Like other finalists, Frankie's shocked by what went on in the boardroom |
TV Guide: What was your first thought when you found out that there would be a final four?
Frank Lombardi: I believed that once that task was done with, it was going to come down to each individual, and he was going to make us debate amongst ourselves, see what we had, and at the end of the day see who really was most qualified for the job, or wanted it the most.
TVG: So you were preparing for a big debate.
FL: Yeah! Instead he ended up going back to the last task, and eliminating two people, which was [one option]. He could have fired one from each team, and have a final two battle it out, since they said at the beginning that both commercials were okay, and they had no objections.
TVG: Do you think that if he was going to fire you and Nicole based on your commercial, that maybe he should have done that before the finale, at that last task, rather than make you sweat it out for almost a year?
FL: Exactly. If this was the case he could have done it a year ago and it wouldn’t have affected my business and everything else as much. Everything was really up in the air and I had to hold off on a lot of projects. It was a big sacrifice.
TVG: Nicole was saying that this whole video business was brought up before, and sorted out beforehand.
FL: We went back and forth in the boardroom, which they cut out of the last episode. The finale, the way it went down was almost like it was planned. The son and the daughter did not like the final product, so basically that was it. Listen, that’s fine, but Nicole and I just said, they could have done it a year ago in the boardroom and we could have gone on with our lives.
TVG: Do you think the video was an excuse to get rid of you at the point? There was no audience poll or reaction measure, they said it was on par with the other team, but then all of a sudden it wasn’t, and boom, you guys were fired.
FL: [Laughs.] Yeah, that’s exactly how it went down. You know, I really believe at the end of the day, it’s a show, and all four of us were different candidates, each unique in our own way. And I believe it plays into who they were looking for and who they want to market. Really, even with James and Stefanie, how do you pick between the two of them? Throughout the whole season they were side by side. They never separated. I showed Mr. Trump that I can be a leader. I thought that meant a lot, even going into the last task, where you want to set yourself apart. Stefanie and James are both great, and Stefanie deserves the job, but I would expect one person to set themselves apart.
TVG: Which seemed difficult to do, having a final four all from Arrow…
FL: Arrow was like murder. I was even trying to explain to Mr. Trump — which I didn’t get a chance to at that point — I picked that team from day one. And 17 of his candidates picked me to lead them into this interview process. That says something about a person. I have a tremendous amount of creativity, vision, foresight. That’s just me as an individual. We got off to a rough start, but I came through every week, and look how and where I finished. I also have a 10-year background in construction. They talk about passion — this is what I do for a living! I would work for him 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because this is what I love to do. I wish I had a chance to express this and say this.
TVG: Why did you pick Surya? It was a bit of a shocker.
FL: You have to use each person for their strengths, and Surya is a marketing major, that’s what he does for a living. I build buildings. So, Surya was a good pick. I knew if I told him what do to he was going to do it. Surya has a tremendous amount of integrity; he wouldn’t do anything to backstab somebody. That’s not his character. I never said anything bad about one person; if someone came after me, I defended myself. But Mr. Trump had Surya three times on stage that night. Whatever they were looking for they didn’t get. He told the truth.
TVG: Do you think the editing gave us a fair picture of who you are?
FL: I have no problem with the way that came across. I know a lot of people that were unhappy with how they came across, but… I’m Frankie. I’m a down to earth, bottom line, type guy. I got a big heart. I’m the type of person that if you’re good to me, I’ll do anything for you. So if I came across in that light, as somebody who’s just happy all the time and will do good by people, then they gave me a fair edit. If I came across as different to you in any way I guess they didn’t.
TVG: Do you think Mr. Trump might still offer you a job?
FL: A lot of people ask that. There’s a chance he might. And if he did, then I would have to see what the offer was. I love business at home in New York, I buy properties and I develop them. So for me to go ahead and leave it would have to be worth my time, because I do well for myself at home. But listen, if I had an opportunity to go on his sites and learn how to build skyscrapers alongside his team and work with him, if all the cards were right, of course I would take the opportunity.
TVG: You’re from New York, do you think that if the show was still in New York this season that you might have done even better?
FL: No, I’m very happy with how far I came. Having the show in L.A. was great. I didn’t know about traffic and had to learn my way around. In New York, of course, I know Manhattan like the back of my hand. But do I think I would have gone further in the show? Naw. I adapted quick and I had some people on my team from L.A.
TVG: So now that this is over, what are you going to do now?
FL: I’m starting a project that I just purchased in Yorktown, a 7,000 square foot commercial retail space I’m putting up right from the ground. We’re knocking down an old lumbar yard. Once that gets going and the crew’s going, I think I’m going to go to Europe this summer, for 10 days. Just go by myself, backpacking. I’ve never been there before. I’d really like to go check it out, and have some time alone to look back and just take it all in.
Published: Thursday, April 26, 2007