It's the most magical time of the year - Us Weekly's Reality Stars of the Year issue, celebrating all of the best personalities, moments and one-liners across your favorite nonscripted television programs. And in the year that gave Us "gout d*** sucker," how can we not honor the cast of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City? "We all have very strong personalities, and we're all very different," Lisa Barlow, who issued that instantly infamous phrase to Bronwyn Newport, says in the issue. "I think we fill voids for each other in different ways. As ugly as things can get, we still, at the end of the day, remember we're friends and want each other to win. We keep choosing each other, even when it's ugly, even when it looks like you can't recover." Whitney Rose insists, "You may not always see it, but we really do love each other, and there's a sisterhood that's unexplained. Even when someone's coming after you or you're going after someone else, there is an indescribable bond." And while the women of RHOSLC star in the issue, getting together for an iconic photo shoot that serves as a parody of Vanity Fair's infamous Desperate Housewives cover, they aren't the only ones Us is celebrating. Scroll through to see Us' Top Reality Stars of the Year and pick up the Reality Stars of the Year issue, on newsstands now. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHAD KIRKLAND. PROP STYLING BY HILLARY KIRKLAND. SHOT AT WEST MAIN STUDIO, SLC. CGI BACKGROUND BY JUSTIN METZ. Robert Irwin: The Positive Influence "It's one of the most amazing things I've ever gotten to be part of. I don't want to leave. I want to be part of the furniture!" Robert Irwin is, of course, talking about Dancing With the Stars. (He's partnered with Witney Carson.) Season 34 is shattering voting records, and we have to believe one reason is the Aussie's infectious energy and enthusiasm, his jaw-dropping moves - and, OK, that shirtless moment. The wildlife conservationist, 21, is following in the footsteps of sister Bindi, who won the mirrorball trophy back in 2015. "It's a big, strange new world. [I'd] never been in a ballroom," he tells Us. "It's been really cool to have her advice." For his part, the competition has been a "beautiful" experience, Robert says. "It's almost like you feel everything tenfold, because you're expressing it through music and through dance." You get the feeling he could be voted off tomorrow and would still be thrilled he had this platform "to amplify a bit of good into the world." Everything he does, he adds, is with late dad Steve and mom Terri in mind: "To honor the legacy my parents created is such a privilege." Shocking Reality TV Exits Over the Years Maddi Reese: The Life of The Party When Vanderpump Rules announced a cast shakeup, some Bravo fans panicked. Not Us. Southern Hospitality was already serving up the same level of chaotic restaurant drama at Republic in Charleston. Standout Maddi Reese deserves a lot of the credit for the show's momentum: "I came in guns blazing," she tells Us. Three seasons in, fans have seen a "very fired up and reactive" Reese, 28, confront boyfriends for cheating - and confront costars for lying to her about said alleged cheating. Yet she's also the one who recognizes when the group is piling on. "I've made a lot of mistakes, so I can't judge anyone else, especially if I've done the same thing. That's where my empathy comes from," she says. Adding an extra layer of depth: Reese has been sober for more than 10 years. On camera, she's the perfect example of "enthusiastic" sobriety. "I've had fans who went to the same treatment center [I did] come to my [DJ] shows and say, 'We're still here and we're sober and we're having a good time,'" she says. "That's the stuff that blows my mind." Maddie Reese Stephanie Diani/Bravo Nic Vansteenberghe: The Really, Truly Nice Guy Easygoing, funny and genuinely sweet, Nic Vansteenberghe quickly became one of those rare men on reality TV whom fans actually root for. "I don't take life too seriously," he tells Us. "I think it's a breath of fresh air for people." Plenty of them fell for him on Love Island USA, which racked up 8.8 billion minutes of streaming in six weeks. With season 7's racy challenges, Vansteenberghe, 24, surprised even himself with his ability to let loose in Fiji: "After twerking on national TV [in front of Megan Thee Stallion], you just don't care what anybody thinks." That said, he's reconsidering one thing. "Maybe not do any bedroom activity on [camera]," he muses. "It's a bit too authentic." He and villa partner in crime Olandria Carthen definitely got viewers excited - watch-party videos document them screaming over every "Nicolandria" interlude. The response has been "fully unexpected," says the Miami model, who's now hoping to boost a DJ career, "but it's been so positive and exciting to experience so much love." Riley Burruss and Ariana Biermann: The Forever Friends Fans likely expected Next Gen NYC - with Real Housewives kids making up half the cast - to