Road Rules’ Michelle Parma, 1975-2002

Michelle Parma, cast member of Road Rules: Europe died last Saturday in a car accident that had her traveling from Dallas to Houston on Interstate 45. She was 27. Two vehicles struck Michelle and her cousin, Mandie Parma, and both died at the scene. One vehicle, driven by a 16-year-old, Austin Hodges, had swerved into them from oncoming traffic. Hodges apparently lost control of his vehicle and could not stop it from crossing the median. Then, after being struck, Parma’s car was hit by another car driven by Barbara Kroll, 30. Both Hodges and Kroll sustained minor injuries.

Michelle was born in Fairfax, Virginia, but moved to Dallas when she was very young, and always has considered herself a Texan. She always had a passion for acting and dancing, and had attended the University of North Texas as a drama and communications major. After deciding that she wanted to pursue her acting and dancing career, Parma moved to Los Angeles and was shortly thereafter cast to be on the third season of Road Rules, which took place in Europe

I can say that I have watched every season of Road Rules since it has aired, and Michelle was a class act. Overshadowed by some of the more dominating personalities of her cast, such as Antoine and Belou, Michelle was a sweet girl who avoided confrontation and was a team player. One thing in particular that stands out in my mind was the episode that they had to do a runway show, and model new fashions. Michelle seemed to be in her element. She looked so beautiful in what I remember being a burgundy outfit. Since she felt so comfortable being on the stage, she offered help to the other cast members who were struggling. That is the kind of person that Michelle was. On the show, she was a sweet, sincere, happy person who tried hard to keep the others pleased.

Jonathan Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim, who cast Michelle for Road Rules, had said, “Michelle had a spirit about her that just pulled you in. She was one of the nicest, most genuine people to ever be on one of our reality shows.” This quote says it best. Michelle was one of the most genuine cast members on Road Rules ever, not to mention she was funny, beautiful, and a team player.

After Road Rules, Michelle returned to L.A. for two more years to continue working on her acting career. She spent time in Hollywood, but missed her home in Texas and decided to return. When she returned to Dallas, Michelle took a job with Southwest Airlines, where she was still employed. Most recently, she was seen on the Real World/Road Rules Extreme Challenge.

Several family members, including her mother and father, survive Michelle. She will be greatly missed, and I know that she will not be forgotten. Michelle had that look that when you saw her on TV, you could relate to her because she acted like a real person. She was humble, and didn’t seem to take anything for granted. She was a silent driving force on her cast, and her presence was always known.

Instead of flowers or gifts, Michelle’s family has requested that donations be made to the United Network for Organ Sharing, 1100 Boulders Parkway, Suite 500, Box 13770, Richmond, VA 23225-5770. Bunim/Murray Productions is forwarding all remembrances to Michelle’s family and they can be sent to Bunim/Murray Productions, Box 10421, Van Nuys, CA 91410.

Phil Kural is a junior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@astro.temple.edu. His thoughts and prayers are with the Parma family.

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