‘The Real World’ seeks new house members

Candidates for MTV’s “The Real World” were only asked about two subjects during their interviews Saturday: sex and politics.

About 200 hopeful candidates attended the casting for the MTV reality show at Jake’s Nightclub and Bar this weekend. Candidates were interviewed in small groups and were asked which presidential candidate they would vote for and why.

They were also asked if they had to live on a deserted island with a celebrity and only have sex with that person, who would it be.

Candidates first had to fill out an application and then were interviewed for 15 minutes in groups. The casting directors then called a few candidates back for a second interview the following day.

Bloomington resident Stephanie Garza said she tried out for the show because it is an unusual opportunity. Though she feels she is outgoing, she was concerned about setting herself apart from other candidates in such a short time.

“It takes time to get to know me,” she said.

Garza received a call back for a second interview Sunday.

“The casting director said he liked my interview and wanted to do another one,” she said. “After that I was given another application with more questions.”

Garza must do a taped interview here in Bloomington before she knows if she made it to the next round.

Casting director Martin Booker said he was looking for several qualities in the candidates.

“We aren’t just looking for people who look good,” he said. “It has to be a combination of personality and what they have to say.”

Booker emphasized that the show does not try to cast stereotypes, but hopes to bring together seven strangers from different backgrounds. In the past, the show has had cast members with different racial and economic backgrounds as well as different sexual orientations.

“The show is different because it is not a competition, it is more of a documentary,” he said. “We are looking for people who are willing to learn and who want to expand their world.”

But living with six other strangers with different backgrounds can be a cause of tension in the house.

Kimberly Alexander, a cast member from the 20th season, “The Real World: Hollywood,” said living in the house was an eye-opening experience that made her question her conservative upbringing.

“You are living with people that are nothing like you,” she said. “I was changing my views on life and learning so much.”

Alexander also said filming eventually became difficult because cameras had to follow her at all times.

“They are in your face the moment you wake up,” she said. “At some point we were all exhausted and wanted to be left alone.”

But the rewards of being a cast member have outweighed the benefits.

“I made so many business contacts, and now I have more job opportunities,” she said.
Booker has worked for the show for five years and said castings have changed throughout the years.

“Before kids didn’t seem to care about politics,” he said. “But now it is a heated debate in the casting sessions.”

The show, while still popular, has attracted fewer applicants in recent years, Booker said. This is due to proliferation of reality television.

In the past, he would see about 1,000 applicants in one day, and now it is 250 at most. Even with fewer candidates, Booker still looks for people that will make the show interesting.

“We try to get the best possible people from different backgrounds,” he said. “We like to mix and match personalities to create the most ‘real’ situation possible.”