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Parlaying Their "College Hill" Fame

Photo credit: John Amatucci/Courtesy of BET Some Langston University "College Hill" cast members are trying to exploit the experience; others are just moving on. From left, Stacey Stephens, Arthur "Israel" Doyle, Brittani Lewis, Coti Farley, Alva "Peaches" Jasper, Nafiys Blakewood, Tanisha Taylor and Jon Walker.

By Desiree' Irving
Black College Wire

A year has passed since Langston University first felt the hype of "College Hill," yet the show's images remain as vivid as if the series were still being shot just outside the campus.

The eight cast members on the show's second season -- Tanisha Taylor, Jon Walker, Alva "Peaches" Jasper, Arthur "Israel" Doyle, Nafiys Blakewood, Stacey Stephens, Brittani Lewis and Coti Farley -- were picked from among hundreds of students to show what life at Langston was like.

From the drama between Brittani and April, Doyle's girlfriend, to the fierce encounter between Jon and Peaches, the cast kept millions of Black Entertainment Television viewers drawn to their televisions every Thursday night.

We were able to follow their lives with the flick of a remote then, but where are they now? And how do they view their once-in-a-lifetime experience?

Taylor, who was portrayed as the show's good girl, says she gained a few things from being on the show.

"Being part of 'College Hill II' allowed me to meet new people; it allowed me to represent Christ and to let young people that are in college know that they can be Christian and that they don't have to do what everyone else is doing in the world. I just really enjoyed being on television," she said.

As a graduating senior music education major, Taylor is focusing on graduation and her senior recital. After that, her options are graduate school, beginning a teaching career or starting a music ministry.

Blakewood, who was depicted as the sensual star athlete, said his experience as a cast member left him with steamy memories.

"On the set there were a lot of fun times. There were also a lot of sexy times that the people didn't get to see. We all really got along nicely," Blakewood said.

A senior elementary education major, Blakewood is continuing his journey toward graduation and wants to pursue a basketball career.

"Since 'College Hill II' is over, I am now handling my classes once again. I'm also getting back into shape because I had a leg injury that stopped me from playing basketball for a couple of months," Blakewood said. "After school is over, I also have a couple of more secrets up my sleeve, but just be on the lookout for me to be back in the spotlight!"

Doyle, whose 'playa' tendencies came back to haunt him, left Langston in the spring of 2005 to pursue his modeling career. He can now be seen posing for the Epitome Modeling Agency, based inn Los Angeles. It is obvious that "College Hill" was very good to the series' naive ladies' man.

"It changed my outlook on life," Doyle said. "It allowed me to meet many people with thoughts like me and also do what I have always wanted to do, which is to model and act."

Doyle plans to release an autobiography titled "You Paint the Picture." He says he will also be involved in several independent films.

Jasper can be remembered as the aggressor from the 'hood because of her various conflicts with other cast members. She refers to her experience on "College Hill" as unique.

"I made long-term relationships with some of my roommates," she said. "I really miss the house. It was like a bachelor/bachelorette pad. I mean everyone wanted to visit the house. Even the OU football players wanted to visit and spend the night at the house," she said, referring to Oklahoma University. "And if I could do it again, I would have showed America more of Peaches," Jasper said.

Jasper, too, is reaping benefits of being a member of the cast.

"Now I can follow my dreams and goals that I couldn't do a month ago. Right now I have a couple things in the making," she said. "I've joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and another talent agency, which sends you info on auditions, scripts and what's going on in the industry on different writers, directors and producers. I finally have my own publicist, there is a music producer coming to work with me on releasing a CD, and I'm also writing a book. So I'm really trying to take advantage of my 15 minutes of fame," Jasper said.

Stephens, the laid-back, comic relief for the bunch, is simply enjoying her life as a Langston University student.

"The experience was good, I mean for what it was worth. I'm going to school like I originally planned to do," Stephens said.

Walker was known as the person others love to hate. He also came across as a wild party boy. Walker has mixed feelings about the experience.

"When we were filming, it felt like you were on a reality TV show. You feel like a reality TV star. The attention you get from people when cameras are following you around is unreal. Everywhere we went, people were so interested in what we were doing. It's a unique experience that we will always share," Walker said.

However, according to Walker, the fame came with a price.

"I didn't like all the dishonesty and negativity that was constantly thrown at us by jealous people on campus. People at school just treat you differently, and go out of their way to discriminate against you because they are mad about the fact that they didn't get on the show. I can still feel the envy exuding from some people, even those that I consider to be good friends. Experiencing all the jealousy and downright nastiness that comes along with being 'famous' in the black community was not, and still is not, a good feeling," Walker said.

While Walker values his experience, he said the show made him lose focus on what was more important in his life: school.

"Life is almost back to normal. I have turned my focus back on school, and I will be graduating in the fall. After graduation, I will be going on to get my master's in business administration," Walker said.

The Langston University Gazette was not able to reach Lewis, Doyle's ex-girlfriend. Viewers probably still can't believe Dayle actually told his then-current girlfriend that he and Lewis slept together. Farley, the lovable confidant, also could not be found. Fellow cast members said Lewis was in Atlanta starting her modeling career.

Brent Russell, Langston University's acting director of admissions, said the show "was very beneficial to Langston University. 'College Hill II' literally put Langston University on the map," Russell said. "Students don't consider 'College Hill II' negative nor positive, but when the recruitment staff goes to any college fair, all the students tell their friends, 'that's the school that was on 'College Hill II.' Students then proceed over to the table and start inquiring about the cast of characters."

While Langston University's enrollment rose after the series' debut, Russell is not sure how many students attended because of the show.

"Enrollment was definitely up in 2005 but we did not survey the current students and ask them how they heard about Langston University. The 2005 enrolling class was the largest incoming class as of today," Russell said.

Desiree' Irving, a student at Langston University, writes for the Gazette.

Posted March 6, 2006