When Omarosa Manigault Newman was ousted from her post at the White House in December, she promised the world that she had “quite a story to tell.”
She chose to tell that story in her return to a reality TV career inside the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Omarosa, the controversial figure and former aide to President Donald Trump, was first introduced to the public in 2004 on season one of The Apprentice. There she made a name for herself as a reality TV villain, going on to appear multiple times throughout the show’s run, including on Celebrity Apprentice.
As White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah put it: “Omarosa was fired three times on The Apprentice, and this was the fourth time we let her go.”
During her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Omarosa trumped the headlines by talking about her former boss. Nothing she said was groundbreaking, but her comments did garner responses from both the White House and Vice President Mike Pence.
It’s been a strange saga like no other, where the United States president, a reality star himself, hired Omarosa after knowing her from their days on reality TV, only to then fire her and have her share about her time in the White House on her next reality TV gig. And guess what? She plans on doing more reality TV.
After her Celebrity Big Brother time came to an end on Sunday, THR spoke with Omarosa about her time on the show and what’s next. (Disclaimer: Representatives for Omarosa barred any questions about politics, her planned book and what she said about Trump while on the show).
But in the words of Omarosa herself, the public will be seeing her a lot: “Baby, I’m booked!”
What made you want to return to reality TV?
I’ve been a Big Brother superfan, so to play the game that I love 20 seasons later and to do it with some incredible celebrities, it was incredible.
Viewers got to watch you 24/7 and see a different person than how you have been portrayed throughout your career. Who is the real Omarosa?
There are different facets to everyone. When you’re at work you’re a different person. When you’re with your friends you’re a different person. I had a chance to show all the different facets of me. I am a dynamic person! So when I’m happy, I’m happy. When I’m sad, I’m sad. When I’m about my business, I’m about my business. But I just let it all hang out and let people decide for themselves, “Wow, she’s interesting! She’s funny!” But I can’t be all things for all people. The only person I worry about pleasing is God, my husband, my family and myself.
What is the biggest misconception about you?
No one wants to give me a chance. There are going to be people who are going to meet me and think that it’s still 2003 when I first did The Apprentice and that I’m still stuck in the board room on Fifth Avenue. It’s been 15 years, and I wish people would give me more of a chance.
Which of your relationships with your roommates surprised you the most?
Chuck Liddell! I’m such a big Chuck Liddell fan. When he walked onstage I was so excited. I’m a huge UFC fan. I train. I do jiu-jitsu, taekwondo. So when he walked in I almost lost it. (Laughs.) Brandi [Glanville] is interesting. She is a complicated person. There’s sober Brandi and then there’s not-so-sober Brandi. I like the sober Brandi a lot. We get along well.
How did you determine whom to vote for as the winner?
It came down to the person who was not trying to get me evicted every single day and who was not trying to stab me in the back. And who was not trying to undermine me and question my credibility. Ross might have played fair with everybody, but not me. What beautiful karma it was for me to not only stir up the jury, but to get enough votes for Marissa to win.
When you were first approached to join the show what were the early conversations like?
It happened really fast. Really, really fast. My last day at the White House was the 20th and my first day in the Big Brother house was the 31st.
Is this your official comeback to reality TV?
Let me be crystal clear: I love doing television. And I enjoy doing television. So I’m open to all offers!
What is next for you?
I’m going to go home with my husband. I’m going to get sunlight. We have been locked away for a month. Right now I need to get reacclimated to society.
Why don’t you think America voted you for the favorite houseguest prize?
I don’t know! I’ve watched for years and I’ve always been baffled and intrigued by it. But Big Brother fans never let us down. If they chose Ross that means he gave good TV. Good for him.
Are you going to watch everything you did on the show back?
I don’t know. I don’t have a whole lot of time because, baby, I’m booked!
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