In an exclusive chat with Distractify, Danny from Claim to Fame opened up about his time on the show, sharing insights into his experience and revealing details about his famous relative. Although Danny didn't take home the top prize, his journey was filled with memorable moments and strategic gameplay.
Source: Disney/Erica Hernandez
Unmasking the Mystery
For most of Season 3 of Claim to Fame, Danny skillfully kept his celebrity relative a secret. While some contestants had their guesses about his connection, Danny managed to stay under the radar longer than many expected. It wasn’t until the August 14 episode that his famous relative was revealed—none other than the Grammy-winning artist Marc Anthony.
Danny’s attempts to mislead and the strategic maneuvers were part of what made the season engaging. During a game of "Two Truths and a Lie," Danny provided clues that hinted at his connection to a Grammy winner and pro wrestler, which threw off many of his fellow contestants.
Source: Disney/Chris Willard
Exclusive Interview Insights
Following his elimination, Danny, whose real name is Nael Zayas, spoke candidly about his experience on the show. Here are some highlights from our exclusive interview:
Q: What was your reaction when your guess for Mackenzie's relative and Shane’s guess were incorrect?
A: "I had no regrets. I felt like we did what we could in the time that we had. Super appreciative to my boy Shane for even showing me the clue and brainstorming with me about who it could be."
Q: Who did you think had the best chance of winning the season?
A: "Since it wasn’t going to be me, I think Shane has enough influence in the house to take it to the chip. There are some whispers about who your relative is, but no one really catches on."
Q: Did Marc Anthony offer any advice for your Claim to Fame experience?
A: "He’s always told me to just be myself and to let everything come to me."
Q: Do you share any musical talents with your uncle?
A: "Besides loving music, I don’t actually dabble in the musical arts. But who knows, maybe I’ll drop a [Claim to Fame] greatest hits album."
Q: Why did you choose to use a different name on the show?
A: "My name is riddled throughout my family and I felt like if I used my real name I would be figured out sooner with the internet sleuths. I also didn’t want to expose my nationality in the house."
Q: Who are you still in touch with from the show?
A: "I keep in touch with everyone; that’s family. Especially after experiencing this together, we’re embedded in each other’s algorithms."
Q: Why do you think Adam is succeeding in hiding his relative?
A: "Adam is playing the game as best as he can. We might not like the way he’s playing it, but somehow it’s working out for him. I can’t knock his game. I just hope it keeps working."
Q: What was the most challenging part of being on Claim to Fame?
A: "The hours are exhausting. Just staring at the wall and trying to piece clues together every day is mind-boggling. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. It was a beautiful experience with a lot of beautifully talented people, and I think we made good TV."
Catch Danny’s full story and see more of Claim to Fame every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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