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An Interview By Lin Sbordone

Watching the fourth episode of The Apprentice: LA, foreshadowing didn’t fare well for Marisa and sure enough, she was the fourth of 18 candidates to hear Trump’s now infamous words, “You’re fired.”  She now takes the time to share with readers her unique perspective on the show, herself, success, and plans for the future.
1. So Marisa, what has been the overall reaction you’ve received to last night’s episode?

All of the reaction I’ve received has been really positive. It’s what I thought I’d get and really hoped for. America really thought he [Donald Trump] got it all wrong. I put myself out there and put my team’s best interest in mind. Some may have thought I was annoying, but flying under the radar wasn’t my approach. Every task I gave my all and took risks and tried to work my hardest to benefit the team.

2. Had tensions between you and Heidi been mounting since the bathing suit disagreement?

Yes, somewhat certainly.  When we did the Trina Turk designs, it turned out the buyers really liked my bathing suit and commended it highly.  That didn’t fly well with Heidi, and she wasn’t very open to my creative ideas [overall].

3. Watching the show, I felt like there must have been some crucial element left out? Is that an accurate insight; and if so, what was it?

Here’s what happened. I tell them let’s get the chicken suit and do regular marketing, just in addition to the other marketing strategies.  I don’t have some crazy thing for chicken suits!  When we met with the executives, they even had a corporate suit because the restaurant does use chickens in marketing.  Then later we learned that Arrow actually had used a chicken suit, and I firmly believed that had we done so also we would have drawn many more customers as well.  That was what was behind my bringing up Heidi’s refusal to listen to the suggestion or approach the executives with it in the meeting.

4. Could you tell that the team was planning to have you fired at the time?

Yes, I knew about the ambush discussion and recognized I needed to go in the boardroom, fight, and outline all the contributions I had made to the team.  I knew I had to have strong points to support for what I was saying.  When there is such a clear agenda against you, I felt I had to be pushy to have a chance.  If I dropped the ball, I’d be fine with this, but knowing you got taken out week four when you were not truly a weak link, that I’m not fine with. I always put myself out there. I always gave 100%.  That’s the really frustrating thing.

5. Do you feel things would have gone differently had you been on Arrow?

I definitely feel I would have been better on Arrow.  Both Carey and James are progressive thinkers.  I would have liked to be on a team that was less reserved and fostered more creativity. I wanted to go to Arrow and wish they had picked me. I thought it would my best chance of becoming a project manager, and I feel I really would have helped the team as well.

6. What other factors do you feel had the greatest effect on your experience?

So much of this is personality and you have 18 people who are likeminded and determined but yet very different personalities. So I think the process turns into how personalities mesh.

7. How do you feel about how you were portrayed overall on the show?

Well, it didn’t surprise anyone who knows me.  I think I stayed true to myself without going into personal assassinations.  If I had to go, and I knew there was a chance, I had to go out swinging and be true to myself.

8. What was the overall highlight of your experience on The Apprentice?

I never took the process too seriously. It really was the most fun thing I’ve ever done. The highlight would be the night I found out I was chosen as one of the 18 candidates. I also made a lot of great friends. I really get along well with the others. I really respect and admire the people and candidates. They’re all very talented, motivated, and each of them has very unique and exceptional talents, such as Tim musically and even an Olympic athlete.

9. What is your definition of success, and what advice do you have for those who
would like to emulate the level of success you have achieved in your life?

Success is always challenging yourself. You’re not always gonna win or gonna succeed at what you do. But as long as you keep pushing yourself and following your goals, you’re truly successful.  So for young people, never give up. I faced the uphill boardroom battle. So I didn’t win, but it was a life experience I will never have again, and I had to put myself out there and take a risk to receive the benefits.

10. Who do you believe would make the best Apprentice from this season?

I am really close with Amy, Jenn, and Muna.  I’m really behind Angela and would love to see her take it all the way. She is such a great person and great role model for young people. She’d represent the Trump organization very well.

11. How has your experience on the Apprentice affected your aspirations for your
future?

I launched my official site yesterday, www.marisademato.com.  I want short and long- term to get involved in the charitable community, especially cancer and stem cell research, laying the foundation for me to run for political office and become a member of the House of Representatives.  To me, the Apprentice has been great practice for when I decide to run for office. The political arena is very cut throat. It’s also given me the chance to branch out into new projects. Hopefully I can use this experience as a platform to be heard.

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Marisa DeMato the apprentice

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