Local ATOs take pride in former fraternity member

Former SIUC student and Orland Park native Brad Fiorenza did not really want to audition for MTV’s “Real World,” but his cousin Chris Rose talked him into it.

It was June, and the line of those waiting to audition was a little too long for Fiorenza’s liking. But he stuck it out until his interview and ultimately was contacted and invited back for the next round.

Fiorenza was then asked to submit a video of himself. This is when his mom stepped into the picture.

“I talked him out of it,” said Sherry Fiorenza, a high school teacher. Brad had just graduated from college and his mother was hoping he would look for “real” jobs.

But when MTV called wondering where Fiorenza’s missing tape was, he felt encouraged to submit one.

Soon he flew to Los Angeles for the next leg of the competition.

“He was excited. He really wanted to do it at that point,” Sherry said.

Fiorenza did not pursue other job interviews because he was waiting to find out what would happen with the “Real World.”

“Summer was on hold for us; it was pretty tense,” Sherry said.

While the selection process continued, MTV would not tell Fiorenza how many people remained; but as they called more and more of his friends and family for background checks, he knew he was coming close.

Finally in August, MTV called with the news that out of about 30,000 applicants, he had made it on the show.

“He was thrilled to make it,” Sherry said.

Mrs. Fiorenza had mixed emotions about the whole thing. Though she was happy for her son, she was slightly disappointed at the missed opportunity to pursue other jobs.

“I was a little nervous about it,” she said.

She was also a little bothered by the fact that he would be living his life in front of the nation.

“Do I really want my students knowing this is my son?” she joked.

She hopes that as long as he is careful about what he does, MTV won’t be able to shape his “character” negatively.

“I told him, ‘Do not give them any ammunition,'” she said.

Fiorenza, or “Fonzi” to his friends, first attended SIUC in the fall of 1999 and stayed at the University through fall 2001. He then transferred to Lewis University in Chicago where he received his degree in accounting.

Fiorenza was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity the entire time he attended SIUC and lived in the fraternity house for two years.

Sherry said he loved being a part of the fraternity and it actually helped him to mature.

“He did a lot for our fraternity,” said Jeff Tomlinson, a senior in advertising and rush chair of the ATOs.

Nick Charveron, also senior in advertising and member of the ATOs, is one of Fiorenza’s good friends. He recalled receiving a voicemail from Fiorenza letting him know he was selected to be on the show.

“He was like, ‘I made it! I can’t believe it!'” Charveron said. “SIUC will be well represented. This guy is completely unique; he stands out from the get go.”

Charveron has a good idea of what Fiorenza’s “character” will be on the show.

“Brad has been known to be a little wild,” he said. “There’s always a ‘muscular stud’ of the show; he is going to be that guy. He is wild. He is indescribable.”

Both Charveron and Tomlinson agreed that he’ll win over the ladies and will bring a lot of comedy to the show. They expect that being a part of the Real World will open doors for him.

“He’s very animated and photogenic,” Mrs. Fiorenza said.

She said that making use of his accounting degree is not something he is really excited to do right now, and the “Real World” experience will open his mind to other options.

“Time will tell,” she said.

Before Fiorenza left for San Diego, Charveron was among friends to go out with Fiorenza for a going away party.

“The last night that we went out was unreal,” Charveron said. “He was really pumped. Back in Orland Park at these bars, people knew who he was from the time he walked in.”

Fiorenza left home and flew out to San Diego to begin filming about two weeks ago.

“I lectured him about making the right decisions,” Mrs. Fiorenza said. “He’s just a real free spirit.”

She said he has always liked the spotlight and the cameras, and that all in all he’s pretty easygoing guy. She plans to watch every episode.

“I told him, ‘Just remember, Brad, when we watch this, you are going to be home!'” she said jokingly.

She said MTV was there with cameras the day he left.

Among those to say goodbye was Fiorenza’s girlfriend, SIUC alumni and former homecoming queen Andrea Gilio. Mrs. Fiorenza said Gilio also had mixed emotions about Fiorenza leaving for the show.

Now residing in a multi-million dollar mansion on the water in San Diego, Fiorenza is a tour guide on a million-dollar sailboat.

“He is just loving it out there, he is having a great time so far,” Mrs. Fiorenza said.

While being a part of the Real World cast, Fiorenza can only keep in contact with 10 outside friends and family members of his choice. Among those chosen are his parents, his cousin Chris Rose, who is also a former SIUC student and ATO member of four years, Gilio and Charveron.

Charveron explained that Brad spoke to a producer about getting some of his friends to come visit him on the show, and the producer suggested the possibility of renting a bar for them.

“We’re working on planning a trip to go out there around Christmas,” Charveron said.

Sherry said it is very hard to keep in contact with Fiorenza now. She said the phone in the Real World house is in a room that is very hot, so Fiorenza doesn’t like to be in there a lot. In addition to this, she has to be careful about what she says on the phone because all calls are monitored.

“Email has been the best way to keep in touch with him,” she said.

Among Fiorenza’s hobbies is motorcycle riding, so MTV shipped his motorcycle to San Diego so he can ride it on the show. They also have a specific track to film him riding on. For the opening episode of rounding up the group, Fiorenza was filmed on his motorcycle, picking up the girls from different states who will be on the show.

“He loves riding his Yamaha,” Sherry said, “He has a passion for motorcycles and stunt riding.

“I miss him a lot, that’s for sure. He’s a really vibrant person to be around,” she said. “But I think he will be a better person for being a part of this.”

Reporter Linsey Maughan can be reached at lmaughan@dailyegyptian.com