2008 Woodie Awards
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Univ. student lands role on MTV's Road Rules
Show rookie still active on campus
ABBI LIBERS
Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
LaMonté Ponder has no idea why he was chosen to be on MTV's Road Rules.
In fact, the 20-year-old junior from Decatur attended the show's casting call last October on a whim.
When: 9 tonight on MTV
More Information: Vote for LaMonté at www.mtv.com.
"Really, I just went for the fun of it," Ponder said. "I didn't have anything else to do."
After getting through the first round, Ponder found himself in Atlanta for the semi-finals and then Los Angeles for the finals. But it wasn't until Winter Break that he got the news he made the show.
"I just started screaming and laughing hysterically," Ponder said. "I couldn't believe they wanted me. I felt so blessed."
Soon after, Ponder was off to New York to film the casting special, where he learned that during its two-and-a-half year hiatus, Road Rules had gotten a makeover.
For "Road Rules 2007: Viewers' Revenge," MTV put Road Rules veterans Veronica, Abram, Kina, Adam, Susie and Shane on the RV, but each week they battle it out with a member of the Pit Crew, which consists of Ponder and five other "newbies," to keep the coveted spot.
At the end of each mission, the Road Rulers choose one team member to fight in the Pit, while the audience gets to choose which newbie they will be up against.
Ponder already has been sent to the Pit to earn a spot on the RV, but lost to Dan in a challenge called "The Fumble."
Having taken the semester off, Ponder spends his time traveling back and forth between Atlanta and Los Angeles to film the show.
But before landing a spot on MTV, Ponder already was building a reputation of being active on campus. He served as an RA in Creswell last year and was an Orientation Leader for Summer 2006.
"Being an OL did a lot for my character," Ponder said. "If you love helping people, it's a joy."
Ponder also dances with Pamoja dance company, and is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi and the Caribbean Student Association.
Although double majoring in biology and psychology, Ponder said his first love is dancing, and now that he's on Road Rules, his eyes have opened up to the entertainment business.
"I had never even been to L.A. before," he said. "I'm hoping this will be a vehicle for me to get to know people."
Even though Ponder has yet to make it on the RV, he said he still feels like he's part of the Road Rules family.
"It just makes me more excited to prove myself," he said. For those who are on the RV, Ponder said the characters you see on TV are no different than their personalities in real life.
"Even with editing, they can only put what you give them on TV," he said. "I'm not trying to entertain anyone. I just try to be myself."
In fact, the 20-year-old junior from Decatur attended the show's casting call last October on a whim.
ROAD RULES 2007: VIEWERS' REVENGE
When: 9 tonight on MTV
More Information: Vote for LaMonté at www.mtv.com.
"Really, I just went for the fun of it," Ponder said. "I didn't have anything else to do."
After getting through the first round, Ponder found himself in Atlanta for the semi-finals and then Los Angeles for the finals. But it wasn't until Winter Break that he got the news he made the show.
"I just started screaming and laughing hysterically," Ponder said. "I couldn't believe they wanted me. I felt so blessed."
Soon after, Ponder was off to New York to film the casting special, where he learned that during its two-and-a-half year hiatus, Road Rules had gotten a makeover.
For "Road Rules 2007: Viewers' Revenge," MTV put Road Rules veterans Veronica, Abram, Kina, Adam, Susie and Shane on the RV, but each week they battle it out with a member of the Pit Crew, which consists of Ponder and five other "newbies," to keep the coveted spot.
At the end of each mission, the Road Rulers choose one team member to fight in the Pit, while the audience gets to choose which newbie they will be up against.
Ponder already has been sent to the Pit to earn a spot on the RV, but lost to Dan in a challenge called "The Fumble."
Having taken the semester off, Ponder spends his time traveling back and forth between Atlanta and Los Angeles to film the show.
But before landing a spot on MTV, Ponder already was building a reputation of being active on campus. He served as an RA in Creswell last year and was an Orientation Leader for Summer 2006.
"Being an OL did a lot for my character," Ponder said. "If you love helping people, it's a joy."
Ponder also dances with Pamoja dance company, and is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi and the Caribbean Student Association.
Although double majoring in biology and psychology, Ponder said his first love is dancing, and now that he's on Road Rules, his eyes have opened up to the entertainment business.
"I had never even been to L.A. before," he said. "I'm hoping this will be a vehicle for me to get to know people."
Even though Ponder has yet to make it on the RV, he said he still feels like he's part of the Road Rules family.
"It just makes me more excited to prove myself," he said. For those who are on the RV, Ponder said the characters you see on TV are no different than their personalities in real life.
"Even with editing, they can only put what you give them on TV," he said. "I'm not trying to entertain anyone. I just try to be myself."
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