Bronx woman keeps it real on Netflix reality show 'The Circle'

A new reality show on Netflix features some home-grown talent.
To those who know her, she’s Karyn Blanco, but on Netflix’s “The Circle” she is known as Mercedeze.
The Bronx-native from Gun Hill Road is now being seen on screens across the country in the streaming service’s latest reality show.
On “The Circle,” strangers live in the same building, but only interact on an app, competing for popularity points to ultimately win the $100,000 prize.
However, who they are on the app isn’t necessarily who they really are. Blanco says she became Mercedeze to prove a point.

“There's nothing different about me except the outward appearance, I'm just as sweet as any female, I'm just as polite, as kind, as well mannered, sugar and spice and all of that, but I have a hard exterior and I love women,” says Blanco.

The out and proud artist has received a lot of reaction since the show premiered at the beginning of the month. Some critics have called her out for being a "catfish,” but many others sent messages of support for what she stands for.

Blanco says she is looking forward to making more music and securing other acting roles.
Right now, she says having her face shining bright in Times Square is already a pretty big win for her.