The first Black-led reality series, College Hill, is reportedly making a comeback will star Nene Leakes, Ray J and more.
The original show followed students attending HBCUs and living in a shared house, similar to Real World living on MTV. The new show will feature a few major celebrities in a twist on its original format.
A look back at the original series
The show premiered in 2004 and ran for five seasons. College Hill was produced by former powerhouse couple Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Tracey Edmonds. Eight students from HBCUs and their personal, academic, and professional lives were documented. Filming took place at Southern University in Louisiana, Langston University in Oklahoma, Virginia State University, University of Virgin Islands, and the Atlanta triple threat of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.
Despite high ratings and showcasing HBCUs in a different way, not all people were fans. Students and academics of HBCUs felt it was a negative portrayal of the experience and wanted it off the air. One student even wrote an open letter.
You can read more in our oral history of the series here.
“We are not denying this type of thing goes on,” David Stevens, national president of the Langston University Alumni Association, said in 2007 per Diverse Education. He continued: “But we are questioning what are the motives behind presenting many of the negative aspects without showing the good that goes on. BET represents the merchandising and exploitation of stereotypical and oftentimes destructive behavior of black people for the benefit of profit.”
The reboot will follow celebs who have never attended or didn’t finish college
The series will reportedly get a fresh spin.
Per The Jasmine Brand the show’s revival will air on BET+ beginning this fall. Filming is reportedly underway at Texas Southern University, the same school Megan Thee Stallion attended.
The new non-scripted show will follow celebrities that didn’t attend or finish college. The cast currently includes: NBA champion Lamar Odom, former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes, Ray J, bounce music artist Big Freddia, rapper Dream Doll and a few others.
Footage has already been surfacing of the celebs on the school's campus
Cameras were rolling as Dreamdoll, India Love, Big Freeda, Ray J, Nene Leakes, and Lamar Odom are filming a “College Hill” reboot. pic.twitter.com/5XKaoKKU1l
— jay (@JaysRealityBlog) March 5, 2022
This group is rumored to be filming a new ‘College Hill’ (Nene Leakes, Lamar Odom, Dream Doll, Slim Thug, Big Freedia, Ray J, and India Love) pic.twitter.com/s82ImmpBxL
— Lit Convos (@ConvosLit) March 4, 2022
No official word has come out about the show, so it is unclear when to expect it.
