Page 23 - MidWeek - March 31, 2021

‘Zeus’ Ontai Bolts Into National Spotlight On ‘Tough as Nails’
FROM PAGE 16
et trucks and climbing utility poles in rough weather like heavy rain and high winds.
and a new Ford F-150 truck. But, unlike other reality shows that thrive on the dra- ma of elimination, Tough as Nails makes its mark by tout- ing the importance of team- work. In this environment, Ontai shines, showing view- ers around the nation what the aloha spirit is all about.
back and came up with a game plan to benefit every- one. Though technically an individual competition, the Kapolei High graduate real- ized that everyone needed to work together and stay calm, the latter of which he’s espe- cially well-versed with as a lineman for HECO.
a concert venue to soccer field, Tough as Nails team challenges run the gamut and test a variety of skill sets. The fortitude it takes to accomplish big tasks like those means collaboration is required at every turn.
“It doesn’t matter what it’s like outside, rain or storm, we’re out there,” says Ontai, who’s been a lineman for about nine years now.
So, after seeing an audition call for the second season of Tough as Nails, Ontai applied online and within a week got a reply to set up an interview video call. The powers that be must have been impressed be- cause Ontai made the cut and flew to Los Angeles to contin- ue the audition process.
During episode four’s in- dividual challenge, for ex- ample, Ontai and the rest of the Tough as Nails cast were tasked with herding sheep into pens. Hilarity (and a bit of frustration) ensued as each person was seen running around yelling and chasing sheep across the field. To say it wasn’t working would be an understatement. On- tai was quick to take a step
Ontai took the lead, low- ering his voice to a calm timbre, and encouraged ev- eryone to make a human wall to guide the sheep — and it worked.
“Every team challenge was an opportunity for us to showcase what we can do,” he says. “If you watch from the first challenge up until now, you can see how we grew as a team, and everyone kind of found a role in every challenge.”
When season two kicked off in February, viewers were introduced to Ontai and the 11 other competitors vying for a chance to win $200,000
“I got to represent Hawai‘i and represent linemen,” he says.
But, Ontai even shone in the individual competitions, winning the top spot on ep- isode seven after picking a hundred pounds of oranges and separating the produce into 25-pound boxes based on size. It was part brute strength, part tedious, and Ontai powered through with resilience and the win.
While each competitor was jockeying for the top individ- ual prize, it’s not surprising that the team challenges were Ontai’s favorite part of the whole show. An avid athlete in high school, he was a standout strong safety/run- ning back on the Hurricane football team, and his per- formance on the field earned him a scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy. Working as part of a team is second na- ture for the Wai‘anae native.
“What drove me when I was on the show was that I was representing Hawai‘i, and I needed to make it count,” he says.
Catch Cyril “Zeus” Ontai III on CBS reality show Tough as Nails on Wednesdays. PHOTO COURTESY CBS ENTERTAINMENT
bright and filled with those who light up his life. Upon returning home, he’s been spending a lot of time with wife Meghan, son Jax, 4, and daughter Aiko, 3, all of whom couldn’t be with him while he was on set in Cal- ifornia. He also accepted a promotion to be a linemen
From window-washing high-rises and bulldozing tires to transitioning the Los Angeles FC stadium from
Filming has wrapped for Tough as Nails season two, but that doesn’t mean On- tai is any less busy. In fact, his future is looking pretty
py about that. I won’t have to do anything dangerous any- more,” he says, with a hint of a smile in his voice.
MARCH 31, 2021 MIDWEEK 21
trainer with HECO.
“My wife, Meghan, is hap-
Tune in to Tough as Nails Wednesdays on CBS to see if Ontai gets the job done.
PHOTO COURTESY CYRIL ONTAI III