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Reality TV comes to the tony world of NYC brat pack
Photo credit: Urbanite
Private schools groom Gotham’s privileged youth, but can they teach the pitfalls of over-sharing?
Sleeping with a slew of partners, drinking and talk of drug use are just some of the nasty tidbits that will be revealed on “NYC Prep,” Bravo’s latest reality television experiment debuting June 23.
The series echoes “Gossip Girl,” but with the true tales of six Manhattan teens living the high life — sometimes, a bit too high.
“If you are a little drunk or a little high, and then you see the photos [of yourself] on Facebook, you think, what was I thinking?” said one of the female teens in the preview.
Such admissions may make for drama, but experts believe shows such as “NYC Prep” could manipulate minors into swapping their future for fame.
“Minors don't have the life experience to understand how that will affect their futures,” said Robert Galinsky, founder of the New York Reality TV School.The teens’ parents signed consent forms and were closely involved in the filming, but most on the set viewed the kids as “mini adults.”
“I don’t worry. I thought it would be a great learning experience for her ... She could write about it for a college essay,” said Elise, the mother of Kelli Tomashoff, who thinks the show will help the 17-year-old’s singing career.
Diana Kirschner, a Manhattan psychologist, disagreed. “It’s scary. Teenagers are attuned to feedback from the outside world. They become troubled from this kind of exposure.”
For “NYC Prep,” producers spent several months following the 15- to 18-year-olds as they partied, shopped and dined in tony spots. Educators did not grant permission to film at the schools, and really, little of brat pack's lives seem to involve academics.
The teens are shown drinking what appears to be champagne. Executive producer Scott Stone said they only were served alcohol in countries where it is legal. Still, the show’s stars talk about their cache of fake IDs, a potential landmine for getting into a good college.
“It could be detrimental and backfire,” said Sheri Mural, a private college admissions consultant. “Top schools have many well-qualified candidates.”
During a recent sneak peek of the show, however, the students expressed no regrets.
“I think all of us could care less what people say about us,” said Taylor DiGiovanni, a Stuyvesant High School sophomore and the show’ lone public-school student.
Some young people who watched the preview recoiled at the outsized display of wealth. “It was a little ridiculous,” said Eliza Murphy, 21.
Julie Gordon contributed to this report.
Camille Hughes, 17
Junior at Nightingale-
Bamford School
Hopes to get perfect SAT scores and attend Harvard. Happy to be rich.
“I don’t want to apologize for having money. It’s good.”
Jessie Leavitt, 17,
Senior at the Dwight School
Spends her time networking at fashion parties. Has paid a personal shopper at Barney’s since age 13 and wants to attend FIT.
“I treat my clothing like my children.”
Kelli Tomashoff, 17
Junior at Birch Wathen Lenox
Lives on the Upper East Side with her brother. Spends most nights out at fancy city spots.
“We usually don’t do our homework. We have big plans at night.”
Peter “PC” Peterson, 18
Senior at the Dwight School
A wealthy Upper East Side flirt who thinks he can pull strings to get into college.
“My biggest problem this week was my tux wasn’t tight enough. That’s when you know things are good.”
Taylor DiGiovanni, 15
Sophomore
at Stuyvesant HS
Lives on the Upper West Side with her single mother, but longs to join the private school crowd.
Sebastian Oppen-heim, 16
Sophomore at Ross School
Uses his tussled hair and French skills to woo females.
“I hook up a lot. I hook up with two or three girls in a night. Maybe more, I’m not sure.”
(Heather Haddon)
Other reality TV shows that have featured minors:
-“Laguna Beach”
- “The Real Orange County”
- “Jon & Kate Plus 8”
- “My Super Sweet 16”
- “Exiled”
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