Jesinta Campbell: 'Being bullied was a learning curve'

Jesinta Campbell has revealed that bullying has taught her a lot.

The former Miss Universe Australia, who is currently taking part in The Celebrity Apprentice, said that she could never have coped with being picked on at school if she hadn't had her mum to go home to.

Campbell told Woman's Day magazine: "A girl from my primary school moved to the same high school as me and she had started a rumour before I even got there and told everyone not to be my friend. No-one wanted to pair up with me or be my buddy."

Her mother Valerie said: "We cried together at times. When she was upset, I would say, 'Darling, you are not a victim. Focus on where you want to go in life and that will get you through. This is an opportunity to grow'."

Campbell, who is believed to be dating her Celebrity Apprentice co-star Didier Cohen, said that the parental advice helped her turn her bullying experiences into a "huge learning curve", adding: "Bullying was a part of my life and it made me into the person I am. It was really tough.

"To anyone else going through it, don't be a victim as there is nothing less powerful."

In the first challenge on Celebrity Apprentice, Campbell and her team raised $93,115 (£60,905) for her chosen anti-bullying charity, The Reach Foundation.

The Celebrity Apprentice final takes place next Monday, November 21 at 7pm on the Nine Network.

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