Say what you want now, but “The Real World” single-handedly ushered in the reality TV craze. In the beginning, it was all about painting a grim, but true portrait of everyday life for young people in this little, big world of ours. And while the show was able to do all that, it’s always had a crutch when it comes to diversifying. The few black people featured from season to season were often remembered as over-agressive brothas carrying around ticking time bomb tempers. With all that, the black women of “The Real World” haven’t fully received their due, and with the 25th season starting today, it’s about time. A few of my faves, they weren’t all positive role models, but they looked like us, were interesting, and were very real indeed…Ooooo ladies first!
5. Heather B: “The Real World: New York” 1992
The “Real World” got off to an interesting start back in ’92 when it first debuted, throwing two bold African Americans repping Jersey in an apartment full of white people from all over. Writer and activist Kevin Powell was one of them, and Heather B., a hip hop artist with Boogie Down Productions, was the other. In true “Real World” fashion, not even very far into the first episode, a roommate (of the un-black persuasion) questions if the rhymestress carries a beeper because she’s a drug dealer…It’s safe to say that cast member was quickly labeled a racist (a title she was able to refute, somehow), but Heather B. proved to handle such sticky and uncomfortable situations with class, while future black Real World-ers would’ve been ready to throw fisticuffs. Heather is a pioneer by being the first black female Real World cast member. She had her iffy moments like most, but all in all, the driven, fun and flirtatious Jersey rhyme-spitter represented well for the ladies.
4. Aneesa Ferreira: “The Real World: Chicago” 2002
A multi-racial sister of Jewish-American and African American heritage, Ms. Aneesa was one of the first black lesbians to appear on the series. But that’s not all that made her stand out. Aneesa was as liberal as they come, walking around naked and happily making her hater roommates cringe. But not one to back down from the whispers, Aneesa had a quick temper not only with close-minded roommates, but with her family, as she frequently argued with her disapproving mother through phone lines. Whatever her temperaments and beliefs, Aneesa was a definite necessity on the show. She was the exemplification of the struggles and confrontations of the young, gay, black community, displayed through the ladies perspective.
3. Brianna Taylor: “The Real World: Hollywood” 2008
How anyone came out of the season in Hollywood without catching a case, I’ll never understand. Especially Brianna Taylor. Not only was she hated on by the dudes who didn’t respect her strip club past, but she got called “ghetto” by her white Southern belle roommate. A former “American Idol” contestant (nowhere near Top 10 though), Brianna played no games. Her temper had already got her in trouble in her past, and she was known for telling it like it was, even when it wasn’t. But Brianna was fiercely loyal and protective. She was ready to throw down to hold down her roomies, even when the men couldn’t look out for themselves. She also brought drug awareness by discussing a dark past of drug use which she was able to overcome. And while people threw shade at her attire and her attitude during the show, it didn’t stop Bri from doing big things afterwards, including getting signed with the elite Universal Music.
2. Tami Roman: “The Real World: Los Angeles” 1993
Look familiar?
To see the difference in the persona that is Tami Roman from her time on “The Real World” in comparison to “Basketball Wives” is astonishing to say the least. On one show, she was mellow, outgoing, still a bit self-conscious, but a pleasant soul to be around–if you didn’t try and play her, of course. Now, she’s a chain smoker, a tad bit on the dark/bitter side, ready to throw down at insults that aren’t really insults. But I guess we know a trifling man can do that to a woman. But go back to ’92 and you’ll see the young Tami Roman. An aspiring singer, like many to come and go through the show, she was the sole black person in her tour of LA. She was misunderstood by many in the house, mainly because she played too much, and had odd habits of getting her teeth temporarily wired shut to keep her from overeating. Skinny as a stick, she had issues with her weight even back then. But Tami made her most controversial splash on the series’ second season by deciding to go through with an abortion on the show, with her mom by her side. While her rendezvous’ with reality TV don’t seem to be very delightful for Tami, she’s always put her emotional vulnerability and stories out there to help other women, and you have to give her some props for that. No matter how off the wall she can be at times.
1. Coral Smith: “The Real World: Back to New York” 2001
Love Tami, but Coral goes down as one of the most popular faces from “The Real World”’s long run because of her abrasive personality, even being crowned the “Roommate You Love to Hate.” On the show, she assigned herself the role of teaching misguided white roommates what being black actually meant, and was no stranger to conflict, labeling herself not only a feminist, but a “Itchbay” because of her frankness, not solely because she was un-liked. Like an awesome fly, Coral stuck around after her season and made a name (not necessarily a good one) for herself on many of the spin-off Challenge shows, where she actually was a winner in the “Battle of the Seasons” show. Brash, bold, loved and hated by many, Coral, the chick with the small body, big chest and huge personality, will always be known for scaring the bejeezus out of her caucasian counterparts by shouting them down on every show and challenge, and for so eloquently exclaiming to the world, “I don’t wrestle, I beat b*!%#@s up!”
Who would you add to the list of your faves?
