Ruby Gettinger may have lost 400 pounds, but she has gained a whole lot more. The reality TV star speaks the truth—get ready to listen.

“Truth” is not a word many would expect to be associated with reality television.

That oft-maligned genre essentially took root in 1992 with the premiere of MTV’s landmark series The Real World, and in the years since has become a mainstay of American broadcast and cable TV. Relatively inexpensive to produce (compared to scripted dramas or sitcoms) and—for some—infinitely more compelling and habit-forming than traditional serial programming, reality television has captured the hearts and minds of viewers in most every target demographic. Yet despite its moniker, most folks—including even a wide swath of the most loyal reality TV followers—would be hard pressed to vouch for the validity of what is currently found on so-called reality shows.

Truth, however, is a word reality television star Ruby Gettinger comes back to time and time again. It’s a concept she feels very strongly about and one she says is integral to her continued involvement in the increasingly popular cable series that bears her name.

“If I ever thought for a minute [the producers of my show] were portraying me in the wrong way or not telling my truth, then I’d definitely have a big problem,” says Gettinger. She adds resolutely, “If that was the case, I’d make them show me every single episode [far in advance] for my approval. So far, that’s not been the case.”

According to Gettinger, her search for the truth of what lies behind her own self-destructive demons (which, in this case, developed into a life-threatening eating disorder) is all that matters, and the fact that it’s being played out in public for the world to follow is far from a hindrance to her quest. If anything, that spotlight has aided and buoyed her along the way.

The effervescent and good-natured Savannah native first came to national prominence in 2008 with the launch of her eponymous, 30-minute series, Ruby, on the Style Network. Obese since childhood, Gettinger (who declines to reveal her exact age) had long ago made a halting peace with her situation: essentially accepting her lot and the limitations that came along with it, while steadfastly refusing to let them prevent her from living life to the best of her abilities. However, several years after hitting an all-time high of 716 pounds, she reached an epiphany that ultimately led to the creation of the show that chronicles her attempts to shed the excess weight.

Like what you’re reading? Read the full article in the October/November issue of South magazine.