TONY  "T.C."  STALLINGS:

   A N I M A L   P L A N E T'S   

KING OF THE JUNGLE

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                                              Video and photo courtesy of animal planet/discovery

Well, the whole process that lead to me being crowned as ANIMAL PLANET'S KING OF THE JUNGLE was amazing by itself, even before getting on the show. First, there was the video that I had to make. Everyone had to do a video submission saying why he or she should be accepted. I knew that I had to do something different than the thousands of people that would be applying so that I could stand out. So I went to the Louisville Zoo, and did my best to put together a video that would be like no other. With the help of David Spina (Louisville videographer for Football), I had a mind-blowing video that included me training goats, football, family, friends, and a tour of the zoo with me as the guide. The video definitely would stand out. Next, there was the more than 30 pages of application that asked question after question after question! I thought I would never finish it. The wanted to know your greatest achievement, biggest fear, have you ever killed anyone--that sort of thing. Then, there was the trip to the psychiatrist (mandatory), and to get blood tests (mandatory), and to get a physical (mandatory). Finally, I was done with the application process (took me THREE DAYS!!) , and mailed it all in.

Well now it was time for the hardest part of all...the long wait for a possible call. But that is just it--the wait was only OVERNIGHT! Animal Planet called me the very next evening and told me that I was being considered out of thousands of entries to be on the show. I could not believe this was happening so fast. After a few days went by,  I received another call saying I had made it to the top 25, and at this point I should go and get a passport immediately. Man, things were really getting serious now! So I went and got my passport. The next day, I was told that in a couple of days, the final 12 will be selected. The AP Network flew in to Louisville the next day for an up close and personal interview with me, which was the last test that I had to pass. After the interview, the woman shook my hand and simply said "we'll let you know soon". About two days later, Animal Planet called and informed me that I would be one of the final twelve chosen for season two of Animal Planet's King of the Jungle. I ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.  What started off feeling like a long shot, became a reality in just a week. The next day, I recieved my final instructions in the mail about the filming location, contract, penalty for leaking information ($5,000,000 fine for revealing show info!),  what to bring and what not to bring (we could not have any electronics, diaries, magazines, cameras, logo clothes, or too many clothes), and also given my flight information. I was officially on my way to the Jungle!  And after a GRUELING 13 weeks (physically and emotionally) , I was declared the winner. Then as a reward for my efforts, was flown to Australia in which I filmed my own show on Animal Planet!