Aesha Scott’s intense I’m A Celeb preparation revealed

Reality star and self-described “Z-lister” Aesha Scott underwent some pretty intense training to prepare for her stint on I’m A Celeb.

Reality star and self-described “Z-lister” Aesha Scott underwent some pretty intense training to prepare for her stint on I’m A Celeb.

Speaking to news.com.au the day before filming for this season began, Scott – who found fame as a cast member on the reality series Below Deck – was under no illusions many Australian viewers who haven’t seen that show would not know who she is.

“I am very aware that I’m probably going to be the most Z-list celebrity that’s going to be in this show,” the New Zealander said with a laugh.

One week into the season, though, and Scott’s certainly finding new fans among viewers of the show, due in part to her willingness to throw herself into any trial or challenge that comes her way.

Aesha, looking overjoyed at being told she had to clean the toilet.

Nobody could accuse her of not getting amongst the challenges.

And as she told news.com.au, she underwent some quite intense training before the season began to try and shore up any weaknesses.

Namely: Eating challenges. Scott and longtime boyfriend Scotty Dobbo tried their own at home, lest she “do a KAK” and quit the show over a refusal to eat something gross.

“I hate seafood. And so I had to eat a mussel and then I had to eat raw salmon, which people seek out voluntarily. And both of those things, I was just gagging, retching, tears coming down my face,” she confessed.

“It took me about 10 minutes to get each one down. And then I had bull’s testicles, and that was actually quite nice because it was fried and it tasted like schnitzel … But I don’t think they’re going to be fried (on the show).”

Her pre-I’m A Celeb training also included eating more to put on some weight, plus upping her weights in the gym. Scott said she wanted to make sure her body was strong and healthy before entering the food deprivation and intense challenges of life on I’m A Celeb.

She’s also been prepping for some more … unlikely hazards.

“My best friend has been like, ‘Now a lion’s running after you! Go, go, go!’ While I do these crawls on the floor. Then she’s like, ‘Now something else is taking you!’ While I’m trying to do pull-ups. Basically, we’ve been pretending I’m in the jungle at the gym.”

Aesha was the Chief Stew on Below Deck Down Under.

She’s ready for a surprise lion attack, then, but Scott said one thing that would rattle her in the jungle is if her fellow campmates have negative attitudes about their predicament.

“I hate complaining. It doesn’t change your situation. It just makes everyone very aware of it. So it’s like if someone’s sitting there like, ‘I’m hungry, I’m hot, I’m this, I’m that,’ I will probably snap because I just can’t tolerate it.”

While Aesha was undoubtedly one of this season’s lesser-known celebs to many viewers, her success so far – and her reception from viewers – shows that prior fame is really no indication of how well a contestant will do on I’m A Celeb.

Can we just give Aesha the winner’s crown now? 👑 #ImACelebrityAU

— Jenna Benson (@jenna_pr) April 4, 2023

I have never seen Aesha before this and honestly, total legend #ImACelebrityAU

— Michelle 🐿💨 (@MichelleMackey1) April 5, 2023

I love Aesha! #ImACelebrityAU

— Susan (@NovaStar77) April 2, 2023

just catching up and omg i love aesha so much, she’s carrying the show rn #imacelebrityau

— cailin 🥀 (@strrysatellite) April 8, 2023

#ImACelebrityAU genuinely in love with Aesha. She's just the best ❤️

— Rachael Ann (@rachaelanne_89) April 5, 2023

Aesha is an absolute gem 🌟 😍#ImACelebrityAU

— Busty Bella Dalvez (@busty_bella) April 6, 2023

Asked where she thought she might place in the season, Scott said it all hinged on whether she was given enough of a chance to “win the public over.”

“Because I’m not someone that’s that known to the Australian public, there might be people in there that Australians already love, and so I think that’s the only thing that could maybe play against me,” she said.

“So I don’t know. I think I’ll do well, but I’m not sure if I will win. But I think I’ll get maybe top five.”

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! airs 7:30pm Sunday to Thursday.

Nick Bond travelled to South Africa as a guest of Ten.