Ruthie Alcaide, former Real World Hawaii cast member, gave a lecture about alcoholism and her experience on the MTV show at the Student Center Thursday night. She took time before her presentation to speak with Jessica Yorama from the Daily Egyptian.

Daily Egyptian:How do you like SIU so far?

Ruthie Alcaide:I think its pretty cool. I mean the people are very welcoming. I’m having a good time.

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DE:Where did you go to college and what was your college experience like?

R:Rutgers University. Amazing. I was actually journalism major. I minored in psychology. College is what you make of it. You can’t just go to class. You need to get involved in things. The more involved you are in a lot of things especially in college where you’re deciding what you want to do with your life. And the only way to find yourself is to put yourself out there.

DE:As someone who has experienced the frustration that comes with college, what would you recommend to students?

R:Just enjoy it. Like when you have an assignment you can’t wait to the last minute. That’s why when I was in college I would do my assignment that day. Everyone else would do it the day it was due and they’d be like “where’s your homework?” and I would tell them, “I already have it done.” Just don’t procrastinate. That’s my advice.

DE:Do you get recognized often? How do you feel about the fact that you’re now considered a celebrity and the manner in which you obtained this fame?

R:A lot in the first couple of years after my show but it’s kind of died down. I’m about to do the Real World challenge and I know its going to be nuts after that.

I’m just doing my thing; I’m still Ruthie, with or without that status from the show you still who you are.

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DE:You went through a lot of difficulties on the “Real World.” Do you regret the experience, and would you do it again?

R:I think the Real World is like college you have a lot of fun and you go through good stuff and bad stuff but I don’t think I’d do it again

DE:You earned somewhat of a reputation on the show, would you say that what people witnessed on the show is an accurate depiction of your character?

R:It’s based on reality but its not the whole story so it kind of it makes it fake. I mean, there’s not music playing in the background in real life to make things more dramatic. It’s also out of chorological order. I did a lot of things in Hawaii like scuba diving but they just wanted to show me getting drunk all the time and tell the story of alcohol abuse, which are reality but not the whole reality of my experience.

DE:What advice do you have for other individuals dealing with issues of bisexuality and alcoholism? (2)How have you dealt with these issues since the show ended?

R:I’m definitely going to talk about alcoholism tonight. With bisexuality I found it was a lot harder to be in the closet than out because it was more of a burden to stay in there. I think a lot of kids are scared because they think their friends won’t love them if they find out their gay or bi, but your true friends are gonna love you anyway. As far as how I’ve been dealing with it. (2) I haven’t; it’s not an issue.

DE:I heard you refer to yourself as a “mutt” earlier. I’m sure a lot of people are curious about your racial background?

R:Phillipino, Samoan, Spanish, Irish and French.

DE:What have you been doing since “The Real World?” What are your plans for the future?

R:I’ve been traveling around, doing stuff with music and I just got with an agency so I’m getting into acting.

DE:As far as the not so distant future is concerned, what are your plans while in Carbondale?

R:Tonight in Carbondale, I’m gonna get a little taste of everything. I’m going to get something to eat, hang around with people. Basically go wherever Nikki [Student Center special programs graduate assistant] takes me.