Sophia rules the road

By Christine Champagne
Gay.com Network

Are you watching MTV's "Road Rules" this summer? If not, tune in to check out Sophia, the show's first openly gay cast member. According to the Gaywatch e-mail, the girl is a hit with the gay and lesbian teens and 20-somethings who watch the show.

To be honest, I wish she had been cast on the more high-profile "The Real World." "Road Rules" isn't my favorite show -- maybe because I can't imagine myself living in a recreational vehicle with five strangers -- but Sophia has me eagerly tagging along for the ride this season.

A 24-year-old native of Long Island, Sophia is one cool chick. She isn't self-obsessed, weird or a freak. In fact, she appears so grounded it's hard to believe she was cast on the show. Generally, reality-show casting directors look for people with larger-than-life personalities and issues. Sophia is mature and sane, which makes her, well, unusual on reality TV.

Actually, Sophia's calm, cool, go-with-the-flow demeanor is likely the reason she doesn't get as much airtime as fellow cast members like Jisela, who dominates just about every episode, throwing temper tantrums and making scenes. But at least we don't have to cringe when we watch Sophia. Like it or not, the gays and lesbians featured on reality shows are scrutinized as role models. They do represent "us" to the general population, and Sophia has yet to do anything really embarrassing. And if she does slip up, well, I'll forgive her because she seems so damn nice.

She's awfully cute and stylish, too, which has me thinking this girl might have a future on television. I'm no casting director, but I can imagine her playing Willow's potential new love interest on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It's about time some new girl came between Willow and Amber.

Or maybe she can play Original Cindy's dyke cousin on "Dark Angel" and kick some butt alongside Max.

How about casting Sophia as one of Jack's new college buddies on "Dawson's Creek"? Gay men and lesbians don't mix on TV like they do in real life, and that show could use some diversity.

TV producers, take note. Sophia is a charmer. And she certainly deserves some sort of reward after surviving for weeks cooped up in a recreational vehicle.

At the very least, I hope Rosie O'Donnell will invite her on her show. The rest of America should get to know Sophia

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