The Apprentice

Hope Dworaczyk, considered by fashion insiders to be one of the industry's most beautiful models, burst on the scene after appearing on the cover of Playboy Magazine's April, 2009 issue with actor Seth Rogen in a fanciful pose that channeled the legendary Marilyn Monroe. The public response was so overwhelming that Hugh Hefner, founder of the iconic men's magazine, named Dworaczyk the 2010 Playmate of the Year. She appeared on the magazine's June, 2010 cover, and holds the historic distinction of being Playboy's first 3-D centerfold.

Dworaczyk is the popular host of Toronto-based "Inside Fashion," a weekly beauty and lifestyle program that broadcast throughout Canada on E! Entertainment Television and Global TV. Dworaczyk was on the ground floor of the show's development, and directed the show's focus towards coverage of international fashion shows, backstage preparations, interviews with top-tier fashion photographers and designers, and other integral power players of fashion.

With "Inside Fashion," Dworaczyk draws upon extensive experience and contacts developed through modeling and runway work for such names as Balenciaga, Robert Rodriguez, Lana Fuchs, Leila Rose, Abaete, Joanna Mastroianni, Rosa Cha, XOXO and Miss Sixty. Other career highlights include an international world tour for Versace with visits to Tokyo, Milan, London, and New York, and print campaigns for brands such as Philippe Patek and Elie Saab, among others.

Raised in Port Lavaca, a small town outside of Houston, Texas, Dworaczyk had already reached her statuesque height of 5 feet 10 inches at 13 years old. Encouraged by family and friends, she entered the 2000 Miss Teen Texas competition and won. This opened the door to the world of modeling, and soon she was signed by the prestigious Wilhelmina agency. Hope has been working non-stop ever since.

Dworaczyk divides her time between Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Europe. She's a committed supporter of Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hope Dworaczyk is playing for Best Buddies, an international organization that introduces mentally disabled children to social situations that can help them acquire the skills they need to successfully interact with others. Through education and social interactions with their assigned "Best Buddy," the organization prepares these children for future job placement so they can live a more fulfilling life. Hope has been affiliated with Best Buddies for a number of years and has two of her own "Best Buddies," so she has been able to see firsthand what this organization can do.

Best Buddies

1. What got you interested in being on Celebrity Apprentice?
I'd seen the show before, and it's my mom's favorite show... I'd met Donald Trump and found him to be very funny and honest with who he is, so I thought it'd be a fun show to do. But man, they work you hard! I chipped seven out of 10 nails.

2. How did you get involved with your chosen charity?
I started working with Best Buddies International about a year and half ago after being invited to take part in a 100-mile bike ride from Boston to Hyannis Port. Oddly, that day, it poured, so we couldn't do the whole ride, but I ended up being able to spend even more time with the amazing people sponsored by this wonderful organization. I loved my time with them all so much I didn't even pay attention to the bad hair day I was having. Ever since that day, I continue to love being involved and look forward to spending more precious time with these intelligent and special people.

3. What is it like competing against fellow celebrities?
Hmmm.... I don't know. I get so into what I'm doing when I'm doing it I don't really think of it as competing against celebrities... And everyone was so nice. Okay a couple people weren't, but I can't remember off the top of my head - for print - who they were. I was excited to be around some of the people I got to meet and get closer with because they are such talented artists and unusual individuals - Marlee Matlin, Lil John, Gary Busey... every person unique and every person was nice to me. Even if maybe they were trying to "compete it up" for the camera, which is part of what doing the show is supposed to be anyway. Honestly, the only person I feel competitive against really is myself, because I'm always pushing myself to try to be a better person. My publicist suggested I say that. Just kidding.

4. What about the competition was harder than you might have expected?
The hours we put in some days were brutal. And I'm used to long hours on shoots and in my work in general, but getting up at 4:00 am, doing all the "good problems" of hair and make-up, but then wearing a body mic into the late hours to end up in the Boardroom with Donald Trump, can be a taxing day. Again, there's nothing to complain about, because it was a kick to be around all these people, but yeah, a task is a task, and I'm all about getting done what I'm assigned to get done. I could've just said "the hours" and made this answer much shorter, thanks for bearing with me.

5. Do you have a favorite past winner or contestant from the first three seasons of Celebrity Apprentice?
Joan Rivers, even though I don't like her that much, she's still funny - wait, did I just say that? Actually I love Joan Rivers. You'll print that I love her too, right? I like her ability to always save face. Wait, did I just say that? I meant that she always knew how to get herself out of a bad situation... with her face. I'm sorry, I'm being a little too giddy at the time of this interview...

1. What was it like hearing the words "You're fired?"
Well, I'd heard them before. I worked for my dad a couple summers answering phones as a teenager. I'd wear things in the office that were deemed inappropriate and he fired me six times. It's funny that now I'm asked to do the exact opposite. I was fine when Mr. Trump said, "You're fired" because I got to go home and regain my beauty sleep for a couple weeks.

2. Did you agree with Trump's rationale for your firing? Or did you think one of the other contestants deserved it more?
I always think other people deserve it more. There I go kidding again... I actually agreed with his rationale for firing me. I was ready to go back to my very lucky, comfy lifestyle in LA. If I didn't agree with him, as soon as I got back to LA I would've landed at LAX and had the driver take me right to Pizza Hut so I could apply for a job.

3. What moment or moments on the show were you surprised to see? Were you particularly surprised by anyone's behavior on the show?
I was most surprised how normal I found Gary Busey to be. Maybe that says something about me, but I found him to be kind - intense, yes - but very caring and fun to be around. I was most surprised by a few of the people's hard-core competitive natures. As I said, I tend to be competitive, but it's more against myself. It's not my nature to call people out in front of others to make myself feel stronger. I did speak out though when I felt there was rudeness or injustice in the air. But I guess that will make for some fun, compelling reality TV.

4. Do you feel as though you've made any lasting friendships and business relationships from the show? With whom?
Yes I do. Whenever you work with people for any length of time, you can either want to never see them again or make some true connections. I feel like I really connected with a few of the people, and that's always a fulfilling thing to come away from something with. Gary, Niki, John Rich, Marlee and Jack, a couple of the producers. I often keep to myself, but I also had many fun and yet dramatic moments with several of the people involved.

5. What was the best part of your experience? Why?
I think it just tested another side of things you can do in this business, and I reiterated to myself that even though to some "it's just a reality show," the truth is that it takes a huge amount of work on everyone's part involved to make a show like this work. I also know, and I trust no one takes this the wrong way, but I am very appreciative that I don't have a real job that's 9 to 5, or in this case, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. I am a fortunate person, considering so many people work two jobs and have several kids to support. 9 to 5 is how long I spend on my hair.

6. Do you feel changed in any way by the experience? Has it had a lasting impact on your approach to life?
I hadn't given it thought until you asked that question, but think I appreciate my life a little more. I think that's why "Celebrity Apprentice" is such a compelling show for America to watch. They really are seeing the people in it get completely immersed in trying to accomplish these tasks and not get fired. And that's such a hard thing for people to go through. So many people have been fired in these past several years that it's a very sensitive topic. And so I learned a lot, because though I may not get hired for something that I'd want to do in my field, I don't get "fired" either. And that's a feeling I am glad I went through, because, well... I guess it gave me a dose of reality. And frankly, I've had enough of that!

7. What has the experience taught you about people?
Well... I was disappointed by some of the sneaky tactics some people use to get ahead. Competition can bring out some negative qualities in people, especially if they get desperate. But the positives were way more evident. I am inspired by people who take the higher road, and there are a lot of nice people in the world... In regard to doing "Celebrity Apprentice," I had lots of friends from now and from my past that I called for favors to help me raise money for my charity, "Best Buddies." And yes, even to try and help me "win"! But so many people in my life stepped up. I was emailing, texting, calling, pleading... And a lot of kind people came through to help me get through this wild experience.