Who is more intimidating to plate up for – the MasterChef judges or hangry celebrities in the jungle?
Definitely the judges. My jungle fam were the most patient and grateful bunch I’ve ever fed – yes, Beau [Ryan] and Joey [Essex] went to struggle town with quantities, but were still always so polite and thankful. Dinner was definitely family time. Everyone would sit around the fire and watch me, Derek [Kickett] and “Bucks” [Nathan Buckley] cook. Without devices, I guess it was the closest we had to TV. I’d choose to cook for them any time over experts!
Heading into the jungle, was there anything you definitely weren’t going to try?
Bungee jumping and skydiving, so it was great the jungle gods thought they’d serve it to me on the first day!
Why was now the right time for you to go on the show?
I’ve always had a curiosity about doing something a bit nuts like this. Also being on reality TV has always yielded huge personal expansion. It was the eighth time I’d been asked and after finding it such a hoot to watch last season, I was like, “I’m down to gag, starve, cry, fly and make new friends if it makes Australia as happy as I felt being a viewer!”
Why did you throw your support behind Indigenous educational charity Yalari?
I chose Yalari because there’s no days I don’t have the deepest gratitude for what this country has given to me as a migrant, and I certainly want Indigenous kids in remote areas of Australia to have the educational opportunities I did. Creating generational change is a matter of urgency.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! airs Sunday to Thursday, 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
