From Underdog to Jungle Queen: Concetta Caristo’s Unlikely Triumph on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
When comedian and Triple J Breakfast host Concetta Caristo stepped into the South African jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, she candidly acknowledged her position as the underdog. Surrounded by a constellation of international and local celebrities, including Barry Williams, Rachel Hunter, Gary Sweet, and Rebekah Elmaloglou, Concetta was acutely aware that many of her fellow campmates might not know her name.
“I was like, ‘I am the least famous person here’,” Concetta confessed with a chuckle. “I’m the person that everyone will be like, ‘who?’ and I’m okay being that. I never expect anyone to know me. I’m just happy to be there.”
Despite a growing fan base cultivated through her stand-up comedy and her popular radio gig, I’m A Celebrity has undoubtedly introduced Concetta to an entirely new legion of admirers. Less than 24 hours after being crowned the winner, the bubbly radio personality is still processing the monumental win.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” she exclaimed. “My favourite part is when young girls and little kids are talking to me and get excited to see me. It’s the most bizarre feeling in the world. I’m just a normal girl and I’ve got little kids being like ‘I love you’. I don’t even know how to explain that feeling. It’s a privilege. It’s so beautiful to have an impact on anyone, let alone young people.”
Championing a Cause Close to Her Heart
Concetta entered the jungle as a representative for Full Stop Australia, a vital charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by sexual, domestic, and family violence. This cause is deeply personal for Concetta, stemming from her own experiences escaping a violent situation in her youth. While she admitted to feeling a significant degree of nervousness about sharing such a vulnerable part of her life with a national audience, she has emerged from the experience proud of her openness and the connection it fostered with the public.
“There is definitely anxiety when you go sharing parts of your life like this. You get worried about how you’ll say it, if you’re missing something or whether something will be taken the wrong way — especially on a show that is edited,” she explained.
The Power of Vulnerability
Concetta elaborated on the internal conflict she faced:
- The constant undercurrent of anxiety about how her story would be perceived.
- The fear of miscommunication or misinterpretation due to the show’s editing process.
However, the potential positive impact far outweighed her fears. “But what I’ve learned is that if someone can see that [domestic violence] can happen to anyone, or if someone feels less alone, if someone feels like they can reach out for help, that is the reason to do it. It is something worth doing. It is something worth fighting for.”
The overwhelming public support and the victory, which secured significant funds for Full Stop Australia, have reinforced her commitment. “So to go through this journey, and then for people to affirm that in the highest way — which is winning and winning this money for Full Stop Australia — I think it definitely strengthens me to keep going and advocating, 100 per cent.”
An Inner Journey Amidst the Jungle Chaos
Beyond the public-facing advocacy, Concetta’s time in the jungle provided an unexpected sanctuary for introspection. With the usual distractions of everyday life absent, she found herself with ample opportunity to confront her own internal struggles.
“My self-critic has been really strong my whole life. In my life and in my career, I’m so positive. I build people up. I love to make people feel happy. I know they deserve that, but I really wasn’t doing it for myself for a very long time,” she admitted, her voice thick with emotion.
The enforced quietude led to profound self-discovery:
- The necessity of confronting her own thoughts without external noise.
- The critical examination of her self-worth and the timing of believing in her own sufficiency.
- The challenge of learning to back herself, rather than solely focusing on uplifting others.
Forging Lifelong Bonds
As Concetta looks towards the future, she is brimming with excitement. This optimism stems not only from the promising career opportunities that undoubtedly lie ahead but also from the deep, nourishing friendships she cultivated during her time in the jungle.
“In the jungle, you are trauma bonding. You’re fast-forwarding friendship. You’re spending time together in a way you never would on the outside. It’s not normal, right?” she laughed.
She described the unique camaraderie forged under pressure:
- The constant shared experience of being outdoors, fostering open and revealing conversations.
- The formation of unbreakable connections that transcend typical social interactions.
- The certainty of having true friends she can rely on, with a firm intention to maintain these relationships.
Concetta expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected connections made. “I still can’t believe how lucky I am to connect with these people I never would’ve connected with in my life in any other way.” Her journey from the perceived “least famous” to a beloved jungle queen is a testament to her authenticity, her resilience, and her ability to win over the hearts of the nation.
