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Donald Trump names Bret Michaels 'The Celebrity Apprentice' on live finale

by jmaloni

Snapple matched the winner's prize of $250,000 for each finalist's charity bringing the grand total for charity raised this season to more than $1,250,000

Mon, May 24th 2010 03:00 pm

At the end of the whirlwind third season of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice," Donald Trump revealed live last night that rocker Bret Michaels - who surprised fans by making it to the show's live finale after a recent illness - was named the winner over actress and humanitarian Holly Robinson Peete.

In addition to the show's live boardroom, Snapple matched the winner's prize of $250,000 for each finalist's charity bringing the money raised for charity this season to more than $1,250,000.

In making the live announcement, Trump said, "Bret you've been popular, everyone's loved you, you've been imaginative, you've done an amazing job in every single way, a little flaky but that's OK. You've really proven, and maybe this is unfair, but you've proven to be very brave."

He then went on to speak about Holly and said, "Holly, you won a lot of money for your charity, and I'm very very proud of you. ... Holly I have to tell you, we all love you. ... and Bret, I have to tell you, you're hired!"

Michaels, who earlier this month suffered a brain hemorrhage - and was diagnosed with a hole in his heart just last week - was elated to win. 

"First and foremost to be alive and in the presence of the rock star real estate mogul Donald Trump and his family is a real honor," Michaels said. "I am grateful Mr. Trump chose me for my hard work and creativity. To be the winner of this season's ‘Celebrity Apprentice' is the most awesome feeling in the world, and as a lifelong diabetic it was a great platform for me to have the opportunity to raise money for diabetes."

In the two-part season finale, celebrity finalists Peete and Michaels were charged with creating their own unique flavor of Snapple tea. They also had to name the tea, design its label, produce a 30-second TV commercial and create a three-page print ad promoting their new tea - all of which was presented at a launch event attended by Snapple employees and fans.

Before selecting Michaels as the winner, however, Trump brought back the season's celebrity contestants for a reunion live at New York City's Skirball Center for one final weigh in on who they thought should win.

Michaels raised $390,000 for his charity, the American Diabetes Association, while Peete raised $597,000 for her charity, the HollyRod Foundation.

Celebrities Darryl Strawberry, Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Osbourne, Michael Johnson, Goldberg, Carol Leifer, Sinbad, Summer Sanders, Rod Blagojevich, Maria Kanellis, Curtis Stone, Selita Ebanks, Peete and Michaels all competed in the third season of the NBC reality series.

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