It’s time for Boston to “stop being polite and start being real.”

Students from surrounding Boston areas auditioned at The Rack in Fanueil Hall Saturday in hopes of becoming one of the “seven strangers” on MTV’s “The Real World.”

Some Northeastern students were spotted there. Anwar Malloy, Mecca Okonkwo, Everette Egun, and Derek Jones all showed up to participate in the auditions, hoping to catch the eye of a casting director. They cited fame, girls and food as reasons they decided to come.

Damon Furberg, a supervising casting director currently serving on his 18th season, has participated in “Real World” auditions since season 12. He said about 800 people attended these auditions, a slight decrease from earlier years when over 1,000 came out. This is a result of the recent increase in reality television, Furberg said.

MTV is always looking for people with charismatic and “magnetic personalities” and big decisions, turning points and interesting family ties help in the decision process, he said. Last year at these auditions, they found Danny, a Boston native, who is currently on this season’s Austin cast.

There is speculation about how “real” the “The Real World” actually is. But Furberg dismisses the allegations of directors’ interference and prepared story lines.

“Six people who think they are the center of the universe are going to fight,” he said. “Conflict will happen on its own.”

Physical attractiveness does play a role in casting, but it’s not the only factor or the determining one.

“Personalities first,” Furberg said. “If you’re good-looking, you may catch my eye, but charisma is more important. The thing about attractive people is that they never had to develop those sparkling personalities.”

He does admit to casting people who are “super hot,” but said the casting crew also looks for everyday people as well.

Furberg pointed out the criticism of stereotypical casting is without merit. They don’t set out to cast people for a specific reason, he said.

“People have a tendency to categorize things, and want to put people in boxes, and pass judgment,” he said.

He does note they avoid casting people who are “image conscious,” “shy,” “politicians” and “fame-seekers.” They look for people “who won’t censor themselves.”

All “Real World” cast members do get media training, and public speaking classes after the show, so they make money speaking at colleges, and forums and also to promote casting calls.

Tina Barta is a Real World/Road Rules veteran. She was originally cast on “Road Rules: South Pacific,” but has since participated in several challenges including “The Gauntlet” and “Battle of the Sexes II.”

There are cast members who do try to create drama for the sake of more airtime she said, but she’s not one of them. Barta said the editing process can be hurtful, especially when they try to cram you neatly into a box.

“You’re definitely labeled and pigeonholed,” she said. “[On the show], you’re a one-dimensional person.”

Unlike “The Real World,” “Road Rules” is an actual competition, as well as the partnering of seven strangers. There are winners and losers, alliances and defeats, and all the infighting and drama that one can imagine when competing for a monetary prize in the end.

Despite all the pitfalls, Barta maintains the experience was worth the hardship.

“I am honored and humbled that they would want me to go,” she said. “I use it as a way to travel and learn about people. I am blessed by this opportunity.”

Many former “Real World” cast members use the show to parlay themselves into a career in Hollywood, striving to extend their fifteen minutes. Despite the obvious fame that comes hand in hand with starring on the show, Barta remains grounded.

“I don’t see myself as famous – I see people know I exist,” she said. “My family definitely keeps my head out of the clouds.”

Even for such an overwhelming and exciting experience, Barta said she’s enjoyed the “downtime” the most, when there are no cameras and “everyone’s forgetting about the game.”

…She has advice for those wanting to be on “The Real World”/”Road Rule” cast.

“Be yourself,” Barta said. “Find out what it is about you that makes you different. If you can express that, that’s great.”