Let’s be real for a second. When you sit down to watch Joseline Hernandez, you aren't looking for a masterclass in choreography or a polite tea party. You’re there for the chaos. Since the show first hit Zeus Network in 2020, the cast of Joseline’s Cabaret has become a revolving door of aspiring dancers, reality TV veterans, and personalities so big they barely fit on the screen. It’s loud. It’s often physically exhausting to watch. But underneath the brawls and the "Puerto Rican Princess" yelling about her "cabaret," there is a genuine—if brutal—system of fame-seeking that keeps people tuning in.
The show isn't just about dancing. Honestly, the dancing often feels like an afterthought. It’s a pressure cooker. You’ve got women from all walks of life—some coming from the strip club circuit, others trying to escape precarious financial situations—all competing for a spot in a live performance that may or may not actually happen the way they envisioned.
Why the Season 1 Miami Crew Hit Different
The first season was a lightning rod. We met the original cast of Joseline’s Cabaret in Miami, and the vibe was raw. You had Lucky Hustla, Daisy Delight, and Chucky. It felt less like a polished reality show and more like a documentary of a fever dream. Lucky, in particular, became a fan favorite because she actually seemed to care about the craft, despite the constant berating from Joseline.
Most people don't realize how much the Miami season set the tone for the "loyalty" theme that Joseline beats to death in later years. In Miami, the conflict was about respect. It wasn't just about who could do a split; it was about who would bow down to the "boss." When the season ended, the fallout was massive. Very few of those original women wanted anything to do with the production again, citing the toxic environment and the way Joseline handled herself on and off-camera. It was the first sign that this wasn't going to be a "sisterhood" in the way RuPaul’s Drag Race or even America’s Next Top Model tries to pretend to be.
The Vegas Explosion and the Rise of Sapphire
If Miami was the spark, Las Vegas was the gasoline. Season 2 brought in a whole new level of intensity. This is where we saw the cast of Joseline’s Cabaret transform into a viral meme machine. We got Sapphire Blair, who became Joseline’s right hand, and the infamous Big Lex.
Lex is probably the best example of what happens when a cast member outgrows the show’s creator. She had charisma. She had a following. And most importantly, she didn't want to kiss the ring. The tension between her and Joseline peaked at the reunion—which, if you haven't seen it, was essentially a multi-person brawl that required more security than a G7 summit.
- Sapphire stayed loyal, which earned her a spot in future seasons.
- Big Lex left and started her own "Big Lex Baddie Collection," proving there is life after the cabaret.
- The "Double Dose twins" brought a weird, synchronized energy that the show has struggled to replicate since.
Vegas was also when the show started facing real scrutiny. People began asking: is this empowerment or exploitation? It's a fine line. The cast members are adults, they sign the contracts, and they want the exposure. But watching the physical toll the "training" took on them made for some uncomfortable Twitter threads.
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Atlanta and New York: Same Script, Different City
By the time the show moved to Atlanta (Season 3) and New York (Season 4), the formula was baked in. You need a "villain," a "victim," and a "loyalist." In Atlanta, we saw the introduction of Wet Wet, who became an instant icon for her unique... let's call it "unfiltered" personality.
The cast of Joseline’s Cabaret in New York felt different, though. It felt more professional, or at least as professional as Zeus gets. The stakes were higher because the New York scene is notoriously difficult to break into. We saw women like Raven and Lollipop trying to navigate the shark-infested waters of Joseline's ego while actually trying to secure a bag.
But here is the thing: the turnover rate is insane.
If you look at the rosters, very few women survive more than two seasons. It’s a burnout factory. You come in, you get your followers on Instagram, you get your booking fee up, and you get out before you lose a tooth in a reunion fight. It's a business transaction. Fans often get attached to certain girls, but the reality is that the only permanent fixture is Joseline herself. Everyone else is just a guest in her house, and she’s more than happy to show them the door.
The Legal Shadows and What We Don't See
You can't talk about the cast without mentioning the lawsuits. Reality TV is rarely "real," but the physical altercations on this show have led to actual legal filings. In 2022, several former cast members from the Vegas season filed a massive $25 million lawsuit against Joseline and her partner, Ballistic, alleging assault and battery during the reunion taping.
This hangs over the show like a dark cloud.
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When you watch the more recent seasons, you can see the production trying to walk a tighter rope. The cast is still rowdy, sure, but there's a different energy behind the scenes. The women who join now are hyper-aware of the risks. They know they might get "popped" in the mouth, but they also know that a viral moment on Zeus can lead to a lucrative OnlyFans career or a spot on Baddies.
How the Cast Is Actually Chosen
Is it a talent search? Sort of.
The audition process for the cast of Joseline’s Cabaret is a spectacle in its own right. They usually hold these open calls where hundreds of women show up in heels and bikinis, hoping for a five-second glance from Joseline. But insiders know that the producers are looking for "types." They want someone who will clash with the established "favored" girls. They want someone with a tragic backstory they can mine for mid-season "heart-to-heart" moments. And they want someone who can actually dance, because at the end of the day, there is still a show to put on.
If you’re wondering why your favorite girl from the auditions didn't make it, it’s probably because she was too "normal." Stability doesn't sell subscriptions on Zeus. Chaos does.
The Survival Guide for Future Cast Members
If anyone is actually looking to join the cast of Joseline’s Cabaret, they need to understand the social hierarchy.
- Don't outshine the sun. If you dance better than Joseline, don't brag about it.
- Find an ally early. The "house" format of the show is designed to isolate you.
- Keep your receipts. Whether it's money or verbal agreements, things get lost in the shuffle of production.
- Build your own brand outside the show. Use the camera time to show your personality, not just your reaction to Joseline's yelling.
The women who have been most "successful" after the show are the ones who treated it like a stepping stone rather than a destination. Look at Wet Wet. Look at Big Lex. They used the platform to pivot into music, hosting, or solo content creation. They didn't wait for Joseline to give them a career; they took the eyeballs the show provided and ran in the opposite direction.
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Final Take on the Cabaret Legacy
At the end of the day, the cast of Joseline’s Cabaret represents a very specific, very raw corner of the entertainment industry. It’s not for everyone. It’s loud, it’s violent, and it’s unapologetically messy. But it also gives a platform to women who are traditionally ignored by mainstream media—women who are tatted up, outspoken, and unapologetic about their backgrounds in the sex industry or the club scene.
There’s a strange kind of honesty in that.
While the show is marketed as a competition, it's really a study in survival. Who can withstand the ego of a superstar? Who can keep their composure when the cameras are inches from their face during a breakdown? The cast members who make it to the final stage aren't just the best dancers; they’re the ones with the thickest skin.
If you’re following the show, don't just look at the fights. Look at the way these women navigate the industry. There is a lot to learn about the price of fame and the reality of "reality" TV by watching how the cast enters the cabaret as hopefuls and leaves as hardened veterans of the Zeus wars.
What to do next:
- Check the legal updates: If you're interested in the "why" behind cast changes, keep an eye on the ongoing litigation involving the Season 2 cast. It explains why certain faces never returned.
- Follow the independents: To see the "real" talent, find the Instagram handles of the New York cast members. Many of them post their actual professional dance reels, which are far more impressive than what usually makes it through the show's choppy editing.
- Watch the reunions first: If you want to understand the cast dynamics without sitting through 10 hours of filler, the reunions are where the real hierarchy is established and the "truth" (or at least their version of it) comes out.