Nichols to Debut on 'The Real World'

Most people would not join a club or an organization they knew nothing about. Most people would not put every moment of their lives on the table for the whole world to see. Most people would not give up their summer to live in a city they have never been to with six people they have never met before. Most people would not dream of juggling a career in student politics with one in the limelight.

But then again, Stephen Nichols is not most people.

Starting tomorrow at 8 p.m., the Howard community will be able to follow the life of their Howard University Student Association (HUSA) vice president, a senior classics major, on MTV’s “The Real World.”

Nichols had never seen an episode of the show when he was persuaded by family and friends to submit an audition tape.

“The first time I saw “The Real World” was when I was in L.A. at my final interview. I told my producer that [I’d never watched it] and they made me watch a couple episodes just so I knew what I was getting myself into,” Nichols said.

The journey before his final interview was full of decisions and surprises. It was March 2, 2006, HUSA election day, when Nichols got news that he was one of the show’s 15 finalists.

Having already entered into a contract with MTV, under the impression that with 20,000 other people in his same situation there was little chance he would actually be picked to do the show, the newly elected vice president found himself between a rock and a hard place.

Nichols told producers that his part on the show was contingent on obligations he had already made.

“Basically put, Howard is definitely a focal point of who it is that I am,” he said. HUSA is second on his priority list right after school, which became center in his life after a failed attempt to break into the business world left him outside of school between 2004 and 2005.

“There are certain things that I did to make sure that I could sleep at night,” he said of his physical absence in the HUSA office over the summer. He took a significant pay cut and refused the housing stipend the university offers. He was still able to perform all of his duties through e-mail and phone due in part to the cooperation and understanding of HUSA President Jennifer Owens, a senior legal communications major.

One of the most gruesome parts of Nichols’ summer was the cast’s job, training with Outward Bound as an adventure expedition trainer for teens. The cast organized two courses with rock climbing and hiking for kids affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In its 18th season, the show, set in Denver, taught Nichols more than he ever expected.

“I’m from Howard, and Howard students have an aura about them whereas we learn a lot just by virtue of being a Howard student so I didn’t expect Denver or ‘The Real World’ to teach me anything,” he said.

Nichols is a conservative black male who was raised in a Baptist household, and the show previews portray a highly opinionated Nichols with specific views regarding homosexual Christians.

“A lot of my views have changed, and I think I’ve grown as a person. And if anything, I’m a little bit more accepting now. Actually, I’m a whole lot more accepting now of certain things that I wasn’t when I first got in there,” he said.

Nichols said that the only thing unrealistic about the show is the fact that there are seven 20-somethings living in a mansion with no utilities to pay.

“Never ever have I been asked to repeat something so the cameras can catch it and never have they given me anything to say or put me in any kind of situation,” he said.

What makes the show seem scripted is the editing because most of the time the audience is only able to get bits and pieces of situations that actually last much longer.

“They [the producers] look at it as a documentary. We don’t talk to cameramen, they don’t talk to us. They don’t smile. They don’t joke. They don’t laugh. They just film,” Nichols said.

Getting used to the cameras and lack of privacy was the hardest part of adjusting for Nichols. Not being able to have private conversations with his girlfriend or take a walk by himself was frustrating.

Despite random people recognizing him in the airport and students stopping him on the Yard, saying, “You’re that guy from ‘The Real World,’” Nichols does not feel like a celebrity.

“Celebrities get famous for doing something cool,” Nichols said. “You are definitely not a celebrity when you got famous for a home video that got put on blast,” he added.

Even though the show wrapped up on Aug. 31 after 18 weeks of taping, Nichols is still making public appearances, lecturing and showing up at bars, clubs and MTV events like the Video Music Awards.

Later this week, he will be at a Denver nightclub with Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets.

“I think it’s a unique opportunity for Mr. Nichols, and if ‘The Real World’ provides him with the opportunity to gain international exposure, then I say he’s accomplished his goal,” said Franklin Chambers, Howard’s vice provost for student affairs. “We have so many students doing so many different things, that Mr. Nichols’ participation on ‘The Real World’ will be one in a number of ventures that have afforded our students the opportunity for international exposure.  I’m certain that Mr. Nichols will represent himself and the University in a positive manner.”

The 22-year-old was part of the first cast to not have anyone under the age of 21. Nichols said that Howard students might be surprised at his non-public persona.

“Sure they’ll be some nail biters. Sure they’ll be some things that Howard students won’t agree with,” he said.

“The show is a portrait of who I am,” Nichols said.

As for season details, everyone can tune into MTV to see what happens when Nichols stops being polite and starts being real.