Benji Marshall's stunning revelations
<p dir="ltr">Benji Marshall did not leave one dry eye in the house – nor for anyone looking on at home – in the latest episode of <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> as he opened up about his troubled past.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When the former NRL player was required to pitch a TV series idea as part of the <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> challenge, Benji became very emotional when putting forward his idea for a documentary about his life.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’ve never, ever talked about this publicly,” Benji told the on-screen TV executives.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’ve never talked about this because it means so much to me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“No one knows the real me… because I don’t even know the real me, there’s half of me I haven’t found out about.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I don’t know my dad, I don’t know my culture, I don’t know my nationality.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">He teared up saying that he wanted someone to help save him after suffering through a traumatic childhood.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">“Growing up in a small town of NZ, my mum was very young, she had me at 15,” he continued.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I have this vivid memory of a seven-year-old boy, holding a butter knife, scared, sitting back in a dark corner, so no one could come from behind me to get me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“All I wanted was for someone to save me, someone to tuck me in, someone to save me, all I wanted was a dad.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">He recalled the teasing he endured during school when kids would say “you don’t know your dad” which left him in tears.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Wanting to find out who his father was, Benji got the courage to finally ask his mum but it was the look on her face that made him never ask again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“When I asked my mum who my dad was... I’ll never forget the look on her face, the look of fear, worry… it actually made me scared," he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I never ever asked her again. I still don’t know until this day.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Benji then completed his pitch with a traditional haka dance and walked off, as he waited to hear whether or not he won the competition.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the boardroom, the judges debated and agreed on the winner.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Benji won the $20,000 prize for his charity Souths Care, which supports disadvantaged, marginalised and Indigenous youth and families.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He then bent over and cried when he realised he was heading off to the grand final, being congratulated by Lord Sugar’s adviser Janine Allis.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The New Zealander also took to Instagram to thank fans for their support throughout his time on the show.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I can’t believe it. I’m Through to the GF on @celebrityapprentice I am super proud to be able to stand on the stage and share my story and pitch to everyone,” he wrote.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I shared things I have never spoken about before and I am proud to share my emotions and true feelings publicly.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Vulnerability is a strength. The feedback has been overwhelming. I appreciate everyone.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>
