Finding The Apprentice
One Championship’s rendition of The Apprentice is the first of its kind, featuring contestants who are more than just business-minded leaders. Here’s a rundown of its red-carpet premiere at Andaz Hotel.
THE CEO OF One Championship, Chatri Sityodtong, is the face of Asia’s first edition of The Apprentice. The globally celebrated businessman is in search of a new protege and only 16 candidates from around the world, including homegrown talents Alvin Ang and Joy Koh, made the cut for the reality TV competition.
On 17 March, The Apprentice: One Championship Edition rolled out the red carpet for the stars of the show in an exclusive screening of the first episode at Andaz Singapore.
Dressed in Hugo Boss attire, the attendees included Sityodtong, One Championship senior vice-president of corporate development and strategy Niharika Singh, and the executive producer of Refinery Media Karen Seah. Also basking in the limelight were seven of the 16 candidates: Alvin Ang, Irina Chadsey, Joy Koh, Monica Millington, Jessica Ramella, Nazee Sajedi and Roman Wilson.
Guests were treated to a five-course dining experience prepared by Andaz Singapore, in addition to a panel discussion joined by Sityodtong, Singh, Seah and the cast. The session revealed highlights of the filming process that took place late last year, such as the team receiving exclusive green lane visas to fly foreign contestants and the organisation’s world champions, such as Ben Askren and Brandon Vera, into Singapore.
Also in attendance were One Championship group president Hua Fung Teh, Catcha Group co-founder and group CEO Patrick Grove, and One atomweight star Ritu Phogat, who make guest appearances in the TV show.
The grand prize all 16 contestants are vying for? A yearlong, US$250,000 contract to be Sityodtong’s eyes and ears.
But The Apprentice: One Championship Edition slightly departs from the standard business theme with the addition of high-stress, physical challenges that the candidates have to participate in – think Fear Factor meets Shark Tank.
The competition, lasting for 13 episodes, clearly isn’t for the average Joe. “In hindsight, if I was a candidate, I don’t think I could have won the competition,” says Sityodtong in an interview. Candidates are tested to their limits as they are tasked with challenges like jumping off a 30.5m bridge and escaping from a helicopter submerged underwater, among others. Sityodtong adds: “In the lap of luxury and comfort, it’s very easy to say ‘I’m a fighter’, but with exhaustion, lack of sleep and high stress levels, you’ll see some quit, even if it’s just for a second before they come back and fight again. You can’t hide in this competition.
“This is not your typical The Apprentice, so whatever viewers think of this show, I would encourage them to throw any assumptions out the window.”
“In the lap of luxury and comfort, it’s very easy to say ‘I’m a fighter’, but with exhaustion, lack of sleep and high stress levels, you’ll see some quit, even if it’s just for a
second before they come back and fight again.”