The Real World changed television forever. To create a docu-series, MTV moved six strangers from different backgrounds into a New York City loft and let the cameras roll. The show explored what it meant to be living in America in 1992 for each cast member. The show explored conversations on race, sexuality, and social issues.
Rebecca, Andre, Heather, Julie, Norman, Eric, and Kevin helped usher in a new era of reality television that reshaped MTV’s programming for years to come. But what happened to the roommates after the cameras turned off and they went their separate ways?
Rebecca “Becky” Blasband
Becky Blasband joined the cast of The Real World at 24 years old. Like many 24-year-olds, Becky was at the point in her life where she felt she needed to decide what she wanted to do with her career. She had to choose whether to pursue music or find another job. Lucky for her, the show provided exposure for Becky to launch her folk singing career.
At 53, Blasband still works as a singer-songwriter in the folk music genre. Blasband joined the cast of The Real World Homecoming: New York but left the show after three episodes. Blasband was involved in a heated argument with Kevin Powell while revisiting their fight on the original show. The debate played out much like the initial fight with Blasband and Powell, leaving the argument still at odds with each other.
Andre Comeau
Like his roommate Becky, Andre Comeau spent a portion of his life in the Real World house with the hopes of becoming a star. Andre has a dream of becoming a rockstar. He was one of the more laid-back members of the cast, often going with the flow of the house. However, he still added to the discussions about social injustice when they came up. Andre was already living and pursuing his career in New York City before joining the show.
Since his time on the show, Comeau has made his passion for music a career, as can be seen on Icon Vs. Icon. He moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to work as a musician and eventually released three albums with his band River Rouge. Andre now performs solo and is still releasing music. Andre was known for his signature long hair on the show, which he still sports today.
Heather B. Gardner
According to her website, Heather B. Gardner auditioned for what would become one of the best reality TV shows of the ’90s after she became frustrated with her record company. Unlike some of her roommates, Heather was not afraid to speak her mind. Heather was one of the catalysts to the show’s discussions about race. Fans of the show will remember the infamous beeper incident that leads Julie, Kevin, and Heather to discuss their backgrounds.
After releasing several singles, Heather Gardner hosts The Happy Hour with Heather B., a radio talk show. She also guest hosts several Sirius XM shows. She has appeared on several television shows in minor roles but has not released any new music since 2002.
Julie Gentry
During the show’s airing, Julie Gentry was one of the most controversial members of the house. As part of one of the best seasons of The Real World, according to IMDb, Julie was 19 years old when she entered the house. Like her other housemates, Julie hoped to kick off her career in New York. Gentry struggled to get along with some of her housemates, as she had never been away from home and had limited knowledge of the world outside her hometown. As mentioned on MTV News, Gentry butted heads with Kevin Powell over her stance on race and racism.
Gentry stays out of the spotlight now. Her focus is on being a wife and mother to her two kids. She is still involved in the dance world, currently working as a dance teacher. Julie Gentry reunited with her castmates for The Real World Homecoming.
Norman Korpi
Norman Korpi was the first LGBTQ+ member of The Real World. His time on the show sparked conversations about gay marriage and explored what it meant to be gay in America in 1992. There was little to no gay representation on television, let alone conversations surrounding the community back then. Norman was a free-spirited artist during his time on the show. Even during tense conversations, Norman could make his castmates laugh and release some of the tension that would arise.
Since the show, Norman has created art for Disney and Nickelodeon. He shares his art projects on his website, and his most recent focus is painted chocolate rabbits on brown paper bags.
Eric Nies
Eric Nies was a young model from New Jersey when he became part of the show. Despite his good looks and happy demeanor, Eric dealt with family issues and addiction. His modeling career was a big talking point on the show. During one episode, the roommates discuss nudity in media and how they feel about it after watching Eric’s commercial. Eric challenged the stereotype of what it meant to be a male model and how he was perceived.
Eric Nies didn’t leave MTV after his stint on The Real World. He went on to host and competed in several shows for the network before leaving the television industry. According to People, he now works as a health and wellness coach. Nies was set to appear on The Real World Homecoming reunion but was unable after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kevin Powell
Kevin Powell was not afraid to bring controversial topics to the table in The Real World house. Kevin often challenged his housemates when he felt they were in the wrong. Powell engaged in a now-infamous argument about race with Becky and Julia, which was rehashed in the reunion show on Paramount+. While in the house, Kevin was working as a writer, which he continued doing after the show.
Since being on the show, Kevin Powell’s work as an author, activist, and public speaker has garnered him one of the most significant net worths of any former Real World cast member. Powell is currently working on a biography about Tupac Shakur.
