Party of eight

KateLynn
Damn, nice digs. Do you have any idea how the rest of us live in this city?
When you come to the Real World, you expect a sick-lookin’ house. And we got it. Looks like Ikea threw up all over the place, but we got it. The living situation is the fakest thing about the show.

What’s the realest?
Our interactions. Because there’s so much drama, people think it’s scripted. But what they don’t realize is that you’re filmed 24/7 for four and a half months. These people have over 3,000 hours of footage to cram into 13 one-hour episodes.

What’s it like being the show’s first trans person?
It’s a huge responsibility. I figured if I could destigmatize the word transgender, if I could normalize it, that’s my goal. It’s an education opportunity. I look at a lot of my housemates as representatives of a demographic. I use that as an opportunity to educate demographics I’d otherwise never be able to reach.

Devyn
Are you surprised that the media hasn’t been that kind to you and the roommates?
You have to be on your guard; everything is on the record. Some of the people that wrote the meanest, most derogatory things were the people who were like, “Ohhh, this is so great.” And even came back for a party last night to honor everyone who helped put the show together, and they had just written and posted this blog about us that was so demeaning, and then they came here! Do we have stupid stamped on our foreheads?

Sarah
Did you do anything on the show that will piss off your boyfriend?
Not at all. If you really love someone, you can keep it in your pants for three months. We already had a long-distance relationship. We talked every day. I think there were two days we didn’t talk. What are you up to for New Year’s? I think we’re planning a trip to Vegas. You know, a quiet one.

Baya
The term douche bags gets used every time people write about this cast. What’s up with that?
Well, there’s always going to be someone with something negative to say, and that’s what comes with this. And that’s okay. They obviously haven’t seen the season yet.

Why did Red Hook bar owners ban you guys?
They knew that we were coming and didn’t like the idea of it. It’s understandable. When you go to a small place, it’s really intrusive to have a huge camera crew come in.

NEXT: The guys»