With his quick wit and kindness, James Mustapic is a fan favourite on Celebrity Treasure Island, but the former Tohorā captain had the weight of the world on his shoulders when he was forced to trade three of his teammates with the Kārearea squad.
“I felt terrible doing the team swap,” he recalls. “It was horrifying for someone like me who’s a people pleaser. I really felt like I was going to be public enemy number one. Things weren’t the best at the other camp, but I didn’t realise what the dynamic was like.
“When Blair, Nick and Courtney came over, I thought I was the guy who’d ripped them away from home. But we had a lovely night chatting, and Nick and Laura sang, and I just felt so happy they had come over and seemed happy.
“They were like, ‘At Kārearea, as soon as it gets dark, we all go to bed and we don’t really play any games at night or anything’. We just thought it was normal to have fun in the evenings.”
The new-look Tohorā team bonded by making up a team chant, and they had everyone in stitches the next day when they marched into the face-to-face challenge with James carried on Steve Price and Nick Afoa’s shoulders.
The comedian says, “We thought, ‘Let’s do something silly’. Sometimes silly things are what brings the team together – a bit of levity and lightheartedness. I wasn’t a serious captain, so it was just fun,”
This story is from the October 15, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
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 October 15, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
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
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family