CBB Exclusive: Up close and (very) personal with Michelle Deighton and Jonny Fairplay

Michelle Deighton is more than just another pretty face. As one of the contestants on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 4, Michelle, 22, a wrestler turned model, impressed judges with her versatility and natural beauty. Sure, she came down with a bout of impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that sent the other models scampering. True, she came out as being bisexual on the show. And she just happens to be engaged to Jon Dalton (aka Jonny Fairplay), 33, the guy you loved to hate on Survivor: Pearl Islands.

Put all of your preconceived notions to the side. Michelle and Jonny are just like you and me. Except much cooler. Now awaiting the birth of daughter Piper Addison, due January 26th, the newly engaged couple sat down exclusively with CBB to talk about babies, bisexuality and being on reality TV.

Click below for the photos and interview.

Photography: Gabbeli Photography (www.gabbeliphotography.com)

Hair and Makeup: Douglas Martucci

Where did you both grow up?

Jonny: I grew up in Danville, Virginia. I split my time between L.A. and Danville. Before Survivor, I was in L.A. working as a senior art consultant in a gallery. I love art, and I was doing really well.

One day, a casting director for Survivor approached me and asked if I wanted to be in the show, and I said, “No.” I wound up doing it anyway, and then I became the biggest bad guy in reality TV.

Michelle: I grew up in Indiana. Since I was 14, I had always wanted to model. After I graduated from high school, a casting director saw my photo, and asked me to apply for ‘America’s Next Top Model.’ I had no clue what it was; I had never watched the show.

To sum it up: On ‘ANTM,’ I cried a lot, came out as being bisexual, moved to L.A., and then met this boy!

How did you two crazy kids meet?

Michelle: We met filming ‘Camp Reality’ on the Fox Reality Channel in September 2005. He was one of the first people I met when I came to L.A. We kept bumping into each other. We’ve been together ever since.

Jonny, how do you feel about being the most hated guy on reality TV?

Jonny: I love it. I ran with the bad guy image for awhile. Then Jewel ruined it when she said that I was so sweet when we were both on ‘Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge!’ Now I’m the good guy!

I’ll probably do that for another five years and then change it up again. I always knew I’d be on TV; I just didn’t know how. And I got famous for just being myself.

You know we have to talk about the dead grandma incident, right?

Jonny: ‘Survivor: Pearl Islands’ was a great launch pad for me. The whole dead grandma thing was funny; my parents thought it was hysterical.

Since then, I’ve done 40 reality shows, like ‘Celebrity Reality Fear Factor,’ ‘Celebrity Poker Showdown’…the list goes on and on. Plus, I have the greatest chick on the planet next to me. I can’t ask for more.

Michelle, how was the experience of being on America’s Next Top Model?

Michelle: I was so stressed out and homesick when I did ‘ANTM,’ and what everyone saw on TV was me adjusting to feeling so alone.

There was a lot of stress from doing the shoots and going through the eliminations. And in the middle of all that stress, that’s when I came out as being bisexual.

How did people react to that?

Michelle: It wasn’t my intention of coming out. It was such a relief, though. I felt like I couldn’t be myself, like I was hiding a deep, dark secret.

I received a lot of encouragement and support from fans, friends and family. A lot of people have responded positively to it. Jon likes it!

Is it true that you didn’t even know you were pregnant?

Michelle: No, I didn’t realize I was pregnant until I was four months along. I thought the birth control shot [Depo-Provera] was the greatest thing ever! It’s not! It didn’t work at all, and I fell into that percent of people who can still become pregnant on it. (CBB note: 3 in 1000 women a year become pregnant with perfect use of the shot.)

When I went to the doctor, I told him that I had been having symptoms. Some were associated with getting the shot, and some weren’t. He checked me and said, “Well, you’re pregnant!” I almost fell off the table! I made him do a whole bunch of blood tests to be sure.

At this point, Jon was in LA, and I didn’t want to tell him over the phone. So I waited for him to come back home. As we were loading the luggage into the car, I told him.

What was your reaction?

Jonny: I went looking for the plane I just got off of.

Michelle: It took him a week to get used to the idea. And then he bought a lot of pregnancy books. He’s been reading ‘What to Expect The First Year.’

How has the pregnancy been?

Michelle: The pregnancy has been perfect. Every pregnant woman hates me! I’ve never had morning sickness; I only gained 3-4 pounds in the first trimester. Apart from a kick to the ribs once in a while and my ankles getting a little swollen, it’s been a breeze.

Now you’re expecting a baby girl, Piper Addison, due January 26th.

Jonny: Yes. At first, I wanted a boy so I could play sports with him. But then I thought, “No one is going to let me coach a Little League team.”

Michelle: Anyway, Jon took jazz dance in high school so he’s ready for a girl!

Jonny: Oh, why did you have to mention that?!

Michelle: I think parenthood will be easy. I come from a large family, so I grew up babysitting. In the beginning, it will be a big adjustment, but after that, it’ll be fine. I know that he’ll be a good daddy.

I’m sure when there are no cameras around he’s the sweetest thing.

Michelle: He tries! He does treat me very well. Since the pregnancy, he makes sure that I eat my veggies, which is cute.

What do you both have going on now?

Michelle: It’s all about Piper right now! After she’s born, I plan on getting back into shape as soon as possible and return to modeling.

I also plan on continuing my studies. I am interested in behavioral profiling. Jon was always worried about why I was reading about serial killers, but I’m going to school for it!

Jonny: Our schedules are pretty full right now. The biggest thing is that I’ll be on ‘Survivor Micronesia: Fans Vs. Favorites,’ which airs February 7th on CBS. I’m just as smart as I was last time.

Did you win?

Jonny: I can’t say. What I can say is for everyone to tune into the show! I am very happy with how I did. I lost even more weight this time than last time!

Another big project is that we’re working on getting a show about me, Michelle and little Piper. We’re crazy people, so it should be a lot of fun and make for good TV! Two networks are interested in it right now. If things go as planned, keep an eye out for it in the summertime.

How do you feel about bringing Piper into reality TV?

Michelle: We’ll definitely wait until she’s older to see some of our antics! But I think if there’s a camera around occasionally, that would be fine. After all, with reality star parents, there’s a good chance she’ll love it!

Jonny: Besides, I think we’ll always do reality TV. I loved doing ‘Survivor Micronesia: Fans Vs. Favorites.’

So, no dead grandmas this time?

Jonny: Oh, I can’t promise that.

For more information on Jonny and Michelle, you can visit their MySpace pages:

www.myspace.com/glamazon1
www.myspace.com/dqfairplay

You can find out more about Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs Favorites here.