The Apprentice Season 4 Candidates Picked by Trump Himself

Once again, 18 ambitious professionals are ready to vie for the chance to be Donald Trump’s newest executive on the fourth season of NBC’s The Apprentice. Trump is especially excited about this cast because, according to Trump, "For the first time, I hand-picked an Apprentice cast and I'm thrilled with the results.” The new season begins on September 22, and NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly calls it “the best show we’ve ever done.”

Trump’s involvement in the selection of the new cast is especially interesting, given the feelings he’s now revealing about the Season 3 cast. Trump admits that he was “angry” about the candidates chosen for that most recent season. Trump claims that none of his favorites from casting made the final cut. Executive producer Mark Burnett, almost as if in an Apprentice boardroom himself, takes responsibility for the casting of Season 3. Says Burnett, "The casting problem on 3 was completely my fault. Having book smarts versus street smarts seemed like a great idea, but it changed the tenor of the show." Burnett claims that it affected the reaction among the show's usually wealthy and well-educated audience. (I’d like to add that those wealthy and well-educated viewers who take the time to read the recaps of the show on Reality News Online every week are also incredibly good looking). Burnett concludes, "I don't think people wanted to see potty-mouthed competitors." Both Trump and Burnett are confident that this season’s cast, including a former NFL player and a former stripper who is “tough as nails” will be the best yet.

Let’s meet the brave souls ready to face the challenges, the boardroom, and those dreaded words “You’re fired.”

Josh, 30, beauty company owner, New York, New York: Josh is co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of GoSMILE, Inc., and at 24, is a self-made multi-millionaire. Josh is married and will become a new dad in January.

Rebecca, 23, financial journalist, Chicago, Illinois: Rebecca has experience both as a trader and an investment banker. She is also the founder of a non-profit organization that supports disenfranchised children. She currently appears on-air as a financial journalist in Chicago.

Brian, 23, print company executive, New York, New York: Brian works as director of new business development for a print company in New York. He helped overhaul, modernize, and expand his company, increasing profitability and capabilities.

Toral, 29, investment banker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Toral is a vice president at a major investment bank. She speaks four languages and has traveled extensively for her career. She is a graduate of the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a self-made multi-millionaire.

Chris, 27, marketing executive, Dallas, Texas: Chris is a former professional football player for the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He works in advertising sales for a radio station, and in his first year, broke the record for new business for a new salesperson. In addition, he and his wife operate a ranch that grows pine trees.

Kristi, 24, sales executive, Gainesville, Florida: Kristi is a sales executive for a golf course and, in her first four months on the job, exceeded her annual sales quota. She is also a formerly nationally ranked college soccer player. Kristi is proud to have accomplished all of this while raising a daughter who she gave birth to when she was just sixteen.

Clay, 28 realtor, College Station, Texas: Clay has had a passion for real estate for his entire life and has worked as a realtor for nine years. He loves to work in new construction to help buyers realize their dreams.

Felisha, 29, real estate developer, Kansas City, Missouri: Felisha has a degree in Aviation Human Factors and Systems from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and has worked for the Federal Aviation Authority. More recently, she’s started her own real estate development company.

Randal, 34, consulting firm owner, Somerset, New Jersey: Randal is on his fifth business venture, "BCT Partners," a multi-million dollar management, technology and policy consulting firm based in Newark that works with corporations, government agencies, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. He has five academic degrees and is a former Rhodes scholar.

Jennifer M., 26, advertising sales manager, Los Angeles, California: Jennifer is a former Miss Oregon USA, and Donald Trump has been quoted as saying that she is one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen. More importantly, she has been an entrepreneur since she was 17 and currently works with an advertising firm to develop new business.

James, 27, sales executive, Alexandria, Virginia: James is a top seller for Cingular Wireless and owns a real estate investment firm with his wife. He also has a degree in broadcasting and works as a weekend sportscaster in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Alla, 31, spa and salon chain owner, Las Vegas, Nevada: Alla is another self-made multi-millionaire with her chain of spas and own skin care product lines in Las Vegas. She was born in Russia and is a mother of four.

Jennifer W., 34, realty company owner, Anthem, Arizona: Jennifer owns a real estate company called Hot Realty and is a licensed broker. In its first year, her company grossed $1.3 million. She also is co-owner of a restaurant called Off the Hook Sushi & Martini Bar and has two children.

Markus, 41, inventor, Sarasota, Florida: Markus spent ten years in the high-end furniture business. Then he invented the FootMate system. He is also an investor in real estate.

Melissa, 30, real estate investor, Tampa, Florida: Melissa has two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees. She worked as a stockbroker, then founded Mosaic Co., offering title and inspection services, mortgage lending, and lease-option housing.

Mark, 35, wealth manager, Louisville, Kentucky: Mark has founded and sold eight successful businesses, all while working for PNC brokerage. He then launched his own wealth management firm. He is the father of two children.

Marshawn, 26, law school graduate, Atlanta, Georgia: Marshawn served as a criminal defense attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic and as a litigator on Georgetown's International Commercial Arbitration Team. She is a former Miss District of Columbia and was third runner-up in the Miss American pageant. She is also the CEO of Communication Counts!, a national public speaking consulting agency.

Adam, 22, risk manager, Atlanta, Georgia: Adam has a degree in risk management and insurance. He works for a top accounting/advisory firm. He is a first generation American and is inspired by his parents, immigrants who built a multi-million dollar business.

Trump and Burnett promise exciting challenges in Season 4. One challenge will involve Bill Gates launching a new Microsoft product. And none other than George Lucas will appear, looking for ideas on the release of his latest Star Wars DVD.

The Apprentice’s fourth season premieres September 22, 9-10 pm ET/PT. I’ll be here every week with a recap of every exciting minute of it.

Betsy Wasser is the associate editor of Reality News Online. She could not help but notice that none of her sources specified which candidate is a former stripper and will probably go nuts trying to guess who it is. She can be reached with any comments at betsywasser@gmail.com.

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