Jennifer Zamparelli has won praise, after she candidly opened up about the downside of taking part in reality TV.
Ten years ago, the RTÉ star rose to fame on BBC’s The Apprentice, and she still feels “sick” thinking about her life after she was fired by Sir Alan Sugar in front of eight million viewers.
Jennifer opened up about her experience after ITV revealed their plans to provide therapy and pre-show training to reality show contestants – following the death of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis.
Speaking on RTÉ 2fm’s Breakfast Republic, Jennifer said, “The reason I want to talk about this is because not only did I do a reality show, I did a reality show in the UK, so I have huge experience with that specifically. I got fired in front of 8 and a half million people, which was huge figures back then.”
Following the decision by some reality TV production companies & broadcasters to increase their aftercare for contestants, our @JenniferMaguire shared her own personal experience ❤️#TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/0hnDwhrz8C
— RTÉ 2FM (@RTE2fm) March 20, 2019
The TV presenter explained, “I had no media background, I had no entertainment background. I was in business… I can only talk about it now, first of all because I was under contract that I wasn’t allowed to talk about it, and second of all it was so traumatic I’m amazed I got out of it unscathed.”
“Even to think about it makes me want to get sick because I was in there for about seven weeks. I was 27. I went in, I got through the audition process, I thought this is going to be amazing, be a great platform for whatever I want to do.”
“But from being misquoted to paparazzi trying to get photographs up my skirt after the show, ex boyfriends telling stories, nothing prepares you for the s** that comes after it,” she continued.
During her time on the show, Jennifer said she was wrongfully painted as the “Irish ice maiden”.
She said, “There were quotes in the paper that I never said like, ‘She describes herself as an iron fist in a velvet glove’. I never heard that saying until I read it in the paper.”
“All these lies, and you have that and then you get kicked out and have to deal with reporters following you, journalists calling you, paparazzi.”
Jennifer also explained that the “hardest” part of it all was how it affected her family.
“For my mam to read stories in the paper about my ex-boyfriend telling the nation about what we got up to in the bedroom, or may not have got up to in the bedroom, it’s not nice. And they’re not prepared for it,” she said.
“It’s so easy to have a breakdown when you come out of a show like that. You’re thrust into a completely different world that you’re not equipped to deal with.”
When asked if she has any advice for those who want to take part in a reality show, Jen said, “If you are going to do it make sure you have a support system. Make sure your family are on board, they are prepared for negative comments, for people coming out of the woodwork, for you being cast aside, for not knowing what to do.”
After Jennifer’s comments aired on 2fm, many took to Twitter to praise her honesty.
Ive always wondered and worried about reality show contestants when the shine rubs off. Fame would be my absolute worst nightmare! Well said @JenniferMaguire https://t.co/QSq9MRJW7j
— Denise Rachel Mono (@deni_mono) March 20, 2019
Wow! Very honest and you can tell it still has an affect on Jen. Well said! Never saw that side of @JenniferMaguire before. I like it. Life Coach in there too me thinks?
— Orla (@Orla02115873) March 21, 2019
Wow @JenniferMaguire thanks for sharing that. I remember you on the Apprentice and loved you, thought you were real, human and very clever, didn’t know they put you all through that. ???? #yourock
— NatalieCooke.ie (@NatGarlandCooke) March 21, 2019
I remember watching that series of the apprentice and thinking ‘that Jennifer one is some piece of work’, but in our house now she is probably one of our favourite radio and tv presenters, probably because we have seen and heard unedited versions of her personality.
— Ollie Egan (@ollie_egan) March 21, 2019