Filed under: Television, News, Celeb Updates
The upcoming eleventh installment of 'The Apprentice' -- featuring a who's who of celebrity personalities-- is gearing up to be the most diverse cast yet.
Though NBC and Donald Trump have yet to formally confirm what big-name superstars would be participating in the new reality competition series, because taping kicked off this week in New York City, news has already leaked of some of the show's big names.
The sixteen hopefuls recently gathered at the real estate mogul's Trump Tower Penthouse for a private cocktail party in New York, but until now the final cast list was kept on the hush.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Nene Leakes is the final addition to the cast. The 'Never Make the Same Mistake Twice' author will go head-to-head with former TV personality Star Jones and music acts like Lil' Jon, Dionne Warwick, LaToya Jackson for a cash prize for the charity of their choice.
According to published reports, other competitors on 'Celebrity Apprentice 4' include sexy models 2010 Playmate of the Year Hope Dworaczyk and Niki Taylor, musicians/singers like rocker Meatloaf, Sugar Ray front-man Mark McGrath, and country star John Rick of Big & Rich, and actors David Cassidy, Gary Busey, deaf Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and Lisa Rinna.
There will also be two controversial figures - former 'Survivor' winner Richard Hatch, who evaded paying his taxes on his reality show winnings and wound up in jail and Steroid-using baseball star Jose Conseco.
Shooting is set to continue through the first week of December with the new season's ten episodes beginning to air next March on Sundays through May.
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Reality Bites
Terrell Owens
Affiliation: 'The T.O. Show' on VH1
Side note: Alabama's very own football star simply known as "T.O." -- literally let it all hang out for the photo shoot promoting his new reality series, in July 2009. The show revolves around his life off the field as he searches for love, repair family relationships and make the move from Dallas to Buffalo.
VH1
Ray Cunningham
Affiliation: 'College Hill: Virginia State University' on BET
Side note: One of the more memorable characters from the Black Entertainment Television network reality ranks, Cunningham has become an openly gay LGBT advocate, budding actor and busy blogger, who was featured in Adam Bouska's groundbreaking NoH8 Campaign, which assembled California notables responding to the state's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Cunningham was also cast in acclaimed filmmaker Maurice Jamal's new forthcoming TV project 'Friends and Lovers.'
Adam Bouska
Miss New York
Affiliation:'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' on VH1
Side note: The upstate New York drama queen competed for hip-hop hype-man Flavor Flav's love twice and was rejected both times.
MC Hammer
Affiliation: 'Hammertime' on A&E
Side note: Stanley Kirk Burrell seems to have done it all: Joined the navy; won Grammy Awards; danced for KFC popcorn chicken; fathered six children; wiggled his manhood in a Speedo bikini on a music video; went bankrupt; became a preacher; and now doing reality TV. 'Hammertime' is a look inside the family life of the man formerly known as one of the riches entertainers of his era.
A&E
Keyshia Cole
Affiliation: 'The Way It Is' on BET
Side note: In an interview, thuggish ruggish rap icon Young Jeezy claimed that the hip-hop soul songstress asked him to marry her but he turned her down.
Mo'Nique
Affiliation: 'Charm School' on VH1
Side note: While promoting the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,' Mo'Nique told Oprah Winfrey that co-star Martin Lawrence once gave her invaluable advice about show business.
Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth
Affiliation: 'The Apprentice' on NBC and 'The Surreal Life' on VH1
Side note:The former White House staffer proudly became the superbitch of reality TV.
Tyra Banks
Affiliation: 'America's Next Top Model' on UPN and The CW
Side note: A supermodel of the highest degree, the Inglewood, Los Angeles native sought power behind the scenes and inked a lucrative deal to produce projects for Warner Bros. Television.
Snoop Dogg
Affiliation: 'Snoop Dogg's Father Hood' on E!
Side note: In March 2008, Snoop released his ninth solo album 'Ego Trippin.'
Harlem Heights
Affiliation: BET's latest reality show revolving around young, black, urban professionals.
Side note: Created by MTV industry insiders Randolph Sturrup and Kurt Williamson, the show features a diverse cast of eight young adults from various backgrounds with Harlem as its backdrop.