Rocker Bret Michaels took the stage for the season finale of reality television competition the Celebrity Apprentice last night and took home the title of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and a big prize for the American Diabetes Association and its summer camps for kids with diabetes.
Just stepping on stage was a victory for Michaels, who has suffered from a number of serious medical conditions in the last month. Michaels, a Type 1 diabetic for more than 40 years, first suffered from an emergency appendectomy. Shortly thereafter he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with a brain hemorrhage (see Bret Michaels: Did Diabetes Play a Role in Brain Hemorrhage?). Then, this past week Michaels suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or warning stroke. The news got worse from there. While undergoing a barrage of tests, doctors found that Michaels had a Patent Form Ovale (PFO), or a hole in his heart, which has likely been there since birth. (See Bret Michaels Advances to Celebrity Apprentice Finals)
To roaring applause, Michaels stepped on stage with a noticeable limp for the final boardroom against Holly Robinson-Peete, who was competing for the HollyRod Foundation, which supports families of the seriously ill. Peete’s son has autism. Michaels, who also had slight dropping on the left side of his face, according to a report from TV Guide, looked great for someone who has been through so much recently.
Donald Trump, who told Michaels he was “hired” said during the broadcast that he had spoken with Michaels’ doctors and that they didn’t want him to attend the live season finale at all. Michaels had to fly from Los Angeles to New York for the finale. “Are you risking your life being here?” Trump asked Michaels. “This is a lot of pressure.”
“Lately it seems like me just standing up is risking my life,” Michaels told Trump, eliciting chuckles from the audience. “Yes, it’s been a risk. I didn’t travel this far and this much pain to lose.”
All except the live season finale of the Celebrity Apprentice was recorded prior to Michaels’ recent medical problems. In the final episode, Michaels and Peete had to create a new Snapple flavor and market the product, incorporating their charity’s message. Both drinks are currently available in stores for a limited time.
Both contestants – Peete and Michaels turned out to be winners even though Michaels was crowned Celebrity Apprentice. Snapple agreed to donate $250,000 to both charities.
Michaels is slated to star in an upcoming reality television show on VH1 entitled “Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It,” which will take a look at the rocker’s life off-stage and off-tour. Production of the series, which is supposed to debut in the fall, has been temporarily halted due to Michaels’ medical issues.
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[...] Apprentice reality television show in May and made an appearance on the American Idol finale. (See Bret Michaels ‘Hired’ as Celebrity Apprentice and Despite American Idol Loss, Bowersox a Boon for Diabetes [...]