Many seek MTV ‘Real World’ fame
The sassy, young and determined came out Saturday in Chicago for a chance to make it onto MTV’s 32nd season of “Real World.”
It’s unclear where the next season will be filmed, but MTV has held casting calls for the show in Chicago several times in search of the “larger-than-life personality,” magnetism and unusual story the network says it’s looking for.
Justice Wakefield was one of dozens who showed up at Bar Louie, 47 W. Polk. She was persuaded to audition by an unlikely source: her father.
“‘I think you should do it,’” Wakefield, 21, of Richton Park, said her father told her.
Wakefield is a nursing student at Prairie State College. She’s also a certified registered nurse assistant — and worked an overnight shift before the audition.
Wakefield said she hoped her “sass” would get her a spot on the show.
“It could bring some tension, but, I mean, that adds drama to the show. That’s my personality,” Wakefield said. “If people don’t like me, I really don’t care.”
Hope Cranford moved to Chicago from Detroit to pursue a career in music. She dreams of making it big as a blues singer and songwriter.
“I’m no filter,” said Cranford, 23. “I’m an open book. So take me as I am, or have nothing at all, like Mary J. Blige said.”
Cranford said she had a humble upbringing and hopes to send a good message about what it’s like to grow up in a bad neighborhood and make it.
“I’ve gone through a lot, so I really want to just relate to other people that have been through the same things,” she said. “I really want to show them that you don’t have to particularly follow the line of what other people do. You can be different and still come out of a bad environment and be a good person.”
Aaron Bennett, 21, of West Englewood said he’d give people “something to watch.”
“I’m one of those outspoken people,” Bennett said. “I’m like the sweetest person you’ll ever meet, but at the same time I definitely feel like, when it comes to TV, I would definitely give you something to watch. I’m not going to let a day go by without you laughing about something or crying about something. I feel like I’m built for entertainment.”