Tanning Booths, Dramz, and LA, Oh My!

Have you seen this show Sunset Tan? If not, let me enlighten you. Employees who work at a tanning salon (Sunset Tan, natch) are filmed as they deal with celebrity clients, co-worker dramz, and a whole lot of spray downs.

By Elizabeth

Reality show meets real life, people. You can walk into their store and onto their set simultaneously.

Nick D’Anna, a member of the cast, answered some questions for me about the show.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE SHOW?

“The show was brought to us by E!…” Nick explained. He went on to say that the owner of the place was interviewed and E! loved him…then they decided to interview the people who worked there and it took off from there.

IS THERE A STIGMA ATTACHED TO BEING ON THE SHOW?

“Sure. People think it’s fake or that we’re fame whores, but you can walk in any day and there we are…”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TANNING BEDS AND CANCER RISKS?

“I’ve always been a beach person and I’ve been golden brown. I never did much indoor tanning before…but really, anything can give you cancer. I think that anything in moderation is ok. But indoor tanning is not a huge part of my life.” Nick went on to explain that tanning while working at Sunset Tan is on par with eating Big Macs while working at McDonald’s.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE PORTRAYED ACCURATELY ON THE SHOW?

“I feel like I am because I don’t take too much bullsh*t. Ania gets a bad reputation, though. She’s actually very humble and she’s not a spoiled brat at all.”

HOW IS IT DATING ON CAMERA? (Nick and Ania are doing just that)

“It’s really difficult for both of us to date on camera. We have to take everything home. A lot of people don’t understand that the reality of the show can really screw with our real life at home.”

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE IN A TANNING BED?

“In my hometown….I looked like a lobster!” Nick says that he used to be really into surfing in Florida and had a tan line around his body suit and wanted to even it out. A friend convinced him to come to her tanning salon and even it all out and he came out fried and was in pain for six days.

DO YOU AND ANIA HAVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON?

“I always wanted to do acting, but now, no. I wouldn’t want to have to kiss a girl or see Ania kiss a guy…even if it was fake. But Ania is working on her clothing line and she’s really talented with that. I am focusing on the company, we’re planning on having 500-1000 stores globally within 5 years, so there’s a lot of room for growth.”

Check out Season 2 of Sunset Tan on E! beginning in August.