Jonathan Holloway

If you see Jonathan Holloway at a restaurant and think he looks familiar, you wouldn’t be the first to approach him. Holloway did stints on both The Bachelorette, during the show’s 11th season in 2015, and Bachelor in Paradise’s second season. “Still to this day, people will be like, ‘Were you on TV?’” he laughed. So, how did he end up on reality TV in the first place? His mom. Yes, really, she was the one who encouraged the Groves High School alumnus to go for it. In 2014, Holloway had recently returned to Michigan after going through a divorce and his mom was battling breast cancer. She saw they were doing a casting call for the upcoming season and not only suggested he do it, but also helped with the video he sent in. “She was like, you need something positive to happen, you need something to cheer you up,” he said. A few weeks after sending in his tape, which featured his mom, he got a call and was flown out to California to see if he would be interested in being on the show. As for being a part of the show itself – he was eliminated in week four – Holloway said it was extremely interesting and a lot of fun. Same for Bachelor in Paradise. He stuck true to himself, which is the key piece of advice he would give to anyone going on a reality show. “Don’t sell out essentially and be fake and try to be what they want you to be…they can portray you as whoever they want,” he said. While Holloway has been working as an actor and model since he was a teenager, he said he never saw himself doing that type of reality show. “Before the show I was always like, who goes on national television to try to find love?” he said. “That can’t be possible. Then, there I was, doing the same exact thing.” Now, Holloway works as an in-arena host for the Detroit Pistons, as well as a realtor and helps run a family-owned construction business with his father. Oddly enough, being on TV has really helped with all aspects of his career. Being on-camera has made him more comfortable talking to his clients and making them feel at ease. With his work as the in-arena host for the Pistons, he’s on screen again – a Jumbotron. He described it as being the on-camera personality. During the games he can be found center court during pre-game, halftime, and breaks to promote client brands and play games with the fans. “Being in an arena with 16, 17,000 people, watching a national basketball game, getting a microphone, jumping up there, getting my face out there, having fun with the fans and my co-workers...it’s a lot of fun,” said Holloway, who also did in-arena hosting with the Detroit Shock in the early 2000s. If Holloway has anything to say about his future there will be more television work. He wouldn’t say no to being on another reality show but his aspirations are more on entertainment journalism. Holloway has done some work with local channels. “Entertainment host is where I’m headed. That’s what I do now,” he said. “I’d love to get on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, something like that.” Photo: Laurie Tennent