Hilaria Baldwin Takes on Reality TV

Hilaria Baldwin wears many hats: author, content creator, yogi, mother, and, of course, the wife of actor Alec Baldwin. Right now, she’s also a student on the reality series Fool of the Nation. Hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall, the show features celebrities tackling four challenges—Logic Test, General Knowledge, Team Challenge, and Final Exam—to avoid being dubbed “America’s Greatest Idiot.” Among her classmates are familiar faces like Anthony Michael Hall, Carmen Electra, JoJo Siwa, Steve-O, and Andrew Yang.

But why would she agree to a show that might label her this way? Baldwin reflected, “I didn’t really think it through. I enjoy having fun and poking fun at myself, but I tend to say yes to a lot of things.” As she considers her time on the show, she feels grateful, even if there were tough patches.

Baldwin was determined to share her experiences with ADHD and dyslexia during this reality TV journey. “I wanted to be upfront about how my brain operates,” she explained. But there were times when she felt overwhelmed and worried she was disappointing people who share similar struggles. Luckily, the support from the production team and fellow contestants helped her navigate those feelings. “We knew this would be a challenge, so we supported each other,” she said.

Decider: Hilaria, why did you say yes to this reality show?

Hilaria Baldwin: Honestly, I didn’t give it much thought. I love to have fun and laugh at myself. Sure, sometimes it leads to tricky situations, but this turned out well, thankfully. There were a few moments I thought, “This could get tough,” but overall, I’m glad I joined in.

You’ve talked about your ADHD and dyslexia. How has that shaped your experience?

It was challenging. Being diagnosed at a young age was tough—having ADHD and dyslexia felt very stigmatizing back then. Now, seeing my children diagnosed has been bittersweet, but it sparked a journey for me. I wanted to address my own issues while being a positive role model for them.

I aimed to be open about my thought processes on the show. I believe in offering explanations instead of excuses. However, some moments left me feeling pretty dejected, as if I was letting down people like me. Thankfully, the producers know how to handle emotions well! I learned a lot about myself overall, and I wouldn’t trade that experience.

What did your family think when you told them you’d be on the show?

My kids were glued to it! They’re used to Alec in all sorts of crazy roles, so nothing phases them anymore. They were more upset about me being away for a few weeks. It was tough for me too. I started a job last year that requires traveling, and balancing that with motherhood can be tricky, but I believe they’d be proud of me for embracing my identity beyond just being a mom and wife.

Fool of the Nation features a fascinating mix of personalities. Who surprised you the most?

Ice-T! I’ve met him several times, and he’s one of my favorites. Alec and I are close to him, thanks to his co-starring role on Law & Order: SVU. It was great hanging out with him; he shares such uplifting content on social media. We even shared car rides back to the hotel sometimes. He’s incredibly insightful.

Kindness seems to be a theme in Fool of the Nation. How important was that for you?

Kindness has always mattered to me. I often reflect on how I can treat people better each day. But one thing I realized during this experience was that I needed to be kinder to myself too. I think my capacity for love enables me to be there for my children and my husband during tough times.

We all knew the competition would be tough, but it brought us together. We were supportive in those moments of struggle, and I hope that spirit continues in future seasons. It’s a great show, and while not everyone may be as supportive beyond our group, our experience was positive overall.

During this week’s episode, we saw you humorously struggle with spelling and pronunciation. Can you share your thoughts on that moment?

It still makes me laugh! I find it amusing that people keep bringing up the “cucumber” moment. I’m not offended; it’s just part of who I am. Yes, people can get fixated on silly things during quiet times, like we saw during the pandemic. I forget things every day; it doesn’t make me any less normal. I have a busy mom brain, and I think in two languages!

In next week’s previews, Carmen Electra seems to be having a tough time. How do you feel about that?

Tough moments are part of everyone’s journey, right? I feel lucky to be on the show with someone as iconic as Carmen. She’s been through a lot yet remains strong. While watching the show, my son even remarked on how beautiful she is—he’s not wrong! Carmen has her moments, and that’s perfectly okay.

You were seen on set with Alec. Did you persuade him to join you?

No, he loves being involved in everything I do! Luckily, his schedule allowed for a brief appearance.

What’s it like working with him on set?

It’s always enjoyable. Despite any teasing between us, we’re best friends.

Now that you’re part of the Fox family with Fool of the Nation, might we see you on future shows like Special Forces?

That’s exciting! I’ve heard some wild stories from that show, and there are only a handful of things I can say no to. I had a great opportunity to connect with amazing people while filming. My brother-in-law, Stephen, has also had life-changing experiences on reality shows. Honestly, it’s a privilege to learn and grow through these unique moments.