Glamorous My Kitchen Rules star Zana Pali says she grew up poor and worked hard for success
She has it all — just don’t call her a rich girl. My Kitchen Rules leader Zana Pali overcame hardship to reach her goals
Confidential
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SHE is portrayed as the high-flying legal eagle with good looks and fine luxuries.
But My Kitchen Rules lawyer, Zana Pali, has revealed coming from a life of poverty to reach the top.
She told Confidential: “I came from a poor family and my parents worked really hard. I don’t want to be known as this rich girl. I worked really hard to get to where I am.”
Pali, wearing a Craig Braybrook dress in this exclusive shoot for Confidential, competes on the cooking show alongside her husband, Gianni Romano, who is also a lawyer.
Pali said growing up with struggles taught her to work hard for success. “My parents spent every cent they had to send me to a private school. I stood out wearing Dimmeys and Forges and K Mart to casual clothes day,” she said. “It was embarrassing because you just want to fit in. I could have been bullied, but I’m a strong Balkan woman, and I didn’t allow it.”
She added: “I wasn’t the popular girl at school. I wasn’t the one who got invited to parties and special things. I focused on my education.”
Pali was heartbroken when a news website ran details of a palatial bayside home she and Romano sold before they went on the Channel Seven hit.
“You don’t want people knowing intimate things. We’re not just about money,” Zana said. “We’ve seen the bottom and we’ve seen the top.”
Pali said she went on television show to promote her Montenegro heritage.
“I’m not an emotional person. I have a very strong front. But I get very emotional presenting my culture because I want to make (my family) proud.”
Pali, who is leading the competition, returns to the screen on Sunday.
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