Where are they now? Canberra's reality stars tell it like it really is

The photogenic crew we gathered for our cover shot were mostly positive about their reality TV experience. For some it had been even transformative. Others we spoke to said the shows were "formulaic to a fault", thrived on drama and portrayed anything but reality.

Canberra air traffic controller Pete Fiegehen, who last year appeared on the Australian version of Survivor, said his time on the show had been a "massive life-changer", even though he had to leave the island in Samoa after 10 days, due to illness.

"My values have changed, from how I appreciate basic things, to how I value deep friendship, to the value of appreciating every second of life," he said.

"Every 'survivor' will tell you that they are changed and not one will be able to completely articulate what that means."

Fiegehen says anyone thinking about going on a reality TV show needs to "clearly understand that life will not quite be the same afterwards and understand exactly what that means and whether they really want that".

"It was so weird seeing three-metre high posters of me at the Melbourne and Sydney railway stations, to be approached by people asking for a photograph and to be part of the joy that this game brings to so many everyday people and superfans. This is a quite different experience," he said.

Similarly, Canberra real estate agent Jason Roses said appearing on Big Brother in 2014 was the catalyst for him talking openly about being gay and about his partner, who until that point, was unknown to even members of his family.

On the first night in the Big Brother house, Roses broke down as he explained the strain of keeping the relationship secret. When he was eventually evicted from the house, it was a truly emotional television moment, as his parents were waiting on stage to embrace him.

"Since coming out of the house, the change has been truly amazing. We are now accepted and embraced by both sides of our family," Roses said.

"I received thousands of messages from parents who are dealing with their own children coming out and have asked for advice and how to handle the situation.

"My biggest advice to parents dealing with a child struggling with their own sexuality is be supportive, be accepting and be proud of your child no matter who they choose to love."

Roses is now quite happily concentrating on his career with Luton Properties Gungahlin.

"Obviously, when you leave [the show], it is quite a whirlwind, but I quickly got back into work and am loving it," he said.

"I also went on Studio 10 a few times as a panelist and host and that was quite a fun experience. But, really, still going in real estate and doing plenty of charity auctions across the country."

After Survivor, Pete trekked to Mount Everest base camp and has focused on his physical fitness. The 63-year-old wants to be an advocate for older workers and persuade employers that "every person over age 60 is not dead yet."

"I am fitter and more motivated than when I was 30; I love working in aviation and have no intention to retire. I'm sure I am not alone," he said.

Hayley Jensen is a true reality TV exponent. She appeared on Australian Idol in 2004, when she finished fourth, and again on The Voice, in 2014.

She has since released two albums, finished a double degree in economics and management, performed for the Australian troops in the Middle East and is about to tour Australia (including to Canberra on May 26). She is also flying to Nashville in June to record her next album.

Australian Idol, in particular, made her an instant celebrity.

"Basically, in a day, I went from being a very normal girl, living a very normal life, sitting in uni lectures, working part time at the local sports club, to performing to millions (and being judged!) on national television," she said.

Jensen said her experiences on reality TV have "enriched my life beyond any expectations I had".

"But I guess that's also an important point - don't go in expecting it'll be a silver bullet to success," she said.

"Whatever happens, however far you get as part of the show, you will still have to work extremely hard to turn the experience into what you want out of it at the end.

"It's just a big shiny stepping stone in the journey."

But not every Canberran who goes on a reality TV show has a great experience. At least one person declined to be interviewed for this story as they are still so scarred by their experience.

Blues musician Owen Campbell appeared on Australia's Got Talent in 2012 and is ultimately grateful for the boost the exposure gave his music. His album Sunshine Road hit No.1 on the charts during the show and has still not left the iTunes blues charts in Australia.

But Campbell still appeared to be a strange fit for reality TV, even though he proved wildly popular and almost made the grand final save for some dubious judging.

Since appearing on the show, he's released two albums; toured Europe, Asia and the United States and become a father ("that kind of beats anything I've ever done, hands down").

Yet, he wouldn't recommend anyone go on a reality TV show, saying they don't foster talent, despite their promises.

"They offer an intoxicating whiff of fame and once you're eliminated, you are brushed out like dead leaves," Campbell said.

"They are formulaic to a fault and in the revolving door of endless contestants and finalists you're quickly forgotten by the public.

"The only reason I went on AGT was that I could play my own music.

"And despite constant pressure by the producer to play such hits as I Got 99 Problems but the B*#ch Ain't One, I stuck to my guns, played my own music and thankfully people liked it."

Canberra mother-and-daughter team Gina and Anna Petridis were the first team eliminated from My Kitchen Rules in 2015. But they had the last laugh, later that year launching the phenomenon that is the Freakshake at their Manuka cafe Patissez and opening a second outlet in Civic. There were also plans to franchise the Freakshake concept into Asia.

At time of their elimination, the pair unleashed on the reality TV format, saying the producers of the show interfered with the cooking process and ran them ragged, to the point of exhaustion.

"They made me looking like a raging bitch from hell. That's not me," Anna told City News in 2015.

Queanbeyan public servant Rishi Desai appeared on MasterChef in 2013, finishing fourth. He has no regrets about being part of the show, saying it expanded his skills and allowed him to cook for a week with his idol, Heston Blumenthal.

Since the show ended he has released a cookbook, filmed a TV show in India and started a Youtube channel, Everyday Indian with Rishi. He is still in the public service but does food demonstrations and po-up restaurants. He has a passion for fitness and since MasterChef, his "food philosophy has evolved and I now ensure that I eat fresh, organic and direct source food from farmers".

He thinks the reality TV format is worthwhile but has its pitfalls for anyone contemplating it.

"The only message I would give them is 'be yourself' and don't get pressured into someone you are not," he said.

"One has to understand that a reality TV show thrives on drama so they will look for opportunities where they can create and capture that drama. However in such a dramatic situation, you don't want the producers to portray you as someone you are not. So be yourself."

Insurance broker Ali King came oh-so-close to becoming Canberra's first winner on a reality show when she was pipped at the post in the grand final on Zumbo's Just Desserts last year.

She said the days were long and the pressure constant but her time on the show was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I loved my time on the show and would do it all over again if I could," she said.

After working in insurance since she left school, Ali, post-show,had the confidence to set up her own catering business: Ali King – Desserts, Cakes, Events.

"I like to think there is something positive in every situation and whilst the show certainly pushed me to my limits, I learnt a lot about myself and it helped me understand my anxieties. It has also opened up wonderful opportunities which I may have not been able to do otherwise," she said.

That was certainly the case for Canberra's "heavy metal kid" Callum McPhie who made the grand final of Australia's Got Talent last year . He also later met his idol, Ozzy Osbourne, through one of the AGT judges, Ozzy's daughter Kelly Osbourne.

Just 10-years-old at the time, Callum handled the attention with aplomb.

"I remember how nice the judges were and how friendly and supportive the other contestants were, but the coolest thing was playing on a big stage," he said.

Since AGT, Callum is continuing his fast-tracked studies in high school, has performed on Channel Seven's The Morning Show, appeared in guitar magazines, including ain France and become an sponsored artist for guitar makers Ibanez and Ernie Ball.

His wish now is to meet British metal band DragonForce (whose song he played in the grand final) when they play in Canberra in June.

Callum has no qualms about recommending to another Canberran they go on a reality TV show.

"Sure, especially if they have a special talent that they want to share with the country," he said.

And so back to Lucy Sugerman, in a way. Telstra executive Amber Nichols appeared on The Voice in 2015. She is now mentoring Sugerman.

She says, in hindsight, her own performances on the show were a whirlwind.

" What's stuck with me was all the stuff that happened behind the scenes. The impromptu singalongs. The pranks. The camaraderie amongst the contestants. The backstage crew. The hours spent in the makeup chair. The friends I made. The pure joy it was to be surrounded by people who shared your passion."

Due to delays between the filming, Nichols was nine months pregnant by the time the show reached the grand finals. She had her baby Olive a week after leaving the show.

"A month after she was born we hit the road. We spent time all round Australia writing and recording my album and we haven't stopped since," Amber said.

"I I then began pitching that album and have settled with a wonderful Sydney label which is finalising the details of my first release. I'm mixing it up this time. Fusing together the organic acoustic music I love with some subtle electronica. I'm really excited to share it finally.

Nichols said she would be forever grateful for her experience on the show.

"It gave me a confidence I didn't have before. When those chairs turned it was a validation for me," she said.

"Sure my mum and dad like my voice and all my friends tell me it's beautiful but here are people working and succeeding in the industry telling me that I have talent. It was the affirmation I needed. The doors that it has opened for me have been incredible."

And, like her good mate Hayley Jensen, she says the hard work starts after the show.

"There's pressure when you come off one of these shows that you have to stay in the public eye. That if they don't continue to see you on their television screens and on their radios, that you have given up on music or failed in some way. It couldn't be further from the truth," Amber said.

"The hard work starts when the lights go down and if the public digs a little deeper they'll see that the ones they loved are still working. Are still creating and performing.

"In fact, whether the artist succeeds or fails is largely up to them. That's the hardest thing I think people coming of these shows have to battle."