Ex-Real Worlder Offers Advice for D.C. Cast, Neighbors

Brooklyn's Baya on how to deal with blogger stalkers

By SCOTT BRODBECK

Updated 8:15 PM EST, Sat, Jul 4, 2009

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The cast of the Real World D.C. has arrived at their new Dupont Circle home, to the gleeful consternation of a committed band of ~~stalkers~~ bloggers. The Anti-Real World DC had already blogged more than 1,000 words worth of vitriol for their new Dupont neighbors within 36 hours of their arrival on Thursday. Very few locals, it seems, have anything nice to say about the eight young people who will be representing Washington on national television next year.

Much of the hate on the web revolves around fears of locals' favorite bars and restaurants being swarmed by disruptive, hormone-driven, fight- and vomit-prone narcissists, along with their accompanying camera- and boom-mic-wielding crews.

The bad rep "comes with the territory," said Baya Voce, a Real World Brooklyn cast member. Her fellow cast members did not live up to the partially deserved stereotype of being "loud and a nuisance," she said.

In a telephone interview, Voce said that locals should give this Real World cast a chance to prove themselves. "Show them you're not that kind of group."

Outside the Real World house on S Street NW on Friday, a steady stream of 20- and 30-somethings stopped on the sidewalk to take photos in front of the soon-to-be-famous building. Kezia Williams of Alexandria, Va., said that despite being a loyal Real World viewer, she's worried about the cast sullying Washington's intellectual reputation.

"In Washington your intelligence should be valued more than what you look like in front of a camera," she said, noting that the cast of the currently-airing Real World Cancun does "nothing but get drunk and sleep together."

Voce, who has embarked on a career as a DJ since her time on the MTV show, said she hopes the Real World D.C. follows the career-minded mold of her Brooklyn cast mates.

"You should live up to what you're given, it's an amazing opportunity," she said. "That time in the house goes by so fast, you don't realize when it's done and over."

The Brooklyn cast had the luxury of living in a relatively isolated, industrial neighborhood, but that didn't stop regular visits from Red Bull girls, curiosity seekers and people who just wanted to be on TV. Outside the house, they were often approached by over-eager strangers.

"When they see the cameras, everybody wants to be your best friend and buy you a drink," Voce said. Still, in what must be heartening news for Washington's attention whores and social climbers, she and other cast members did form lasting friendships with people they met in the course of filming.

As for the D.C. cast's decidedly unfriendly neighbors?

"It's when they stop talking that you need to worry. That's when you know they stopped caring," Voce said after reading a few blog posts. "Good or bad, they are still concerned."

"Hopefully their neighbors and stalkers will learn to love them. Give them a chance. D.C. is lucky to have a group of kids who will hopefully represent them well," Voce said.

Despite her misgivings about the Real Worlders, Williams said that she wouldn't hesitate to say a friendly "welcome to D.C." if she saw any of them walking down the street.

"I wouldn't want to be rude," she said.