And here is the female side of the equation. None of these women really stands out to me when looking at their bios. But then I’ve never seen the reality shows mentioned, and it’s hard for models to make anything but a visual impression until you get to see them in action. However, my all-time favorite CA player was Annie Duke and she would have seemed like a real yawn from her bio.
Tia Carrere: Maybe best known for playing Mike Myers’ love interest in Wayne’s World? Carrere recently won a Grammy for “Best Hawaiian Music Album.” She appeared on Dancing with the Stars, placing sixth in her season.
Debbie Gibson: A teen pop princess, Gibson was the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a #1 Billboard Hot 100 single. She was one of the judges on the American Juniors series.
Teresa Giudice: Member of the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast. Guidice has most likely been cast to provide some bitchy drama. As such, she’ll probably last beyond all reason on the show. She’s raising money for NephCare.
Victoria Gotti: Her big claim to fame is being the daughter of mob boss John Gotti. She also had a reality series, Growing Up Gotti. An interesting note from her Wikipedia entry is that she skipped two grades in school – implying that she’s quite intelligent. The show is probably banking less on her intelligence and more on the hope that she and Giudice will start stabbing each other with their stiletto heels.
Lisa Lampanelli: A raunchy insult comedian, Lampanelli sounds like a younger version of Joan Rivers, who won CA 2.
Dayana Mendoza: Miss Universe 2008. Donald Trump likes to cast beautiful model types. Some have been quite savvy and lasted deep into the competition.
Aubrey O’Day: O’Day became famous on the reality series Making the Band, as a member of girl group Danity Kane. She was dismissed from the group during an episode of the show and has since released some solo singles, made appearances on other shows, musicals, and her own short reality series, All About Aubrey. She’s raising money for Fighting Aids Now
Cheryl Tiegs: A model/actress, Tiegs is going to be the oldest member of the women’s team. I suspect she’ll do very well. She’s got everything going for her. She’s smart, she’s well-connected, she’s experienced, and she’s beautiful. Unfortunately, those women are usually fired in the final episode.
Patricia Velásquez: A Venezuelan supermodel/actress. She was Sandra Bernhard’s girlfriend at one point. She’s been involved in a charity for an indigenous Venezuelan group, and also in raising money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Donald will make a very sad face when he fires her.