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Mandatory: First of all, are you aware that you set a "The Apprentice" record for most times brought back to the final boardroom? Why do you think that was?
Dayana Mendoza: (laughs) Yeah, they should have just had my name on a chair in there permanently. From my point of view, I think it was my technique. I realized when I said my final goodbye that most everyone on the show was there to just try to take someone else out and had their own self-interests. I approached it as just trying to raise money for my charity. But I know that I am only 25, I am not a writer or an actor, so I was maybe looked down on. I think I was an easy target, so I was brought back to the final boardroom by my teammates as many times as possible.
Mandatory: Do you feel like you were disrespected or underestimated on the show?
DM: I would say underestimated. The young girl who does not speak English perfectly, I would say for those I competed with I was viewed as someone with no experience who got lucky enough to win a pageant to get on the show. But I feel like I held my own. I didn't always have the right answer but I tried my best and was just thankful for the opportunity.
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Mandatory: How did you feel when Trump told you you were fired?
DM: You are so tired and emotionally drained by then, I guess I felt some relief. I thought about how I wouldn't have to face the pressure of getting fired the next week. But mostly I felt happy, because I was able to raise money for my charity (the Latino Commission on AIDS) and help other charities as well. I didn't win, but I did what I came to do.
Mandatory: Now that you are off the show, in hindsight what would you have done differently?
DM: I think I actually did too well (laughs). I watch it and still can't believe what I hear the others saying, the things they said to me. I can't believe I stood up so high to some of the rough treatment and was able to remain focused and as professional as possible. I am very proud of how I reacted and happy with how I performed on "Celebrity Apprentice" overall.
Mandatory: I think I might know the answer to this, but who was the worst person to work with on the show?
DM: I think both Lisa Lampanelli and Aubrey O'Day were very difficult people to work with. If you watch the show, it's obvious that Lisa has a temper issue. She explodes. I think when she focuses and has peace in her heart, she can be a great worker. The difference with Aubrey was, just her personality made it really hard to work with as a team player. It was not easy to work with either one of them.
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Mandatory: Who did you respect the most?
DM: Patricia Velasquez, and not because we are both Venezuelan women. Whoever watched the show will appreciate the fact that she was such a lady, yet such a hard worker, very well spoken, and always gave her best. I really respect and adore her.
Mandatory: Just to make sure, you don't know who wins yet do you?
DM: No, I have no idea who wins. I think even the ones who make the final show don't know the winner yet. They do the final show live.
Mandatory: So who do you think is going to win out of the five people left (Arsenio Hall, Aubrey O'Day, Clay Aiken, Lisa Lampanelli, Teresa Giudice)?
DM: I hope one of the men left wins it. Clay or Arsenio, I am rooting for one of them.
Mandatory: Now I have to ask, what does Donald Trump's hair look like in real life?
DM: You know what? My relationship with Donald is special. I admire him so much. After the Miss Universe pageant, he has helped me so, so much. You wouldn't believe. He made it possible for me to find an agency and work as a model when I had contract issues. Pretty much he gave me a job; pretty much he gave me a working visa; pretty much he signed the letters for me to apply for a green card. He has done so many things for me, has helped me so much, and he doesn't have to. I see him as a mentor and believe it or not, I never look at his hair. I look at him in a different way than everyone else I think.
Mandatory: Now back to Lisa Lampanelli. A few weeks ago she made some controversial racial comments on a radio show about you and your culture. Has this issue been resolved?
DM: No, not at all. I know she made a reply to the media and defended herself saying she was just making a joke and that is her living. But at the time she said it and the way she said it, it is not even funny. As a comedian, and on the show as well, the way she does things is offensive and not funny. When she calls out my entire culture in that way, and not just talking about me, that is when it gets unacceptable. If she were to use a similar racial slur to Arsenio on the show, after abusing him verbally like she has to me, it would be all over the newspapers. But I'm not Arsenio Hall, and because I'm latina I think she felt she could get away with it. But I'm not going to let it slide. It was rude; it wasn't funny; she was not making a joke; she was just being offensive. She can talk about me as much as she wants because I am strong and I know myself, but when she talks about my culture in such a way and disrespects me, my family, my culture and everyone related, that is not acceptable.
Mandatory: Has she tried to contact you to explain herself or apologize?
DM: No, she has not tried to contact me directly. She just kept saying the same stuff to the media. She was just making a joke, blah blah blah.
Mandatory: I read that you were kidnapped as a young girl. Is that something you can talk about?
DM: Well I like to believe that I am still a young girl (laughs).
Mandatory: Yes of course, but when you were a younger girl I mean. How old were you when it happened?
DM: I was 19 actually when it happened, and I am 25 now. Unfortunately, it is something that happens to so many other people in my country, and it happened to me. And if it happens to you and you are not well known nobody really cares about it. It happened to me before I was Miss Venezuela and I was able to get out of it OK, but it was very scary. I really had to maintain my cool and it definitely helped me with composure in my life. It probably helped me deal with people like Lisa Lampanelli (laughs). Now I look back on things I used to cry about and worry about, and now I don't. I am just happy and thankful for what I have and all the opportunities in my life.
Mandatory: So now that you are off "The Celebrity Apprentice," what is next for Dayana Mendoza?
DM: I am very excited for the things that are cooking now. There are so many opportunities now that I am somehow breaking into the mainstream with "Celebrity Apprentice." I am more able to do the things that I love to do, like cooking and acting. My team is working on a little bit of everything, but I don't want to talk about any specific projects until they are out there. I believe when you talk too much about one thing before it happens you can jinx it, and I don't want to be the person who does that. I am just very excited for the future.
Follow Dayana on Twitter @Dayanamendoza


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35 Comments
Aubrey and Lisa r vile, backstabbing wenches. You need a semblance of class to win Celebrity Apprentice and these two women have not even an ounce between them. So please spare us Mr. Trump from having to deal with these women anymore.
May 01 2012 at 12:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAubrey and Lisa are vile, backstabbing, pathetic wenches. You need some semblance of class to win Celebrity Apprentice and those two pathetic excuses for women have not even an ounce between them.
May 01 2012 at 12:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDayana, I watched all of the shows and Ivanka Trump was correct in saying that the people treating you with such animosity had a lot to do with your being able to express yourself when they kept tearing you down. It was embarrassing to see such pseudo
April 30 2012 at 10:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replycreative people acting in such a MEAN way. You were able to deal with it in a calm manner and they should be ashamed to treat anyone with such terrible personal attacks and insults. "BULLY" is the correct name and I am surprised that they were allowed to behave this way. Good Luck to you, you will have a wonderful future.
The only reason that Trump kept her on the show was to plug his Miss Universe program.. .She said in the interview that Trump made it so she had a work visa, that is why she was on the show... Come on people, it's all about Trump and what she can do for him... She never should have lasted as long as she did. She didn't add anything to any of the tasks... She was the "weakest link".
April 30 2012 at 10:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm sure that Trump wants to have the most controversial characters on as long as possible, with hopes that it will generate more interest and viewers. However, with Dayana's firing (and Penn's), the class acts are now gone. Therefore, I have little interest left in this season.
April 30 2012 at 9:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLIsa and Aubrey have exposed themselves as loathsome and self-centered individuals. Ironic how they claim to be "fighting" for their charities to to end bullying and promote acceptance, yet their actions speak very differently.
Congratulations on your performance, Dayana. You represented yourself well with class and grace and I'm sure that your future will be as bright as your smile.
That Lisa broad is a spiteful hating Dayana from the very beginning when she saw a beautiful woman she has never been, Jealous....was her problem towards Dayana. Clay on the other hand is on Celebrity Apprentice cause his singing days are over that is why he became irate with Dayana. It's not her fault you suck Clay. Oday is also a "has been" , short stocky legged woman, jealous if a tall, gorgeous woman. Too bad Mr. Trump has his head up his behind, to put it nicely.
April 30 2012 at 8:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLisa WHATEVER, She is noted for her racy and raunchy style of comedy .
April 30 2012 at 5:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYou are known for your class.
you are a winner:)
I agree that Dayana was abused verbally by that fat cow Trump allowed to run wild in the board room.
April 30 2012 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBoth her partners shut her out totally, lost the competition, and SHE gets fired!!!!!
Clay and FAT COW have no class and as one of the readers said"i will never? support either one of them NOR their charities. Totally classless acts by both of them.
Go Dayana !!!!!!!!!! solid woman at 25 she has more class than Clay or THE COW will ever have. Very graceful woman under the conditions Trump allowed the other 2 to operate in.
THE COW has lost more challenges that any other player and HER ideas and style have been the reason.
If Trump had my support before, Its gone now.
I agree with you...one thing though, I feel that Dyanna Sue Lisa's Ass for her cruel remarks she said on the radio and in person at the boardroom of the "Celebrity Apprentice". Now...if this is not a Bullying act, I don't know what is.
April 30 2012 at 8:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI feel Dyana has been Bullied by that B..ch!
Dayana congratulations on a job well done. i would be proud to have my grown children spend time with you . On the other hand, I hope they never choose people such as Lisa Lampanelli or Aubrey Oday as friends. Lisa was absolutely horrible and her attacks were often unwarranted. Aubrey is the most pathetic, full of herself person i have ever seen. she needs to learn a lesson in humility, but sadly, will probably never get it anyway. Also Clay Aikens..., liked u better before the show.You have become a bit of a diva yourself. Probably for aligning yourself with people like Lisa and Aubrey Unfortunately for Mr. Trump, all of the better quality people are gone. Give it to Arsenio or Theresa. At least they played the game with character!
April 30 2012 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyDayana you are not only stunningly beautiful woman on the outside but also a beautiful woman on the inside. And that..is what makes a true beauty!! I also want to say good for you when you said to her "how many languages can you speak?" You do have the brains and the beauty. Lisa Lampanelli has a huge rotten brain with all rotten knowledge!! Amazing how much you had to swallow and put up with from this individual, who should be ashamed when she sees herself on television. The problem she had with you was that you reminded her of everything she is NOT and wishes she Was. She is such a hateful person and that is why she looks the way she does on the outside. Her unhappiness within pours out in her personality, and that is why she is so successful in her career as the Queen of Mean!! Who would ever want that title and be proud to say she makes a living that way. Such a hateful person!! Additionally there were a few others without naming names who are were so obviously jealous of the class act you are. They wish they could have a fingernail of your class. Especially Aurbrey who her charity was against bullying. Oddly though she was bullying everyone else on the show with her mean spirited attacks on another career. What she said about Debbie Gibson and all the others -- that's bullying! Warm wishes and all the best you desire, Dyana
April 30 2012 at 4:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply