In what might just be the worst kept secret of all time, Donald Trump and NBC are finally revealing the cast ofCelebrity Apprentice season 5!
The network unveiled the latest crop of D-list celebrities who will compete for a $250,000 cash prize for their bank accounts favorite charities! And just as we reported back in October, Italian sisters from another mother — Victoria Gotti and RHONJ housewifeTeresa Giudiceare a part of the cast!
In fact, Victoria revealed a while back that Teresa and her ended up getting into a major blowout during filming. C.A.N.T. W.A.I.T!
“This season of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ will be the most exciting yet. The show will be great, with a record number of contestants and 15 episodes. We are thrilled to bring 18 new and talented celebrities who will help me make ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ one of the hottest shows on television this spring,” promises The Donald.
Unfortunately for Teresa’s fake BFF Dina Manzo, Tre did not pick her Lady Bug charity for the show. Ouch!
Below is the full list of the cast and their respective charities –
Teresa Giudice, Bravo Housewife, 39: The NephCure Foundation Victoria Gotti, Famous mobster daughter, 48: Association to Benefit Children Tia Carrere, Actress/Model, 44: After-School All-Stars Debbie Gibson, Singer, 41: Children International Lisa Lampanelli, Comedian, 50: Gay Men’s Health Crisis Dayana Mendoza, Former Miss Universe, 25: Latino Commission on AIDS Aubrey O’Day, Singer, 27: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Cheryl Tiegs, Model/Actress, 64: The Farrah Fawcett Foundation Patricia Velasquez, Model, 40: Wayuu Taya Foundation
Clay Aiken, Former American Idol runner up, 32: The National Inclusion Project Michael Andretti, Race-car driver, 24: Racing for Cancer Adam Carolla, Radio and TV personality, 47: Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters Lou Ferrigno, Incredible Hulk star, 59: Muscular Dystrophy Association Arsenio Hall, Actor and Former late-night host, 55: Magic Johnson Foundation Penn Jillette, Magician, 56: Opportunity Village Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman, 56: March of Dimes/Bikers for Babies George Takei, Star Trek actor, 74: Japanese American National Museum Paul Teutul Sr., 62: Make-A-Wish Foundation
The new season of Celebrity Apprentice will premiere Sunday, Feb. 12 at 9/8c on NBC.
[Photo Credit: SPLASH]
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED OR ARE YOU REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SEASON?
In today’s surprise, a new episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta will be airing tonight on Bravo! But more on that below.
First, followingNene Leakes’claims that she is “rich… very rich” due to the Trump checks she received from doingCelebrity Apprentice, it now appears she might have fibbed a lot little. A Bravo housewife fibbing? You don’t say!
“While you were running your mouth, I was running to the bank … depositing a Trump check!” NeNe claimed to Sheree Whitfield on the RHOA season opener adding, “I’m rich, bitch!” And to further prove her wealth to millions of strangers viewers, the Nene was seen looking at a $9 million dollar home in Miami.
However, Donald Trump Jr.is now speaking out against Nene’s claims, telling the Wetpaint blog that if the Nene is indeed rich or very rich rather, it is not due to any checks from his dad Donald Trump.
When asked about Nene’s claims of wealth via Donald, Trump Jr. told Wetpaint, “Honestly, I have no idea.” He continued, “All the celebrities on the show play for charity. She received a small appearance fee, sure, but that was it.”
Trump Jr. added: “And as far as I know, she’s not involved with any of our other business or corporations. So I’m not sure what she’s talking about.” Ouch!
So just how much did Nene earn on Celebrity Apprentice? Well that exact amount is unknown but Piers Morgan, who won the 1st season of the show back in 2008, revealed he and his castmates only received about $25,000 each to do the show. So perhaps that amount has since gone up to $9 million in a span of 3 years! Thus making the Nene very rich!
Nene has since backtracked on her “very rich” comments claiming she simply meant she was spiritually wealthy. Uh uh.
Meanwhile, the ratings for the 4th season of the RHOA continues to soar! With over 3.3 million viewers tuning in for Sunday’s episode, the series continues to remain the highest rated Bravo housewives franchise. In fact, the recent episode of RHOA was seen by 1.1 million more viewers than the still very impressive 2.2 million viewers that watched the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Monday night. It appears the RHOA ladies and their manufactured drama are here to stay!
Moving on to tonight’s all new episode of the RHOA! Yes, Bravo has decided to air a new full-episode tonight.
On the 7th episode this season titled ‘Law By Sheree,‘ Shereé is served with legal papers, and turns to Phaedra for representation. The two confidently face Sheree’s ex in court, but to their dismay, he has a trick up his sleeve. Kim and Kroy bring baby KJ home and chaos erupts in the house. On an all-new episode of “Kandi Koated Nights,” Kandi chats with guests Marlo Hampton and baller boyfriend Charles Grant. One of Kandi’s co-hosts asks Charles what it was like to date NeNe and it doesn’t take long for the gossip to spread.
The episode airs at 9/8c and a preview clip is below!
[Photos Credit: WENN]
TELL US – DO YOU THINK THE NENE LIED ABOUT BEING VERY RICH? THOUGHTS ON THE PREVIEW & TONIGHT’S NEW EPISODE?
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE THE PREVIEW!
Teresa, Teresa, oh, Teresa. I feel slighted, as if I was in the presence of greatness knowing that the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Skinny Italian was mere ninety minutes away from me, answering questions openly and honestly (ahem) in my tiny home state’s capitol. Maybe she will, as she recently opened up about her husband’s dinner date at TGIFriday’s!
Not only that, mob princess Victoria Gotti teases about a Celebrity Apprentice blow-up with the Bravo housewife that puts Nene Leakes beef with Star Jones to shame. Add all of this with the fact that Teresa Guidice’snemesis sister-in-law Melissa Gorga won’t be breaking bread with her husband’s sister this holiday makes for a very Merry Jersey-style Christmas.
Going on The Wendy Williams Show recently, Teresa isn’t just defending herself, but also her marriage and finances. When questioned about whether she was the only housewife in financial strife, Teresa took the high road refusing to speculate about the business of her cast mates (and former friends). Of Juicy Joe Guidice’s and her situation, she explains, “Joe and I are both hard workers. We just withdrew from bankruptcy.”
Wendy Williams then asked about those dreaded rumors of infidelity, sparked by pictures of Juicy dining with another woman at TGIFriday’s. That Joe is one big spender, eh? Teresa assures Wendy, “That was a friend of ours.” She continues, telling a story about dining recently with a hot male companion who is friends with the couple. Teresa was thankful she wasn’t photographed with him to start the gossip mill swirling. “It’s not fair that just because you are out with a friend, you are cheating on your spouse,” she tells Wendy. Teresa loves her Juicy Joe.
You know who else she loves? Donald Trump, the man that is helping her expand her brand on Celebrity Apprentice. You know who she may not love as much? Her rumored co-star and competitor on the upcoming season, Victoria Gotti. Not to be outdone by Teresa, Victoria showed up on The Wendy Williams Show hinting about a brewing feud between Mrs. Guidice and herself. While never out-right confirming her spot on the reality competition, Gotti teases, “I recently worked with someone on a project, and that person is a fellow Italian woman …” Follow-up questions from Wendy made it pretty clear that fellow lady was Teresa.
A shocked Wendy admits, “In my mind you guys would be friends,” to which Gotti replies, “In my mind we were too. But then there comes a scene… when my mind gets completely blown… So you’re going to see this on TV, it’s a quite a blow-up… I thought it was gonna get a little physical there. Nene and Starr, I mean, that was like nothin’.’” I honestly can’t say I’m surprised to hear that. I’d kind of like to see Teresa and Nene go head to head!
While Victoria Gotti may not be hanging out with Teresa anytime soon, the same may be said for Melissa Gorga. The upcoming holidays always bring together fun, family and lots of stress, and Melissa and husbandJoe Gorga may be choosing less stress over more family time. In a recent interview, Melissa admits that Christmas plans have yet to be made. She says, “It’s yet to be determined. Sometimes when something stresses you out and when you have to think to hard about something, sometimes it’s better to stay away for a little while.”
While Melissa would love for the cousins to enjoy the holidays together, it seems that Teresa may be the roadblock. Melissa reveals, “If it were up to me, we would be together every single Christmas Eve. Our children would be opening presents together. We’d be sharing every single Christmas together.”
Joe Gorga agrees. When it comes to his sister Teresa, he knows she can bring unwanted drama. Joe concurs, “There’s certain things you just can’t forgive and forget. It’s a holiday. You want to enjoy it. You want to be happy. You don’t want to be aggravated. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I want to be happy.”
Melissa, however, remains hopeful. “I just really hope that we can all work this out. We all have such amazing opportunities here. We’re all great people.” She continues, “Everyone’s talented. Everyone has amazing families. We all just need to let it go and work it out. It’s the holidays and that’s it. I don’t want to say anything else. We really need to work it out.”
And finally, last night, Teresa spoke at a library benefit (of all things!) in Columbia, South Carolina. In an interview prior to her appearance, Teresa was asked about her reality star status. Teresa reveals, “I’m really humble and really down to earth. I don’t walk around saying that. I’m still true to who I am.” Cough, cough. She continues, “I’m still the same person. The way they portray you on TV, that’s not who you really are. I’m really, real, and I think my true friends know who I really am. They’re just really protective of me.”
However, Teresa admits she has a feisty side (table flipping, anyone?), but she explains, “I stand up for myself if I believe in something. If I have to state my case, I have to state it. If I’m wrong, then I’ll keep my mouth shut.” Is that how it works? Even when discussing Bravo’s Andy Cohen and his not so gentle ribbing of she and her husband, Teresa laughs, exclaiming, “[T]hat’s his job. And I love Andy. I’m a big girl and I can defend myself.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TERESA’S INTERVIEW? ARE YOU SHOCKED THAT SHE AND VICTORIA GOTTI WILL SPAR ON THE UPCOMING SEASON OF CELEBRITY APPRENTICE? SHOULD THE GORGAS AND THE GUIDICES CALL A TRUCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Aubrey O’Day – Singer and former member of Danity Kane
Cheryl Tiegs – Model and Actress
Dayana Mendoza – Former Miss Universe
Tia Carrere – Actress and Model
Patricia Velasquez - Model
Debbie Gibson – Singer
Lisa Lampanelli – Comedian and Roast specialist
Men’s Team:
Adam Carolla – Radio and TV personality
Arsenio Hall - Actor and Former late-night host
Clay Aiken – Former American Idol runner up
Dee Snider – Twisted Sister frontman
George Takei - Star Trek actor
Lou Ferrigno – Incredible Hulk star
Marco Andretti - Race-car driver
Paul Teutal – American Chopper dad
Penn Jillette - Magician and one-half member of Penn & Teller
Another source tells Reality Tea the women were spotted filming at Cafe Metro on W 52nd Street in NYC on Tuesday during which they had a challenge that required them to cook and sell food. They sold “$20 Grilled Cheeses, and $100 or $500 sandwiches.”
Our source also supplied us with the below pics which includes a group shot of the women on the menu and another shot of Teresa actually slaving away in the kitchen! Those pics are below!
According to reports, Celebrity Apprentice season 5 is scheduled to premiere early next year.
Top Photos credit: PR Photos
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE FULL CAST LIST? HOPING FOR A TERESA & VICTORIA SMACKDOWN? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE NEW SEASON?
The Celebrity Apprentice casting rumors continue to swirl and speculation that Teresa Giudice will be part of the cast is stronger than ever! They better hurry up and decide as filming is expected to begin next week!
Insiders confirm that former swimsuit model, Cheryl Tiegs and race car driver, Marco Andretti are definitely in the line-up!
Tiegs has been on a couple of reality shows herself, including ABC’s short-lived True Beauty, but Andretti’s experience in the reality circuit mostly stems from post-race interviews. Hey, at least he’s likely cool under pressure!
Insiders close to the show also reveal that the fifth season will feature not one, but TWO loud-mouthed Italian princesses: Real Housewives of New Jersey’s infamous table flipping, cookbook shilling mama who took bankruptcy to a whole new level, Teresa Giudice and notorious mob-daughter, Victoria Gotti, star of Growing Up Gottia reality show of yore and the author of several books – who has also had some financial and legal troubles of her own! Oh, please let this rumor be true! The drama, oh the heavenly drama!
Teresa, who possibly beat out her RHONJ co-star and current nemesis Caroline Manzo for a spot on the show, has Caroline’s camp claiming she recommended the business-savvy Jersian to Senor Trump after she turned their offer down. Team Trump denounces this rumor as not even 1/16th true. I wonder if Project Ladybug, charity of Teresa’s only remaining friend, Dina Manzo, will be her cause of choice?
Also speculated to be included in the cast is Debbie Gibson – oh excuse me Deborah Gibson – who sowed her reality TV oats on Skating With The Celebrities (yeah, I don’t remember it either) and a stint on WWHL! Deborah “I Think We’re Alone Now” Gibson seems level-headed and kind of sweet; which means underneath it all the former teen pop prodigy is likely a majah drama queen!
Finally, almost American Idolwinner, Clay Aiken, who has been largely out of the spotlight as of late, might be making his triumphant return to the teevee! And I truly think the philanthropic and low-key Aiken would be a great asset to any Celebrity Apprentice team. The real question is, can he handle the out-of-control drama that is Mrs. T-Money Giudice? Probably not.
Thoughts on the rumored casting lineup? Are you excited about the possibility of a Giudice vs. Gotti throwdown or tired of the cray-cray?
Heading into the Celebrity Apprentice finale last night, it was a tight race between country singer John Rich, 37, and deaf actress Marlee Matlin, 45 (she looks great for 45 no?).
In fact Donald Trump revealed that this was his toughest ruling yet in the history of the show. “I’ve never had to go through something like this… You’ve both been amazing,” said Trump to both finalists before announcing a winner.
Ultimately, John, one-half of the country-music duo Big & Rich, came out on top, beating Marlee to earn a $250,000 check for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Marlee had been competing for the Starkey Hearing Foundation charity.
“Today has been an unbelievable day!” said John after his win. “I got Trump to put on a Stetson hat on national television and now I get to drive down to Memphis with a $250,000 check for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
With the exception of Richard Hatch, who is back in prison for tax evasion (much to the delight of David Cassidy), most of the “fired” contestants returned for the live finale. Though noticeably missing was music legend Dionne Warwick.
Of course the Donald had to revisit the whole Nene Leakes vs everyoneStar Jones drama. Nene claimed she had moved on and didn’t hold a grudge, only to yell over Star seconds later while Star attempted to answer a question from Trump.
And right before he made the winner announcement, Trump promised to do something he had never done before. What was that you ask? Well while he hired John, he did not fire Marlee. Rightfully so as there were no losers this season with over $3 million raised for charity– a record for the show.
It was also announced last week that Trump will return for another season of the Celebrity Apprentice.
TELL US – HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS? DID THE RIGHT CONTESTANT WIN?
And leading up to tonight’s finale, Marlee spoke out on the drama involving her fired former teammates Star Jones and Nene Leakes, making it clear she wasn’t a fan. “Whatever the hoopla was that surrounded the relationship they had and whatever drama came, I didn’t choose to involve it in terms of the way I played the game,” said Marlee in a conference call with the press. “Whatever way they decided to deal with each other isn’t what I am about or the kind of person I am.”
Marlee’s comments would explain why she did not choose Star to join her team for the final task. She continued, “Whatever clash that occurred, for me, it got too old too quick. I just decided to focus on the task; it’s not about who I am. Sometimes it overshadowed the purpose and my aim for being there which was to raise money for charity but I would never let it get in the way.”
Marlee then went on to make it clear that she still respects both women. “But they are both women I respect and I know are very vocal and that’s what is great about them,” she added.
Meanwhile, John Rich also revealed a shocking tidbit while talking to the press, which is that he and rapper Lil Jon were actually friends before the Apprentice – something they both failed to reveal on the show!
According to Jon, he met Lil Jon years ago at an awards show. “I remember shaking hands with him at an awards show,” said John. “It wasn’t like we became best friends or anything because we live in different towns, but anytime I was in Atlanta or LA, because he is back and forth between the two towns, I’d always call him, and every now and then he’d be in Nashville and would call me.”
In fact, John called Lil Jon to inform him about joining the CA cast only to discover Lil Jon would also be appearing on the show. “I actually called when I’d decided I would be on Celebrity Apprentice to tell him I’d be on a TV show and might need him to help me out with a task or donation at some point,” said John. “He started laughing and said, ‘Too late, I’m on the same show!’ We just laughed our heads off. At that point I said, ‘This will be fun.”
So can we expect a music collabo from the ‘Jons?’ That answer is a yes! “We actually did record something together and there is a record coming out now called Rich Rocks, and Lil Jon appears as a guest artist,” explain John. “It’s a really cool thing and I’ve had a huge response from all the country fans that are really liking him too.”
The finale/reunion episode begins tonight at 9/8c. Nene, Garey Busey, and the other fired celebs (excluding Richard Hatchwho is back in jail) will all be in attendance!
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TELL US – THOUGHTS ON MARLEE & JOHN’S INTERVIEWS? WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR TO WIN TONIGHT?
In today’s extremely shocking news, Donald Trumphas announced he will not run for President in the 2012 election, while also announcing his return for another season of the Celebrity Apprentice.
Following weeks of teasing via a publicity tour regarding a potential bid as the Republican candidate, Donald, 64, announced his decision via a statement released on Monday.
“After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country,” Trump said.
The Donald however makes it very clear he would have beat President Barack Obama had he ran. “I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector,” said Trump.
Last month, Trump infamously challenged the President on the birther issue and was actually solid in early polls. However, once the President released his birth certificate and the Donald became the butt of jokes at the recent White House Correspondents Dinner, his poll numbers drastically declined.
Plus this announcement ends the speculation on whether Trump will return for another season of the Apprentice. Over the weekend, NBC announced that the Apprentice franchise would continue with or without the Donald. It’s likely that statement by NBC plus the timing of the network’s Upfront presentation for advertisers this week is what prompted him to make the announcement. He had teased in the past that he would make his announcement on the season finale of the Celebrity Apprentice leading many to suspect this was just a publicity stunt.
Trump also added that he will not stop voicing his political opinions. “I will continue to voice my opinions loudly and help to shape our politician’s thoughts. My ability to bring important economic and foreign policy issues to the forefront of the national dialogue is perhaps my greatest asset and one of the most valuable services I can provide to this country,” he said.
TELL US – WAS DONALD TRUMP SERIOUS ABOUT RUNNING OR WAS THIS JUST A PUBLICITY STUNT?
