MTV is taking the Real World back to a familiar place as the 24th season of the reality show was filmed in New Orleans.

The Real World: Back To New Orleans is set to premiere tonight June 30th at 10 p.m. eastern. The new season features eight new cast members and promises to bring the drama, romance, and drinking that the Real World fans have grown accustomed to.

“Once again, eight diverse strangers come together in the “Who Dat Nation” to experience life, love, and the 24-hour party that is New Orleans, while also discovering a passion for the city’s legendary food and music. The premiere episode opens up with the roommates in the middle of The French Quarter, where they quickly find out first impressions are not always what they seem,” reveals the press release.

And though the new season has yet to premiere, the cast made headlines back in March when cops were called to the house by cast member Ryan Leslie, who complained that his housemate, Preston Roberson-Charles, with whom he had an argument three weeks earlier, urinated on his toothbrush, and used it to scrub in the inside of a toilet bowl, causing a subsequent sore throat and fever experienced that required Leslie to go to the hospital on February 21, where he was treated for a viral infection.

According to Ryan, Preston previously called him a gay slur and threatened to take some action against his belongings. Ryan learned that Preston had soiled his toothbrush only after he had been using it for two weeks.

The first Real World New Orleans debuted 10 years ago.

MEET THE CAST BELOW -

McKenzie Coburn, 21 – McKenzie is a down to earth sorority girl attending the University of Central Florida and majoring in psychology. Raised on Florida’s beaches with her three siblings and happily married parents, McKenzie’s childhood was pretty idyllic. As a practicing Catholic who experiences her beliefs on a deep and emotional level, McKenzie is nonetheless quite open-minded.

Eric Patrick, 24 – It’s not often that you meet a Real World roommate who’s a stand-up comic AND holds a job at the State Department, traveling the globe briefing foreign service personnel on American policy. Far from Mr. Serious, Eric’s true passion is comedy, and he’s already made significant progress in his career, performing regularly and winning several competitions.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS & BIOS OF THE CAST! –

Ashlee Feldman, 23 – Coming to New Orleans fresh out of a rocky break up, Ashlee is anxious to explore new opportunities. That could include pursuing her ultimate dream job of being a sideline sports reporter. Or it might just mean partying hard in the Big Easy. Ashlee grew up in a small New Jersey suburb.

Ryan Knight, 23 – Knight is a 23 year-old Wisconsin native who has lived and breathed hockey for as long as he can remember. Recently his life was turned upside down after a severe shoulder injury cost him his athletic/academic scholarship at Arizona State University and left him unable to play the sport. During recovery he became addicted to painkillers, and now everyday is a battle to remain clean.

Ryan Leslie, 21 – One part: unpredictable, two parts: ADHD and OCD, twenty-one year old Ryan is one of the most bizarre roommates in New Orleans. Whether it’s his fascination with cold ears or his tendency to chase his roommates around the house naked, Ryan’s high energy makes him the life of the party and chief instigator of the group.

Sahar Dika, 21 – Sahar grew up in a conservative Arab community in Dearborn, MI. It would be easy to assume that because of that she’s a submissive, conservative girl. But that would not be the case. She’s a strong-willed, liberal Muslim who is not easily intimidated. Expect her to speak her mind.

Jemmye Carroll, 22 – As vocal supporter of gay marriage and legalization of marijuana, Jemmye doesn’t necessarily come off as someone from a conservative Mississippi hometown. She enjoys casual sex with no commitment, and she has a preference for black men (until she meets fellow roommate, Knight), which is about as scandalous as it gets in her heavily Southern Baptist community.

Preston Roberson-Charles, 22 – Preston’s first childhood memory is of crying in the back seat of the car while his mother went to score crack. Needless to say, his family life was anything but ideal. When he was 17, his mother essentially abandoned him, leaving Preston to fend for himself. Despite a rough childhood, he’s somehow managed to grow into a carefree individual who walks to the beat of his own drum. As a proud, young, gay, black man, Preston strives to be the center of attention.

MTV has unveiled the cast for the latest season of their long running hit – The Real World. The Real World DC is set to premier Wednesday, December 30th at 10 PM ET/PT.

This season was filmed for 3 months as production began on July 2nd, with filming wrapping up on October 12th.

MTV released the following statement regarding the new cast and season -

With high hopes and expectations, eight new roommates come to our nation’s capital for the 23rd season of The Real World, each pursuing their own passions and goals whether it be music or photography, political cartooning, or campaigning for Human Rights — while enjoying DC’s exuberant and diverse nightlife. Swept up in the excitement of the new administration to serve and impact change, the roommates experience their own personal growth and life changes: a small town Texas girl realizes her dream; the jokester of the house has to get serious when it comes to love; a dysfunctional romance threatens to divide the house; and a young man learns that coming out is not only a personal choice but a political one as well.

MORE PHOTOS AND BIO OF EACH CAST MEMBER IS BELOW –

Andrew Woods, 21, West Minster, Colorado – The annoying little brother that you love to hate, but secretly love…describes twenty-one year old Andrew. He is an individual, to say the least; this fun-loving, free spirit from the suburbs of Denver will say anything to get a rise out of people. Often spotted around town wearing a panda hat, Andrew is a local legend for his witty, often offensive, politically incorrect comics.

Ashley Lindley, 22, San Francisco, California – Ashley is a Portuguese beauty, with a hot temper and a blunt demeanor. She’s passionate and compassionate…and very opinionated, especially when it comes to heated topics like politics and religion. Ashley might be the most politically aware of the eight roommates. She was an Obama delegate from Vegas, and she will debate anyone, anytime about anything.

Callie Walker, Gavelston, Texas – Callie may be a small town girl, but she doesn’t plan to stay that way. This Texas native spent her childhood years falling on hard times and at one point living in a warehouse, then a junkyard — an experience that for years made her the butt of her classmates’ jokes. A free-spirit vegan, Callie has always felt a little out of place in her conservative Texas town, and she’s just chomping at the bit to break free and chase her dreams of becoming a photographer.

Emily Schromm, 21, Kirksville, Missouri – A Midwestern girl who, until now, had never been East of Illinois, twenty-one year old Emily was raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult. Since breaking out from the cult, her daredevil nature has led her to throw herself into new things and broaden her horizons in every facet of her life.

Erika Lauren Wasilewski, 21, Chicago, Illinois – Erika is the melodramatic singer, and if there’s one thing this Windy City rocker wants to make clear about herself, it’s that she doesn’t sing backup. Whether playing a gig or just chilling in the house, Erika likes to take center stage.

Josh Colon, 23, Philadelphia, Pennysilvania – Josh has Philly pride, but that doesn’t mean this twenty-three year old wants to serve up Philly cheese steaks for the rest of his life. This Puerto Rican/Italian glam rocker/rapper has dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry with his punk-funkadelic sound. Always one to look his sharpest, Josh is the quintessential ladies’ man.

Mike Manning, 22, Thornton, Colorado – In high school, Mike was the typical jock…a star athlete, prom king, popular with all the girls…an all around golden child from a Christian family. But that’s where the stereotype ends. Mike realized several years ago that, for him, love knows no gender. He dates guys and girls, and is still questioning whether he’s bi-sexual or gay.

Ty Ruff, 22, Baltimore, Maryland – Ty is not one to let the worst get the best of him. Abandoned by his biological parents, Ty was shuffled around foster homes before being adopted at age five; and he grew up in a part of Baltimore he compares to “The Wire.” Despite growing up in the church, he is anti-religion and thinks believing in God is a crutch. He relies only on himself.

PHOTOS By Rene Cervantes, Courtesy of MTV.

Here is a preview of tonight’s real world episode showing Jasmine and Ayiiia fighting. Tonight’s episode also shows Ayiiia and Emilee who can’t stop talking about how much they love each other during their confessional.

Watch tonight’s episode on MTV at 9pm C/10pm E

MTV continues it’s trend of taking young, attractive 20 something year olds, supplying them with loads of alcohol, all while taping it and calling it the “Real World.” I promised myself I was done with this show, but I caught myself watching both episodes last night and I must say, it was pretty interesting.

We’ll start of with Ayiiia (the viewers choice) who for some reason just comes of as very unlikeable. Within seconds of seeing this girl on TV, I just knew she would be the token “annoying” cast mate. Something tells me the viewers who voted for her might be feeling bamboozled as she came off as being sweet, fun and exciting during the audition process. A different story however on the show, where she is coming off as annoying, cold, unlikeable, and an all around Debbie Downer.

Yes, Joey acted like a jerk towards her by spitting on her tacos, but she was way out of line for making fun of Joey’s “herpes” lip in my opinion. Moving on to Jonna and CJ aka the “heartthrob.” So in Jonna world, it’s completely okay to sleep in the same bed with another man, dry hump him, kiss him everywhere but his lips, hold hands with him every chance you get, then act shocked and appalled when he finally attempts to kiss you? Pretty much felt bad for Jonna’s boyfriend during the entire show. She seems sweet but very misguided. She might have CJ confused with Derek who is gay and probably my favorite roommate at the moment. Here’s my summary of each of the housemates -

Emilee = Total drama queen. Bears a striking resemblance to Mallory of Real World Paris.

Jonna – Seems like a nice girl but her “hotness” is extremely very overrated. The way she is alienating herself from the other female cast mates will be sure to backfire.

CJ - Insanely gorgeous but a jerk, and was definitely looking for a reason to break up with his girlfriend from back home.

Jasmine - So so for the moment, don’t like the way she seems to follow what the other girls (Emilee and Aiiiya) are doing.

Derek - Very likeable, love the way he tries to keep the peace.

Bronne - The one I keep wanting to forget, waiting for his purpose on the show to be revealed. Seems nice though.

Joey – Likeable jerk. His music was great.

Aiiiya – Something about her just rubs you the wrong way, or maybe it’s just me.

All in all, this should be an interesting season. I am somewhat hooked now, and can’t wait to see the next episode. Wonder what causes the big fight between Emilee and Aiiiya. Below are some photos of the cast members.

TELL US – WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS ON REAL WORLD CANCUN?