If things go his way, Northwestern State University freshman Brandon Jamshidi could be the seventh cast member on MTV’s next season of “The Real World.”
Jamshidi was enticed by the first episode of the show he saw last August.
“I was amazed how you could get on a television show and express your true self like never before,” he said.
Jamshidi then made his first trip to L.A. for the open casting call. He was the first in a line of 700 others, all competing for one spot on the show. Associate producers then took five people at a time in a room to ask contestants questions about themselves and why they thought they were right for the series.
“I’m one in a million,” he said. “My personality is untouchable. I don’t think anyone could be as crazy as me.”
After the interviews, the second round is a 15 page application, which only 100 contestants fill out said Jamshidi. He passed the second round and was then notified to submit a self-video tape. In his tape, he spoke about his life, family and personality.
He is still waiting to find out if his video advanced him to another round.
“If I don’t make it, I’m going to keep trying,” Jamshidi said. “Next time, I want to be more creative.”
So far, he’s enjoyed the entire experience.
“It was fun since I’d never been to L.A. and I got to meet so many nice people there.”
Jamshidi’s classmates from high school remember him as one to stand out in a crowd.
“If he made it on the show, I would definitely watch it. It would be great,” said Theresia Vidrine, a dietetics freshman.
“Going on the show is just another way to express himself, only this time, everyone will listen,” Jenna Faircloth, who graduated with Jamshidi in 2003, said.
The idea of being watched by millions may be nerve-racking for some, but Jamshidi sees it differently.
“I used to be nervous, but not anymore, it’s not even an option,” he said. “I can’t help it if they don’t like me.”
If Jamshidi makes it to the 15th season of the show, he’ll be one of seven flown to Philadelphia to have his life taped for national television.
He said he would risk taking a semester off of school to tape the show, although his major, nursing, is very important to him.
He vows to be open on the show and hopes to leave a lasting impression on someone.
“It’s not about being famous for me,” he said. “It’s about expressing myself and showing the world how I feel. I want people to remember me as an awesomely unique person who doesn’t give up.”