Celebrity Treasure Island returns to our screens tonight for a new season on TVNZ 2. The entertaining new version of the classic show, which was rebooted in 2019, sees a brand-new batch of celebrity castaways battling it out in sunny Northland this time, instead of tropical Fiji.
The cast is a bumper version with a total of 21 celebrities competing for the treasure in three teams. The finalists will then compete head-to-head for the chance to win $100,000 prize money for their chosen charity. Hosts Bree Tomasel and Matt Chisholm return again this season to wreak a bit of havoc amongst the celebrities, set challenges and test team rivalries.
This season’s celebrities include: Angela Bloomfield, Anna Simcic, Art Green, Brynley Stent, Sir Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, Candy Lane, Casey Frank, Chris Parker, Edna Swart, Huriana Manuel, Jess Tyson, JJ Fong, Joe Daymond, Joe Naufahu, Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck, Kim Crossman, Lana Searle, Lance Savali, Richie Barnett, Tammy Davis and Tegan Yorwarth.
There will be plenty of drama this season as the teams face-off in a series of demanding challenges that are designed to test the castaways’ abilities and stamina. Not to mention a few plot twists along the way as contestants come and go and strategies come into play. One celebrity will follow in the footsteps of Sam Wallace who won the competition in 2019 and be declared the winner of Celebrity Treasure Island, but who will it be?
We caught up with contestants Kim Crossman, Edna Swart, Brynley Stent and Tegan Yorwarth to find out what their time on the show was like, their favourite moments from filming and what you would never catch them wearing!
Celebrity Treasure Island airs Mon-Weds, 7.30pm, TVNZ 2 and is available on TVNZ OnDemand.
Kim Crossman
What was the filming like and was it harder or easier than you expected to compete on the show?
It was much harder than I expected. It was so hard to not have much food and have no idea what time of day it was. I also should have done way more training beforehand, everyone was so fit and strong!
What were your favourite moment/s from filming the show?
Candy Lane taught me how to do the Cha-cha and Sir Buck Shelford taught me how to collect Kina! That was pretty rad!
Did you know the rest of your team before you started filming and what was it like working with them?
I knew a few of the cast already which was great. One of my favourite people on the planet, Ange Bloomfield, was there and that made me instantly feel better. Ange played my step Mum on Shortland Street when I was younger and always looked out for me. This was no different and I feel super lucky to have shared this experience with her. She is the BEST!
How would you describe your personal style while filming and what were your beauty essentials for the shoot?
I would say I had absolutely no style on the show. We basically just wore workout gear during the day and all the clothes we had at night time when it got cold. I think if I were to do it again, I would have put more thought in to what I packed. Jess Tyson looked stunning every day and had wonderful outfits and always looked a million dollars.
Beauty essential wise, I had packed a lot of moisturizer which I am super stoked about, I hadn’t lived outside for an extended period of time ever before and my skin freaked out so the added moisture was a god send. Edna brought some of her Ed&i products that were shared around. She has a morning mask called MORNING COFFEE which is something I have continued to use since filming the show. It’s a great product and who doesn’t love a morning coffee!
Who are your go-to New Zealand designers and brands?
Because I usually have a few filming projects each week that often require me to dress myself I have recently been using a friends small business @styleforawhile to loan items each week to wear which is more affordable and sustainable than buying new items all the time. I am a huge fan of Hailwood and Pera May.
What is your all-time favourite fashion purchase?
A Boda Skins leather jacket I got in LA. I love it!
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Heels, unless I absolutely have to for filming. Ouch.
Edna Swart
What was the filming like and was it harder or easier than you expected to compete on the show?
Being filmed was fine, I’m used to the cameras from filming TVNZ OnDemand’s Boss Babes. The actual experience itself was not what I expected. It is so hard to relay what you experience emotionally, physically, and mentally to those who haven’t done something like this before. You basically step into this world where you must show up as someone who wouldn’t act in such a way in real life to compete for food and ultimately win for your charity. All your insecurities become more focused, you are so vulnerable, and you become someone you don’t even recognise all while living in a hack with no walls or doors.
What were your favourite moment/s from filming the show?
I can’t really go into this without sharing where I was placed, but the whole experience was just a pure blessing. As much as it pushed me and it did break me (as you will see), it was the bonding with the others, the achievements, the emotional break throughs and personal growth that just made the experience so worth it and once in a lifetime opportunity.
Did you know the rest of your team before you started filming and what was it like working with them?
I knew a couple by name only and seeing them in the industry, but I didn’t personally know anyone else. Everyone was just awesome. Of course, you get along with some more than others but what I really enjoyed about this season was the diversity in personalities. I also don’t think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. I peed myself at one point of pure uncontrollable laughter.
How would you describe your personal style while filming and what were your beauty essentials for the shoot?
Hah love this question! I was lucky enough to be dressed by Aimn for the show. I just stuck to cute workout outfits and in my down time just a bikini. My tan became on point during filming.
Who are your go-to New Zealand designers and brands?
I have a two-sided style, I love to dress girly but then you will also see me dressing super edgy. SO with that said, Caitlin Crisp is super beautiful, girly and cute and Stolen Girlfriends is so edgy, laid back and cool!
What is your all-time favourite fashion purchase?
That’s a tough one, you’re asking me to choose between so many classic pieces and investments. Obviously, my Chanel bags. All of them as each one is an investment. But a fashion piece I wear again and again would have to be my Christian Loubs, black stilettos. Timeless, a go to, staple wardrobe piece.
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Crocs.
Brynley Stent
What was the filming like and was it harder or easier than you expected to compete on the show?
Filming was epic and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It’s exactly like they show it – no frills, sleeping outdoors in the elements (with rouge possums and huge bugs literally next to you while you sleep), no contact with the outside world. Really full-on but totally rewarding.
What were your favourite moment/s from filming the show?
Because we weren’t allowed to leave our camps, there came a time where everyone got cabin fever and started going a little loopy. Some of my most fond memories are just making up songs or games to pass the time, and laughing so much I thought I would vomit up all my beans and rice. I remember one particular song about a possum that came in during the night and tried to steal Chris Parker’s glasses, who we fondly named ‘Blind Jim’.
Did you know the rest of your team before you started filming and what was it like working with them?
I knew a few members of my team from working together on TV shows. Kim Crossman and I worked together on Golden Boy, I actually played her character Lisa’s cousin called ‘Teffany’, and then I was lucky enough to work on JJ Fong’s TVNZ 2 show Creamerie. I also knew Joe Daymond from the comedy industry. But perhaps the closest connection I had on the show was with my long-term best friend and current flatmate Chris Parker. It was just so wild when we found out, not only would we be on the show together, but also on the same team! He and I have been friends since we were 14 years old, where we met doing a theatresports competition in Christchurch. We’ve travelled together, lived together, and now we can add that we’ve done a reality tv show set together!
How would you describe your personal style while filming and what were your beauty essentials for the shoot?
I would call my style on the show ‘wear whatever doesn’t smell the worst’.
Beauty essentials were: fresh water and sunblock. We were only provided with a ration of fresh water each day so I would save some of mine so I could wash my face at the end of the day (who needs drinking water!).
Who are your go-to New Zealand designers and brands?
Penny Sage, Twenty-seven names and Layplan. All legends!
What is your all-time favourite fashion purchase?
Classic high-top Doc Martens! They took several painful weeks to wear-in (in the middle of summer I might add), but they are now the most sturdy, comfortable shoes I have, and they really go with everything – yes, even a ball gown!
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
Low rise jeans. Never again. I’m not doing that to myself.
Tegan Yorwarth
What was the filming like and was it harder or easier than you expected to compete on the show?
Filming Celebrity Treasure Island was CRAZY, in the best way though. There’s absolutely no way we could’ve prepared for it. Every part of the experience was on camera. Whether it was us having a laugh or having a PHAT cry… it’s all there haha!
What were your favourite moment/s from filming the show?
Not being in Joe Daymond’s team… haha, just kidding. Probably eating corned beef. I never thought I’d like it but sometimes you surprise yourself in out-the-gate circumstances!
Favourite part of filming was just getting to know the cast. I have made some lifelong friends, for sure.
Did you know the rest of your team before you started filming and what was it like working with them?
A couple of my team members I had met a few times prior, but it was a pretty fresh slate for all of us. I can hands down say we had the best team, Repo’s synergy was ON!
How would you describe your personal style while filming and what were your beauty essentials for the shoot?
All personal style went OUT THE DOOR when filming, and I definitely became more practical than anything. If you see me wear plaid and tie-dye together in one outfit, don’t you dare judge me, haha. I think I was one of the only girls who didn’t bring a mirror too! It was rough.
Who are your go-to New Zealand designers and brands?
My go-to NZ designers and brands would be Commoners for my basics; Aimn for my activewear; Arby & Opal and Earls for my everyday casual wear; and of course, RUBY for more dressy moments. Most of the time you’ll catch me in a hoodie though.
What is your all-time favourite fashion purchase?
I bought a pair of Crocs recently and they are the best! I even bought little Jibbitz charms and everything for them. I won’t lie, I bought them ironically but now they’ve become the most worn pair of shoes I own; and I’m not sorry about it!
Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…
You will never catch me wearing a cap, ever. My head’s too big and doesn’t agree with them. Not sure if that’s because of a big brain or a big ego – you decide.
Images supplied.