By Samantha R Evensen
Local residents have raced, danced, cooked, sang and inspired us through national television on Reality Shows. We tried to catch up with some of our local reality stars, let us know if we missed any at editor@ospreyobserver.com.
After Amazing Race, Kleinschmidt Returns To Open Anytime Fitness
Brian Kleinschmidt, Riverview resident, from season 15 of the Amazing Race, has had his share of success after the show. “Being on Amazing Race, traveling all over the world, has brought me back right where I started and I couldn’t be happier,” says Brian. It was always a goal for him in life to help others, and by opening his gym, Anytime Fitness in Riverview, he has succeeded. Since the show, Brian has a new teammate who has really helped in giving him a whole new life. “I get to work beside my best friend every single day and we get to reshape the minds and bodies of the world,” and he hopes to continue motivating anyone who walks through his gym doors.
He’s recently celebrated the one-year opening of his first gym and in the next year or so he’s looking forward to expanding his business in the area. Anytime Fitness is located at Bloomingdale and Providence, call 813-ANY-TIME.
MTV Award-Winning Hip Hop Dancer Heads To College
Valrico resident Alyssa Sikand had the opportunity to pursue her dreams on MTVs Made. Her experience on the show has helped her to see her true potential and has given her a newfound courage and motivation. Alyssa has seen for herself that she can accomplish anything, and she also wants to encourage others to do the same. Since the show, she continues working with children at Kids ‘R’ Kids Circa FishHawk and is now attending classes at HCC. Her future plans are to finish college and acquire a teaching degree so that she can help children with special needs.
Top Chef Returns Home Often For Rolling Pin Classes
Riverview resident and Season 9 Top Chef contestent Richie Farina keeps coming home to share his skills with his community. Since the show has catapulted his career, he is now a resident of Chicago and works for Moto, a restaurant dedicated to avant-garde cuisine. He started out as the sous chef, then became Chef de Cuisine and created 26 new items for their menu. In the near future, Richie hopes that he’ll be able to acquire three Michelin stars for Moto.
He also has plans to return to his hometown on Thursday, November 15, at 6:15 p.m., for a new and unique cooking class at the Rolling Pin Emporium.
For more information about the cooking classes offered call 653-2418 or e-mail info@rollingpinonline.com or visit www.rollingpinonline.
Rosado Still Singing Locally After American Idol Finals
Jeremy Rosado, from Valrico, appeared on season 11 of American Idol. Since the show, Jeremy has made several television appearances including Live with Kelly, the Today Show and Good Morning America.
When he’s not on television or doing interviews, Jeremy takes an active roll in giving back to his community. He’s really making an effort in supporting his hometown, just like his fans have supported him. According to the young star, American Idol has changed him a lot. “I grew up” he said. “This experience has really helped me to mature.” He has had the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue his love for music and a chance to share that love with the rest of the world. He loves what he does and he wants nothing more than to give the gift of music back to all his fans. For more information on Jeremy, visit his website at JeremyRosado.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter (@JRosadoAI11).
Escape Routes Siblings Return Home & Go On Air On The Daily Buzz
How about Valrico siblings, Sharon and Wilson Montero, who appeared on the first season of NBC’s reality show Escape Routes? Since then, Wilson, aka Big Will Steel, is happy to be back in his hometown with his family. Will is a selfproclaimed boxing junkie, boxer and boxing trainer, “holding it down like only Big Will Steel can,” he said.
As for his sister, radio personality Sharon Wilson, aka LaLoca, has been testing the waters and seeing where she wants to go. According to Sharon, she is still cultivating her career in radio, but in the meantime; has been working freelance gigs including a job as an event host for Red Bull and a fill-in newscaster for the Daily Buzz. Being on the show has taught them that they can accomplish any challenge that’s set before them, and Sharon claims she would do it again in a heartbeat if she had the opportunity.
Dancer Pursuing Hollywood Dreams With Glee, Disney, Movies…
Former Florida resident Ricky Jaime appeared on season eight of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). Now he’s traveling around the world doing the one thing that he’s most passionate about. Dancing from a young age, he realized it was what he wanted to be doing for the rest of his life. With the love and motivation of his family, he auditioned for SYTYCD and made it all the way to the top six of the dancing competition. He’s recently performed on the set of Dancing with the Stars for the Macy’s Stars of Dance on October 2, and has appeared in several other televised performances, including those on Glee and Bunheads. A movie coming out in the summer of 2013,
Disney’s Teen Beach Movie will also have Ricky dancing in it. If you want to continue keeping up with Ricky, you can follow him on Twitter @D8Ricky.
