VH1’s "Golden Age" of reality TV was a fever dream. If you were watching television in 2007, you remember the chaos. Tiffany Pollard, fresh off being the breakout star of Flavor of Love, finally got her own throne. She was "New York." She was iconic. She was the blueprint for the modern reality TV villain-turned-hero. But the men surrounding her? That cast from I Love New York was a lightning bottle of ego, nickname-based identities, and genuine, unadulterated absurdity.
It’s been nearly two decades. Some of these guys became household names in the fitness world. Others vanished into the witness protection program of "normal life." A few, tragically, are no longer with us. When you look back at that first season—and the sequel that followed—it wasn't just about dating. It was about a specific brand of 2000s fame that doesn't really exist anymore.
The Winners and the Heartbreaks
Patrick Hunter. You know him as Tango.
He won the first season, but the victory was short-lived and, frankly, pretty uncomfortable to watch. During the reunion special, Tango broke up with New York on stage because of comments she made about his mother. It was a massive "oh no he didn't" moment in reality history. Today, Patrick has largely moved away from the cameras. He pivoted into the music industry and lifestyle branding, occasionally popping up to discuss the "edit" he received on the show. He’s often cited as one of the most polarizing winners because he actually stood up to the queen of VH1.
Then there was George Weisgerber, better known as Tailor Made.
He was the "villain" of Season 2 who somehow ended up winning New York’s heart, even if it was only for a little while. Tailor Made was the guy everyone loved to hate because he didn't fit the "macho" mold of the other contestants. He was a suit-wearing, corporate-climbing instigator. After the show, he and Tiffany actually lived together for a bit. They were engaged. It felt real, or as real as VH1 could get. Eventually, the flame burned out. George went back to the corporate world, working in high-level retail and brand management. He’s a prime example of someone who used the 15 minutes of fame to pad a resume rather than trying to stay on Marriage Boot Camp for ten years.
The Ones Who Stayed Famous (Sorta)
If you follow fitness influencers, you've definitely seen Real.
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Ahmad Givens and his brother Kamal (Chance) were so popular they got their own spin-off, Real Chance of Love. They were the "Stallionaires." They had the hair, the confidence, and the catchphrases. Sadly, the story of the cast from I Love New York took a somber turn in 2015. Ahmad "Real" Givens passed away after a long, public battle with colon cancer. He was only 33. His death hit the reality TV community hard because he was genuinely one of the more likable figures from that era.
Chance is still out there. He’s tried his hand at various reality comebacks, including One Mo' Chance on the Zeus Network. He’s leaned heavily into the "reality legend" persona. It’s a different vibe now—hustling in the digital streaming age is a lot different than being on basic cable in 2008.
Why the Nicknames Still Stick
Let’s talk about the naming convention. "Sister Patterson," Tiffany’s mother, was the one who helped vet these guys. That’s how we got names like Buddha, White Boy, Heat, and 12 Pack.
12 Pack, whose real name is David Amerman, became a staple of the "Celebreality" universe. He didn't just stop at I Love New York. He showed up on Daisy of Love and I Love Money. He knew the game. He knew that being the "buff guy with a sense of humor" was a paycheck. These days, he’s mostly out of the spotlight, but he represents that specific group of the cast who treated reality TV like a recurring gig rather than a search for soulmates.
Then there’s White Boy (Joshua Gallander).
Honestly, he was one of the few guys Tiffany seemed legitimately attracted to in a way that wasn't just for the plot. He had a certain level of "cool" that the other guys lacked. He didn't scream for attention. After the show, he stayed relatively low-key, avoiding the desperate "please put me on another show" circuit that swallowed up so many of his peers.
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The Cultural Impact of the Cast from I Love New York
We have to admit something. This show was messy. It was often problematic. But the cast from I Love New York provided a template for how to be an "influencer" before that was even a word. They understood branding. They understood that a nickname was a hook.
- Pumkin and Hoopz from Flavor of Love paved the way, but the men on New York’s show proved that male contestants could be just as dramatic, vain, and entertaining.
- The "I Love Money" spin-offs were essentially the Avengers: Endgame of this universe, pitting these guys against each other in physical challenges.
- It proved that Tiffany Pollard could carry an entire franchise on her back, provided she had the right foils.
The show worked because of the friction. You had guys like Mr. Boston, who looked like he got lost on his way to a debate club meeting, competing against dudes who looked like they lived in the gym. That contrast was comedy gold. Mr. Boston (Bernie Teran) is actually one of the few who people still ask about. He was the ultimate underdog. He didn't win the girl, but he won the "weirdest contestant" award for basically three years straight.
Life After the Cameras Fade
What do you do when your claim to fame is a nickname given to you by a woman in a sequined dress on national TV?
For many, you go back to what you knew. Entertainer (Frank Maresca) tried to parlay his loud-mouthed persona into more shows, and he did get Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair. It was exactly what it sounds like. He lived with his parents. It was cringe, but it was honest. Today, many of these men are fathers, business owners, or working 9-to-5 jobs in construction, sales, or fitness.
The transition is weird. You’re recognized in a grocery store for something you did while drunk in a mansion in 2007.
The Tragedies and Reality Checks
It hasn't all been nostalgic fun. We mentioned Real, but he wasn't the only loss. The reality TV world of the mid-2000s didn't have the mental health guardrails it has now (and even now, they’re flimsy). These guys were thrown into a house, fueled by alcohol, and told to fight for the affection of a woman who was also being pressured by producers to create "moments."
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When the cameras turned off, the support wasn't there. Some struggled with the sudden loss of relevance. Others struggled with the "character" they played. If you were the "jerk" on Season 1, that followed you to every job interview for a decade.
How to Track Down the OGs Today
If you’re looking to fall down a rabbit hole, Instagram is your best bet, though you’ll have to search by their real names.
- Tiffany Pollard: She’s the easiest. She’s a meme queen and still active in the industry.
- George "Tailor Made" Weisgerber: Look for him in the high-end fashion and sneaker industry. He stayed successful, just not in front of a camera.
- David "12 Pack" Amerman: Occasionally posts about his fitness journey and nostalgic throwbacks.
- Kamal "Chance" Givens: Still very much in the "industry" via independent streaming networks.
The cast from I Love New York remains a fascinating study in 2000s pop culture. They were the bridge between the "real people" of early Real World and the "professional reality stars" of The Bachelor today. They were raw, they were often ridiculous, and they never took themselves as seriously as people do now.
If you want to revisit the magic, most of the seasons are tucked away on streaming platforms like Paramount+ or Pluto TV. Watching them now is like a time capsule. The fashion (oversized suits! Von Dutch hats!), the slang, and the sheer audacity of the production are things we probably won't see on mainstream TV again.
To stay updated on what the cast is doing now, your best move is to follow the "VH1 Tea" accounts on social media. They are surprisingly good at tracking down former contestants who have long since deleted their public profiles. You can also check out the "Where Are They Now" specials that VH1 occasionally airs, though they tend to focus on the same five or six people. For the deeper cuts—the guys who were eliminated in week two—you'll have to do some serious LinkedIn sleuthing.
Most of these men have moved on, and honestly, that’s probably for the best. Reality TV is a sprint, not a marathon. They gave us a summer of legendary television, and in exchange, they got to live forever in the halls of VH1 history.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Search by Real Names: Use the names George Weisgerber, David Amerman, and Patrick Hunter on social platforms to find their current ventures rather than their show nicknames.
- Support the Real Givens Foundation: If you want to honor the memory of Ahmad "Real" Givens, look for colon cancer awareness charities that the family has supported.
- Check the Zeus Network: For those who want to see the "modern" version of this chaos, Chance’s newer projects live there.
- Avoid Scams: Be wary of "fan pages" pretending to be the cast; most of the original guys do not have verified accounts or are very private.