The fifth season of NBC's Celebrity Apprentice features a record number of contestants competing in business-related challenges. Instead of vying for a job with Donald Trump, the celebrity version of The Apprentice has contestants compete to win money for their favorite charities.
Most of the eighteen contestants of Season Five aren't reality TV novices. In fact, they represent multiple shows including Growing up Gotti, American Chopper and previous seasons of Dancing With the Stars and American Idol.
Meet the Celebrity Apprentice 5 Contestants:
- Arsenio Hall: With The Arsenio Hall Show, the African American comedian changed the face of late night talk shows. Will he change reality TV on Celebrity Apprentice?
- Clay Aiken: The openly gay American Idol runner-up has become a successful singer. Can he also avoid being fired by Trump?
- Adam Carolla: The host of the morning radio show, The Adam Carolla Show, was previously a contestant on Dancing With the Stars Season Six.
- Cheryl Tiegs: This former supermodel was a judge on the more-than-skin-deep beauty competition, True Beauty.
- Victoria Gotti: The mom of Growing Up Gotti is daughter of the Mafia boss, John Gotti. Can she impress another kind of boss?
- Teresa Giudice: Will this The Real Housewives of New Jersey star continue to create enemies and leave broken friendships in her wake?
- Lou Ferrigno: The deaf actor was the green superhero on TV's The Incredible Hulk. Trump better not make him angry!
- Penn Jillette: The comedian is one-half of the magician duo Penn and Teller and competed against Carolla on Dancing With the Stars Season Six.
- Lisa Lampanelli: The self-described "Queen of Mean" comedian is a frequent participant in roasts and has had several specials, including HBO's 2009 Long Live the Queen. Her caustic one-liners should keep the contestants on their toes.
- Dee Snider: The former Twisted Sister front-man also starred in Growing Up Twisted. Will the singer of "We're Not Gonna Take It" take the pressures of the reality competition?
- Dayana Mendoza: The former Miss Universe from Venezuela has plenty of experience in competitions, but Apprentice is no beauty pageant.
- George Takei: Forever known as Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise on the original Star Trek TV and movie franchise, Takei later came out and--with his husband Brad Altman--was the first gay couple on The Newlywed Game. I just hope he doesn't over-use his catch-phrase, "Oh, my" on Celebrity Apprentice.
- Aubrey O'Day: A former member of Making the Band Season Four's Danity Kane, O'Day relaunched her career in 2011 on Oxygen's All About Aubrey.
- Patricia Velasquez: The "first Latinia supermodel" and The Mummy Returns actress hails--like fellow Celebrity Apprentice contestant Mendoza--from Venezuela.
- Michael Andretti: Race car driver and son of the world renown Mario Andretti, Micheal has spent most of the last decade managing the Andretti Green Racing team and helping son Marco reach his own racing dreams. On Celebrity Apprentice, Andretti may find a natural ally in Paul Teutul.
- Paul Teutul Sr.: Family feuds destroyed Teutul's custom chopper company and led to the cancellation of American Chopper after seven seasons. But it was quickly followed by a spin off, American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior which capitalizes on the conflict and competition with his son, Paul Jr. Will Paul Senior have similar conflicts with other Apprentice contestants?
- Debbie Gibson: The '80s teen pop star and Mega Python vs. Gatoroid actress earlier competed on Skating with Celebrities.
- Tia Carrere: The Wayne's World actor and multiple Grammy-award-winning Hawaiian singer also appeared on Season Two of Dancing With the Stars.
Each of these contestants will have to impress Donald Trump and his kids--Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric--to get their chance at $250,000 for their favorite charity.
Celebrity Apprentice premiers February 12th and airs on NBC Sundays, 9/8PM Central.
