'Washington Heights' Leading Ladies Talk About Starring On MTV's Newest Reality Show
Washington Heights, Manhattan native Jonathan Perez was hanging out with a few buddies—which is how he spends most of his time when he's not writing rhymes or rapping on stage—and realized their real lives were every bit as fascinating as any show on TV. So he grabbed a camera and filmed a pilot starring his friends and his neighborhood.
The footage fortuitously landed on a desk at MTV, and the network quickly picked up the show. Washington Heights is a classic MTV reality drama that's like a lot like The Hills but a little artsier, a whole lot grittier, and on the East Coast instead of the West.
In anticipation of the show's premiere, we chatted with Frankie, the witty outspoken poet who never fails to say what's on her mind, and Taylor, the super-sweet college student with a penchant for fashion. The girls talked about their beloved neighborhood, their best friends, and their post-show plans.
Check out our interviews, then tune in tonight at 10/9c on MTV.
1/3Frankie Reese and Taylor Howell talk about growing up in the Heights and starring on the show that's been billed The Hills 2.0.
2/3Taylor Howell, 21
What was your life like before the show?
"School and work, basically. I go to Manhattan [College], and I worked at Urban Outfitters. Before that, Abercrombie, and before that, American Apparel. I went to FIT for a semester because I really wanted to be a stylist. I was too young for it, and didn't know what I was getting into. But I definitely want to do something in fashion. I love clothes."
**Have you always lived in the Heights? **
"I lived in New Jersey, then I moved here when I was 11. I went to an all-girls Catholic school up here, which was a lot of fun. I feel like everyone thinks that girls' schools are catty, but not where I went. There's no guys around, so there's no one to impress. I miss it!"
Were you friends with the cast in high school?
"Me and Frankie knew each other because she also went to an all-girl Catholic school. I knew everyone in high school, because JP and Rico live five blocks away. Over the years, we've all gone through phases of who we're really close to."
Was it weird to have cameras following you around?
"We have a lot more fun, actually. We just have to talk about everything. I learned a lot of things about my friends. Jimmy is a really private person, and I was basically learning with the viewers about his father. I was crying!"
**What do you want to do after the show? **
"From filming the show and talking to the camera crew, there's so many jobs that I was never aware of. We all got really close to the people at MTV, because they really think we're good kids. I still want to do something in fashion, though. I like the awards show styling... behind the scenes, music videos, things like that."
What has the reaction been like?
"There's a lot of people who are really positive about kids from the Heights getting on TV. But some people are really scared, because the Heights has never been on TV. We'll change their minds. I feel like we're a lot better than people are giving us credit for."
Other than Washington Heights, what's your favorite MTV show?
"I love MTV2, does that count? I love Guy Code. I also love Awkward. I remember one time the crew came to film at my house and I was in bathrobe watching Awkward. Embarrassing. I watched The Hills when I was in middle school, and I've been watching it on Netflix."
3/3Frankie Reese, 21
What was your life like before the show?
"Before the show came about, I was working at Starbucks. I felt like I was stagnating, because I wasn't doing anything to help my career. I had been in school, but I lost my passion for it. So I worked, and I got sucked into the 9-5 life."
Have you always lived in Washington Heights?
"I've lived in the Heights my entire life. I just have no desire to leave right now, because I'm able to work with the people I want to work with, like JP and Frankie P. There's nothing that makes me want to leave. But I do want to travel!"
How long have you been friends with the cast?
"We've been hanging out for, like, three years. A lot of us have been friends for even longer. I just started hanging out with them more as we've gotten older, because I was very into my schoolwork. I see them every single day. It all sort of started to hit me yesterday, because I was sitting in JP's living room like always. It was like... 'Holy crap, why are we on television?'"
What has the reaction been like?
"I think it's going to be great, because we've been misrepresented. We've been given a chance to show a side that's genuine. I think people are going to be able to relate to that. My parents are super-excited. In comparison to a lot of people in my neighborhood, we've become very Americanized and my parents and grandparents have been going through the same thing as everyone else's."
Was it weird to have cameras following you around?
"For the first two weeks, it was still strange, but after awhile, I got used to it. There are some things that I wouldn't say because of the cameras. And I'm the resident potty mouth of the group, as I was horrified to learn."
Poetry is your thing. When did that start?
"I've been writing poetry since I was ten years old. It's always been easier for me to digest what I'm thinking and feeling with poetry, but it's gotten a lot better and lot more intricate over the years."
You also have some serious style. How would you describe it?
"I just like to have to fun. I get up in the morning and I'm like, "I feel like this." Fashion is a really easy way to describe your personality without opening your mouth. I'm lucky enough to live in a country where I can wear what I want to. You can be whatever you want to be."
What will you do once the show ends?
"I'm working on an audio book right now. It's a collection of poetry and I'm going to have some friends score each one. I'm in the process of going to apply to school, I want to teach creative writing. But I love everything. Lately I've been thinking about philosophy. I need my degree!"
Worry less about mean girls and more about math class. What’s your favorite Teen Vogue moment?
When there were five (!) different One Direction covers in 2012. Share a funny anecdote from a first job or internship.
As a Teen Vogue intern, I interviewed Jonas ... Read More
