Former MTV VJ Eric Nies will be hosting this year’s UW Dance Marathon to raise money for Camp Heartland and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Both organizations are involved in helping children with AIDS.

Nies, 30, appeared as a member of the first cast of MTV’s The Real World 10 years ago and was the host of MTV’s popular dance show The Grind. Since then he has appeared on numerous television shows and commercials, as well as creating his own workout video series based on The Grind.

The Badger Herald recently caught up with Nies for an interview.

B.H.: How did you get involved with UW Dance Marathon?

E.N.: I’ve been working with the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation for the past three years doing kids-for-kids events. They just recently asked me to be the national M.C. for the Dance Marathons, and I think Madison will be my first one. I enjoy any opportunity to do something to raise awareness and money, especially when kids are involved. I also think dancing is an important element in any culture, and it’s an opportunity for people of many races to come together to celebrate and rejoice. It provides a common bond, and our culture has lost that over the years.
B.H.: When you were on The Real World, did you have any idea what you were getting into?

E.N.: I don’t think anyone had, or even has for that matter, an idea what they are getting into with the show. When we did the show in New York 10 years ago, it was pretty much the first reality show. For me, it was just a job, a way to further my career in the entertainment business, but it ended up becoming an instant phenomenon.

B.H.: How did being on the show change you?

E.N.: It changed my whole life. My attitude towards life and other people was closed-minded before the show. When I was forced to live with seven people, I began to find the commonalties between different cultures and opinions.

B.H.: Do you enjoy the fame you have acquired?

E.N.: I’ve never really been affected by fame. I kinda fell into it after high school as an opportunity to make some money. As far as people approaching me in public, I enjoy it. Obviously it depends on the person who is talking to you, but I use the times people have negative things to say as a way of learning patience. Overall, I’m very happy with people and with where I am in my life.

B.H.: What are your plans for the future?

E.N.: I want to continue to do the things I am doing now, and to be a positive influence on people. I also want to do some traveling and maybe start a family.

B.H.: What do you think about the current fascination with reality television programs?

E.N.: I’m really disappointed. It’s unfortunate that the shows are geared towards greed and sex. They could do so many positive things, but they don’t. I feel partially responsible too, but I’m doing a lot of things to try to reverse it. The entertainment business molds children’s lives to an extent, and the shows are a negative reflection on American culture.