In 2019, he started to explore TikTok, seeking a distinctive perspective. That was when he recalled his gift for parodying reality TV. “I initiated the ‘but it’s reality TV’ series,” he shares, adeptly morphing trivial issues into exaggerated reality show scenarios. These clips gained traction rapidly.
Then Eden suggested: “Why not do a Kardashian voice?” Initially, Martinez-Reid was hesitant—he didn’t watch The Kardashians at all. However, they gave it a shot, and that led to the creation of The Bodashians. “We’ve just released episode 61,” he states. “It’s nonsensical, yet it makes perfect sense simultaneously.”
The series has evolved into a phenomenon of its own. “Yes, I parody The Kardashians, but The Bodashians has established its own universe. It operates under its own rules,” he remarks. “Viewers may not watch The Kardashians, but they tune into The Bodashians—and that’s what truly matters to me.”
Unearthing Humor in Format
Martinez-Reid’s comedic style is anchored in his profound understanding of format. Whether crafting a Met Gala preparation video or spoofing Architectural Digest home tours, he captures the subtle nuances that characterize each genre. “The format is where I discover the humor,” he explains. “I still edit all my own videos because that’s where the wit resides.”
Even his collaborators sometimes struggle to grasp the concept initially. “I’ll explain the video to my mom or Eden, and they never quite grasp it until they see the edited version,” he notes. “I’m the only one who knows how to play with a phrase like ‘there’s something to be said’ 80 times while still making it coherent.”
He takes pleasure in poking fun at celebrity culture. “Architectural Digest is merely a home tour, yet celebrities behave in an exaggerated manner,” he states. “We accept these formats as reality, and I enjoy reflecting on what people are actually consuming.”
Made For TV: A Genre-Blending Reality Experiment
In his Crave TV series Made For TV, Martinez-Reid delves into various reality TV genres by immersing himself in each. “With every episode, I aim to become the standout star of the genre,” he explains. “We tackled sports, and I’m not athletic whatsoever. I pondered, who is the true star in sports? The commentator. It turns out, that’s incredibly challenging.”
The news episode posed its own difficulties. “I studied radio and television, and my parents kept saying, ‘Just become a news anchor,’ as if it were simple,” he chuckles. “Now I realize it’s far from easy.”
But which episode was the most challenging? Drag.