Apprentice Runner-Up Mouths Off
May 27, 2005 (TV Guide) While Apprentice winner Kendra Todd already sounds like a Trump Organization flack in her interviews, second-place finisher Tana Goertz calls it like she sees it. In this exclusive Q&A with TVGuide.com, the 37-year-old Mary Kay makeup hawker doesn't gloss over her opinions of her fellow Apprenti, trust us!...
TVGuide.com: What happened? You were doing so well until your final task with the Olympics event.
Tana Goertz: The Olympics task went over beautifully, so I'm not even going to let anyone tarnish that task. It was impeccable. The day of the event, everything ran like clockwork. I just think Mr. Trump knew who he wanted [as the Apprentice] and that was the bottom line.
TVG: Do you think it came down to education?
Tana: I don't know. I thought that they would hire a "street smarts" person, because the world wants to see a "street smarts" person succeed. But I'm a little naive.
TVG: Do you think it was because Kendra is a little more polished?
Tana: Absolutely not. Are you kidding me? Did you see us? Hello! I'm in Lafayette 148 and she's in a Wal-Mart [outfit]. Don't go there.
TVG: Kendra did seem more, um, restrained. You looked very out of control when you were out to get her about the Pontiac task.
Tana: Hey, I set the record straight [at the finale]. I am proud of myself and I don't care how it went down. At least my people know. I had 250 e-mails last night going, "You have GOT to be kidding me. We knew that task had to be you and you set the record straight, baby." I said, "You're damn right." Trump was floored when he saw me going nuts in the boardroom there.
TVG: So you came up with the shape and Kendra did what?
Tana: I came up with the shape of the brochure and Craig came up with the colors to evoke the emotion. Kendra designed the CD holder and the business-card holder. It was a collaboration of all three of us. But the No. 1 reason that the CEOs chose [our brochure] was because of the shape. I have worked at the world's largest BMW dealership and I've seen a hell of a lot of brochures; I knew that the shape could not be a square or rectangle. I nailed that one.
TVG: Was the scene with you going home to bed early exaggerated?
Tana: Absolutely. I went to bed at 4:45 am and they made it look like it was 1:30. We were all done and the task was done.
TVG: Then what did Kendra do that was so above and beyond the call of duty?
Tana: Nothing. That is why I set the record straight on national television. [I got] Kendra to admit that on live television. If Mr. Trump didn't see how persuasive [I was] and how I could sell it... and he didn't want me? Then I don't want him.
TVG: You don't think he'd hire you for a different job?
Tana: I'm sure he would. I got a business card about something that he is doing. I don't want to say he had his shot, but... I went there to win that title and I didn't, so I don't know about that.
TVG: Have you talked to Chris or Kristen, who worked under you?
Tana: Yeah. We were dancing [and] we had a great time last night. I could never have done it without my team. We are all friends and we all get along. Everything's hunky-dory. This was a unique experience. We all shared very stressful and very trying times and we'll all stay in touch.
TVG: But Chris seemed more than a little annoyed with your comments when he saw them on TV.
Tana: Oh, they all were. Nobody knew that I felt that way. But everybody on the show thinks that they are the best. We are all type-A personalities. Nobody wants to think that somebody doesn't approve of them. But I'm a straight shooter and I admit when I am wrong. I apologized to them and said, "I'm sorry that I talked behind your back." But I wanted to bring the Olympics to New York City and I was doing everything in my power to make this a successful event. What didn't get shown was that I got three job offers on that final task. One of them was from the chair of the Committee for the Olympics.
TVG: Are you considering any of those?
Tana: Absolutely. I am considering all options right now. You don't get job offers if a task doesn't go over impeccably.
TVG: You were interested in Trump's Miss Universe job, which would've meant a lot of traveling and time away from your family. Would you still pick that or was it just a rush decision?
Tana: You bet, that is so my speed, [what] with Mary Kay and enriching women's lives. Give me a break! That is my area of expertise. I would have taken that in a heartbeat. I've got a really supportive husband and great kids that are very self-confident. Me not being home every night isn't going to shake who they are.
TVG: Now, the Hanes task with the Bedazzler...
Tana: Oh, god, that was great.
TVG: Great? You drove two hours to Staten Island just for beads!
Tana: It was so great. And the beautiful thing about it is that those shirts sold like hot cakes — $54.99 and nobody batted an eye. It worked.
TVG: Your use of profanity during the final task was surprising. Was that just stress?
Tana: No. I swear. I'm not going to hide the fact that I swear. I'm a swearer, baby. I get all crazed up. I was the most stressed I'd been through the entire season on that task, but swearing is part of my vocabulary. I don't regret swearing. If you know me, that is part of me.
TVG: Any advice for Kendra on her new gig?
Tana: Nope. Nope. Nope. She'll do fine.
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