The Real World's Kevin, Julie, and Andre on racism and the fate of Reigndance

Ask any 40-something what they remember about the first season of The Real World, and they’ll probably tell you one of two things: Eric Nies or the big, awful, uncomfortable fight between Kevin and Julie that happened right at the end of the season. A hard-to-watch battle centering on what our own reviewer called “race, violence and telephone etiquette,” the fight led a lot of viewers at the time to cast Kevin in their own minds as a stereotypical “angry Black man,” while sweet little Julie just couldn’t understand what was going on.
Almost 30 years later, Real World viewers may find they view that fight with a different lens, just like a lot of Kevin’s more confrontational moments in the loft. He was speaking to institutional racism and inequality, and to the injustices he’d personally experienced, and just because Eric said he played basketball with and had a lot of Black friends, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t bringing in some pre-existing biases. (And that’s just one case. Don’t even get us started on Becky.)
Times have changed, though, and with them the relationships between the roommates. Those seven strangers have all come together for The Real World Homecoming: New York, available now on Paramount Plus, and The A.V. Club was fortunate to sit down with all seven for group chats. Above, you’ll find a discussion with Kevin Powell, Julie Gentry, and Andre Comeau about the reception they felt post Real World, both as individuals and, in Comeau’s case, as a member of a struggling band. We also talk to Powell about whether he thinks America was ready to accept his truth in 1993, and to Gentry about what it was like being the only outsider dropped into a house full of New Yorkers.
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[@yodesly9117]

Andre talked more here than he did in the entire season he was on.

[@MC-zg2lt]

Soo true.. only cause he wasn’t interrupted. Such a gentleman.

[@ronallincey374]

I was thinking the same thing lol

[@yodesly9117]

After starting a rewatch of the first season, I have to redact my original statement. He was actually quite chatty and was the one who came up with the prank on Kevin.

[@mountainmamanirvana31]

He is awesome.

[@patrickbarnwell3958]

That’s what I was thinking

[@Katiee0592]

What's crazy and truly upsetting is the issues they discussed on the show then (racism, women rights, inequality, sex, being gay, etc) are the same issues we are discussing today. Almost verbatim. It's as if we haven't progressed at all. 😭

[@denischabriddell986]

Much has changed much has stayed the same. The word says there is nothing new under the sun.

[@psychedelicfright85]

The 2000s were not as bad as recently. When I was 18, Chappelle's Show was on and huge. It brought attention to many issues, in a way that drew people in, instead of what people do now...which is shoving them down your throat through social media and entertainment, all with the subtlety of a hammer to the face. Eliminating comedy, really dragged things back too. Back then, people really discussed too. Now, if you have the wrong political views, you're shut down before you say anything. Safe sex, isn't even addressed anymore now... it's nuts.

[@sevenseas337]

Kevin was confused racist

[@suzannetaylor6285]

In 1992 , I was 20 and watch this show over and over and over ..Watching it now as a mom of a 16 and 18 yr old .. I get it. I’m watching the new show now and i love to see how everyone has grown but stayed true to their passions

[@WeggieQueen2005]

Kevin, I was a new teacher when I watched RW in 1992. You are the reason I educated myself on systemic racism, black male modern slavery etc. You were BLM when BLM wasn't a thing. I think you really helped me become a damn amazing educator! Thank you for using your platform to inform.

[@daniellemacgregor6848]

this... I was 13 and that argument taught me so much too.

[@ReneeWright69]

The left owns "the system." They are in the WH, they run the biggest cities, they run the schools, technology, the media... If there is "systematic racism" the left are responsible for it... They are the true racists. No wonder you're a "teacher." You will further manipulate and indoctrinate our young people. Yet another generation of professional victims.

[@WeggieQueen2005]

@@ReneeWright69 Go away

[@sesp7502]

@@ReneeWright69 being your mom's basement dweller is a choice. go outside.

[@nategwinn9058]

Yeah yeah, your medal’s in the mail.

[@terenceheesch8351]

...back when The Real World was actually REAL... ...before the sex, alcohol, luxury homes and ridiculously big time jobs...

[@TarasTarot]

What Andre says is really interesting and pertinent! Love Kevin and Julie and the same goes for them. This is a beautifully cyclical thing. It’s meant to happen now - let heal, y’all!

[@melanieo313]

The show introduced me to Reigndance, but their music kept me a fan. I still listen to their cds! I was lucky to be able to see them live many times.

[@c.dmurphy1057]

Me too. Love Problem Factory and Thread.

[@omamike]

Great to see they’re all doing well. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years.

[@mountainmamanirvana31]

This show impacted my life. I feel privileged to have been there for the unfolding of this show to pave the way. These people got ripped off monetarily speaking but they've impacted the world. God bless them all.

[@phoenixmoon3]

Love them so much.

[@QuatMan]

OMG!!! The group that started it ALL! This was such a HUGE part of my own coming of age and it is so great to see this group again. ROLL TIDE JULIE!

[@jimmieleepatterson]

Andre was never around, but Kevin was. But MTV made the show about Eric and Julie

[@D-Fens_1632]

I'll never understand how "are you a drug dealer" when a beeper goes off is racist. I was the whitest ass suburban kid who got a pager in 1993, just because I thought they were cool. You know how many times I got asked that question, often by the police? Parents looked at me funny. It was a common joke, literally only drug dealers and doctors had pagers in 1992.

[@hi-kk1iu]

Oh goodness Andre talks so much and really isn't saying anything. Julie is still adorable. Is Kevin reading notes when he looks down?

[@MadDogHoek23]

Becky needed more people in her corner to speak for her and show her point of view because they totally just pointed at her and shouted racist. Stop playing the victim. Like Eric said “their culture is taught” to feel this way, like they are owed something. Such BS. I could have shown them with their faults in their beliefs. Not their fault they are led that everything that doesn’t go their way is because of the color of their skin. Absolutely absurd. Be accountable. Talking about cops not knowing he’s on camera and shooting a man in the back??? Go back and look into the facts. Smh. Ridiculous.

[@MadDogHoek23]

@Colleen Crawford Glad to see I’m not the only one who will speak up against this hypocrite. So sick of the victim mentality.

[@edp3202]

Julie's aged really well. They all have.

[@laurieuebbing3500]

Andre, at the time, was beautiful with his long hair, and when he played guitar, his music was so wonderful to listen to. So talented! Kevin is so Intelligent, using his talents to bring attention to certain topics that needed to be addressed. Norman, pretty boy, so Artistic and creative. Love him! Eric, Yummy! Gorgeous, heart of gold, love him! Heather B! She’s right on! Love her! Talented and has a beautiful heart!

[@hannahalexis9233]

You forgot Julie and Becky!

[@laurieuebbing3500]

@@hannahalexis9233 they’re both beautiful women. Julie is apparently, a great mom to two kids, wonderful husband...nice to see her life is good....Becky, I don’t remember if she still sings, what talent! Another person who’s done well! So blessed to see these fine people continue to do great!

[@robertk2007]

Julie still looks young

[@MC-zg2lt]

She still looks the same..

[@db302003]

Huge fan of all the Real World's.

[@sketchyold]

Andre sort of sounds like Badger.

[@davidcomito505]

I think Kevin was doing the best he could to try and articulate some important things on the show in 92. I remember seeing it and being sobered that black people really were not doing well under our system. At that time kids my age were being tought in schools that basically MLK solved racism and that it was all behind us. Then I see Kevin saying he unable to get jobs because he is black. There was few other black voices on TV saying things that. It was change in perspective for me. Kevin if you see this I'm sorry you still get hate for your part on the show but you should know that your words were impactful and formative to me and probably a lot of other people.

[@sweetrainissues1550]

Andre still HOTT !!!!! I miss the really long hair.

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

Where is Eric Neves?

[@laurieuebbing3500]

I liked Julie's dad, so caring....and her momma!

[@sonicjet7759]

MTV OLDIES BUT GOODIES 😄😇 THE REAL OLD WORLD

[@lorir5728]

I know it got mainstream with Survivor but for younger people real world was the only one on for years. Real world of NYC was the model for today's reality tv.

[@jonathankoziol6573]

Kevin sounds like a race baiter.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

wtf youtube this isnt kevin smith

[@NealDamiano]

You really can’t do a show like the original anymore. Everything is accessible and so exposed. You can’t find a naive southern person in the world today, who hasn’t experienced race or homosexuality 🤷‍♂️ The show at that time in 92’ was groundbreaking innovative and never seen before.

[@jen.gilder]

the original crew🎉🎉🎉

[@sevenseas337]

It was a great vehicle for Andre

[@carlycoppi4769]

Kevin is so amazing 🥰🥰🥰

[@wendaltvedt4673]

If you consider whiney amazing.

[@asturiasceltic3183]

Kevin is conceited. He talked in the reunion show how he surprised and blew away MTV by being so vocal and political. It was Julie who surprised everyone. We thought she was going to be a racist or ignorant white girl from Alabama when she never showed one sign of racism. She said something so profound that it even left Kevin stunned. Kevin said something about "his history." Julie said, "Your history is my history."

[@onewildandcrazyguy9213]

Yeah I mean Kevin isn't as original as he gives himself credit. The Phil Donahue show was popular when the real world was on and before the real world was on and the stuff that Kevin's was talking about was being talked about all the time on the Donahue show during and before the real world. He wasn't bringing up subjects that you couldn't see and hear about all the time back then on TV. Maybe that was a little older of a crowd that was watching that show but I heard the things that Kevin was saying millions of times before the real world. And they were blacks and whites arguing about racial issues on talk shows before the real world. He gives himself way too much credit he's probably the most self-righteous individual on the planet

[@psychedelicfright85]

​@onewildandcrazyguy9213 the head of the nation is Islam, was even on Donahue at one time. I'm younger, but I vaguely remember that.

[@theonlyonestanding8079]

There's the angry "Black Man "..Lol🥴🥺😺😿😽🧐🤓☻

[@hannahalexis9233]

Stfu🙄🤬

[@nategwinn9058]

He’s made a good living out of whining apparently.

[@theonlyonestanding8079]

@@nategwinn9058 give America what they want huh

[@fawkkyutuu8851]

Real World was fairly close to REAL in the 90's , they had no blueprint on how to fake It like now. 90's seasons were the golden age and we'll never get personalities or Interaction like this again. I honestly don't think people know how to be genuinely real anymore , more than ever we live In a plastic robotic society with every facet of modern life. Nothing's racially changed for better either , people are desensitized and passive aggressively care even less now , especially when It comes to racism. LGBT has had more progress In the last 15 years than racism's had In 400+.

[@slimstak]

Kevin & Becky get on my fcn nerves but I love the show & episode 6 is coming out today.

[@RunDCM]

Julie was picked because she was the young southern girl who was naive to NY and the political structure with Kevin. Kevin wanted to fight with all the white people and he did. Eric was the eye candy for the ladies. Heather B was the hip hop artist. Andre was quiet in his band.

[@drakausdromgatti58]

What would your grandparents say about you complaining about racism? Just a genuine question.

[@astrolabe1976]

Julie still looks amazing, she aged the best

[@angeebb3080]

she did age well considering...

[@astrolabe1976]

@@angeebb3080 considering what

[@angeebb3080]

@@astrolabe1976 lol..you figure that one out!

[@astrolabe1976]

@@angeebb3080 what dont you treat me like I am 5 and tell me

[@chadalahio8266]

@@astrolabe1976 She meant "considering" that she's white, being that white women have a stereotype of aging and wrinkling fast. I've seen some bad old white ladies, though!

[@whyteowl4407]

actually reality. i miss it. first time learning about tons of things. i think the new shit will be a fabrication of the original. more racism, more sexism, more politics. i wish i was ten again.

[@psychedelicfright85]

Most of it, today, IS fabricated. The thing is, that you can't really tell what isn't. Social media makes everything look much worse than it is.

[@gigiatkins5923]

Andre looks like Dermot Mulroney with long hair

[@summerraine3934]

Andre?

[@gigiatkins5923]

@@summerraine3934 Yes my bad

[@birdy1numnum]

*Hahahah, these guys still call it "reality" tv. People ACT differently when on camera. Embarrassed to say I watched this show that launched so many even worse "reality" shows.*

[@galedribble9535]

White supremacists still hound Kevin til this day

[@troytroy9230]

& they’ll never get em!

[@MadDogHoek23]

Kevin is a joke and needs to step back. BLM doesn’t care about him. It’s a money holding corporation. He’s been duped. Stop teaching to be a victim. Stand up against single motherhood, and better schooling for minorities and stop crying that everyone else is the fault. Smh

[@galedribble9535]

@@MadDogHoek23 are you done rambling?

[@MadDogHoek23]

@@galedribble9535 lol I could go on for days, bro.

[@galedribble9535]

@@MadDogHoek23 let’s see what you have

[@laurieuebbing3500]

I love Julie! She was more Southern, these other people had probably had harder lives...compared to someone who lived a quieter life.

[@renemelendez4061]

Lol funny that's why I don't watch MTV

[@johnnancy8394]

Andre would look more stunning with a short new age hair cut with his silver hair. A silver fox!

[@whatthe9542]

And it was like....to be like....we got to like...it wasnt like...like what you were like...HOLY SHYT stop with the "like" and speak as the older adults you all are.

[@EzMoney95]

Not in any racist way but could you have imagine having to live with kevin going on 24/7 about black and white it has to get exhausting living with a person like that. The funny thing with people like that you always have to sit there and listen and agree to there opinion and if you disagree your racist and they won't listen to anyone else point of view . It had to be tough

[@chadalahio8266]

Poor thing.

[@inatlaka]

kevin has serious problems...always the victim..

[@nategwinn9058]

He wonders why he’s not married.

[@crystalriley9671]

I dont believe he went on 24/7 about racism. The producers filmed over 60 hours of footage a week, and they chose to air that stuff for 24 minutes per episode. The producers could have cut it out, but it was good drama for ratings. I attended a workshop with Kevin Powell when he was in Chicago, a very nice guy yet a bit introverted. That's when I realize MTV gave him a bad image because he was focused on writing and never mentioned race.

[@sflachuck]

Exactly. Didn't Kevin say he had to seek counseling? I could tell back in the 90's. He seemed like he wanted Becky's approval and acceptance as I kept asking myself why? It was annoying.

[@user-zq5eb2hj9o]

Unfortunately the country has devolved and has an entire cultural movement of people with a chip on their shoulder and pushing animosity and racial division like Kevin was doing 30 years ago. He was a pioneer in victim culture and has nothing but negative messages

[@user-zq5eb2hj9o]

These people sicken me. “Listen you need to listen. Listen more.”. Notice how it’s only her responsibility to listen but she isn’t allowed to have her own opinion or “she’s not listening”. They want her to just shut up and nod her head yes and say nothing when she’s demeaned and called a racist.

[@TheSololobo]

I feel like everybody except for Becky played it safe and were looking after their reputations, and of course Kevin(the perpetual victim and race hustler) who nobody but Becky dared to contradict and paid the price for it. It was a real disappointment to see how fake and spineless these people got in their 50's. They were more substantive and courageous in their 20's by far.

[@ReneeWright69]

Kevin is still complaining. Why am I not surprised. Still a professional victim. Pathetic.

[@chadalahio8266]

You'll be OK. Don't be a bigot or support racism and people won't talk about it.

[@dinajones2761]

I agree!!!! Kevin is like waaaaaaaaa I’m black for the past 30 years

[@dinajones2761]

@@chadalahio8266 shut the hell up

[@chadalahio8266]

@@dinajones2761 OK, Dina.👌🏿😊

[@inatlaka]

Agree that is why they divorced him.

[@meganlovesdisneyandcrafts4780]

No one aged well at all!😳

[@barbaraleeboungard7969]

only a 14 year old would say that

[@meganlovesdisneyandcrafts4780]

@@barbaraleeboungard7969 That doesn’t even make sense!

[@darknessofchaoticwaters]

@@meganlovesdisneyandcrafts4780 You do realize their season was aired 29 years ago right?

[@meganlovesdisneyandcrafts4780]

@@darknessofchaoticwaters yes. still some people don’t age well. I’m 40 but don’t look it.

[@deesee3622]

They’re in their 50s and I think they looks fine

[@MortGoldbergTalent]

Kevin made more money just being black than I have, for 60 years, just being Jewish.