Skyline student Eliza Capulong and former “Real World” cast member Irene McGee realize the show isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

“I heard it was group auditions,” said Eliza Capulong, Skyline student. “Everyone was trying to outshine each other. Everyone was gorgeous.”

Eliza Capulong was one of the many hopefuls in-line who auditioned for Music Television’s (MTV) Real World on Oct. 8th at University of California, Berkeley’s campus.

Even before auditioning in front of a casting director and while waiting in line, Capulong noticed a man who seemed to be working security who was telling people that “…if you’re not pretty or interesting, don’t waste your time.”

According to Capulong’s experience, people were dolled up and already knew what kind of character they wanted to be.

But Capulong had a different agenda. Her reason to be on the Real World is to convince people that not all Asians are what people perceive them to be.

“If I were on the show then I’d try to be the opposite of the typical Asian, and I’m just the opposite,” Capulong said.

According to Capulong, there is a misconception about the typical Asian woman that the Real World selects. Capulong remembers Jamie from the San Diego season as she thinks Jamie fits the mold of what people typically think of Asian woman:

“They’re skinny and beautiful, said Capulong. She’s (Jamie) more of the Asian fantasy. I’m the total opposite. I want to break that.”

Capulong, who came with 3 of her close friends, were joined by several hundreds of people from the bay area. People also came from cities like Sacramento; one contestant even came from Seattle, WA to audition for MTV’s reality show.

After Capulong’s audition ended, which consisted of questions covering her name, age and what she thought of cheating, Capulong unexpectedly found herself making eye contact with a former Real World Seattle cast member, Irene McGee. Next thing you know, Capulong found herself outside walking and talking to the girl who was the first house member on MTV’s Real World.

You might remember McGee being in a cab, which was subsequently stopped by a vengeful Steven who opened her door just to slap McGee in the face to have the last laugh.

McGee was in Berkeley because she was interested in seeing whether or not the audition process was the same from her tryout but was too conscious about cameras being around.

McGee hosts a radio show through San Francisco State radio programming, KSFS 100.7, called ‘No One’s Listening,’ each Friday from 11am-1pm.

McGee approached Capulong with a conversation concerning the auditions.

“She (Irene) didn’t directly say that she was against it, but you could tell that she is anti-reality television,” said Capulong. “‘But go ahead and experience it for yourself and get back to me,’ she said.”

Capulong and another woman, Annalise, who also auditioned for the Real World, were invited to be guests on the radio show to talk about body image and mass media. Both women discussed these topics on McGee’s show on Oct. 14th.

Although not selected to be a cast member for the Real World 2006, Capulong still enjoys the drama that goes on reality shows.

“The drama, I like to see people fight because it’s interesting,” said Capulong. “Reality shows are really interesting. It’s interesting to know someone who knows someone on a show and see if they’re acting real or not.”

To hear Irene McGee’s and Eliza Capulong’s opinions on the Real World and body image in mass media, checkout McGee’s website, nooneslistening.org.