Matt Klitscher
Musical star Nick Afoa has wowed us with his humble nature and incredible strength on Celebrity Treasure Island, but it was a bumblebee that spurred him on to beat Lotto presenter and former decathlete Jordan Vandermade in an elimination challenge.
In an awe-inspiring endurance test that sent Jordan, 36, home, the two fitness fans balanced on narrow pegs and held ropes for an incredible two hours and 15 minutes, much to the amazement of everyone in Nick’s new team Torohā and former squad Kārearea.
“There were moments I couldn’t feel my feet – the pain was just numb,” says Nick, 37. He was close to giving up until the insect suddenly appeared near his face. Luckily, it was a bumblebee and not a spider.
“I hate spiders,” he admits.
The bee was the sign Nick needed. “My wife and I have had a few really strong moments in our past where things have shown up to remind us that God is with us. “This might sound weird, but a bee has shown up at the right time. Something clicked in and I just got to this place. My wife, my son and my daughter, they’re going to be proud.”
Wife Josslynn and daughter Fetuilelagi are the reason Nick’s on CTI.
Nick’s family means everything to him and they’re the reason he’s on Celebrity Treasure Island, competing for charity Buttabean Motivation. The singer met South African-born wife Josslynn 10 years ago when they both starred in The Lion King in their debut professional roles.
“We met in Australia,” he shares. “She played Nala to my Simba. When we met, it was a really different situation. We had to work through a lot of things from our previous lives and relationships.”
He went on to star in The Lion King on London’s West End, while Josslynn, 33, was cast as Nala in Germany.
“We were doing long-distance and there were moments where she couldn’t come into the country because of visa things, so there was a lot of distance and time. It’s only in the past two years that we’ve really felt like we could start to build our foundation – and then baby came along.”
The past few years have brought ups and downs for Nick.
Nick and Josslynn’s angelic, chubby-cheeked daughter Fetuilelagi, which means “star in the heavens” in Samoan, is now 18 months old and the couple also have a son, Daniel Leigh, 18.
The past few years have brought ups and downs. When Nick spoke to Woman’s Day just before going into the CTI camp, he revealed he struggles with his star status and what it means.
“A celebrity is supposed to be rich. A celebrity is supposed to be famous. I can walk down streets in Auckland and people don’t know who I am.
“I am definitely not rich. I am starting my life again with my wife and my baby. Financially, it’s been tough, but I feel joy. I have less money, but I am happier. When Covid hit, we were in the London lockdown and the theatre scene shut down.
“We got back to New Zealand right before the border closed and had to start again. I had all these ideas of how I was going to be and what I was going to do, but every day you’ve got to be adaptable. It tests and challenges you, and brings you closer to your partner. It’s tough for Josslynn because she’s away from her family.
“I’m just trying to do what’s best for my family”.
“She’s had our baby without her mum around and baby hasn’t met those grandparents. I’m just trying to do what’s best for my family. If I make enough money to take my family to South Africa so my wife can see her family and my daughter can meet them, that’s awesome for me.”
Nick grew up with four younger sisters, singing in his church choir in Māngere, South Auckland. The talented young rugby star went to King’s College on a sports scholarship and played in the winning New Zealand under-19 World Cup team in South Africa in 2004. He was also part of Auckland Rugby’s high-performance unit until a torn ACL dashed his rugby hopes.
“I had that dream of being an All Black, like all young rugby players. I got injured when I was 23 and I couldn’t play again. I’ve always been passionate about community, so I got a social sciences degree and became a youth counsellor.
“The singing and performing were always there, but it was never going to be my career. But I did always have that dream. I love the Simba story and what that narrative represents, so I decided to go for it.”
A former fitness trainer, Nick is flying through the challenges, but it was an epic battle of wills when he faced off with Jordan (right) in an elimination challenge.
Nick was working as a fitness trainer at F45 just before CTI, but now, in a circle-of-life moment, he’s performing again. He stars in the recently released movie Mysterious Ways and has spent the past few months in Sydney on stage in Miss Saigon.
“Being back on stage has been a great part of my evolution as an artist,” tells Nick. “I’m grateful that I have a skill set in theatrical arts. I feel at home there. But it’s a home away from home. It doesn’t consume my life.
“Every time I come back to the stage, I’ve lived a bit. There are crossroads, setbacks and blessings. I get to bring a humanity to the character that hopefully connects with the viewer.”
Celebrity Treasure Island screens 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ 2.
