Celebrity Treasure Island star James Mustapic is flat-out shocked he beat the likes of league legend Steve Price or media golden girl Matilda Green to win the show.
“It’s crazy!” he exclaims, sitting on the grass behind the Auckland villa he shares with a group of flatmates. “I thought I would go home really early. Every single day, I thought I would be going home. I don’t know how to put it into words. It’s very special. I feel really lucky!”
James, 27, is chatting to Woman’s Day in the backyard, where the flat’s cat Manny is basking in the sunshine, so his flatties don’t get wind of his monumental success before it’s on the telly.
Although the comedian, who charmed viewers with a mix of wry observations and self-deprecating quips, is clearly elated with the win, James admits he does feel a little bit bad for pipping his fellow finalists, Courtney Dawson and Turia Schmidt-Peke, at the post.
“It really was a dream top three. When we got to that yurt thing, we all decided to sleep in a little room that had single bunk beds for our final night instead of being in the big double beds in different places. We were like, ‘Let’s just have one more night together’. We were giggling, eating and having a bit of a gossip – it was so much fun!”
The top three contenders had an even amount of clues to unlock the treasure, so it was really was anyone’s game.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!