As one of New Zealand’s first- ever reality TV stars, Megan Alatini knows only too well what it’s like living life in front of a camera.
Now, 24 years after she found fame as one-fifth of girl group TrueBliss on Popstars, being a judge on NZ Idol in 2006 and a runner-up on Dancing With the Stars in 2007, she’s excited about being on another reality show, Celebrity Treasure Island (CTI). But she doesn’t think her previous experience is necessarily an advantage.
“The problem is having done something like this before means I forget the camera is turned on and I can sometimes do silly things,” she laughs. “But I’m an open book anyway. I don’t shy away from speaking the truth, which is important because you want to make sure that things are genuine.
Megan found fame on Popstars with (from left) Keri Harper, Joe Cotton, Carly Binding and Erika Takacs in 1999.
“My advantage is that I’m comfortable in this environment and hopefully that brings out the best in me.”
Megan, 46, who has been a fan of the show since it first started in 2001, was shocked when she got the phone call asking if she would take part.
“I was thrilled to be invited, but I was like, ‘Don’t be too excited.’ But I couldn’t contain it. I had to check it over with my family, but they were so supportive and encouraging.”
Megan – who is mum to Tonica, 29, Tiara, 28, and Trey, 18 – admits she’s not an outdoorsy person. “I love looking at it, and I appreciate others who are campers and trampers,” she says, revealing she only had her first proper camping experience last year, which was organised by far more experienced friends.
“They made a joke that I was going to come with a bag of shoes, which I did,” smiles Megan. “So I am not used to this type of excursion. But Celebrity Treasure Island is definitely something I’ve looked at and thought, ‘I’d love to experience that,’ which is why I put up my hand.”
Go, Mum! From left: Tiara, ex Pita, Tonica and Trey are Megan’s biggest supporters.
Now running her own business helping companies with coaching, mentoring and recruitment, Megan – who was previously a performance coach for Air New Zealand – reckons her biggest strength is the fact she’s a go-getter who gives everything 100 percent.
“I play fair,” she insists. “I do not like ugliness and throwing people under the bus. I recognise when other people’s strengths are beyond mine and how we can use that for the best of the team. With those elements, I’m a good team player, but if I’m out there on my own, I go hard.”
She admits her fitness levels are not what they used to be and her “weak arms” mean she’s not good when it comes to anything that involves lifting or holding heavy things.
“I’m also a little bit overweight from what I’m used to,” she tells. “I’ve put on a few kilos in the last few years. But that doesn’t mean the competitive spirit isn’t there – it’s there in multitudes. So I focus on that instead of the things that might not be so good.”
She’s not daunted about wearing a swimsuit on TV.
“Normally I would be self-conscious of how I look, particularly in swimwear, but in this case, I want to bust it all out! I’m wearing bikinis because I want women to know that you don’t have to be a stick-thin supermodel to feel beautiful and confident.
“It’s important to know that it’s your personality, your skill set and your talent that counts. When you’ve got the confidence internally that will shine through. Big, small, tall, short, whatever… wear those togs, lift your head up and strut your stuff. You are what you are – rock what your mama gave you!”
One of the hardest things about being on CTI is not being able to talk to her kids. Megan, who separated from their dad, rugby star Pita Alatini, earlier this year, usually chats with Tonica, Tiara and Trey every day via Facebook Messenger or text. “I miss them so much, but I know they’re sending me good vibes. Not being able to go on Facebook and Instagram is also challenging, but having to have a digital detox is a good thing.”
One of the best things about CTI is being able to support a charity, says Megan. She has chosen Women’s Refuge, due to personal experience of domestic violence. “My daughter’s friend sadly passed at the hands of domestic violence and that’s why I want to speak out against it more. Our domestic violence statistics are horrific. Luckily, Women’s Refuge is a safe haven and I want to thank them for what they do.”
She’d love to bring home the prize money for them and is pretty confident she can do it.
“I feel I have the character to win a competition like this. I have to have that confidence, otherwise why am I here? We haven’t had many ladies on that podium – let’s do it!”
