Laguna Beach’s Alex Murrel Johnson, otherwise know as Alex M, Steps Behind The Rope. Yup, Laguna Beach. One of the granddaddy’s of them all, or as we like to say, one of the best reality shows to ever exist. Alex explains what it was like to be a student at Laguna Beach High School when MTV came knocking on its door with the concept for a reality show that followed the lives, and interrelationships, of some of Orange County’s more “interesting” students. We discuss the casting process, the reactions from students who were “left out”, the reaction from the school’s administration and what Alex’s parents thought about their daughter joining the cast. Alex explains what it was like to “film” with very few reality shows, other than shows like The Real World, existing at the time. She also discusses how she felt with her “bit*h” edit once she watched the show back as the season aired. Alex also discusses what it was like to gain instant fame overnight and how life changed once that fame, and money, started to roll in. Of course, we also discuss her Laguna Beach colleagues Lauren Conrad, Jason Wahler, Stephen Colletti and Kristin Cavallari. We discuss what our fav Laguna Beach students were like way back when, and the status of each of these relationships today. Alex discusses what life was like once her time on the show ended and she moved to LA, where she initially spent a lot of time hanging out in the clubs with other friends, including some of our favorite Hill’s cast members, Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag, Brody Jenner and Spencer Pratt. During her time in Los Angeles she also partied with Celebs like Paris Hilton and Aaron Carter. Speaking of Aaron Carter, she briefly dated Backstreet Boy Nick Carter. Say whaaaat? Being a fan of Reality TV herself, Alex & David discuss just how much reality TV has changed since the early days of MTV. Finally, we answer the age old question, just how “real” was Laguna Beach / The Hills. Tune in now to our Part I chat with Alex Murrel. @alexmurrel @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef Bonus Episodes Available at - https://www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope   This Episode is brought to you by Better HELP https://www.betterhelp.com/velvetrope Merch Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices