Okay, Marissa may not win any Grammy's for her original song lyrics, but after watching last night's Exiled, I still say she deserves a pat on the back AND the title of "Most Improved." Here's a few of the many reasons why I think Marissa rocks:
+ She managed to stay calm, cool and collected despite having cow dung dripping from her feet.
+ She never complained, not even when she found out she'd be sleeping with poultry, balancing water jugs on her head, mopping with cow feces, slicing her finger open and getting made fun of for owning a bathing suit.
+ She found a way to make Mac & Cheese for her hosts despite not knowing the Indian words for "milk," "cheese" or "noodle."
+ She forgot all superficial concerns (high heels, skinny jeans, nonworking hair dryer) and focused all her energies on showing Pramila she was serious about wanting to change.
Do you guys agree that Marissa's trip was a total tranformation? Take another look at her Exiled diaries (and rewatch her Indian adventure!) Then tell us whether you think Marissa's still the same pouty princess who insisted on dyeing her dogs to match her dress on My Super Sweet 16.
Ex-Super Sweet 16er and self-proclaimed pink princess, Marissa, stepped out of her time/comfort zone on tonight's Exiled when she went showerless for five days, cozied up to bugs and made Mac-n-Cheese from scratch. Marissa's trip to India opened her eyes to how different things can be outside her swanky Scottsdale, AZ, home... and believe it or not, she's thankful for the opportunity to see beyond her bubble. Just check out Marissa's diary entries from the adventure:
THE NIGHT OF THE INTERVENTION
I just found out I’m going to India and I’m a little shocked. I know very little about India but I guess I am going to a little village in the jungle. I’m staying with a girl who is close to my age named Pramilla: I’m guessing it’s tiny, and from what my parents say, lots of bugs! Everyone knows I hate bugs. I understand that there may be no beds, showers or toilets. I might have to bathe in a river. Scary for sure. My parents don’t think I can do it, but I want to prove them wrong.
Read more...
If you questioned whether or not Marissa's Exiled adventure to India made an impression on her, just take a look at this song she wrote while she was there:
The world has many wonders
We could never understand
Looking for an answer
Or a friend to hold your hand
Two worlds that come together
Can somehow be so strange
But then you come together
And you find a brand new day
To live
To laugh
To love
To cry
We understand because we try
In this
Big world
We all seem small
But when
You’re close
The fears will fall
Looks like someone's life will be changed forever! Were you surprised to witness the profound effect India had on Marissa? Think it'll last?
Although the Exiled premiere is still five days away, the show -- much like the self-absorbed high schoolers it chronicles -- simply refuses to be ignored. And while the premise of sticking spoiled teens in poverty-stricken countries (without proms, iPods or hair dryers!) is innately appealing, it seems that three subjects in particular have the most to gain from the experience.
Below, a rundown of the My Super Sweet 16 alums we're most excited about, and the unscientific reasons we chose them.
First up: AVA
You Remember Her As: The girl who flew all the way to Paris to get a dress and then screamed at her (selfish!) mom/benefactor for having the audacity to contemplate a purchase of her own.
What She's Doing Now: Hitting the books. Currently, Ava's a sophomore in college, majoring in global studies and contemplating going the law school route.
Why Tune In?: Um, hello! What better candidate for international travel than a global studies major?? Besides, this is the gal who once tricked dad into footing her bills after mom canceled her credit card. And it's that combination of smarts and smug self-entitlement that will make her a standout.
Next up: MARISSA
You Remember Her As: The girl who rolled her eyes and screamed "DADDY!" when her father tried to negotiate a lower (but still insane) rate for her Sweet 16 party venue. (Shamed, Dad gave up and paid the $50,000 asking price).
What She's Doing Now: Embracing her inner rock star. The recent high school grad hit the road for the 2008 Warped Tour.
Why Tune In?: Um, this is the girl who changed her dress twice and burst into tears because she thought her party lacked star-power. Should be interesting to see how she deals with living somewhere without working plumbing, Gossip Girl or a shopping mall.
Last up: SIERRA
You Remember Her As: The daughter of Cee-Lo (from Gnarls Barkley) and, of course, the girl whose $200K bash (we're guesstimating) almost didn't happen because of a bad report card.
What She's Doing Now: Following in daddy's footsteps. Sierra's been hitting laying down tracks for her Cee-Lo's label and living large in Georgia.
Why Tune In?: This pampered princess could be the most out of her element this season. (Spoiler: She's the one who says " Why do I have to live with a tribe? Why can't I stay with rich people?" in the trailer).
+ Want more? Check out Ava, Marissa and Sierra's memorable My Super Sweet 16 episodes or read up on the rest of the Exiled cast-aways.
