‘It really was worth it’: Concetta Caristo on the bravery of speaking out – and those dating rumours

On Sunday night, Triple J host and comedian Concetta Caristo was crowned Queen of the Jungle in Network Ten’s reality show I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! She beat actor Gary Sweet and former “BookTok guy” Luke Bateman in a public vote, winning $100,000 for the charity Full Stop Australia. Fresh from her win, Caristo spoke to national TV editor Louise Rugendyke about her time in the African jungle, about the difficulty of sharing her story and who she would take camping in real life (hint: he reads books).

Congratulations Concetta! Did you really only find out on Sunday night, when you were watching it with most of the cast, that you had won?

Not a clue. Louise, I’m telling you, I was the most shocked in the room.

The final episode was very moving, where you were all reunited with your families. What was it like seeing your mum, Marlene, after four weeks apart?

I just couldn’t picture my mum being there. It felt too big a crazy idea that I couldn’t even entertain it. Do you know what they said to me? They said, “Oh, go outside. There’s an interview, something’s happening.” They didn’t tell me. I’m one of the most gullible girls in the world, so I really need you to know it was the biggest shock of my entire life. Then it felt so amazing. It just hit me of how special it was, how much it meant that she could see what I was here doing, sharing a story, a deeply personal story of ours, fighting for a charity [Full Stop Australia, which supports those affected by domestic, physical and sexual assault] that is deeply personal to me and mum. I couldn’t be more grateful for it happening.

You were so open through the series about the difficulties you, your mum and your sister have been through with domestic violence. I hate to use the word the brave, especially when talking about reality TV, but it was really brave of you to do that. Did you at any point think, “No, I can’t do this”?

One hundred per cent. I talk about this with my mum a lot. Speaking about it, it makes you filled with anxiety. There’s part of you [that feels like it’s] something that you’d like to keep secret forever, and you’re so used to not sharing it, and feeling guilt, feeling shame, all that kind of stuff. It makes you very vulnerable speaking about it. And then coming on this show, speaking about it to strangers, speaking about it to celebrities, not knowing how it was going to be edited, there was so much fear for me.

And I did try and just affirm myself with like, “All I can do is share what happened to me. All I can do is share my perspective, my truth. I’m allowed to do that”, and it is, ultimately, helpful and good thing to do if it allows others to do the same.

And also I was very lucky to have beautiful friends around me, like Nath [Valvo], people being the most kind and supportive and affirming, [saying] “You are helping people.” And also behind the camera, too. Everyone around me made me feel really safe. So I would feel those feelings, and then I would try and move on. And then something like this [win] happens, and I go, “OK, it really was worth it, you know, to keep going.”

What made you say yes to going on the show?

I was really excited. It was a show that it was in my head, where I’m like, “I would love to do a show like that.” I just felt I would suit it. And also the timing [helped]. I had just ended a relationship, and I just moved, and I was just making choices in my life, and it just felt like, “Oh, I’m supposed to do this.” I felt a little bit of anxiety, what will people think, what will it be like to be in reality, but I then I thought, “F— it. Let’s go.” And it was the best thing, and the best experience.

You said on the show that the experience really cracks you open. How did it do that for you?

Because you’re away from your friends, family, the phone, from food, from music. I was away from literally anything I would use as some sort of coping [mechanism]. I have Seinfeld on every day in the background, things that you don’t realise you’re relying on non-stop. So you’re stripped bare bones, and then you’re also stuck with boredom, right? You’re not doing anything. And the best part is, you’re surrounded by a bunch of people, and you get to know these people. This is what, I believe, is a big part of it, it’s making these connections, finding out about these people. What else are you gonna do? Stare at your belly button every day? You can’t. You must be curious. And I love that part.

Also, I think the most surprising thing was what [was] uncovered for me in my thoughts. I’d had this self-critic, I could sometimes be positive, but being out there, [the self-criticism] really reared its head. And you’re with a bunch of new people who don’t know you. But, ultimately, getting through that [self-criticism] and sitting with the thoughts and having the people around me to be like, “Why? Why am I being so mean [to myself]? Why can’t I start to love myself?” So pushing through that, and being a lot kinder to myself, that was what I wasn’t expecting.

You formed some really close bonds in the jungle, and I particularly loved your friendship with former AFL star Dyson Heppell. I’m guessing he’s not the kind of person you would have ever met in your regular life.

He was the first person I saw, him and Gary Sweet. I went, “OK, sportsperson. I’ve never heard of you, never seen you” and now he’s someone that I pictured being there until the end with. If people wondered why I was crying [when Heppell was up for elimination], all we had was each other. And the people that you really connected with, they’re the people you’re excited to spend another day with, talk about, react to things, do things. He was always up for everything. He said yes to everything. That’s the kind of person I want to be, saying yes.

What was the worst trial?

That first trial, where they buried me and added water. I’m telling you, it was two of my worst fears put together. They cut stuff out of it, I was in there for so long. I was losing my mind. I thought I was literally gonna have to say the words [I’m a celebrity, get me out of here!], but I just pushed through and dug deep. But that was the most scared I’d ever been.

Out of all of your camp mates, who would take camping in real life?

I reckon Luke [Bateman]. Because he can make a fire.

With Luke, I’m sure you’re aware of all the chat online, about how people think you would make a nice couple. Anything you want to add?

Oh, I know, it’s pretty beautiful [all the chat]. We’re just very good friends, and I have nothing crazy to report. We’re not married. He lives so far away [in Toowoomba in Queensland]. It’s just cool to see people respond so much to this friendship. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever experienced, people perceiving this thing and wondering and even being asked questions like this. I don’t know. I don’t know what to say …

I was wondering if Gary felt like a bit of a third wheel there on the last night, with you and Luke…

That’s so funny [laughing].

Did you watch the show? What was that experience like seeing so much of yourself on screen?

It was truly surreal, seeing your face, seeing these things happen in your life being played back at you is insane. But at the same time, it felt beautiful. You know, when you look back at your photo reel, and you go, “Oh my god, remember that moment?” That’s what it was like.

I thought you looked amazing. My daughter through you were great. For someone existing on a diet of offal, rice and beans, your hair and skin looked so shiny.

That is such a nice compliment. I literally was like, spinning out – again, that critic thing – you know, “You look rough.” So I couldn’t believe people being like, “You’re so beautiful.” I’m like, “Oh my god, girl, like, love yourself, you’re beautiful.”

A big part of the show is the disgusting food challenges. Can you talk me through the pig’s penis that you had to eat?

It was rubbery as hell. And if I may say, I actually think it’s one of the best things to eat because looking at Dyson eat that bull’s ball [testicle], give me the pig’s penis every day of the week. I love the gristly parts of meat, so the worst part was actually the smell. Oh, honey, the smell has you vomiting before you even put anything in your mouth. So I was just trying to breathe, not through my nose, but through my mouth.

What was the first thing you ate when got to the hotel after filming had finished?

Tim Tams, of course. My favourite, the best biscuit in the world.

I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! is now streaming on 10Play.

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