NBC’s The Apprentice Contestant, Anand Vasudev, You’re Fired! @apprenticeNBC

Anand Vasudev, 31 (Tampa, Fla.), worked for a very lucrative private firm managing several large multi-million dollar real estate investments. The successful Emory University graduate, whose past career accomplishments also include being the youngest person to be promoted to a senior role at a Fortune 500 company, thought he was "indispensable" to his firm because of the high level of expertise he had developed over the years. His eventual layoff came to him as a huge shock, yet was very motivating. In the face of adversity, Anand followed his dream and moved to New York City, where today he is a struggling entrepreneur trying to launch an innovative new vitamin-infused wine company, while still also looking to get involved in media and entertainment business. He is finding it rather difficult amidst today's economic environment and hasn't taken a salary in over a year. An avid sports fan, Vasudev currently resides in New York City.Anand Vasudev was proving to be a strong competitor, and seemed to be working his way to being in the finals of NBC’s The Apprentice season 8. Anand displayed the qualities of someone who could fit in the Trump organization with good management style, smart, competitive and fits in the corporate culture of New York.

Anand Vasudev, 31 (Tampa, Fla.), worked for a very lucrative private firm managing several large multi-million dollar real estate investments. The successful Emory University graduate, whose past career accomplishments also include being the youngest person to be promoted to a senior role at a Fortune 500 company, thought he was “indispensable” to his firm because of the high level of expertise he had developed over the years. His eventual layoff came to him as a huge shock, yet was very motivating. In the face of adversity, Anand followed his dream and moved to New York City, where today he is a struggling entrepreneur trying to launch an innovative new vitamin-infused wine company, while still also looking to get involved in media and entertainment business. He is finding it rather difficult amidst today’s economic environment and hasn’t taken a salary in over a year. An avid sports fan, Vasudev currently resides in New York City.

Under pressure to win, Anand made a costly decision that had him eliminated from the show and ruined his chances of being the next Apprentice.

Anand had attempted to cheat during a prior task and then lied and denied the allegation when confronted about it.

The Dialogue between Donald Trump and Anand Vasudev:

“I’ve just been given some very disturbing news that Anand has been text messaging people telling them to bring in money, Anand is that true?” Trump asked.

“That is not true sir. I haven’t been texting anyone regarding money, absolutely not,” Anand replied.

“Well you know if you did, it’s a clear violation of the rules… you’re saying you didn’t do it?” Trump questioned.

“I have not done that,” Anand insisted.

“You want me to read you a text message?” Trump fired back.

“Go right ahead, Mr. Trump,” Anand said.

“Come to Trump Tower from 10AM-1PM. Bring at least $50. Pretend like you don’t know me. Need you to buy a pedicab from me or one of my teammates. I’m project manager so my ass is on the line. I’m getting close to the top — I won’t have my phone with me, so just come by and pretend like we don’t know each other,” Trump read aloud to the remaining contestants.

“Pretty bad right?”

“That was bad, Mr. Trump,” Anand replied.

“Why did you deny it? You lied to me,” Trump noted.

“I want to be at the top, I want to win, and nobody came… it was wrong and it was inappropriate but being a project manager, you want to win,” Anand told Trump.

“This is why the country’s gotten into such trouble. This is the kind of thinking that we’ve been witnessing on Wall Street for the last five years — Anand, you’re fired,” Trump said.

“If there’s anything I could say to Mr. Trump face to face it would be I’m sorry, but I would also explain that I was just doing it because I really wanted to be there standing next to him at the end of this. If I could go back in time and take it all back, I would. I’m just shocked at myself. I’m shocked about what happened — it’s a tough pill to swallow.”

In an interview with Anand Vasudev, he shared his regrets and the lessons learned from being on the Apprentice.

NBC, Donald Trump and Mark Burnett offer 16 economically challenged candidates the opportunity to compete for the ultimate second chance at reviving their careers when the boardroom reopens for a 2-hour premiere on Thursday, September 16 (9-11 p.m. ET). This group of uniquely talented and fiercely competitive candidates will compete over 13 weeks to become “The Apprentice.” Each of these 16 candidates is deserving of a fresh start and will have to battle it out with each other as they fight to prove they have the guts and determination to confront the toughness of each challenge and survive Donald Trump’s final judgment. Among the candidates – all of whom have been adversely affected by the economic downturn – include the unemployed, struggling business owners and recent college graduates.

Daedrian McNaughton:    Hi Anand. Since your departure from the Apprentice, how has it effected your life – (this incident) effected your life?

Anand Vasudev: When I first watched the show I was very nervous. Obviously, even prior to watching the show when I actually went through the experience of getting fired, I was very nervous. I didn’t know how it was going to affect me. You know, but I’ve gotten an outpouring of support from several fans and friends and family members.

I’ve got a lot of people running up to me, I live here in New York, and I have a lot of people who run up to me while I’m walking down the street who come and – who shake my hand. People have given me hugs. People have said things like, “I don’t see what you did – I don’t think what you did was so bad. If I was in your shoes, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”

People have just been so supportive that you know I’m so grateful to have fans like that. So, in terms of how it’s effected me, it’s – obviously it’s a downer to not be one of those two finalist and not make it further on the show. But the fact that I have so much support out there, it really makes me happy.

Daedrian McNaughton:    If this never happened, if you had not broken the rules, do you think you would’ve made it to the finals?

Anand Vasudev: I’m very confident and I think that in the – all the previous episodes, I think I showed America, just what I’m made of. I think it’s safe to say that, I would’ve definitely gone pretty far if I had not, gotten in trouble sending a text message. I would be very confident that with the Kim Kardashian task and then tonight’s task, and next week’s task, I know I defiantly could’ve been a force to be reckoned with.

But, that’s just not the way the cookie crumbled.

Daedrian McNaughton:    And who do you think will make it to the end?

Anand Vasudev: I think Mr. Trump has – he’s got his work cut out for him over the next few week. The remaining five contestants who are on the show, they’re all fantastic. I know Stephanie’s a real go-getter. I see a lot of myself in Stuart. He’s defiantly got that attitude and the drive to win. Clint is a workhorse. He’ll do anything it takes.  Brandy’s got the brains and the beauty.

I mean, I think that all of the candidates are fantastic. I mean, everyone brings something different to the table. It’s really hard to say you know, who’s the best candidate and who’s the most suited for the job, because I think all of them are so great in so many different ways.

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