While youre contemplating those New Years resolutions (Step away from the cheesecake!
), a handful of formerTiger Beatpin-ups are also hoping to start 2009 off on the right foot.
We chatted about that pesky teen idol label,Real Worldrun-ins, and the virtues of a clean colon.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I watched the pilot last night.
ERIC NIES:Uh oh.
I really liked it, but what did you think when you first heard the concept?
I was really excited, actually.
Any opportunity to stay in the public eye is always positive.
On the pilot, you seemed a bit hesitant to call yourself a teen idol.
Did you think of yourself that way or not at all?
No, not really.
I think that in the business, everybody strives for that level of success.
I guess at one time or another in my career, I guess I could be considered that.
And I was like, yeah, I guess so.
How long have you been on a raw diet?
Ive been off and on for about four years.
For the last year Ive been completely raw.
Its been a gradual road to where I am today.
[Laughs] No, not at all.
So who gave you the nicknamepoopoole[meaning abundance of poop]?
[Laughs]
We have to talk about that right?
You knew that was coming.
Actually, my girlfriend is the one who came up with it.
She lived in Kauai for three years.
It came from her.
So when I work with a client, I ensure they eliminate regularly.
Not to get too grossed out.
Now how many times a day should you be going?
If your system is functioning properly, youre supposed to go to the bathroom 30-60 minutes after you eat.
Well, I guess Im not optimal then.
Not to overshare or anything.
Oh, its okay.
Im happy to talk about it.
Living in this house with all these guys, did you get any flashbacks to yourReal Worldexperience?
Im gonna tell you, it was a breath of fresh air, because everybodygot along.
We all supported each other.
And we all just want the bestfor each other.
Icant wait until were all back together for a reunion show orsomething like that.
Is there one in the works?
Um, Im sure theyre gonna do that at some point after the final episode.
And I know VH1 has been discussing that.
I believe that, you know, you are who you are.
So the only challenge to me was to stick to myguns of who I am and what I do.
So a lot of times they were giving you suggestions you didnt actually adhere to?
There was this one incident where they asked this woman to comeon who was a stylist.
I dress for comfort; I dont dress for a trend.
So I hadto sit there for about 15 minutes and let this woman unload on me.
Butit was good for me….It makes me humble.
I have to accept that its herjob.
Its what she does.
And its all good.
She wanted to know what happened to the jump rope?
I did see you jump-roping.
So everywhere I went and everything Idid, I carried that jump rope around.
And its probably a conversation starter, right?
When youre at the mall, do you ever start randomly jump-roping?
Does that ever happen?
If you were there and there was a camera there I might.
Ifthere was an opportunity to promote what I was working on in some way.
Do you keep in contact with yourReal Worldcastmates?
But we do run into each other often.
And I was like, Whatcha doing here?
And hes like, Oh, Imhere for a birthday party, here with like 20 people.
Were here forlike five days, renting a house.
And I was like, No way, and hepulled over and we talked for about 20 minutes.
Its kind of randomencounters like that that happen.
Would you ever do one of theReal World/Road Rules Challengesagain?
Yeah, I dont see why not.
Do you still watch them or the new seasons of theReal World?
I really dont watch TV that much.
Youre too busy jumping rope?
[Laughs] Im either surfing, or hiking on a mountain, or traveling somewhere.
So Im very rarely at home watching TV.
Thats probably why youre in such good shape.
That probably has something to do with it.
Tell me about the project youve been working on with your brother.
My brother and I for the last 10 years have trained with an eighthgeneration grand master.
Theyre seven principles based on mental,physical, and spiritual.
Last question: According toIMDB, you work out with Mark Wahlberg and Seth Green in a basement.
[Laughs] That was years ago.
I never worked out with SethGreen.
I have worked out with Mark, way back in the day.
We worked out a couple of times.
Find out more about Eric Nies and Chi-Force atchiforce7.com.
