Country of origin United States Original network MTV | No. of episodes 12 | |
Original release March 27 (2013-03-27) – June 12, 2013 (2013-06-12) | ||
The Real World: Portland is the twenty-eighth season of MTV's reality television series The Real World, which focuses on a group of diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. It is the seventh season of The Real World to be filmed in the Pacific States region of the United States, specifically in Oregon, and is also the second season to be filmed in the Pacific Northwest after The Real World: Seattle.
Contents
The season featured a total of eight cast members over the course of the season, as one cast member was replaced after she voluntarily left the show. Portland, Oregon was first reported as the location for the twenty-eighth season in a June 19, 2012 article on the website Byronbeck.com. MTV Head of Programming David Janollari confirmed that Portland would be the location for the twenty-eighth season on August 3, 2012, at the annual Television Critics Association Press Tour. Production started from August 2, 2012 and concluded on October 31, 2012. The season premiered on March 27, 2013, consisting of 12 episodes.
Olympic snowboarder Danny Kass makes a guest appearance in Episode 5.
This is the last season of The Real World to use the cast narration "This is the true story...of seven strangers..." in the opening title sequence, before a new format was implemented beginning with the 29th season.
Employment
Most seasons of The Real World since the fifth season have included the assignment of a season-long group job or task to the housemates, continued participation in which has been mandatory to remain part of the cast since the Back to New York season. However, no group assignment is given to the cast this season; the castmates are free to apply for jobs that production had pre-approved at local eateries. The cast ultimately were hired to and chose to work at a pizzeria/bar called Pizza Schmizza Pub & Grub and a yogurt shop called Cool Harry's.
Joi expressed displeasure with the limited employment options to choose from and partly left the show due to this concern. Nia was dismissed from her work at the pizzeria, but because jobs this season were not a mandatory group assignment, she did not have to leave the show.
The residence
The cast lived in a 20,000 square foot, two-story building at 338 NW 9th Avenue, at the corner of Northwest Flanders Street. Prior to being used as the season's setting, the property was on sale for $3.25 million USD. While commercial tenants occupied a portion of the first floor, the 10,000 square foot second floor loft was renovated for filming, along with an additional 7,000 square feet used by the production staff, which leased the loft for six months. The loft was designed by Rick Gonzalez. Filming ended in October 2012. That same month, the property was contracted to Raymond Management Co., a Middleton, Wisconsin-based a hotel developer that planned to convert the site into an 220-room, eight-story hotel.
Cast
Although previous seasons have depicted cast members keeping pets while living in the season residence, this is the first season of the show in which a non-human is listed as a cast member at MTV.com and credited in the title sequence, a Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix named Daisy. The Real World's sister show, Road Rules, included a dog as part of the cast of its X-Treme season. Cast members on prior Real World seasons have had pets in the house that were not credited as part of the cast.
Duration of cast
The Reunion
The Real World: Portland Reunion aired on June 12, 2013, following the season finale. It was hosted by The Real World: Back to New York alumna Coral Smith, and featured the entire cast, as they discussed their time during filming and their lives since the show ended.
Since filming ended, Jessica returned to North Carolina, where she enjoys ballroom dancing and plans to manage a nutrition shop, while Anastasia returned to Detroit, where she enjoys the music scene, plans to finish her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and is working on recording her album. Jordan returned to Oklahoma, where he mainly works for his father's construction company and enjoys the outdoors, while Nia returned to Atlanta, where she intends on finishing her book, and is working on a fitness product called "The Booty Belt" with her business partner, Dominic Banks. Marlon returned to Lubbock, Texas, where he hopes to start a clothing line, record an album and return to a fitness regimen. Averey initially returned to Arizona for two months prior to moving to Boston with Johnny, along with her dog Daisy. Averey stated that she regretted leaving her job as a Hooters waitress, but found a new occupation as a bartender in the Boston area, while also pursuing modeling as a hobby. Johnny returned to his restaurant job, while he also plays on a local hockey team and hopes to become a fitness trainer and a firefighter. Anastasia, Jessica, Jordan and Marlon each participated in The Challenge: Rivals II in Thailand after filming ended.
Among the topics discussed were the aftermath of the fight involving Nia, Johnny and Averey, with each roommate stating their own opinions as to whether or not Nia should have remained in the house, as well as the conflicts between Jordan and Nia, which resulted in a heated argument between Jordan and Anastasia, though Jordan and Nia made amends. Jessica's relationship with Tyler and Jordan's aggressive behavior were also discussed, and Anastasia revealed that she had a hidden crush on Jordan, despite having a boyfriend back home. Marlon and Anastasia discussed their personal struggles on the show, including Anastasia's struggle with her boyfriend's drug addiction as well as Marlon's insecurity over his Christianity and sexuality. Joi appeared during the reunion, and stated that her boyfriend's recuperation from surgery, more than her disappointment over her job prospects, was her main reason for leaving the show in the third episode. Joi now works at a bank, and despite not living in the house at the same time as Nia, the two have become close friends.
In 2013, on Rivals II, Marlon hooked up with cast member Derek Chavez and came out as bisexual to the camera in an interview.
Since filming for Battle of the Exes II ended, Jordan has pursued a career in acting and can be seen in a recurring role on the OWN Network original series, Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is Wrong.