'Apprentice 4' Sparks Controversy
Randal Pinkett may have won 'The Apprentice 4' last night, but TMZ has learned that he didn't win some people's respect at the show's after-party.
The 34-year-old Pinkett entrepreneur/business consultant was hired over 24-year-old financial journalist Rebecca Jarvis. At the show's live finale at New York City's Lincoln Center, Donald Trump gave Pinkett the chance to decide if Jarvis should be hired as his co-worker. Pinkett nixed the idea by saying that there could only be one 'Apprentice' winner.
At the show's after-party at Planet Hollywood, Pinkett's controversial decision was the talk of the night. And TMZ heard plenty of people associated with 'The Apprentice' speak off the record and say that Pinkett's decision showed poor sportsmanship.
One person who was vocal about his distaste was former 'Apprentice' contestant Raj Bhakta, who was known for his bow ties and canes on season two. He told anyone who would listen on the red carpet that he thought Pinkett's decision was "ungraceful." Jarvis commented on Pinkett's snub, "I think everyone was surprised. It seemed out of line with how Randal has endeared himself."
But she remained philosophical and said, "You're not going to win everything in life. I will not let this be a concrete wall."
Pinkett defended himself, telling TMZ, "I stand by my decision. I believe 'The Apprentice' is about competition and it's about a single winner. And I believe I was distinguished as a single winner. I have the utmost respect for Rebecca. She was an outstanding candidate but I'm proud Mr. Trump chose me to be his apprentice."
Pinkett also told us that it wasn't even his idea to apply to the show; it was his wife's. Pinkett's wife, Zahara, was at the party but she wasn't around when we spotted Randal celebrating with some 'Apprentice' guys, including his former teammate, Mark Lamkin. "All I want is a free room and a hooker," Lamkin joked.
The party was also a mini-reunion of the Trump clan: Donald and pregnant wife Melania were there, as well as two of the Donald's children, Ivanka and newlywed Donald Jr., who was there with his wife, model Vanessa Haydon. The entire cast of 'The Apprentice 4' was there along with numerous past 'Apprentice' contestants such as Kelly Perdew (season two winner), Kendra Todd (season three winner) and Omarosa.
Melania and Omarosa were decked out in white, looking like snow queens, and there was a surreal moment on the red carpet when they were standing next to each other in a near-blinding sea of white.
'The Apprentice 5' premieres early in 2006. The sixth edition of the show will relocate to Los Angeles after having spent all previous seasons in New York City.