The standing rule of thumb is that everyone has at least seven careers in them. But now that these Apprentice celebs are facing the challenge of their already impressive careers — standing in front of Donald Trump — will their job experiences help or hinder them?
Lisa Rinna
Lisa Rinna, having starred on Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place and Dancing with the Stars, is no stranger to drama. She’s posed for Playboy when she was very pregnant, so she’s not afraid to put herself out there. Lisa has endured much public scrutiny and ribbing for various plastic surgery procedures, so she must have pretty thick skin by now. Is all this enough to make her a strong competitor, though? It wasn’t the last time she was on Celebrity Apprentice — she only lasted two episodes. This time around, she’s ready. She’s excited for her second chance, and we’re excited to see how she holds up against some of the celebs who have a bit more Apprentice experience under their belts.
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Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins, the gentle-giant country singer, says he’s not holding back this time. Last time he was on Celebrity Apprentice, he felt like he held back to get a read on the other competitors. Will Trace’s past job experience as an oil rigger help him compete? Being an oil rigger is a dirty job with intense physical labor. Trace may have to borrow a few of the things he learned during his oil-rigging days to fight dirty.
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Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman is known as much (or more) for his off-the-basketball-court antics as he is for his on-court performance. Is a guy who made headlines this time last year for not paying his child support — and who did a stint on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (something he shares with another Apprentice star, Gary Busey) — Apprentice material? If confidence wins the day, then Dennis has a chance.
He boldly claims on his introduction video for All-Star Celebrity Apprentice that he’ll “be famous ’til the day he dies,” with or without Apprentice.
Still, the guy led the NBA in rebounds for seven consecutive years and is a vegetarian and a restaurateur, so he can be disciplined when he puts his mind to it. He’s probably not the kind of guy we want to underestimate.
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Claudia Jordan
The last time Claudia Jordan appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, the former Miss Rhode Island and The Price is Right Barker’s Beauty learned the hard way that being a model and having a pretty face weren’t enough. She was the first girl to go home in Season 2 of Celebrity Apprentice. But Claudia has learned her lesson, and she’s back with something to prove. She maintains that her experience running track will help her be a strong competitor this time around — she needs to hang back until the final stretch. We’ll see if this strategy gets Claudia a little further along in the race this go-round.
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Bret Michaels
The only celebrity who has won Celebrity Apprentice in the all-star group, Bret Michaels is pumped for another chance to kick some celebrity butt. Bret learned the value of hard work at a young age — he shoveled driveways and was a fry cook. The Rock of Love star attributes his success to his days as a rock ‘n’ roller.
In his intro video, Bret says the 16-hour days required on Celebrity Apprentice are no big deal to him — he’s used to “running on fumes.”
Perhaps his ongoing issues with health problems (he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child) give him the fortitude to be a strong competitor. It will be interesting to watch and see if Bret can keep from being fired twice.
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Penn Jillette
This Las Vegas headliner and half of the magic duo Penn and Teller has got his work cut out for him. The skills Penn Jillette has developed to be a successful entertainer will come in handy as he competes in All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, but the competition is fierce. Hopefully, he’s got a trick up his sleeve or is prepared to pull a rabbit out of his hat to get the job done.
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Brande Roderick
Baywatch babe and 2001 Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick is ready to roll up her sleeves and get dirty. Brande is a mother of two, which may give her a bit of an advantage over some of her competitors. Every mother knows you have to be a nurse, caregiver, accountant, personal assistant, chef and housekeeper, so having a family is like running a small business in a lot of ways. Of course, celebrities typically have help. Coming out of the gates, it looks as if Brande’s going to have to work extra hard and be very clever to compete against the other stars.
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Stephen Baldwin
This Baldwin bro has co-hosted a radio show, something that requires a skill set that may be useful on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. You’ve got be vocal, and you have to be quick on your feet.
Stephen‘s strategy is to use his “cute boyish charm” on the ladies, while keeping an eye on the quieter competitors like Trace.
He learned last time that being a good guy doesn’t win this competition, so we’re going to see a tougher Stephen.
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Dee Snider
This “twisted sister,” like his competitor Bret Michaels, knows what it is to put in a long, grueling day. Dee hasn’t been forthcoming with previous careers and odd jobs, but the guy has been married for over 30 years. In a day when the divorce rate is creeping past 50 percent, that proves that Dee is either a committed, loyal, determined individual — or that he’s delusional. We prefer to think it’s the former, and if so, those attributes will make him a formidable competitor.
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Marilu Henner
At 60 years old, Marilu is one of the oldest apprentices on the show, which could give her an advantage. She may have the patience, wisdom and discipline some of the younger folks don’t have. One thing that gives Marilu a clear advantage is that she is one of 12 documented cases of highly superior autobiographical memories. Last time Marilu appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, she was known as “Switzerland” for getting along with everyone.
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Lil Jon
The fact that this guy has achieved mega-status is proof that he could be fierce competition. If we’re being honest here, sometimes you look at super-famous people and say, “Huh?” Yet Lil Jon has carved out a respectable niche for himself and admits that marketing and promotion are things he does every day. The journey that took him from anonymity to fame has likely given him the skills he needs to do well against the other celebs. We’re just wondering how many times we’re going to hear “What!” during Season 5.
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La Toya Jackson
Being a Jackson has made La Toya no stranger to drama, controversy and criticism. Her tolerance level for these things may help her along in the competition. Jacksons don’t exactly perform “odd jobs,” but in La Toya’s case, they do odd things. We all remember when she went on record as saying brother Michael was a molester, when she allegedly looted Michael’s home after his death and when she told The Talk that her (now deceased) husband tried to pimp her out to Mike Tyson. This Jackson has either had a very difficult life or is a straight-up nut. Interestingly, dealing with adversity will suit her well in this competition, but being out to lunch will not.
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Omarosa
And now the darling of the Celebrity Apprentice theater, Omarosa. This girl has done it all — she’s taught branding and marketing at Harvard, and is an ordained minister. You think being a girl of the cloth would make her a little nicer, but Omarosa plays for keeps. She’s gone on record as saying that the girlfriend of her nemesis (Piers Morgan) is a dude with an Adam’s apple. A girl who’s got the stones to say that sort of thing can be very entertaining for us in the audience, but it won’t make her a lot of alliances on the show.
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Gary Busey
We saved the best for last. We have no idea how Busey will stack up against his competitors, but we know one thing for sure: Plant Gary Busey in a show, and the viewers will line up. The guy is explosive, crazy and hilarious. He also seems to have a heart of gold. It’s going to be a sad day, hopefully years and years from now, when we wake up and there is no more Gary Busey. Rather than go on about our adoration of him, we’d prefer to let him speak for himself.
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