By Leila Gebeiti
When Matt Botti walked into The Black Rhino one night last May, he had no idea that his life was about to change. This average senior finance student and staff assistant in the University Relations Department was out for a few drinks with his buddies when he was approached by an NBC casting director who wanted him to try out for a new reality series that was being filmed.
Skeptical about reality shows and curious at the same time, Botti endured a month of tedious application packets and interviewing for what was described as “some type of dating game.”
When Botti was invited to the final casting round in Los Angeles, the producers instructed him to pack a suitcase for a possible three month stay in an exotic location. There were a few catches – he did not know the specifics of the show, where he was going or who he would be competing against.
Botti was one of eight guys chosen from Boston to be on “Average Joe II: Hawaii,” a reality show similar to ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” but with a twist.
Larissa Meek, a former Miss USA contestant and model, journeys to Hawaii with the promise of romance to be found among a group of 18 Prince Charmings. Instead, Larissa is greeted by a group of very average-looking men with average jobs – not at all what she was expecting.
When Botti and the rest of the “Joes” met Meek, they could see the shock and disappointment in her face, but tried to make her feel comfortable, Botti said.
“I thought she was hot … very attractive,” Botti said. “I was trying to plan out what I was going to say, but it all kind of fell apart at the last second when I got off the bus, so I just tried to be spontaneous.”
Unfortunately, his adventure in Hawaii was short-lived. Meek sent him, along with three other guys home that same night in the first round of eliminations. He was disappointed, but not because he was missing out on a date with Meek. The hardest part for Botti was leaving behind his newfound friends.
“We may not have been the best looking guys, but the producers really picked a group with outstanding personalities. There really wasn’t a dull moment while I was there. You could always have a conversation with these guys, and most of the time it was hilarious,” Botti said.
Botti cannot fully describe reality TV experience.
“It’s not real and it’s not scripted. They don’t go as far as telling you what to say, but they do set up specific scenes, and give you direction on what to do,” Botti said. “The camera crews follow you around everywhere.”
As for those pesky cameras, Botti admits it is very awkward.
“It’s difficult to be yourself when the cameras are on you all the time,” Botti said.
The show aired on Jan. 5, and Botti has been in a publicity whirlwind since. He has been interviewed by Matt Lauer from NBC’s “The Today Show,” appeared on “Access Hollywood,” been in the “Boston Globe” and the “Boston Herald,” yet he remains grounded.
“My life hasn’t dramatically changed,” Botti said. “I still have the same routine, except now people recognize me and girls approach me more. I’m just trying to live in the moment right now, take this experience for what it is, and go with it.”
Botti may not have found true love on “Average Joe II: Hawaii,” but he remains optimistic about his love life.
His advice for all those Average Joe’s out there: “Keep on plugging away. Don’t let anything get you down. Be yourself, and never give up hope of finding the right person.”
