Verve Exculsive: On the Record with Marlon Williams of MTV’s “The Real World Portland” Real & Uncensored
We live in a society where there is a need for labels, categories, and pretty much shoving people inside our own little boxes to understand them. Indeed, abstract thinking has pretty much been abandoned when it comes to the understanding of human beings in particular. Why we should even feel a need to impose our personal limitations of thinking onto another person’s way of life is beyond me. However, it lead me to cross paths with an individual quite like myself in terms of thought. Today we visit “The Real World”, I’m sure you might be pondering as to what I’m making reference to for it is apparent that if you are reading this you are already in “The Real World”. ”The Real World” I’m referring to is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. It was first broadcast in 1992, inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series “An American Family”. It is the longest-running program in MTV history, one of the longest-running reality series in history, and it is credited with launching the modern reality TV genre.
A genre that has taken the platform and almost made a parody of life so much that one may ask, what would make a man who is already so educated and well-documented in accomplishments participate in such a program. This question can only be answered by the man himself, which is the 25-year-old Abilene, TX native Marlon Williams, cast member of MTV’s “The Real World Portland”. Marlon responds by saying, “being a thrill seeker I felt it was a good way to meet real people coming into a melting pot of sorts comprised of real stories, no scripts and still displayed on film.
How much of “The Real World” is actually real? Of course I know there is editing, but do you guys get sort of coached into taking situations in a certain direction?
Marlon: It is real, no coaching! They fly you in and just drop you off in the house. No, as the public you don’t get to see the entire full-picture of what happens in the house, but there is no one there telling us to do this or that.
What was life like for before television? I know you were a star athlete in college, but who is Marlon? Did you ever have ambitions of going professional at all, and how do you feel your life has changed since “The Real World” has aired?
Marlon: I was just a college student who tried out for professional Canadian Football, has drawn blueprints for buildings that have actually been constructed, and raps. I have opened up for acts such as Snoop Dogg and members of YMCMB. I’m also a year away from completing my industrial engineering degree. I’m always trying to get better at things I guess you could say I’m a workaholic, which granted me the opportunity to perform at South by Southwest this year.
As for the show, I would call it a love/hate situation. Of course there is loss of privacy but I like connecting with the fans, which can get overwhelming. It’s like being a mini-celebrity you must posses the personality to deal with people. You go to bars and people are buying you drinks and asking to take pictures it all goes along with the territory.
Now you’re willingly disclosed some personal information about yourself on television, and the information you disclosed was that you are bisexual…is that correct? What made you decide that this was the time for you to let something so personal about yourself be known publicly?
Marlon: Yes I am bisexual, but on the show I said I was straight. I admit it was terrible timing that initially started as a joke, but after I said it everyone in the house got quiet so that required me to be more detailed about the situation than I wanted to. At the same time I’m not trying to hide anything I’m not seeking long-term relationships or dates with a guy, but I’m not closed off from having that contact with a guy. I’m still a manly man who likes relationships with women; with guys it’s more of a fetish.
In your own words define what you consider to be bisexual, and how do you feel it’s possible to equally share an attraction to both genders without some bias?
Marlon: I don’t understand why you can’t like both. Social-norms have nothing to do with it. For me, with a man of course there is an attraction that is purely physical its just sex that’s all it is… I’m in and I’m out. Whereas, with a woman its sex combined with longevity, a relationship, the question of do we vibe-well, and having children.
Do you feel the other cast mates treated you any differently after the information you disclosed to them, and more importantly how did people you were close with before the show treat you?
Marlon: They actually came and talked to me more because it was judgment free zone. That opened the door for me to have a closer friendship with everyone in the house. As far as everyone else they treated me the same obviously they asked questions, but to them I’m the same old Marlon.
Since using such a public platform to disclose this topic, do feel that the stereotypes and bullying of other individuals because of their preference will be viewed differently in our society?
Marlon: Unfortunately I don’t think it will be viewed differently in our society, but I do hope to inspire other men in my situation to know that they are not alone. I want people to also know it doesn’t have to strip you of who you are, I’m still a man it, doesn’t change that and it doesn’t change the fact that I have played football on a level that most men only dream of being 20%- 30% smaller than the average linebacker you can’t strip me of my masculinity because of my sexuality. So I just hope that maybe other guys can be more open about who they are and have a positive reaction.
What do you have on your agenda next?
Marlon: The big thing right now is making music telling my side of life! I want to share things I have gone through, but making it more radio friendly so it bridges the gap of the general artistic style of rap to where all people can relate to the music. I want the fans to actually get to know who I am as oppose to talking about just money, cars and women. I want to be secured in the upper echelon of entertainment yet still remain a person. Aside from that I’m starting a “WAVY” movement. WAVY is an acronym that stands for (Wild And Visual Youngsters) helping people in life be better people, helping them be a comfortable with themselves, and taking that confidence to help others along the way.
After talking with Marlon Williams, I see a brilliant example of a man that exemplifies the definition of the term “WAVY”. He leaves no further question in this world about who he is and why we are who we are.
