#finalist

Autumn rays

A sitdown with one of our Reality Show finalists

Preface

The road to the next big reality show has many twists, turns and challenges, but we have yet to meet the the people whose stories will drive the show. While the final casting has yet to be announced and/or solidified, we sat down with three smart, talented finalists to find out more about them. Here’s Julie’s story, in her own words:

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OM: Tell me about yourself

Julie:I just turned 30, I’m single, never been married, no kids, I live alone in Dartmouth, Mass. I like to travel. I like going out, I like sports, I like the gym. I mean I don’t really have any baggage, I don’t have any past relationships that are holding me back from anything, so at this point of my life (I’m) trying to figure out where I’m going next. I mean I have a bachelors in marketing, I think of myself as a pretty smart woman. It’s just at this point I’m a little lost because I’m so used to making that fast cash and basically doing what I want, when I want, if I want to get up one week and go on vacation I have no problem doing that. I just put in an hour later at work and I do what I want.

As far as that goes, that’s pretty much my life right now.

OM: What words would you say people use to describe you?

Julie: Sexy, intimidating, funny.

OM: What is your opinion of New England?

Julie: I like New England, I like the sports in New England, I like the summers, I mean there’s a lot of good things but… the weather kind of sucks. The people can be kind of…(trails off). I was living in Florida and the people are so friendly down there and up here people are like, “Eh” or angry. I’ve lived here my whole life so there’s a reason why I’m still here, but I don’t know (what to else to say)..

OM: Any causes you’re passionate about or any extracurricular activities you have? Any interests you have that’s unique to you that people don’t really know about?

Julie: Alright, well if there was a cause that I would definitely support, it would be addiction because I lost my mom to addiction and I have a sister that’s a major addict. I had, you know, friends and boyfriends that have been addicted to drugs as well. That’s a cause that I think really needs to be more recognized and there should be more knowledge about because, again, I lost my mom to alcohol and I watched her first-hand drink herself to death. There’s such a stigma to it where people are just like “Oh, well it was her choice to do that. She made her bed she can lie in it” kinda thing. And it’s kind of not fair because it's…I really do believe it is a disease and its just like cancer or whatever else that may be it. I think it needs to be recognized that its a disease and not (encourage others to) judge people so much for being an addict. It is a huge epidemic and it’s a huge problem. That’s something I’m passionate about.

As far as extracurricular activities, I love basketball. I used to play in high school and I was really good. I like sports, I love to dance and go out, get on the dance floor and just tear it up.

OM: What drives you? What motivates you? How do you like to live your life?

Julie:Obviously I have to make a living, but what definitely drives me is that I’ve always liked nice things and I like to travel. I’ve been in the industry because the money’s good and I never really came from money so that’s what kinda hooked me in the first place. It’s like easy money. Going to work (often means) I’m going to party but I’m getting paid too. What drives me is having nice things: having a nice car, having a nice home, traveling and seeing the world. That’s basically what the whole drive behind my hustle is.

OM: How has your process been, talking to Annmarie about the show and being interviewed and things are moving along; What is this like for you as a finalist?

Julie: it’s interesting and it’s exciting and it’s one of those things that I don’t want to get too excited about it - like if I don’t get casted - then I’ll kinda be bummed. (But) It’s a new experience and I think it would be cool. I’m really interested and I’m excited for what can become of it.

OM: What would you like people to know about you? Or anything you would say if you had a soapbox: about yourself or about life or about anything?

Julie: You can only have one life and it’s what you make of it. My whole life, I’ve been through a lot, I was on my own at a young age, I lost both my parents and I still went back to school and I held my head up high and I still worked and I got shit done and I didn’t let that get the best of me. I just kept moving and you can’t…(pauses). I don’t know why I’m here on Earth, I’m think I’m here for a reason. I’ve been through so much and I think I’m just such a strong person. At this point, I’m just very happy with who I’ve become and how my mom raised me. I still wake up everyday and I come look at myself in the mirror and I’m completely happy with who I am. It took me a long time to get to that point and I’m finally there and now I’m just…you know, I’m living my life and I’m enjoying every minute of it. And at the end of the day I’m a good person: I’m honest, I’m loyal, I’m an awesome friend. I mean I have a lot talents that my mom, thank god, she blessed me with.Yeah…I’m happy.