"You Can't Unscramble Eggs" - An Interview with Wickedly Perfect's Mychael

RealityNewsOnline: Thank you so much for doing this interview. We love getting inside information. How did you hear about Wickedly Perfect?

Mychael: My friend read an article about the show and suggested that I apply.

RNO:: We know that your forte is cooking. When you first applied to be on Wickedly Perfect, were you worried about having to demonstrate your other skills?

Mychael: To be honest, I was really excited. I believe each person on the show has a fairly "specific" strength. The challenging and creative part of any competition is that you have the opportunity to compete in areas which perhaps aren't your "forte." People often become intimidated and somewhat discouraged when assigned a task which may not be their area of expertise. I know that Mitch is a better floral designer than I am, and that Darlene could sew a wedding dress in a day, but I liked the idea of being challenged to work with people who are better than me in other areas, because I think that makes me want to be better. I think you just have to believe in yourself and do your best and know that each experience is an opportunity to learn something. I really would like to have showcased my other skills, but as the first three episodes heavily involved being judged on food, I knew it would be best for the team if we each worked within our strongest and most capable areas so that we could win.

RNO:: What do you think made your team so strong during the first two challenges?

Mychael: I think we were strong as a team because we had a very clear vision of what we wanted. I think because the first two challenges involved food, I would like to say as humbly as I can that I had something to do with our teaming doing well. Mitch played a big role in both challenges. He has incredibly creative ideas and knows how to follow through until the end, even if he complains and talks a lot of smack! Considering both episodes were based on aesthetics and food, I think Mitch and I were the strongest players on both challenges.

RNO:: Were you concerned that the judges might not want you to be in the kitchen for all of the challenges?

Mychael: Of course I was concerned, because I knew I would get pigeonholed into being just the "chef." But again, I had to make a decision for the team. The first three challenges were being judged 50% on food. Was I going to knock out a beautiful floral centerpiece and have Mitch make deviled eggs, Heather make doughy cheesecake balls, and have Tim serve his apple bird carving as the entree? I wanted us to win, so I stayed in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I was on the chopping block before I was even given an opportunity to compete in any of the non-cooking challenges.

RNO:: Did you connect with any other competitors?

Mychael: Tom from Team Artisan and I connected on many levels. We have similar taste when it comes to food, entertaining and work ethics. I was really sad to see him go on the very first episode. He has so much to offer, which he never got to showcase. He's intelligent, funny, creative, and a very savvy entertainer. He's also someone who calls it how it is, and people sometimes have a hard time with the fact that he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

RNO:: Which challenge was your favorite?

Mychael: The apple challenge - watching everyone run around like freaks at Lymons Orchard makes me laugh to this day. The ladies taking off their stilettos, Darlene squealing about the mere thought of picking up an apple, and Mitch sweating his ass off in the orchard. Tom's pork tartar, Darlene taking the apple butter upstairs to give it some privacy, and Kimberly crying, saying how tired she is. It was my favorite challenge, because it has the fondest memories for me and makes me laugh.

RNO:: Which challenge was the hardest for you?

Mychael: The dinner party. Everybody was fighting for camera time; there was so much negative energy. We weren't working as a team and though things weren't perfect when we started the night, the team couldn't get past that. Things aren't always going to go as planned, and the dynamics in the beginning weren't the best, but you have to keep your head up. Don't dwell on what's already done. So it started out crappy - let's move ahead, be positive, and make the rest of the evening the best it can be. You can't unscramble eggs, but I tell you, you can still make a hell of an omelet.

RNO:: What happened with the safety kit in the third challenge?

Mychael: I don't know what happened to it - has it mysteriously walked away and vanished somewhere? Seriously though, I thought that because it was a camping theme, a survival kit would be an appropriate choice. I also wanted to do something that didn't involve cooking; therefore I sewed the waterproof bag by hand and lined it with synthetic fur, attached a strap, and filled it with items I thought were practical and useful for camping. I think I got dinged because most of the items in my kit - flashlight, compass, Swiss army knife - were purchased. Next time I'll have to remember to bring my steel forging machine with me. I also didn't make good use of the map they gave us to incorporate into the individual project; I just stuffed it in the survival kit. I'm someone who can laugh at myself, but honestly, was the acorn-glue-gunned bag any more creative and practical than my survival kit? I can't see Bobby Flay toting that thing around.

RNO:: If you could, what would you have done differently?

Mychael: I would have built a bridge in honor of the Crafty Beavers instead of making my survival kit.

RNO:: Do you have any regrets?

Mychael: Zero. I wanted to come into this game, play a fair honest game - is that even possible in reality television? - show some of my talent and skill, and walk away gracefully.

RNO:: Thank you again! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this.

Jenn Brasler is an aspiring writer from Falls Church, VA. You can e-mail her at luckyjenn@hotmail.com. She's trying to decide whether to use her powers for good…or evil.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recent articles on this show at our The Apprentice page and take a look at our sections on Survivor: Vanuatu and Amazing Race 6. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about The Apprentice, be sure to check out SirLinksALot!