The 2025 The Apprentice is off to an exciting start, with 18 dynamic candidates vying for Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 investment. Among them are four ambitious entrepreneurs with South Asian heritage, each bringing a unique perspective and drive to the competition. Here’s a closer look at these standout contestants:
Amber-Rose Badrudin
A 25-year-old convenience store owner, Amber-Rose Badrudin is a force to be reckoned with on social media. Boasting an impressive 48 million likes on TikTok, she has built her following by documenting her beauty treatments, holiday travels, and work at her shop. Amber-Rose’s brand, Oree Mart, initially started with bubble tea before evolving into a full convenience store model. The success of her bubble tea business led her to launch Oree Tea, capitalising on its massive popularity.
In a recent Get Ready With Me video, Amber-Rose shared her excitement about joining The Apprentice, admitting the “extra pressure” she feels to perform well for her tens of thousands of followers. She revealed: “My business has been fuelled by social media. Over the past two years, my business has turned over seven figures, and that’s all thanks to the power of social media.”
Amber-Rose aims to break the stigma around influencers and content creators, showing young girls from similar backgrounds that they too can achieve their dreams.
Anisa Khan
Anisa Khan, a self-described “go-getter” from London, is not only a pizza entrepreneur but also a national Kabaddi player. She brings a unique fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine to the food industry with her Bombay Pizza brand, combining flavours like chicken tikka masala pizza with other bold creations. Anisa’s business model centres on dark kitchens, which allow her to expand without the traditional overheads of running a restaurant.
Anisa, who has watched every season of The Apprentice since she was seven, was over the moon to announce her involvement on Instagram. She shared: “This is a dream come true for me! I laid the groundwork, and just like clockwork, the dominoes cascaded in a line. I hope to inspire others to chase their dreams and show that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.”
Her Kabaddi experience has given her the mental toughness she believes is essential for business, preparing her to tackle any challenge head-on.
Dr. Jana Denzel
A dentist with a thriving practice, Dr. Jana Denzel is the first-ever Tamil contestant to join The Apprentice. Holding three degrees, including a BSc in biology with psychology and a postgraduate diploma in restorative and aesthetic dentistry, Jana is the lead cosmetic dentist at the award-winning DenStudio in central London. He has a prestigious clientele that includes Hollywood celebrities and Grammy-winning musicians.
Jana’s ambition extends beyond his practice; he has recently launched his own line of oral healthcare products. In a fun announcement on Instagram, Jana said: “From the dental chair to the boardroom, I’m swapping my scrubs for suits and diving into the chaos of reality TV!” As the only medical professional in this year’s competition, Jana brings both expertise and a sense of humour to the show.
Despite the fierce competition, Jana emphasised that having fun would be a priority for him: “More importantly, I want to ensure that I have fun throughout the process, learn from my peers, and walk away with not just a potential investment, but genuine friendships that will last far beyond the show.”
Nadia Suliaman
London-based entrepreneur Nadia Suliaman is the proud owner of Knightsbridge Salon Chain, a luxury business that has gained celebrity clientele. Nadia’s journey began in 2020 when she made the brave decision to quit her 9-5 job and invest all her savings into starting a salon. She now has five locations across London and is looking to expand further.
Nadia made a special announcement on Instagram, revealing that she shares her birthday with the number 20, a sign she believes aligns perfectly with her Apprentice journey. “BIG NEWS!!! 20 is my number!” she posted. “Not only is it my birthday today, but my first flagship store also opened at number 20 in Knightsbridge in 2020. How the ✨ align!”
Through her luxury salon and upcoming product range, Nadia plans to elevate her business and expand globally. In a recent vlog, she shared the joys and challenges of running a business, with her salon’s Instagram following growing as she brings viewers along on her entrepreneurial journey.
Will They Impress Lord Sugar?
As the competition heats up, these three South Asian contestants will have to navigate gruelling tasks, high-pressure boardroom showdowns, and fierce rivalries to prove their worth. The first challenge will take them to Austria, where they must sell and run alpine tours.
Will Amber-Rose’s social media-fuelled empire, Anisa’s innovative food venture, Jana’s cutting-edge dental business, or Nadia’s salon empire catch Lord Sugar’s attention? Or will one of them hear the dreaded words: “You’re fired”?
The Apprentice will be available on BBC One from 9pm today
