The Real World: Las Vegas is the twenty-fifth 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 third season to be filmed in the Mountain States region of the United States, specifically in Nevada.
The season featured a total of eight cast members over the course of the season, as one cast member was evicted and replaced. It is the fifth season to take place in a city that had hosted a previous season, as the show's twelfth season was set in 2002. Las Vegas was first reported as the location for the 25th season by the website Vevmo on September 8, 2010.[2] Pre-production started in August 2010, and filming took place from October to December 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The season premiered on March 9, 2011, consisting of 13 episodes.[2][3][4]
Director of the Nevada Film Office Charlie Geocaris commented, "The Nevada Film Office is very excited to have MTV’s The Real World return to Las Vegas. The first time here proved to be excellent exposure for the city and the NFO is always happy to assist any MTV production that visits our state."[4]
Most seasons of The Real World, beginning with its 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. In this season, the cast interns with a charity called the Athlete Recovery Fund, doing weekly assignments that included working at motorbike events.[5]
The residence
A custom suite was built at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where the cast resided.[2][4][6] Hard Rock President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Magliarditi commented, "We are very excited to partner with MTV and their hit reality show series The Real World for the 25th season in Las Vegas...We look forward to hosting the new cast." The penthouse suite for the cast has a large set living room, four bedrooms, and built-in bowling alley.[4]
Cast
This season, the capacity of the cast returns to a roster of seven, the first season to do so since the Hollywood season.
Duration of cast
Notes
Adam is removed from the house in Episode 6 after getting kicked out of the hotel following multiple incidents where he destroyed things throughout the hotel and had multiple violent outbursts.
Cooke replaced Adam in Episode 7.
Adam makes an appearance in Episode 12.
Episodes
After filming
The Real World: Las Vegas Reunion aired on June 8, 2011, and was hosted by Maria Menounos, featuring the entire cast, as they discussed their time during filming and their lives since the show ended.[82]
Since filming, Leroy returned to his sanitation job in Dallas, while Heather returned to Monmouth University to pursue a major in TV communications. Naomi returned to Buffalo State College to pursue TV journalism, and keeps in touch with Nany, who returned to Jamestown, New York, where she works as a waitress, and hopes to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Cooke began working at a nuclear power plant in North Carolina, where she started a relationship with a man named Jacob. Michael returned to College Park, Maryland, and hopes to attend grad school for agricultural development, while Dustin returned to Louisiana, and stays active with his friends, physical activities and rides his motorcycle.[82]
Cooke discussed her rough first impressions with her housemates when she moved into the suite, including a kiss with Dustin that was instigated by Leroy, which caused jealousy on Heather's part. An argument occurred when Mike accused Dustin of homophobia, after Dustin's past in gay porn was discussed. Heather stated she was still puzzled as to why Dustin kept further details about his past hidden. Dustin tried to offer a friendship to Mike, but was met with resistant by Mike, stating narcissism on Dustin's part. Leroy's promiscuity was discussed, with opinions by Naomi on his ability to maintain future relationships, though Leroy's "bromance" with Mike resulted in friendship bracelets. Also discussed were the Twitter wars amongst the housemates, with a preview of The Challenge: Rivals closing out the reunion.[82] Following the reunion, it was revealed that Dustin and Heather had begun to live together.[83]
Dustin and Heather continued their relationship when appearing on The Challenge: Battle of the Exes, and were cast members on the third season of Couples Therapy, in which they sought counseling for problems in their relationship stemming from issues of commitment and Dustin's past in gay pornography.[84] In July 2013, Dustin was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery inside a Lafayette, Louisiana nightclub.[85]
In 2014, Michael married Taylor Roberts. His former roommates Adam, Leroy, Cooke and Nany were in attendance at his wedding alongside Laurel Stucky from The Challenge: Fresh Meat II. The rest of the castmates who could not attend send him well wishes on Twitter.[86]
Adam Royer moved to California and he is currently a law clerk and a father of two: Hudson and Harlow.[87]
In 2017, Leroy Garrett appeared on Fear Factor. He was paired with Johnny Devenanzio from The Real World: Key West and competed against Aneesa Ferreira, Laurel Stucky and stars from MTV's Winter Break: Hunter Mountain.[88] In 2019, he also appeared on Game of Clones looking for a J.Lo lookalike.[89] In 2020, Garrett moved to Houston with Kam Williams from Are You the One?, whom he first met on season 31 of The Challenge.[90] On May 17, 2022, their son Kingston Lee was born.[91] The couple's first daughter, Aria, was born on February 24, 2024.[92] After his 12th season of The Challenge,[93] Garrett spoke about castmate Camila Nakagawa's racist outburst on season 30, and how he felt after the producers allowed her to remain in the competition after the fact.[94]
Cooke was flown out to Argentina with the initial cast of the first season of The Challenge: All Stars to serve as an alternate in case anyone got disqualified. She was ultimately sent home after being unused.[95]
^Dehnart, Andy (June 7, 2011). "Real World returning to San Diego for its 26th season". RealityBlurred.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ a b c"The Real World: Back to Las Vegas". Vevmo. September 8, 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010.
^"'Real World' Heads Back To Vegas; Watch The Sin-Tastic Trailer!", MTV.com, February 3, 2011
^ a b c dGorman, Bill. "MTV’s ‘The Real World’ Is Turning 25 And Returning To Sin City As Seven Roommates Take Over Hard Rock Hotel & Casino In March 2011" Archived 2010-09-19 at the Wayback Machine TV By the Numbers; September 17, 2010
^ a b c d e fMentioned or seen in Episode 3.
^Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at Real World Houses; May 17, 2012
^ a b c d e f"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Michael Adam Royer" Archived 2010-11-12 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, November 4, 2010
^Bryan, Shannon. "From Portland to the 'Real World'", Portland Press Herald, February 4, 2011
^ a b c d e fBiography page for Adam Royer, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a b c d e f gMentioned or seen in Episode 1.
^ a b c dMentioned or seen in Episode 4.
^ a bRouthier, Ray (April 15, 2011). "Mainer thrown out of 'Real World'". Morning Sentinel.
^Mentioned or seen in Episode 6.
^Preview of Episode 12, MTV.com, accessed May 18, 2011.
^ a b c d"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Dustin Zito" Archived 2010-11-12 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, November 4, 2010
^ a b cBiography page for Dustin Zito, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a b cMentioned or seen in Episode 8.
^ a b c"Real World Star Dustin Was Gay For Pay!", Radar Online, April 15, 2011
^Dehnart, Andy. "Dustin Zito’s Fratpad gay porn past revealed on first episode of The Real World". Reality Blurred. March 10, 2011
^Real World XXV: Vegas: After Shows; Episode 8, MTV.com, accessed May 5, 2011.
^ a b"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Heather Marter" Archived 2010-11-10 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, November 4, 2010
^ a bBiography page for Heather Marter, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a b"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Leroy Garrett" Archived 2010-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, Vevmo, December 7, 2010
^ a b cBiography page for Leroy Garrett, MTV, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a b cMentioned or seen in Episode 5.
^ a b c d"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Michael Ross" Archived 2010-12-06 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, November 4, 2010
^Naomi also mentions Michael's full name as Michael Brian Ross when reciting her wedding vows to him in Act 4 of the season finale.
^ a b c d eBiography page for Michael Ross, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a bMentioned or seen in Episode 2.
^St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School's official site, accessed November 24, 2010.
^ a bMentioned or seen in Episode 12.
^ a b c"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Nany González" Archived 2011-01-07 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, December 23, 2010
^Biography page for Nany González, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^Mentioned or seen in Episode 10.
^ a b c d e"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Naomi Defensor" Archived 2010-11-15 at the Wayback Machine, Vevmo, November 12, 2010
^Mike also addresses Naomi by her full name when proposing to her, reading the prenuptial agreement and reciting his wedding vows in Acts 3 and 4 of the season finale.
^ a b c dBiography page for Naomi Defensor, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^ a b c d e f"Real World: Back to Las Vegas – Heather Cooke" Archived 2013-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Vevmo, November 8, 2010
^ a b c d e fBiography page for Heather Cooke, MTV.com, accessed April 21, 2011.
^ a bMentioned or seen in Episode 7.
^Summary page for Episode 1 ("Welcome To Las Vegas"), MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^Video of Episode 1, MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert (March 10, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: "Top Chef" Slips, But Still Tops + "Justified," "Real World," "Hot in Cleveland" and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
^Summary page for Episode 2 ("Bottles, Bromance and Broken Hearts"), MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^Video of Episode 2, MTV.com, accessed March 17, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill (March 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead, Plus 'Top Chef,' 'Justified,' 'Hot in Cleveland' and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
^Although Phil initially refers to the organization as the Athlete Relief Fund, Michael later indicates it is called the Athlete Recovery Fund, or ARF, which is corroborated by sources such as this July 2008 Transworld Skateboarding story.
^Summary page for Episode 3 ("Stands By Me"), MTV.com, accessed March 11, 2011.
^Video of Episode 3, MTV.com, accessed March 24, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert (March 24, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Real World,' 'Top Chef' Lead, Plus 'Justified,' 'Hot in Cleveland' and More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
^Video of Episode 4, MTV.com, accessed April 1, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Justified,' 'Top Chef' Finale Up, 'Real World,' 'Sons Of Guns,' 'Ultimate Fighter' & More", TV By the Numbers, March 31, 2011
^Summary page for Episode 5 ("Playas Gettin' Played"), MTV.com, accessed April 7, 2011.
^Video of Episode 5, MTV.com, accessed April 7, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert (April 7, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Extreme Couponing,' 'Storage Wars' Lead Night + 'Real World' 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
^Summary page for Episode 6 ("Sexiles/Exiles"), MTV.com, accessed April 7, 2011.
^Video of Episode 6, MTV.com, accessed April 7, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill (April 14, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead Night + 'Extreme Couponing,' 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 17, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
^Summary page for Episode 7 ("Cooke Monsters"), MTV.com, accessed April 21, 2011.
^Video of Episode 7, MTV.com, accessed April 21, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, 'Storage Wars,' 'Real World' Lead Night + 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters' & More", TV By the Numbers, April 21, 2011
^"Real World's Dustin Zito Comes Clean About Gay Porn Past". The Advocate. April 28, 2011
^"Porn Site Removes Star's Vids". The Advocate. March 17, 2011.
^Summary page for Episode 8 ("Dustin Shows His Hand, Heather Folds"), MTV.com, accessed May 2, 2011.
^Video of Episode 8, MTV.com, accessed May 2, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Premiere, NBA Playoffs Lead Night + 'Justified,' 'Mythbusters,' 'Real World' & More", TV By the Numbers, April 28, 2011
^Summary page for Episode 9 ("Guys Who Like Girls Who Like Girls Who Like Sex"), MTV.com, accessed May 5, 2011.
^Video of Episode 9, MTV.com, accessed May 5, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert (May 5, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, 'Southpark,' 'Real World' Top Cable + 'Justified' Season 2 Finale & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
^Summary page for Episode 10 ("Who's Your Daddy?"), MTV.com, accessed May 15, 2011.
^Video of Episode 10, MTV.com, accessed May 15, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, 'South Park,' 'Real World' Top Cable + 'Mythbusters,' 'Top Chef' & More". TV by the Numbers. May 12, 2011
^Summary page for Episode 11 ("Oh Yeah, Mexico, Yeah"), MTV.com, accessed May 20, 2011.
^Video of Episode 11, MTV.com, accessed May 20, 2011.
^Seidman, Robert. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Lead Night + 'South Park,' 'Real World,' 'Mythbusters,' 'Top Chef' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. May 19, 2011
^Summary page for Episode 12 ("Addicted to Love"). MTV.com. accessed May 28, 2011.
^Video of Episode 12. MTV.com. accessed May 28, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: Mavericks/Thunder Leads Night + 'South Park,' 'Real World,' 'Storage Wars,' 'Workaholics' & More". TV by the Numbers. May 26, 2011
^Summary page for Episode 13 ("Leaving Las Vegas"). MTV.com. accessed June 4, 2011.
^Video of Episode 13. MTV.com. accessed June 4, 2011.
^Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Back On Top; Plus 'South Park,' 'Real World,' 'Franklin & Bash,' 'Workaholics' & More". TV by the Numbers. June 2, 2011
^ a b cReal World: Las Vegas Reunion, MTV.com, accessed June 9, 2011.
^"MTV Real Worlders Take Over 92.3 NOW". YouTube. February 1, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
^"Heather Marter and Dustin Zito". Couples Therapy. VH1. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
^Eggenberger, Nicole (July 16, 2013). "Dustin Zito, Real World Star, Arrested for Sexual Battery: Mugshot Photo". Us Weekly. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
^Donnelly, Matthew Scott (October 21, 2014). "IT WAS A 'REAL WORLD: LAS VEGAS' REUNION AT MIKE ROSS' WEDDING". MTV. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
^About Me; MichaelAdamRoyer.com - official site
^Ossad, Jordana (September 14, 2017). "Johnny Bananas and Leroy Are Trading The Challenge For Fear Factor". MTV. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
^Ossad, Jordana (January 31, 2019). "First Look: 'Game of Clones' Features MTV Stars Dating Celeb Lookalikes". MTV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
^Boucher, Ashley (November 20, 2020). "Challenge Stars Kam Williams and Leroy Garrett Moving in Together in New Houston Home". People. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
^Slater, Georgia (June 6, 2021). "The Challenge's Kam Williams and Leroy Garrett Welcome First Baby, Son Kingston Lee: 'Obsessed'". People. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
^Andaloro, Angela (March 5, 2024). "The Challenge's Kam Williams and Leroy Garrett Welcome Baby No. 2, Daughter Aria: 'Worth the Wait' (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
^Mauch, Ally (December 8, 2020). "The Challenge Star Leroy Garrett Says Upcoming Season — His 12th! — Will Be His Last". People. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
^Jackson, Dory (November 17, 2021). "The Challenge's Leroy Garrett Opens Up About Camila Nakagawa's Racist Outburst on Dirty 30, MTV Apologizes". People. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
^Bricker, Tierney (April 2, 2021). "The Challenge: All Stars: Why These 24 OGs Didn't Return". E! Online. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.