I'm a reality TV casting director — here's what we look for in a contestant on shows like 'Queer Eye'

• Ally Capriotti Grant is a casting director who worked on "Queer Eye" for five seasons.
• Grant said the first step to choosing a "hero" is finding someone who represents their city.
• Then her team looks for someone who is open, honest, and ready for help from the hosts of the show.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ally Capriotti Grant, a casting director for ITV America based in Brooklyn, New York. The following has been edited for length and clarity.