Melinda takes on The Maldives

Miss SA 2011 Melinda Bam swapped heels for bench presses and dead lifts in her preparation for Tropika Island Of Treasure.

Tropika Island Of Treasure Season 8 Mondays SABC3 (*193) 19:30

From strutting her stuff on pageant stages to competing against local celebs on reality show Tropika Island Of Treasure (2008- current – TIOT), Melinda Bam is in it for the win. With R1 million on the line, she arrived in The Maldives with a killer beach body and a razor-sharp mind. “I wanted to be the strongest and fittest version of myself,” says the 28-year-old. “Knowing the nature of the competition and the likelihood of competing against guys in physical activities, I changed my workout routine and I did memory and puzzle games. I was prepared for anything and everything,” she says.

WIN-WIN SITUATION

If there’s one thing Melinda wants to walk with after season 8 besides the money, it’s her character. “I love to win but it isn’t everything and I don’t want to step on other people’s toes to get to the top,” she affirms. “Keeping my character intact is very important. While some think that ‘all’s fair in love and war’, I want to keep my integrity at the end of the competition.” And don’t be surprised to see her cheering on her competitors. Melinda explains that she encourages her opponents to do well as she would like them to do the same. “If you win, you want the best contenders to be in the final with you so that when you achieve a victory, you celebrate it with pride”.

MALDIVES MEMOIRES

“We all have unique personalities and going through stressful challenges, our true colours are forced to come out during these tasks,” says Melinda. “We’d remind ourselves that this is just a show and friendships last a lifetime.” And the island holds significant meaning for the TIOT celeb – it’s where she honeymooned with her husband Adriaan Bergh in September 2017. “I have romantic memories but this time round, I know that I’ll be making different and memories.”

BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACTION

TIOT is filmed months in advance but it left a lasting impression on Melinda. “Every evening ended like a musical movie where dinner transformed into song and dance. It was truly magical and my fondest memories on the island,” adds Melinda. “I can’t wait to watch the whole show and relive some of the highs, lows and extremes, remembering it as it was happening.”