Spoiler alert! This story contains details from the July 10th episode of “Claim to Fame,” including the eliminated contestant..
Hello niece Dolly!
Jada Starr Roberts may have poured herself a cup of ambition before entering the house of her ‘Claim to Fame’. But the niece of famed singer-songwriter Dolly Parton faced elimination on Monday.
Roberts, who used the pseudonym Gene on the ABC summertime game show (Monday, 8 a.m. EST) hosted by brothers Kevin and Frankie Jonas, was one of dozens of celebrity relatives rounded up in a house full of clues about their famous family members. The contestant who can successfully conceal their identity for the entire season wins $100,000.
Roberts’ classmates voted her as a guesser for Monday’s party, which means she needs to properly identify her classmate’s famous relative or she’ll be out. But she incorrectly believed that Chris’ famous relative was Elvis Presley.
Then it was annulled and her affair with Barton was revealed.
Singer Jolene appeared via a recorded video message to say goodbye to her niece. “It was such a pleasure to see you grow up,” Barton said. “You know how much I loved you and how close we’ve always been, being your aunt and all. Proud of you girl.”
Roberts, 44, shared Parton’s thoughts on the series, a glimpse into their relationship, and defended fellow competitor Carly Reeves. (Edited for length and clarity.)
I can not regret it:Gentle Tom Hanks reflects on the emotional outburst of “Claim to Fame.”
Question: What did your Aunt Dolly think you were doing the show? Did you pass it?
Jada Starr Roberts: Just when it looked like this was definitely going to happen, I called her really nervously and said, “I’ve done something, and I want to know what you think of it, and if I think it’s OK.” I got on the show because my aunt is everyone’s fairy godmother. Everyone loves her.
When she saw what it was, and when I explained it to her, she said she was really proud. She told me she knew it was scary for me because she knew I had a lot of anxiety. She was a little worried about me there but was really proud that I was stepping out of my comfort zone. She is the best cheerleader on earth.
You get really emotional while being left out while talking about it. What does your relationship look like?
It’s great. She is the best aunt you could ever dream of – to all my cousins and our family, she is (our mother) and she is (our) confidant. I got you when you feel like nobody got you. She would always tell jokes, “Well, I’m like Grandma. You have to come over, and I spoil you, and then you can go home to your parents.” So we just called Aunt Grandma.
“These are my people”:How Dolly Parton Stays True to Her Roots in Dollywood
Is there anything about your Aunt Dolly that might surprise people?
The really funny thing and what I love (and) something you say a lot is that it all looks really fake, but everything inside is 100% real. You guys get who she is. You get a silly, goofy sense of humor. What you see is 100% what you get with it. It’s totally real.
There is some concern after you leave that Shane and Monae are set up for you, as you discuss Chris’ idea with him. Do you feel ready at all?
Each of us should have expected to be put down, betrayed, stabbed in the back (and) drowned in the toilet. That’s the kind of game it was. In every episode, someone has to go home. If we could all choose as a group, everyone would have made it to the end.
When I spoke to the cast members from Season 1, I felt like they were a little family. They even had a group chat. Is it similar to your season?
Lee (producer) said, “We love the first cast. They’re so much fun. We just wish they were more competitive with each other. They loved each other so much.” And I said, “Well, what do you expect? I sponsored a group of friends who had the same experience.”
We all have issues trying to find real people in our lives because of our celebrity (relatives) and something we just couldn’t choose about ourselves. Finding a group of people who share that experience with you (and) you immediately feel like you can trust – it’s so valuable, you don’t want to throw it away.
Dolly PartonShe has Elton, McCartney and Stevie Nicks on her next rock album. But she still wants Jagger
Housemate Carly Reeves faced backlash for her emotional rant after being eliminated. Do you have any thoughts on this topic?
I adore Carly, and we all adore Carly. You can’t judge or determine how someone else handles their nerves – we were all so nervous. It was our first time (at the guessing party). Everyone has different reactions. She handled it very tactfully.
(my rule) I would like to receive mercy in life when I sin. Therefore, we are to give mercy to others as well, if we expect it to ourselves. Carly is such a sweet person, I love her, and she’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She kind of had a bad day.
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