The Real World Roommates — Derek
Derek is known as the nice guy, but will tell you whatever is on his mind straight up, no beating around the bush with this guy. Maybe that's why he is the favorite --with his outgoing friendliness and blunt personality, you always know what you're going to get. The greatest thing about him is he always manages to have a smile on his face and lives life to its fullest. At this present moment he is a kinesiology major at Arizona State University and has a love for all kinds of sports. When you boil down to it, Derek is just like anyone else, loves to party, travel, meet new people and try new things. A great catch, this one.
Why did you audition for The Real World?
The reason I tried out for the Real World was just like anyone my age. To be on TV and share my story. Do not lie everyone at some point has wanted to be on this show. Unfortunately I am from a very small town and do not get opportunities like the audition anywhere close to me. Since living in Phoenix I have been offered these kinds of auditions and jumped as soon as I knew. I originally was going to audition for the Hollywood season but then became very sick and could not make it. My roommate actually wanted to try out this year and got an invitation to skip the line with a friend. She knows I like the show and asked me to go. Again I was sick but did not want to miss the opportunity. We went, skipped the line which was like a mile long and the rest is history. Sucks because my roommate really wanted it bad and I made it. Sorry Amber.
What was a typical day for you before the show?
Before the show, my typical day was like any other full time student at ASU. I would wake up and get ready for school. Eat during a break. Come home, work out and or just relax and then I would go to work. When I would have the night off, if I did not have homework, or sometime even after work I would go hang out and party with friends. Weekends if I was not working I would find something to do during the day or go to my brothers house and cookout. On Sundays I played on two traveling competitive softball teams. I love to stay busy.
Were you nervous to move into the house with 7 other strangers?
Was I nervous to move into a house with 6 strangers? You better believe it. Not only was I going to be living outside of the country but also I was going to be living with 6 strangers in front of cameras where there are no strings attached and anything is possible. I am a confident person and I was not scared to meet people. I love meeting new people and I make friends rather quickly. What I was scared of was meeting someone who were not fans of my lifestyle and then I would be clashing heads with someone for the next four months in an area where I do not know anyone. I fortunately already knew Jonna so I was excited that no matter what I would have someone to always come to and fall back on and rely on when I really needed something. Jonna is my best friend now and we are a huge part in each other's lives.
In three words, how would you describe your Real World experience?
EXCITING. LIFE-CHANGING. AMAZING
What was your first impression of each of your roommates?
When I met Cj I figured he was going to be cocky but he was completely opposite So nice and so focused on his future. Bronne I thought was going to be an ignorant frat boy who was going to be my worst enemy. But he turned out to be a huge teddy bear who says DOM a lot and will always have my back. Joey is exactly what I pictured him to be. I knew he was going to be the rule breaker and the lady's man because he is in a band. I did not expect him to be the good friend he became to me during the show. I already knew Jonna but when I first met her I thought she was smart for her age and beautiful. Emilee and I became besties right of the bat. I thought she was going to be the typical annoying Bostonian girl like I have met before, but she is a sweet heart and hottie that knows what she wants. Ayiiia is someone who I knew I would have a lot in common with because we are both Hispanic. I thought she was going to be like the first internet winner but proved me wrong. Jasmine is the little Texas girl who I first thought was going to be loud and obnoxious. Like all of us she was. I thought she was someone who would always speak her mind.
How did you like working with the StudentCity staff?
Working with Student City was an amazing opportunity that I was proud to be a part of. The jobs that they had my roommates and I do were incredible. I have never met so many celebrities in my life. The jobs were so fun and so fast paced that it went by to quick. Being able to be in a hot location with the best people all working for the same thing is something that I loved taking part in. Because I was able to help raise so much money for our charity with the help of Student City I am truly honored and grateful to have been able to change lives. If I was asked to work for Student City again, and I had the time, I would definitely say yes. It was one of the best jobs I had so far in my life.
What would you say are your best and worst traits?
My best traits are my smile and my approachable personality. I would also say that my ability to be a leader is key to my success. I am an over-achiever and I act the best in every situation to finish precisely in whatever task I am on. My worst trait is procrastination, Even though I feel I work best under pressure, if I did things earlier and not at the last minute I would feel better about the work I present. Another bad trait I have had forever is working with people who cannot do the assignment as quickly as me frustrates me. And I know it should not because everyone is different and works differently.
What's your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure I would have to say is being a huge Disney fan haha. I love Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana. I really watched the 3D concert movie. I have even named my puppy Miley. The Disney channel original movies are the best.
What do you find attractive in a person?
What I find attractive in a person is confidence and a great sense of humor. You do not have to be the best looking person in the world. But if you are confident enough to come talk to me and show interest then I am all ears. I need someone who knows what they want eventually in life. I need a stable person who can get along with anyone just like me and does not hold grudges. I like people who can make me laugh and who are genuinely attracted to me and will do anything for me. Being good looking is not a bad thing either. My ideal guy has black hair and blue eyes and is as tall as me.
What do you find unattractive in a person?
I find cockiness unattractive. If you think you are al that and you feel you need to prove it to everyone and anyone at all times, then you can kick bricks kid because I do not need that in my life. Also when people only view negative aspects and always are Debbie downers I will be turned off. I like people that love to have fun and make it a point to look a life in a brighter sense. We only have one life to live and there is no point in making it a depressing one. I also find guys who cannot be independent unattractive.
What's your favorite thing to do in Cancun?
What I love to do in Cancun is hit the beach whenever I can. I live in a desert so the ocean still fascinates me. I love to go to the clubs as well and meet new and old friends out and about. The culture there is so fun and interesting. I loved going on the jungle tours, snorkeling, exploring, and shopping at the Mercado. I loved trying new foods and the bus rides were always fun.
What's your favorite...
- Bar/Club in Cancun: Bar/Club in Cancun and why: My favorite bar/club in Cancun was Dady O's. Every time I went there I had a great time. The owner was so nice. We were always treated well and we made the best friends there. We had our own little section and it was not too crowded like the other clubs. The City was fun but it was just way too packed all the time and you could not move. The dance floor at Dady O's was always fun and the shows were great.
- Song to party to: Favorite songs to party to were Hot and Cold by Katy Perry because we all did a dance to it and to any LMFAO song because they were all fun to dance to.
- Band: Favorite Band is LMFAO. Dude those guys are crazy and always have the most fun wherever we went. I am still good friends with them and love watching them perform
- Food: Favorite Food was the steak wrap and ceviche at the Maxim Beach, the sushi at Silk and the club sandwich and pizza from our room service
What's your passion? What do you do when you just need to get away from it all?
My passion is meeting people. It takes a lot to stress me out and when I do, I just need to be alone and I will go work out or lay by the pool. I have gotten into reading more often after my time in Cancun. We I need to just get away from it all I will go for a walk with my dog or just go for a drive and sing in my car. That always seems to make me feel better.
What are you hoping to achieve or do in the future?
My future plans are to finish school with a kinesiology degree. With the opportunities form the show and the people that I met, I want to do something in the entertainment industry. I feel I was born to be someone and now that I have this foot in the door, it is just going to be fun to see where I am in the next couple of years. I plan to move to California with Jonna sometime in the future to pursue a life in the Hollywood limelight. After this show, believe me when I tell you that you have not seen the last of me.
