After recently appearing on the MTV reality series “From G’s to Gents,” a once misdirected Union City man says he is now on his way to turning his life around.
Steve Bula, 22, who used the stage name Prote‘Ge,’ said he was addicted to drugs and nearly homeless when he auditioned for the show last year. Now in its second season, “From G’s to Gents” takes young men who are “rough around the edges” and gives them a chance to learn how to be gentlemen and get ahead in the real world.
The show consists of several challenges that teach lessons like how to speak articulately, how to properly treat women, and how to dress for success. As with last season, the winner this season will win $100,000, along with bragging rights. The show airs on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.
“It gave all of us an opportunity to leave our ‘G’ [or ‘gangster’] lifestyle behind and transform into the ultimate gentleman,” said Bula last week. “And we definitely went through a lot of things to get there.”
Had to use good grammar
He added that a rap battle in which each “G” had to use proper grammar was his favorite event.
“It was definitely a funny, funny challenge, and I had a good time doing it,” said Bula. He also said that during the show, he had to help coach a fellow “G” on a date.
“We had to go on a date and pretty much be chivalrous, like pull out the chair, compliment [the girl], and talk properly, which is something I had a problem with, so I definitely paid attention to that challenge,” said Bula.
In addition to the challenges, Bula said his one-on-one time with show host Fonzworth Bentley, the former personal assistant of rapper and music producer P. Diddy, really helped him focus on changing his life.
“He definitely cares about this and cares about us,” said Bula. “He goes out of his way to teach a bunch of ghetto dudes how to better their lives.” He added that being around the other guys also helped him.
“It was kind of like therapy,” said Bula. “You get to let out certain emotions when you are expressing yourself with other guys who have been down a similar road.”
Bula said the show came at the right time. He said he was using drugs as well as selling them to pay his rent, and he was facing a possible separation from his infant daughter. His girlfriend threatened to leave him if he didn’t shape up.
“That was pretty much a wake up call for me,” said Bula.
His manager at work suggested that he audition for the show. He said he had to write an essay about his personal story and why he wanted to change his life.
“I pretty much kept it as real as possible as far as things that I went through,” he said.
Bula added that he considered the show an opportunity to change, but he was not sure how much it would help.
“I was really skeptical in the beginning,” said Bula. “I was thinking, ‘This is reality TV.’ I wasn’t sure if they were really looking for a person like me, with the problems that I had.”
‘Still in the process’
Now that filming is over, Bula said being on the show really did help him improve his life. He said he no longer uses or sells drugs and he recently got a job that pays well.
“I am clean now, working, and providing for me and my family,” said Bula.
“There has never been a ‘G’ who has had a positive ending to their life.” – Steve Bula
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“She is definitely happy,” said Bula. “She definitely sees the changes I made.”
In the future, Bula plans to get a college degree in business management or learn more about a career in the entertainment industry. Either way, he said, he is determined to be successful in life.
“Being a ‘G’, it is only going to end up in two ways: in jail or dead,” said Bula. “There has never been a ‘G’ who has had a positive ending to their life.”
He added that the real challenge now is continuing to learn more about how to be a gentleman.
“I am still in the process of becoming the gentleman I want to be,” said Bula. “It is a work in progress.”
Amanda Staab can be contacted at astaab@hudsonreporter.com.