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'The Real World' Stars: Where Are They Now?
Whatever happened to Eric Nies, Ruthie and Puck? The hookups, the drinking, "the slap" ... good times.
In 1992, 'The Real World' introduced us all (for better or worse) to reality TV, and it's still going strong, with 23 seasons under its belt -- so far.
Can future newbies match the drama, debauchery and arrests of some of our favorite (and least favorite) alums? Listen, learn, and hide the peanut butter.
What Happened to the Real World Cast?
The hookups, the drinking, "the slap" ... good times. In 1992, 'The Real World' introduced us all (for better or worse) to reality TV, and it's still going strong: The 23rd season (Washington D.C.) is filming now and set to air in 2010. Can the newbies match the drama, debauchery and arrests of these alums? Listen, learn, and hide the peanut butter. -- By Aimee Deeken
MTV (4)
Eric Nies
Season 1: New York
Then: In the show's inaugural season, he was the model with a McConaughey-esque affinity for going shirtless. His flirtations with naïve Southern girl Julie Gentry got a ridiculous amount of camera time (and went nowhere), and his clashes with Heather Gardner led to an end-of-the-season throwdown.
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Eric Nies
Season 1: New York
Then: Nies nabbed a gig as host of MTV's dance show 'The Grind,' which led to a series of workout videos and roles in movies like 'Above the Rim' and 'The Brady Bunch Movie.' He's retired from 'Real World/Road Rules Challenges,' but not from VH1, having appeared on 'I Love the 90s,' 'Celebrity Paranormal Project' and this year's 'Confessions of a Teen Idol.' Random trivia: He helped a sumo wrestler return to his ideal weight leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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Jean Baptiste Lacroix, WireImage
Kevin Powell
Season 1: New York
Then: The Rutgers grad was the oldest member of the cast, and generally the most serious, often debating politics and racism with others in the Manhattan loft. His maturity, however, didn't keep him from getting into heated arguments with Eric and Julie Gentry.
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Kevin Powell
Season 1: New York
Now: Kevin was a founding staff member and senior writer for Vibe magazine 1992-1996. He's also written for Rolling Stone, Newsweek and the Washington Post and published several books of poetry, essays and political commentary. After two unsuccessful bids for the United States Congress in New York's 10th congressional district, Kevin will run again in 2010.
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Neilson Barnard, Getty Images for 40/40 Club
Dominic Griffin
Season 2: Los Angeles
Then: The Dublin-born entertainment critic was as famous for his love of libations as he was for his spiky black hair. Dom's most memorable 'RW' moment came when he plunged face-down, and, of course, fully loaded, into the sand during the group's Mexico vacay.
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Dominic Griffin
Season 2: Los Angeles
Now: Griffin still lives in the U.S. and works in the entertainment industry, with stints as a senior editor at Film Threat magazine, a critic for Variety, a radio show producer and founder of a company that helps place music in movies, TV shows and video games. Currently, Griffin's a music executive for Disney TV and film.
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Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagic
Jon Brennan
Season 2: Los Angeles
Then: The Kentucky native (and proud virgin) pined for roommate Irene Berrera-Kearns and dreamed of being the next Garth Brooks.
Now: After competing in a pair of 'Challenges' and 'Road Rules: All-Stars,' Brennan returned to his hometown, where he currently works as a church youth pastor, performs as a singer/musician and is still "pursuing purity."
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Jeff Vespa, WireImage
David "Puck" Rainey
Season 3: San Francisco
Then: According to Puck, his snotty finger and his housemates' peanut butter went great together -- until the bike messenger was given the boot.
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David "Puck" Rainey
Season 3: San Francisco
Now: Rainey was featured on MTV's 'Cribs' and appeared in an Eminem video. His wedding in 2003 to Betty, girlfriend and mother of his infant son Bogart, was a special episode of 'Real World/Road Rules Battle of the Sexes.' Rainey was set to be on 'Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew' but bailed before filming started. The couple now has a second son, Rocco, and lives a quieter life away from Hollywood in Alabama.
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Kevin Winter, Getty Images
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