Lotto presenter and rugby commentator Jordan Vandermade admits it was tough leaving his one-year-old daughter Quincy to join the cast of Celebrity Treasure Island, but his partner Bianca Ikinofo gave him the push he needed.
“She was like, ‘You asked for this to happen and now it’s come along, you can’t say no!'” chuckles Jordan. “I’m very fortunate she makes those moments easier. She’s so supportive and she knew
what it means for me.”
In fact, being a new dad helped the former decathlete and Junior Māori Sportsperson of the Year endure the gruelling TV competition.
“In a weird sense, Quincy has prepared me for CTI, with the lack of sleep, always being tired and the stresses of being a parent,” he says. “She’s one of the reasons I’m doing this. I want to make her proud.”
The star’s making Bianca and daughter Quincy proud.
Jordan, 36, met Bianca – a choreographer and dancer who has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna – seven years ago when she returned from a residency in Las Vegas. With Bianca working in dance and Jordan in TV, they were used to working contract-to-contract and not planning too far ahead. Baby Quincy was an unexpected blessing for the career-driven couple.
“It wasn’t like Bianca and I were planning to have a baby,” confesses Jordan. “Bubba was totally unplanned, but she’s the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. Both of us realised it was the right time that the universe put this beautiful little girl in our lives.”
While he’s over the moon about being a dad, Quincy has definitely changed Jordan’s outlook and priorities.
“I was an only child, then I did athletics, then presenting. Everything I’ve done is just me and it’s my responsibility how it goes. I controlled every part of my life, so I’ve had to understand this is my life now.”
Jordan and Bianca, 32, are committed to sharing the parenting load so they can both still achieve their career dreams. They’ve also relocated from Auckland to Hamilton to live with Bianca’s parents.
“We’ve got a great support system around us with Bianca’s parents and my parents – she’s a first grand-child for both families,” explains Jordan. “And I love watching Bianca with Quincy. The effort it takes to carry a beautiful baby in the world, it’s no joke. I’m in awe of it all. I accept the ace card that she holds now!”
Celebrity Treasure Island screens 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ 2.
