On February 19, 2001, Lewis University got a special visit from Colin Mortensen, a cast member from MTVs popular television show, The Real World-Hawaii. A 19 year old student from the University of California at Berkley, Colin instantly became a favorite with viewers with his All-American, boy-next-door appeal. He came to speak about his life with fellow Real Worlder, Ruthie, who battled with alcoholism on the show.

I got the opportunity to ask Colin a few questions about life on the show and life in general after his presentation. Possibly one of the most down-to-earth people I know, he was kind of enough to let me in on what life is like on The Real World.

HW: What made you apply for the Real World, besides the fact that you got to live in Hawaii for four and a half months?

CM: When I saw the show, I saw that no one was normal. The definition of normal is the opposite of crazy.

HW: As a Real World junkie, I have noticed that when the shows are cast each person was cast as a character. For example, Amaya would be your typical sorority girl. Do you think this is true, and if so, what character were you cast as?

CM: I think originally they tried to cast me as a typical boy, an All-American type, but it turned into more than that. It turned into a jockish role.

HW: Do you think your morals and values were displayed correctly after editing or is that person on TV not the person you are in real life?

CM: Bits and pieces of it is me, but in ways it's not me. The segments don't represent me as a whole. It's very multi-dimensional.

HW: On one of the Real World reunions, I think it was the one for Real Worlds 1-4, they say you go through a process, almost like a grieving process, when you get off the show and attempt to adapt back into the 'real' world. Did you go through this at all? Was it hard to go from a life of four months with numerous cameras taping your every move to your own bed, your own room, and not a camera in sight?

CM: The adjustment was not hard. Life changes. It's not like going back to the same thing before because your life has changed.

HW: What was is it like to give up your privacy? Did you feel that you were given enough space to be on your own or did you feel that you were being invaded most of the time?

CM: You're committed to the invasion of privacy when you signed on to do the show. It is not much of a shock, but there is absolutely no privacy.

HW: To date someone, who lives with you, plus the fact that it was being taped to be broadcast nationwide eventually, did you feel that it was a 'normal' relationship in comparison to previous relationships you've had? CM: It wasn't normal at all because it was on camera.

HW: During the season, the cast traveled to India. I remember the episodes clearly and I could see Justin was being manipulative about your relationship with Amaya. How did you feel after the trip knowing what Justin had been up to? Do you think his actions affected the eventual break up between you and Amaya?

CM: When it came around to editing and they already knew that Justin had left the show, it was easy to make him the 'bad guy.' They were setting him up. No, it did not lead to the break up in any way.

HW: I have read that dealing with Ruthie putting her life in constant jeopardy was the hardest situation for you to deal with on the show. I could even see how frustrating it was, watching the shows. How did you manage to keep the endurance to stay by her and help her through the rough times?

CM: I tried not to be in her business. I did not want to be overbearing in her life, but I wanted to be involved. I had let her know that her behavior wasn't okay with me and that she shouldn't be doing it.

HW: From the cast, whom do you talk to the most? Do you maintain contact with everyone?

CM: The people I talk to are Matt and Teck. I talk to Matt the most because he has made an effort to be a good person. He is always making people around him better. Everyone has his or her flaws, but he continues to remain grounded.

HW: How real is the Real World? I can remember Judd from San Francisco saying that the Real World in fact is not real.

CM: We paid for our own food and phone bill, which was expensive. It's not real at all. It's TV, it's edited, we're eye candy, and it's fiction. You can choose the story lines and create your own story through editing.

HW: Have you watched the other Real World shows and did you watch your own?

CM: No, I did not watch any of the New Orleans show. I've seen a few others, like Seattle. I had to watch mine. I wanted to see what they were showing about me. We figured it out once that they end up using 11 hours of footage from the four and a half month show and divide that by seven. It comes out to be less than 2 hours per person. You need to know what character they made you into.

HW: Besides doing book tours and speaking at schools, what are your other plans? Are you still planning to pursue acting or sports broadcasting?

CM: I may pursue acting again,but I want to write. I enjoy speaking. I am currently writing two books for teenage guys.

HW: If you had an opportunity to be on the Real World again, would you do it?

CM: I would do it all over again. Even with knowing what I know now, it brings about such an amazing change.

HW: Any words of advice for those who are thinking about trying out for the Real World?

CM: Don't send a tape. It's better to go to the live casting call. They get to know you more personally. But if you are looking for it to make you happy, find other ways to make you happy. Money does not equal happiness. Learning yourself does.