MAFS star Rebecca Zemek fired from new show after ‘manipulative’ display

Burns survivor Turia Pitt claims she felt manipulated and patronised by a former MAFS contestant on the first episode of Celebrity Apprentice.

Married At First Sight’s Rebecca Zemek has been fired on the first episode of Celebrity Apprentice after being accused of being “manipulative” and “patronising” by burns survivor and mindset coach Turia Pitt.

As the first episode of the season kicked off on Sunday night, Zemek introduced herself to “CEO” Lord Alan Sugar as a “sasshole” – a sassy a**hole.

It was then confirmed she was a former MAFS contestant.

“Reading your resume it might be fired at first glance,” Lord Sugar said.

It set the tone for the rest of the episode, with Zemek appearing critical and difficult to work with during the first challenge. She had questioned ideas and decisions made by Pitt and the team.

The women’s team during the first challenge on Celebrity Apprentice. Picture: Channel 9

The men’s team made more money for charity than the women’s team, meaning they lost.

Lord Sugar declared he needed to find out where the “responsibility of the failure of this task lays”.

Pitt, who was project manager on the challenge, claimed responsibility and said she would not dob in anyone.

However, when pressed by Lord Sugar, Pitt put forward Zemek and Real Housewives Of Melbourne’s Gamble Breaux for “intentionally or unintentionally” sabotaging the day.

Turia Pitt said she felt Beck Zemek was being manipulative towards her. Picture: Channel 9

The three then had to face Lord Sugar and “boardroom advisers” Janine Allis and Nick Bell.

Breaux was let off the hook with the three in charge agreeing she was “scattered” but had tried.

Zemek came under fire.

Zemek was “gobsmacked” to be accused of sabotaging the challenge. Picture: Channel 9

“I felt Beck was manipulative, condescending and patronising,” Pitt said.

“I think when you’re in a team you need to trust your teammates and because of Beck’s behaviour towards me, I don’t trust her.”

An offended Zemek replied: “I’m gobsmacked that I’m in this room right now, completely gobsmacked.”

“There’s people in that room that made less money than I did and that was the challenge,” she added.

Lord Sugar said he wasn’t talking about money, but rather what she brought to the team.

“I don’t think you’re a very good team player, therefore Beck you’re fired,” he said.

Zemek took to Instagram after the episode aired to describe it as a “whirlwind”.

“Never known myself to say so little, yet with TV we all know there is more to every story!” she wrote.

“What I really want to focus in on however, is the incredible and overwhelming generosity that was out there.”

She went on to thank the companies that donated money for the challenge during the episode.

“My heart was filled that day, overwhelmed with tears of absolute joy not just from my donors but to all that got involved,” she said.

“I have never experienced a day full of so much love and giving with the most amazing bunch of women!”

Originally published as MAFS star Rebecca Zemek fired from new show after ‘manipulative’ display