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Hundreds of 'Real World' hopefuls vie for MTV role

From as far as Tennessee and as close as South Philadelphia, hundreds of people came Saturday to stand in spitting snow and unseasonably frigid temperatures for a chance at stardom.

Hundreds lined up outside of Paddy Whack's Bar on 2nd and South streets to audition for MTV's "Real World," on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Producers of the show from Los Angeles were on site conducting group interviews.
Hundreds lined up outside of Paddy Whack's Bar on 2nd and South streets to audition for MTV's "Real World," on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Producers of the show from Los Angeles were on site conducting group interviews.Read moreJENNIFER KERRIGAN / Staff

From as far as Tennessee and as close as South Philadelphia, hundreds of people came Saturday to stand in spitting snow and unseasonably frigid temperatures for a chance at stardom.

They were there at Paddy Whacks Irish Sports Pub, at Second and South Streets, for an open-casting call for the 32nd season of MTV's Real World, the network's longest-running reality series.

"You don't give up something like this," said Michael Giuda, 21 of South Philadelphia. "I'm really in your face. I'll tell you how I feel, I don't care."

Mallory O'Neil, a casting assistant for Bunim/Murray Productions of Van Nuys, Calif., said the team was expecting about 600 people to come out, even in the snow and rain. Hopefuls were taken upstairs in groups of 10 to have a conversation with casting directors. On Sunday, they'll bring back about 20 people for an on-camera audition and then potentially a Skype interview with casting directors in Los Angeles in the coming weeks, O'Neil said.

People will find out if they've been chosen in two to three months. Filming is scheduled for sometime this summer; the show will air this fall.

Candidates have to be at least 21. O'Neil said the network's ideal star is someone with a larger-than-life personality and a story to match.

Real World is a reality series that documents the interactions of a group of people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations who are brought together to live in one house.

Filming locations vary. The coming season's location has yet to be disclosed.

O'Neil said she wasn't surprised that so many people showed up - after all, the show has been around for 24 years.

"It's the first reality show, basically," O'Neil said. "It's been around since the '90s, and people still watch MTV and still want to be a part of it. It's almost like a dynasty at this point."

The reality-star wannabes waiting in the line that snaked around the South Street bar were there for myriad reasons - some said they wanted the opportunity, others the celeb status, and a few to bring attention to social issues.

Caden Willard, 23, of Voorhees, is a transgender male who said he would use his chance to be on the show to educate about the LGBTQ community. He said that though Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman, has brought attention to the issue, he still thinks there's more to say about the female-to-male transition.

"I would like to bring some awareness," he said.

Also, Willard said, he's just been a fan forever.

"I feel like, at least to me, it's the original reality show. So there's still other ones, but they all have these crazy plots or extra things, and this is kind of just people hanging out. Just people. It's cool to see."

Maria Rivera, 28 of North Philadelphia, said she wants to bring representation to more people like her.

"[I want to be] relatable to this generation and people my age and being a Latina and a minority," she said.

For George Brzeczkowski, 25 of Mount Laurel, it was a shot at fame.

"I have always wanted to be on TV, so I figured this is the best way to start," he said.

madejp@phillynews.com @PatriciaMadej