Kerri-Anne Kennerley explains I’m A Celeb exit on The Project

Kerri-Anne Kennerley gave her first tell-all interview on The Project, one night after her explosive exit from I’m A Celeb.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley sat down for her first TV interview since dramatically quitting I’m A Celeb on Friday’s episode of The Project.

TV legend Kennerley, abruptly exited the reality show after just three days following a fiery clash with MAFS star Domenica Calarco, and told Project panellist Georgie Tunny that she “can’t remember having ever been spoken to like that – in my entire life.”

Kerri-Anne on The Project tonight.

Kennerley said she was feeling “emotional” about her exit from the show – “because I didn’t want to leave the camp experience” – but she felt she had no choice after receiving “pretty rough” treatment from Dom.

She also insisted that Domenica’s anger at her – the outspoken reality star labelled her selfish for her refusal to participate in an unappetising food trial – was actually misdirected frustration at herself.

“I could tell mentally she had just got really, really down on herself. She was disappointed that she couldn‘t finish (the trial), and so she was imploding way before she got to me,” she said.

She also swore that she would have participated in the trial – which involved four contestants eating animal testicles in order to win meals for their fellow contestants back at camp – if she thought Dom would finish it.

“I would never have let those three down – without question.”

KAK says Dom’s frustration was “misplaced.”

Kerri-Anne quit the show immediately after the bl0w-up.

Asked by Tunny why she went into the show in the first place, and if she’d gotten what she wanted out of the experience, Kennerley said she doesn’t “actually go into self-analysis a lot. I just live my life, get through my life, do a bit of work, have a good time. I don’t know who other people think I am, and to be quite frank it’s actually not my real concern.”

Kerri-Anne’s explanation didn’t wash with at least one panellist on The Project, with broadcaster Bridget Hustwaite siding with Dom after the interview aired.

“I don‘t really like how Dom is painted in these kinds of situations, that she is explosive or whatever. I think her disappointment was in Kerri-Anne not trying; it‘s not misplaced,” she said.

“Kerri-Anne’s talking about not doing self-analysis? I think she should.”

Leaving the jungle during Thursday’s episode, Kennerley became only the fifth contestant in I’m A Celeb’s nine seasons to date to quit the show.

In an interview with news.com.au before this season started filming, Ten’s head of entertainment Stephen Tate said it was a “massive disappointment” when contestants quit the show, and shared that it was difficult for him to manage the inevitable backlash they’d face: “The Australian audience don’t like quitters.”

After KAK’s sudden exit, Ten today revealed a brand new contestant who’ll enter the show during Monday’s episode: Former Wallabies “Honey Badger” (and one-time Bachelor), Nick Cummins.

I’m A Celeb continues 7:30pm Sunday on Ten.

Originally published as Kerri-Anne Kennerley explains I’m A Celeb exit on The Project