After the jump, Traci Bingham, the winner of the first Surreal Life Fame Games, talks about the advantages she had over her competitors, rubber-chicken shots and why you should never estimate the power of a Bingham.

Congratulations!

Thank you. Thank you, thank you. I was beaming for, like, three weeks after we filmed [last year]. Everyone was like, "What is wrong with you?" and I couldn't tell anybody because we were under contract. I was running around in the dress we wore at the end of the show, in Vegas. I don't think anyone expected me to win. And once I heard the snickering, people talking about how I wasn't going to win, I said, "Oh yeah?" And here's my quote: Never, ever underestimate the power of a Bingham. Just when you think we're last, we kick ass and win.

It seemed like you really took the show to heart, like when you were upset about being on the B-list.

No one really knew the rules of the game when we first walked in the house. I was upset being on the B-list because I felt like when I was on a team with the B-lister people, no one seemed like they gave a s***. I wasn't used to hanging around with people who didn't give a s***. I'm an all-or-nothing type of gal. I don't half-ass anything. I'm a really great competitor.

Do you think that attitude was key to your success?

Yes. I thought of the show as an opportunity to not only have some fun, but to make some good, easy, fun money. But you had to work for it, and I don't think that anybody really got that. I don't think that anybody really realized that it was their opportunity to shine or their opportunity to show that they were different from the first seasons we were on. Nobody cared so I was like, "Yeah, I'm gonna care." And when I care about something and stay positive, I usually get my way.

Who was your stiffest competition?

I know that Rob really wanted to win because he as kicking butt all the way through. A few times he said he didn't care about winning, but his actions were saying, "Not only am I winning this, but I'm taking all of you down." And I love competitive spirit. I knew Pep wanted to win, because she envisioned it. She has this gift, she's kind of clairvoyant or psychic. She was seeing things or feeling things and maybe freaked out a few people.

Did Pep predict your victory?

I think in her mind, she saw a brown-skinned woman winning, so it was either her or me, because those are the only two brown women that I knew on that show.

What did you think of Rob's final freak-out, when he trashed the set?

I know he's a very boisterous, and, as they say, an angry man . But that day, when he did that, I had fear for the first time because of him, and that's when I ran over to hug Robin Leach. I saw the look in Robin's face, and I knew that he was freaked out, too, and that this was real. It was really weird to see that. It's like, you have a beautiful family, and you've got great money, you have a great career, people still love you…I think what set him off was that he felt set up, but it was a game. It was a game! I told everyone in the beginning that we can be all buddy-buddy and laugh and be friendly, but it's still a game, and there's going to come a time when we have to turn on each other. And I want you to know that if there comes a point where it's between you or me, it's gonna be me going ahead and turning on you because I want to win.

Even though you were fiercely competitive, it seemed like you were cool with everyone in the house, and there was a lot of drama amongst the others.

I like to think that I pretty much am a cool person. I may be in this business and have done very well for myself, but if I weren't in this business, I would still be a cool person. I think people are shocked when they meet me because I'm very sweet and outgoing. I'm very touchy-feely. I'm not a diva. But if you cross me or piss me off, you will see my ugly side.

Was Chyna Doll the person you bonded with most?

Definitely. I get her personality. She may get a bad rap for being Chyna and going through what she has in her life, but no one's perfect. I liked her also because, and you didn't see this on the show, but because of the stories she would tell about her life and all the horrible things that happened to her that I could relate to. I just instantly became her friend because we were on the B-list together. But we're friends to this day. I would do anything for her. We talk and text each other all the time.

It's a rubber-chicken shot reunion!

Absolutely. Everywhere I go, people are doing rubber-chicken shots. It's something that we're working on making an international thing. She and I made it up. She brought the chicken in, in with a huge bag of toys. We were bored, so I thought, "Let's get the chicken drunk." And we made a play out of it. It became our thing. "RCS" is our code name for "rubber-chicken shot." Sometimes, Chyna Doll will text me, "RCS" and I'll just start laughing.

What went down between you and Verne, when you shared the bed with him?

I never ever ever ever ever had sex with Verne Troyer. It never happened, it never would happen, it never will happen. Every night we were there, I would go in and visit him, whether we were on the B-list or the A-list, because a) he didn't want to be there, b) he was sick, and c) his wisdom teeth were coming in. I really felt bad for him, I just wanted to cheer him up. When I was talking about, "I wanna have a baby," I was talking about having a baby with my fiancee, not with Verne. But he's a sweet guy, I'd do anything for him. I crash in bed with all my friends and family. If you're hanging out, that's what you do. I didn't have sex, I never would. I wouldn't disrespect myself, my fiancé or him like that, especially in that manner on national television. So for all those people who thought I did, you're absolutely wrong. Besides, what hole would it fit in anyway?

Your nostril? You also had a really strong bond with Ron.

Love Ron. Ron Jeremy is so cool to me. I don't care what anyone says. I don't care for his porno, but, hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. He's just a really good friend. He's very intelligent and funny.

What did you do with the money you won from Surreal Life Fame Games?

Basically, it's in an investment banking account. I'm still deciding what I want to do with it. I have a bunch of ideas. I want to give some money to my brother who's terminally ill with cancer. Of course, I'm a girl, I have to shop. And I also want to give money to charity. But I didn't do the show for the money; I did it for the fun. I would have done it for free.

Tell me about what's coming up for you.

I'm going to be in a movie called Hanging in Hedo, which I shot in Jamaica with Judy Tenuda and Sherman Helmsley. I've got a new line of home décor, pillows, blankets, candles. Things like that. I'm working on a clothing line. I've got a TV series that's in development right now, it's a sitcom. And then I've got a possibly a lingerie line coming out. And there's a few shows that I'll be hosting. Things are going really well. I'm just enjoying my life right now.

Is fame all that it's cracked up to be?

That's a really hard question. What you see on TV is not what you get. Fame can feel good and be good if you do it the right way. You see Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton getting pulled over, getting DUIs, going to rehab, cutting off their hair, running around like crazy people. These are beautiful, wealthy, young women who can do anything they want and have everything they want, and they chose to mess up their lives by doing ridiculous things. OK, they're young, they're experimenting. That's what you do when you're young. But how much more do you have to keep destroying their bodies and their lives and their youths? They're going to start looking older than their parents if they continue doing that. So, is fame all that it's cracked up to be? It can be if you do it right, and if you respect yourself. Just do everything in moderation and then you can enjoy everything and anything you want in your life.

Comments

[Sharon]

You girl, you did very well. No one deserved it more than you.

PS: Ice is SICK! as far back as I can remember he has always turned to breaking things when he gets upset. He needs to join anger management class.

[Tad]

Traci i really dont think that you deserved to win at all. I started out liking you in the beginning of the show but as i kept watching i got more and more annoyed of you. When you had to go to the b list you were bitching and moaning all of the time. Saying oh i deserve so much more. And that just annoyed me the whole time. But the one thing that pissed me off the most was when you beat verne troyer at the back to reality game. The way you were all I had the lucky chip from the mayor and was jumping up and down. Verne Troyer is really the only true A lister that was on the show. Traci this is just another 15 seconds of fame for you. You are not A list material and never really will be

[Mic]

Personally I can't understand how Traci won this competition?! I never even heard of her and judging from the google game not many people have either. Basically, I feel she won because of the Golden Palace.net ad. And she obviously won that because of her t-shirt and boobs. I feel like I basically watch this show for no reason. They really should have let the viewers decide the winner. I bet the outcome would have been different.

[Sean]

I can't believe that I watched another reality show, I should have known by now there all fixed. The ? I have is who really is Traci Bingham, I never even knew she existed before this show. Her being a A-Lister isn't even close. This show has made my mind up for me no more wasting my time with reality shows. Thanks for wasting my time.

[Michele]

Out of all the people on the show, i think that tracy was the best "all around" person. The whole theme of the show was A list, and i think she she portrayed that role very well. She always had the will to do better and win. Some of the others seemed like they didn't care until it came down to the end. Rob was a contender but would let his anger get in the way of being rational. I think Rob got what he deserved, people w/ anger problems need to realize you can't get away w/ acting out in a violent way.

[Michele]

Tracy...you have a new fan!

[chickentooth]

This is absolutly disgusting. I've been watching the series from the start, and I understand the show's lighthearted poking fun at these celebrities. Still I thought the game would be fair. Whomever made the decision to let Kathy Griffin interview the last two contestants for 10 minutes and decide who should win was an absolute idiot. The producers are out of touch with their audience and should all be fired. These people should do us all a favor and go blow their heads off. Mark Cronin,Cris Abrego, Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, Alex Demyanenko, Kristen Kelly, Michael Hirschorn and any other executive producers for VH1 that had a hand in this horrible decision should ALL ROT IN HELL. I wish them all travesties in their lives, I hope they and their families all aquire very painful horrible diseases and suffer as much as I did watching this ending. I was so angry at the outcome of this show I almost smashed my TV, imagining it to be one of the faces of the people responsible for this decision. You smug little a**holes probably think it was so cute...IM HERE TO TELL YOU....YOU ALL SUCK!!

[Real Mature]

Rob Van Bratwinkle,
You should be real proud of your actions thru out this game. You are an immature,tantrum throwing child.
Trying to come off as a mature adult.A game is a game,so and I quote you"wipe your a*s with it"GROW UP you HAS BEEN.

[Deborah_DivaDeb]

I was shocked that Traci won! Ron you were the better player. Traci complained about being a B-lister, but that is exactly what she is; a B-lister. An A-lister does not display drunken behavior or wears fake jewelry. What a disappointing outcome. I think Traci won, because she would look better in the advertisements than Ron. Love you Ron!

[Pat]

Wow, I didn't realize this game was fixed unto the last scene with Kathy Griffin. I feel bad for Ron Jeremy, what a horrible way to be cheated. And who's idea was it to have her on the show? That ruined the entire ending, she's so annoying and her face is scary to look at.

[LaSexorcisto]

chickentooth: Why are you getting so worked up about a reality game show on VH1? Sheesh

Traci, not my favorite Surreal Lifer (I wanted Pep to win) but I'm just glad it wasn't Andrea or Vanilla Ice. I agree that having it come down to Kathy Griffin asking 5 questions was dumb. I thought they'd have one more episode with actual challenges. Did they run out of budget? Congrats to Traci, you're hot even if you're little too prissy.

[MEACHEE]

TRACI YOU DESERVE IT SO HELL WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK I'M GLAD VANIALA ICE DIDN'T GET IT I DON'T LIKE HIM YOU DESERVE IT YOU HAVE A GOOD SPIRIT.

[Empress]

I cannot believe that Traci won. She was slacker, depends on the other players a lot. Vanilla Ice was a strong competitor and they all knew it so they got rid of him. She was just lucky but she doesn't desrve any of this. I don't even think that she'll make it in A-List. I'll tell you one thing she is still a D-List material. No matter what, she got fake boobs for crying out loud, other than that what else does she have? nothing. not even a brain.

[Realator]

Oh brother! Whine and complain about this show? As far as I am concerned this show reflects how 'real' celebs are and how their lives are affected by others. Traci, I'm glad you won. I love Kathy Griffin and I'm glad she was on the show. And as far as Rob goes, now that's entertainment. Sure he's a jerk and now we all know. But what a performance. All you whiners out there, if you don't like the outcome then go back to American Idol where your vote does count! Waaaaaaaaaa!

[Cuchito]

Traci and Chyna were aaaaalways my favorites, i think traci is such a real person, honest and veeery funny !, she also took the competition seriously so thats why i think she should have won, and im happy she did !
besides.. think of the others... rob is an asshole, andrea is a bitch, verne is pure drama, pepa is ehmm i dont really have anything bad to say about her, well she is really boring, ron could have won aswell but hes a little stupid, mmm i think Traci fits perfectly as the winner
i just love her, and i love chyna too !
i just hope i can find a rubber chicken in chile ¬¬

[radicalred]

Rob's a big, whiny crybaby. He stomps his feet and throws his bitch-fits at the drop of a hat. He claims everyone disrespected him, but the truth is that he disrespected himself every time he threw one of his hissy fits. I'm glad he didn't win. It made me sick the way he attacked Ron. If the shoe was on the other foot, he'd have kicked Ron to the curb to save his own ass in the game. It was a GAME; it wasn't life or death. You called Ron a POS -- look in the mirror, has-been. There's not a bigger turd out there than you, ya wannabe rapper.

[angry viewier]

i cant believe that bimbo won one thing is that no one cares or even knows who she is, all she is is something to look at and if she didnt have big boobs and an ass she would be nothing and i think she is nothing except for a act she should of been off the show episodes ago. And then they let one of the MOST UNTALENTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD kathy griffin judge who she thinks should win, she shouldnt be allowed to even speak in public let alone judge a compitition thanks again to vh1 for another rigged reality show and thanks for wasting my time

Hint: fire your producers
RON IS THE MAN

[takeit2themat]

TRACI !!! I love you. I'm glad that you won. You're smart, beautiful, great sense of humor. "RCS" FOR ALL!! Haters don't hate the player, hate the game. I think you did exactly what was expected. Thanks for reminding everyone IT'S A GAME!! You are a true friend to the end. Chyna is very lucky. Best wishes with all you set out to do. I'll be watching.

[Fran]

I was so disappointed when Traci won. She is a whiny, corny drama queen. She was so fake on the show it made me gag. I guess Kathy picked the worse of 2 evils.

I had never heard of her before I saw her on this show and don't mind if I don't ever see her spoiled self again!

[what]

What do you guys mean it was rigged?

Was it not the luck of the draw? When Tracey won the commercial challenge, it sealed her fate to win.

I just wish Ron had handled things differently. I thought the show was good, I wanted it to be two hours.

And please bloggers do not discourage VH1 in anyway, the are turning out some of the best shows ever. I love this Channel. They got Charm School & New Celebrity Fit Club on the way!!

[chanty]

I love Traci, I am so glad she won! Even though she isn't the biggest name or the most well known, I think she was the best.

[Carol N.]

I think the whole ending was set up. The way Traci was dressed compared to Ron. That was a given right there. As far as Rob is concerned, if that was for real with a temper like that he would have punched Ron when he was in his face. Even the host Robin Leach stayed in place right along with the celebrities, there was no fear on their faces from anyone of them. If I was in a room and someone went crazy like that you know my butt would be off those seats and the hell out the way. It was fake. And how dare that snobby Traci think through out the show that she deserve it better than anyone else?

If VH1 has this next season I won't be watching.

[goblin]

I Found Free PlayBoy Girls, you need view this.
Absolutely FREE PlayBoy & Penthouse:

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[Heather Koschalk]

I don't think Traci should have won. There's something about her I don't like. Sorry that's just my opinion. I think Rob Van Winkle should have one the game.

People Rob was picked on a lot by the other cast members throughout the eniter show for example when Pepa called Rob a cheater in the one show when he was nodding his head. She shouldn't have said anything because Ron leaned over and gave Rob the answer. He didn't even know the answer himself. We saw the sweet side of him and the angry side. I'm sure everyone is like that at one point or another it's not him being a crybaby.

As for the last game if you watched the VSpot extras he said he only did it as a theatrical performance because he doesn't want his kids seeing that's how he deals with anger and that he wasn't really angry at Ron. I mean sure he was probably hurt at the beginning but after awhile he got over it. He also said that if he was really angry at Ron then he would have punched him in the face or something like that.

So please stop hating on Rob and I hope he comes back in future epesiods of The Surreal Life. I'd like to see him win.

[What the #&$)#&$)]

If Traci is an A list celebrity; then why the heck is she on this unreality show... Doesn't A list celebrities have money and don't need to do cheesy things like this...

Anyone but Traci should have won... LOSER!!!