One of Sarah Becker’s former co-stars has shared a cryptic post about their “traumatic experience” while filming MTV’s The Real World, as he mourns her death by suicide.
A family member confirmed that Becker, 52, died early last week at her Illinois home after struggling with mental health issues in recent months, TMZ reported.
She appeared on the fifth season of MTV’s The Real World in 1996, which she said she applied for as a joke.
Now her former co-star Dan Renzi has posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some “traumatic experiences” while filming the show.
He said, “Yes, I know about the death of Sarah Becker, one of my roommates on ‘The Real World.’
“Sarah and I hadn’t spoken since the show ended, so I don’t know anything about her struggles.
‘The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together, and that creates a bond between people, even if they choose not to interact with each other.
“All I can say is it’s very sad.”
Sarah Becker, pictured in a selfie, died by suicide last week at the age of 52, TMZ reported
Becker’s co-star Dan Renzi pictured in The Real World in 1996
Her former co-star Dan Renzi posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some “traumatic experiences” while filming the show
The cover photo for season 5 of The Real World Miami, which Becker turned to as a joke
Prior to her death, Becker reportedly moved to Illinois to care for her ailing mother and sister.
Her mental health issues would be exacerbated by the responsibility of caring for her family and a skateboarding accident.
Becker initially made a career as a comic book editor before signing on to star in the 22-episode season of The Real World on MTV at the age of 25.
She was one of the oldest members of the cast, but described herself as “19-year-old trapped in a 25-year-old body.”
Her official MTV biography also revealed that she graduated from Indiana University and worked at WildStorm Comics in La Jolla, California.
“Sarah is a tomboy and says she doesn’t deal well with pettiness and wants to stay true to herself on the show,” her bio reads.
Becker revealed to the Chicago Tribune in 1997 that she did not like the exposure she received from the show, saying that she sometimes wore a hood when she went out.
Becker is pictured here riding a skateboard. She was an avid skateboarder all her life
The show ran for 33 seasons through 2016, making it one of the longest-running reality shows in history.
Each season was set in a different city, with the story following a group of young adults from different walks of life who were forced to become roommates for several months.
Becker’s season took place in Miami, where she roomed with seven other strangers in their early to mid-20s.
Her other co-stars, including Renzi, were Melissa Padrón, Joe Patane, Cynthia Roberts, Flora Alekseyeun and Mike Lambert.
Alekseyeun posted a tribute to Becker on her Instagram Sunday, calling her former roommate “the most selfless person I knew.”
‘She was always friendly and helpful to everyone. I haven’t spoken to her in years and never knew she had any problems,” Alekseyeun wrote.
“My prayers go out to her family. RIP my roommate, my friend. May you skate with angels and never feel pain again.”
After the show ended, Becker spoke to the Chicago Tribune about her experiences on TV.
“For me, ‘The Real World’ was a six-month vacation,” she said. “I knew from the start that it couldn’t be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.”
“I want my own magazine someday, and I don’t think Sarah from ‘The Real World’ will have anything to do with that,” Becker said.
Becker also revealed that she didn’t like the fame she got from the show, saying she sometimes wore a hood when she went out.
Becker actually applied for The Real World as a joke and was shocked when she was hired.
Despite initially having reservations, she decided to join the cast, adding that her experience “was amazing.” And I’ve learned that I’m quite happy with who I am.’