Ace, Mallory go seperate ways

'Real World' stars speak to more than 1,000 fans

Katelyn Wysynzski / staff photographer "The Real World" cast members Mallory Snyder (above) and Ace Amerson spoke to a crowd of more than 1,000 students Monday night in the College Center.

Finding out if Music Television's "The Real World Paris" stars Ace Amerson and Mallory Snyder still are dating was the reason that many students attended their speech Monday night in the College Center Grand Ballroom.

Amerson and Snyder revealed to a crowd of over 1,000 students that they are no longer together.

"We were doing different things, and the distance thing was really hard," Amerson said.

Snyder said Amerson now is dating Cameran Eubanks, who is on "The Real World San Diego."

"Cameran only lives two hours away from me; we're just good friends," Amerson said.

Some fans wanted to hear that Amerson and Snyder were no longer together, especially because the rumor had been circulating — another reason was because they wanted to hear that Amerson was single.

The Student Government Association and the Panhellenic Council sold 400 tickets in two hours when they first went on sale Feb. 16. It then was decided by the Student Government Association to sell 600 more tickets because of the high demand. The event was moved from PC Ballroom to the College Center Grand Ballroom.

Sophomore Ashley Dorey was at the front of the line at 4:45 p.m., waiting for the door to open at 7 p.m., since the seats were first come, first serve to those who purchased a ticket.

"I'm here because I want to find out if [Amerson's] still dating Mallory," Dorey said.

Dorey said she likes Amerson's sweet Southern accent, his charm and his smile.

"Granted, I do want to be with him, but if he can't be with me, Mallory would be the second best," Dorey said.

Sophomore Margaret Bishop was at the front of the line with Dorey.

"I like how Ace always wants to have fun, and he never wanted people mad at him in the show," Bishop said.

Amerson and Snyder talked about their opinions of reality television and their experiences while in Paris.

"Having cameras on you is something that you never get used to," Amerson said.

Amerson initially had tried out for "The Real World Chicago." "I always wanted to be on ‘The Real World' since I was 12," Amerson said. "I feel like I kind of grew up with ‘The Real World.'"

Snyder's purpose in trying out for " The Real World Paris" was not to be on television. She really just wanted MTV to take her to Paris.

"I would have never done the show if it was in the states," Snyder said. "It was the most exciting time of my life. At 19 years old, I realized I was going to Paris and my life was on a totally new path."

Amerson commented about how different the cultures in Paris are compared to the United States.

"The best thing about Paris is that they keep to themselves, and they left us alone," Amerson said.

A concern of Snyder's while she was on television was that her parents would see everything she was doing.

"My parents were pretty proud of me because you put yourself out there, and you are a role model," Snyder said. "You don't want young kids to see you drinking and smoking."

Both Amerson and Snyder said they felt the producers did a good job following the story line. They said that there were never any staged scenes.

Amerson and Snyder participaed in one of MTV's new shows, "The Inferno," which has the casts from "The Real World" and "Road Rules" battle it out in numerous challenges.

According to Amerson, everyone that was on "The Inferno" was paid $4,000 just for being there.

Since starring on MTV's "The Inferno," Snyder has been traveling extensively and modeling. She has applied to go to the University of Illinois in the fall of 2004.

"My life has completely gone down a new path," Snyder said. "I don't really know what I want to do now."

After being kicked off "The Inferno" early in the show, Amerson has been working on opening a steak house and a gym in Georgia, where is he from. According to Amerson and Snyder, they both gained a lot from being on "The Real World Paris."

"After watching the show, I gained a lot more confidence, and I learned that in order to be happy with other people, you have to be happy with yourself," Snyder said.