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Parisa Montazaran, noted for being the most level-headed and relatable by viewers, was The Real World’s first Iranian-American cast-member. Based in New York, Parisa has a degree in International Relations from NYU, flawless Persian-hair, an über-sexy physique, and a gift for music that’s bound to dishevel any rival. However, what made Parisa a fan-favorite by a landslide, is her ability to calmly overcome an excess of distasteful behavior exhibited towards her by a few of her housemates. This Persian beauty’s unmatched patience, became the hottest blog topic for the comment-obssessed as technology allows viewers to voice their opinions online, albeit anonymously at times. 


"Being Iranian has awarded me a sense of humanity and culture that I don’t think I would possess if I grew up being like everyone else around me. It sparked curiosities in me that wouldn’t otherwise be provoked and gave me the opportunity to learn and want to learn more about people, the world, life. I’m very proud of my heritage. I took graduate courses in Farsi at NYU as an undergraduate and was thinking of pursuing a MA or PhD in the intellectual and cultural history of Iran." 

After leaving the season, Parisa pursued her passion for music, releasing her debut album, ‘Intelegance,’ in 2008. Parisa has since embraced an entirely different path, focusing on academia. Parisa received her MA degree in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from NYU in 2016. She is now a third-year doctoral student in Sociology at the Graduate Center, exploring economic sociology, immigration, religion, culture, and race/ethnicity. Her research centers on the financial inclusion of Muslim Americans. As a wife and mother of three, Parisa has achieved a balance between her family life and her academic pursuits, carving a unique path post-Real World.

 

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