MTV's Priscilla Mendez: Back to the Real World (aka UC Davis)

Last time I spoke with was back in September, right after she finished filming MTV’s Real World in San Diego and . School was about to start and the show was about to premier.

About a week later, however, she received a call from MTV asking if she’d like to participate in The Challenge: Battle of the Exes, which is like Survivor for ex-Real World cast members. After some thought, she decided to defer enrollment and continue the televised adventure.

But now she’s back in Davis and settled into her apartment and her classes. The Challenge will premier on Jan. 25. We discussed her experience over the phone a few weeks ago:

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How did it feel watching yourself on the Real World?

It was the weirdest experience. I normally get sucked into reality TV and I love it, but it’s crazy because I never really questioned [the accuracy] before. If I thought someone was a bitch, they were a bitch. Now I watch these things and it’s like, “No, that’s so one-sided!”

Why did you decide to defer enrollment last quarter?

It was crazy. I moved up to Davis on the 18^th of September and by the 11^th of October I was already on a flight back home.  I was like, “This is depressing!”

I got invited to do The Challenge, so I had to make a decision. I talked to my mom a lot and weighed it out to see what exactly my options were. And then I ended up leaving and doing The Challenge, which was awesome.

I realize now that it was a really good idea because I don’t know if I would have been able to give school my 100 percent attention [last quarter].

Did you have any connection with Davis while you were away?

I’ve gotten some shout outs from people who go to Davis who say, “Oh my gosh I go there.” I don’t know how, or what happened, but I would even get voicemails from people at like 3 in the morning that were like, “Hey I’m having a party. You should come!” I’m like, “Who are you?”

How are you feeling about school now that you’re back?

I’m excited. I feel like this is: School, Take 2. I don’t know what to expect, really. I’m glad I took the quarter off and did the traveling. Now it’s my time to be back at school. I feel like I took advantage of every opportunity and it’s been incredible.

Did you follow any of the situation?  

I saw it on the news and everything and thought, “This is crazy. What’s going on?” I got the emails on my school account. I wish I could have been there to see it first hand, because it seemed very surreal. It made me realize there are a lot of things that are happening beyond my own life.

So you’re back in your apartment, all settled in?  

Yeah, I’m excited to be able to decorate the house, hopefully buy more furniture, get a TV. I don’t know, maybe I'll get a kitten.

Update: She got a kitten! And it looks like a wolf!

How did you like being on TV? Could entertainment be in your future?

I loved it. I thought it was really cool and fun. If more opportunities come my way, I’d love to consider more things. But I really love school. I know that’s weird, but I love class and going to school. I’m really excited to be back.

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The Challenge: Battle of the Exes will premier on January 25. Follow Priscilla on Twitter at @PriscMTV.