Ok please bear with me as I fangirl very hard over this next guest. I think after her first season of The Challenge USA, I told myself I had to do whatever it takes to get this woman to let me interview her. I guess manifestation really does work.
This woman. A Pageant Queen. A Physical Therapist. A Survivor castaway (Season 35 Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers). A contestant on The Challenge USA. And most recently a WINNER. (Desi co won this season with fellow survivor contestant Chris Underwood)
Desi Williams is here fresh off her Challenge USA 2 win. I am so dang excited for you all to get to know this beautiful kind hearted soul.
There were a few times this season Desi’s confessionals had me in tears, she was so open and vulnerable. I just wanted to jump through my screen and remind her she is enough. And it’s ok to not always be so tough. So Desi, when you read this. You are incredible. You are kind. You are pure.
Now if you would excuse me while you read this interview I’m going to fire my physical therapist so I can hire Desi as my new one.
Everyone. Give it up for my girl... DESI!
Tell me about you! DW: I was born in Birmingham, AL, but moved to Peachtree City, GA when I was 5, and that's where I spent the remainder of my childhood. I have one older sister and my parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year!
Growing up did you ever think you’d get into reality tv?
DW: There are so many opportunities that have come my way in life that I never could have predicted. From pageants to reality tv, I never could have imagined that I would end up with all of these amazing experiences.
How did you get into the Survivor world?
DW: I have pageants and competing at Miss USA to thank for getting on Survivor. A casting director found my picture and bio on the Miss USA website, reached out in a Facebook message, and the rest is history!
Did you watch survivor prior to being on the show?
DW: I watched Survivor in the early years like every other house in America, but by the time I was casted to be on Survivor, I basically watched no TV at all. Once I knew there was a chance I'd be casted on the show, I took my preparation very seriously. I started watching the show going back to Season 28 and would both watch an episode and listen to podcasts where they dissected the players' game moves. So in true nerd form, I studied the show.
Tell me about your time on Survivor.
DW: Survivor was definitely a life-changing experience for me, in more ways than one. On one hand, it taught me that I'm a whole lot tougher than I knew. But there was also a moment on the show when I realized that I was living a pretty limiting life.
Survivor also made me realize that I wasn't fully fulfilled with where I was in life. So after I got home from filming, I made the decision to move to LA and made my move-- three months later, with two suitcases.
If you could be on any other reality show which would it be?
DW: I would absolutely love to be on The Amazing Race. I love to travel and just think that the show offers such a unique opportunity to see the world.
Challenge USA 1 vs. 2?
DW: Even outside of the obvious, Season 2 was soooo much more fun. While we were all there to win, we were also there for a good time. And when we decided to turn off game play, we turned all the way up. It was so fun.
What were your first thoughts when crossing the finish line and winning.
DW: First, relief. Second, dehydration. But ultimately, I was just so proud of myself. I experience a lot of imposter syndrome (who doesn't!?), and there were many days where I second guessed myself. But it was just proof that I was there for a reason. I also had a sense that all the stars aligned for me to win, so it really made me recognize that my guardian angels were working overtime up in heaven.
If you had to do it again, and got to choose a partner to compete with on season one, who would they be and why?
DW: That's tough. There was a lot of physical talent that season. For women, I'd say Angela; she was good at so many random dailies. For the guys, it would either be Danny or Tyson. Both of them are awesome competitors.
Do you think you would ever want to jump over to the main show (MTV’s The Challenge)?
DW: I would never say never, but I'm pretty sure the MTV version shoots for 12-13 weeks, which is just a really long time to be away from life, work, my business, so the timing would have to be just right.
You have a doctorate in PT, are you still practicing?
DW: Kind of. I own a Home Health Agency and a Mobile Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Business in Los Angeles called A Plus Care (www.apluscarela.com). While I mostly handle the administrative tasks of the business, but I do still occasionally treat patients.
What’s a fun fact about you some people may not know?
DW: I was Miss Virginia in the Miss America and Miss USA Systems; only three other women in the state of Virginia have done that, but I am certainly the only woman of color in the state of Virginia to be able to claim that.
And finally (I don’t want this interview to ever end but)
If you could have dinner with three people who would they be and why?
DW: Oprah, for obvious reasons. She's such a boss but also such a healing light to the world. I would love to just soak in some of her wisdom.
My grandmother. All of my grandparents have passed, but I regret not having more deep conversations with them before it was too late.
Suze Orman--I need her to tell me what to do with my money because I've never had this much money before! ;)
Follow along with Desi!
Instagram & Twitter (X): @desijwilliams
Tiktok: @drdesijwilliams
Comments
Post a Comment