The Real World by MTV is the longest-running reality series and opened the door to a new form of television show. What's the household without a resident gay member? Cancun and the world will soon go loco over 21-year-old Derek Chavez! ( Photo by Rene Cervantes )
Windy City Times: Hola, Derek! I heard you were raised in a small town. Where were you raised?
Derek Chavez: I was raised in Loving, N.M.
WCT: How was that for you?
DC: Oh, so much to do in a town of 2,000 people. [ Both laugh. ] You make the best of what you have.
WCT: You already knew fellow cast member Jonna?
DC: Yes. She lived in Tempe, Ariz. It just so happened that we worked together. I wouldn't say that we were best friends but we had mutual friends.
WCT: Was the audition process crazy?
DC: It was hectic. I didn't know that it would be that bad. The funny thing was that I was not planning on going to anything like that. I had always wanted to do it and my roommate had an invitation to skip the lines. I was sick and when I was down there my voice was awful, it sounded like I had a frog in my throat.
WCT: What do you recommend if someone wants to be on the show?
DC: I went to the open call. I think they know from the first person that interviews you if they like you or not. The only thing I said is, "I am gay and I am voting for Obama."
My advice is not to try too hard. There were people that were trying to impress everyone. Just be yourself, keep it simple and try to make them laugh.
They asked me what a misconception that people have about me. I told them everyone thinks I speak Spanish because I am Hispanic but I don't. I am the whitewashed Mexican. I made them laugh.
WCT: You were raised by your grandmother. How does she feel about you being gay?
DC: At first it was a little bit weird for her. I was a freshman in college when I came out to her. She loves me and accepts me. She went to her first Pride last year.
WCT: You are studying kinesiology at Arizona State University. What is that exactly?
DC: It is the study of body movement. I love sports and want to help with sports injuries.
WCT: What makes this Real World better than the other seasons?
DC: The way that I look at it is that from Real World Brooklyn to our cast is a huge contrast. We partied but we did a lot more than that. There's the parties, the drama, the hooking up and it's such a beautiful place. On top of that we had serious issues and we had stories that we brought to the table too. One of my roommates had issues with cutting.
WCT: How did you like staying in Cancun?
DC: That was my first time staying in a tropical place in Mexico. Just to be in that environment was really amazing.
WCT: Did you go to the gay bars down there?
DC: Yes. There was only one gay bar and it was called Karambas. Cancun is not the hotspot for the gays.
WCT: Oh, I remember. I went to that bar when I was on vacation there.
DC: It was fun and I guess the bartender liked me because he didn't charge me for any drinks.
WCT: Did you get along with your roommates?
DC: I went into it thinking they would put me with someone who is homophobic and we would not get along. Everyone wanted to know who the gay roommate would be and when they found out it was me all the guys were excited. They didn't have any gay friends before that. All the straight guys are like my brothers now. Being in an environment that was so accepting right off the bat was key for me.
WCT: I am excited that we have a gay representing us on the new season.
DC: You guys will not be let down because everyone liked me. I was not the dramatic one that bitches all the time, so we were represented very well.
Judge for yourself when The Real World: Cancun debuts on MTV Wednesday, June 24. Visit www.mtv.com for listings or to audition to be a part of the show.
