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Volume 72, Issue 50,
Monday, October 30, 2006
News 'Real World' cast talk to students Former cast members of the popular
TV show offer insight
by JENNIFER EARLY
Cast members from past episodes of MTV's The Real World told UH students to make good choices about youth-oriented topics and answered a wide range of questions Thursday. Sponsored by the Student Program Board, the forum featured former cast members Jamie Chung from the San Diego season, Syrus Yarbrough from the Boston season, José Tapia from the Key West season and Melanie Silcott from the Philadelphia season. Yarbrough opened the interactive forum by recommending students participate in internships while attending college. "After [college] graduation, I had my expectations set really high. Time after time, I was getting shot down. "I did everything society told me to do. Well, I didn't intern, which was a really bad thing for me. I know it sounds tough to do, but you must intern," Yarbrough said. After telling UH students about his background, Yarbrough spoke about diversity and the process of becoming a reality television cast member. "Now, working behind the scenes as a casting director, it's my job to seek out stereotypes and cast different types of people. And they have to bring me into their lives. A lot of people don't realize how in-depth the casting process is for a reality show. They have to learn all the traits about you," Yarbrough said. Tapia, who grew up watching The Real World, decided to try out for the show and impressed casting directors by relaying the story of his first home purchase at age 18. "I saw what the real estate market was doing. I started doing research at Barnes and Noble (Bookstores). I learned and sucked up all the information from these books. So when I talked to these real estate agents and brokers I knew what to say. In April of 2003, I ended up purchasing my first home. Right now, I'm 21 years old. I own four properties," Tapia said. A UH student's question regarding how Chung felt about her drunk driving record being posted on the internet left Chung in tears. "I was partying, and I don't remember anything. People were feeding me drinks. I was so mad at myself. I shouldn't have drunk that night. I should have gone home with a friend," Chung said. "It was the worst mistake of my life. Know your limits. I definitely learned from it. I don't drink and drive anymore." Silcott said binge drinking is one of the biggest problems on college campuses today. She spoke about being adopted, teenage pregnancy and abortion. "My biological mother was 17 when she had me. I never met her. I couldn't possibly imagine being 17 in high school and pregnant. "I admire anyone who can do that. You know, there's pretty much two options when you get pregnant unexpectedly. There's abortion and adoption. Depending on what you believe, they are both good options. I think women should have the choice to choose what they want to do in that situation," Silcott said. The Real World, a reality series that began in 1992, features a group of seven individuals in their 20s from different countries and backgrounds living and working together in a major city. The series showcases cast members' different reactions to the world. Chrystal Osborne, an accounting sophomore, said The Real World: Miami is her favorite season and Cynthia Roberts from the Miami season is her favorite former cast member. "(Cynthia) was so outspoken and didn't care what other people thought or said. It made the (Miami season) funny and dramatic," Osborne said. Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
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