Model family hopes to turn private lives into reality TV

Society laughs. Critics lay blame. Viewers say cruel, mean, hurtful things about the reality TV stars of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" as their troubled private lives become fodder for public entertainment.

Still, that's a more upbeat story than the one about the reality TV contestant who recently hanged himself before authorities could charge him with the murder of a 28-year-old, blond swimsuit model, whose body was so badly mutilated she had to be identified by the serial numbers on her breast implants.

Given those unseemly examples, why would anyone want their private lives to be grist for reality TV?

"I just think our story is unique because we're two people who really do love each other," says Lisle native Jorie McDonald, a 29-year-old, blond swimsuit model with breast implants. McDonald recently celebrated her one-year-anniversary as a couple with fellow model Raul Rodriguez, who grew up in Streamwood and is the father of McDonald's 3-week-old baby.

"We hope to be a breath of fresh air in a reality circuit of shows that has become a circus of hypocrisy," says Rodriguez, 43, suggesting producers want losers who will create controversy. "We have enough drama in confronting where we are today without living in the past."

Labeling his old self a manipulative jerk, Rodriguez says he, and McDonald, have overcome addictions and become better, more-grounded people.

"Unlike the guy who killed his model girlfriend, or Jon and Kate, we have the discipline to confront ourselves," Rodriguez says. "By sharing our experience, we feel that is the best way we can be of service to others.

The couple shares a life that Rodriguez compares to the story line of the iconic TV show "I Love Lucy."

A football player at Streamwood High School and Harper College, Rodriguez says he was discovered by modeling agencies when he was in his early 20s.

"It was because of my insecurities that I started modeling," says Rodriguez, whose career took him to Iceland, where he dated other models, landed a TV gig and fathered two children. He says he finally broke a pattern of drug, alcohol and other addictions, became a fitness trainer and life coach (he lists late, bizarre, troubled chess champion Bobby Fischer among his clients) and settled in Los Angeles with a goal of doing something creative and positive.

McDonald says she started modeling and using drugs in her teens. Giving clients the tall, skinny androgenous look they desired for high fashion shows, ads, music videos and commercials, "I was very successful," McDonald recalls. "I lived in Paris and Milan and traveled all over Europe."

Having kicked her addictions, McDonald moved to L.A., got her breast implants, modeled swimsuits and broke into TV. She was a contestant on a reality show called "Millionaire Matchmaker," where she didn't match up with the millionaire.

She did, however, hit it off with Rodriguez, whom she met at the birthday party of a mutual friend. The couple say their chaotic childhoods, suburban backgrounds, similar model experiences and desire to form strong family connections gave them a lot in common.

"After a couple months of dating, I got pregnant right way," McDonald says. The couple say they considered an abortion, but decided to build a new life together, and record every aspect of that for viewers.

Episodes of "Models Mayhem 2 Motherhood" and their new fitness, diet and life-improvement show called "Zero to Hero TV" are available on YouTube.com until they set up their own Web site or sell their reality show to a network.

And yes, viewers do tend to notice McDonald's attributes. Her model statistics note she is 6-feet-1, 130 pounds and boasts an ample pair of size 10 feet.

"Let's face it. We live in a society that judges a book by its cover," Rodriguez says. "I'm more of the substance, and she's a lot of the visual."

The photo accompanying this column might lure more readers to this space than I would have drawn with a touching ode to Ted Kennedy. The models say they understand the bait, but hope viewers get hooked on the meatier aspects of the shows.

"No matter what, people are going to judge you, whether it's my big boobs or whatever," McDonald says. "I'm secure with myself."

Back in the suburbs to show loved ones their new son, Constantine, the couple vow to return to L.A. to use their life experiences to help others. They say they hope reality TV gives them that outlet.

"We want to do this because we feel this is the best way we can be of service," Rodriguez says, "by using our looks, our experience."