David Johnson on The Apprentice Season 10: "The Neck Haunts Me and Still Does"
David Johnson — the Navy veteran, father of five, and part-time stand-up comedian from Portage, Michigan who became The Apprentice Season 10's most talked-about contestant under the nickname "The V…
From the Vault · 2010
This is an archival piece from the Premier Guide Miami collection. The coverage, context, and details reflect the time it was originally published.
David Johnson — the Navy veteran, father of five, and part-time stand-up comedian from Portage, Michigan who became The Apprentice Season 10's most talked-about contestant under the nickname "The Virus" — sat down with Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton after his elimination. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.
David Johnson, 34, from Portage, Michigan — a Navy veteran, part-time stand-up comedian, and father of five — became one of The Apprentice Season 10's most talked-about contestants. His cast-mates labeled him "The Virus" for behavior they found unprofessional and irritating. To David, he was simply playing the game.
Johnson's comedic side paid off in Season 10 Episode 7 when he stepped up to earn his team a win, making him a formidable contestant in Episode 8. Donald Trump called his comeback "the best comeback in the history of the Apprentice." His time on the show was ultimately cut short when his fixation on a male model overshadowed his judgment during a fashion task — specifically, a shirt collar issue he says will haunt him.
On what he could have done differently: "If I would have let someone else take the role of project manager, and not run with it, I would have kept the momentum going. The neck haunts me and still does. When I look back at the shirt, I kept saying to myself, 'Why didn't I notice it? Why didn't I photo shop it? Why didn't I have it changed?' I think everything might have been different if it were not for that little issue. So, I would've, should've, could've — and I didn't. So here we are."
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On the professional impact: "It has a two-pronged effect — a double-edged sword. I am on a TV show, which is good for business. But when you look back at my actions and my nickname, The Virus, customers are curious and apprehensive. It tarnished, in some ways, my 10 years of business where I have been very successful. It was fun. It will help in the long run — people will always be curious of who I am."
The Apprentice Season 10 aired on NBC, Thursdays at 10:00-11:00 PM ET, with Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump in the boardroom.
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