Gay cutie Davis talks about life in The Real World

By Lawrence Ferber

After 18 seasons, MTV’s The Real World has gone through its share of changes, dramas and cities. But the reality show’s next season, premiering on Nov. 22 at 10 p.m., still manages to keep a few core elements, including a dynamic, good- looking, queer -inclusive cast. Set in Denver, this season features Davis, a 23-year-old, blond- haired, blue- eyed frat boy from Marietta, Ga. What sets Davis apart from your typical all-American frat boy is his homosexuality— and the fact that he was raised in a conservative Christian family. His coming out was no small affair—his family urged him to attend an ex-gay camp in response—and sparks off some fireworks and epiphanies in The Real World’s souped-up party-ready house (formerly Denver’s B-52 Billiards nightclub).

Other cast members include the sexually assured Brooke (Tenn.), hardcore Republican Steve (Calif.), sorority president Colie (N.J.), former gang member Tyrie (Neb.), party animal Jennifer (Calif.) and flirty swimmer Alex (Texas). To get the scoop on his fellow castmates, queer Denver and living in The Real World, I spoke with Davis (which is actually his middle name) by phone.

How did you go about applying for the show, and why did you decide to?

I showed up at an open call in Tampa, Fla. I was pre-med [at Stetson University] and I was really bored and it was at a time when I was bombarded with a lot of negative feedback about medical school and about becoming a doctor. I thought, “Maybe I’ll take a break from schooling and try to do something fun and then get back into it.”

What were your parents’ reactions when you told them you were going to be on the show?

Really disappointed and worried. They asked me if it was a good decision for me right now. So I talked to some of my teachers and professors who were working in medicine and business. For the most part, people didn’t think it would be a big deal, so I went for it.

Were you excited about the show being set in Denver?

I was really, really excited. I like outdoorsy stuff. My dad lives in the mountains and he would often take us hiking and camping and, for me, this was kind of second nature.

Do you like to forage for berries?

No, we did not learn how to forage. I don’t even know what that means, but we didn’t do that.

What was your favorite thing about Denver?

I liked that we were right across the street from Coors Field and the baseball attitude as everyone was getting let out. I liked that you could see the mountains from the city. I just liked all the outdoorsy attitudes, how everyone liked rafting and skiing.

Were you considered local celebrities?

I don’t think anything big has happened in Denver before. Not that that’s a negative thing, but that’s what people said, that this was the first big thing to happen. So for the most part, yes, I felt we were kind of celebrities. People treated us really nicely.

Did anyone want to hook up with you just so they could see inside the house?

Yes. That happened to all of us. I’m in a relationship, so I wasn’t as prone to it, but I think everyone had people doing that to them, trying to get in and see the house.

I heard from previous cast members that they had to take off their shirts.What sorts of things did you have to do during the audition process?

I volunteered for that! But there were three really big one-on-one interviews and they called my friends to ask if I was honest about the things I was saying about myself. Then I was taken to dinner to be interviewed in a social setting and I had to do a couple of confessionals, one about anything and one to talk about what I had learned throughout the entire trial process.

What were your fellow cast members like?

Steve was my best friend because we were both from really strong Baptist families. We went to church together several times. He was my roommate and the first person I got to meet. We just had a lot of really poignant things happen for us. He’s a really strong Christian and I think I really opened his eyes—made him more open-minded and accepting. He was my best friend and the person I came to with my problems. I could trust him more than anyone else.

Did you think any of the cast members were hot?

No. I thought three of the girls were gorgeous, but no, not any of the guys.

When did you first realize you were gay?

I knew in fourth or fifth grade that I liked boys and then I remember telling my mom when I was in sixth grade, but she swears she doesn’t remember. I [was outed] in eighth grade when gay porn was found on the family computer.

Oh! Was it of twinks, muscle queens or bears? What’s your taste?

I don’t remember. But, I guess I like muscle guys.

Your mom wanted to send you to an ex-gay camp when you came out?

Yes, briefly. I got a packet in the mail about it. She had mailed it and said she really hoped I would research and look into it. It was right around my last semester of college and I didn’t want to drop out of school, so I just said no. Her attitude was that I was giving up hope and wasn’t interested in being straight.

How do you like being a frat boy? And why did you decide to join a frat?

I joined because I was living with two other guys in the fraternity and they were into the same stuff I liked to do—going camping in the woods, stuff like that. We just had a lot of things in common.

Tell me more about this boyfriend of yours.

He’s a frat guy at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. He’s really into baseball, loves the Braves. He’s a year-and-a-half younger than me and he’s studying Spanish right now. It was really hard [to be together while making the show], mainly because of the long distance. He was able to come out and visit towards the beginning, but by the end he couldn’t because he was studying abroad in Argentina.

What did you ultimately learn about yourself while making the show?

That I’m a nice, easy to get along with kind of guy, but I didn’t get along with everyone on the show. I learned everyone is different and they all get along with different types of people, and I think I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut at times. And I learned I was ignorant about certain things, which is portrayed in the first couple of episodes.

What are you doing now?

I graduated in May. I was talking to my mom about more schooling or maybe I will work somewhere for a while then go back to school.

The Real World: Denver airs new episodes Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. on MTV.