Danny Explains Why ‘Claim to Fame’ Season 3 Cast Struggles with Guessing

For weeks, Danny was sitting pretty on Claim to Fame, the ABC reality TV show where the relatives of celebrities attempt to keep the identities of their famous loved ones a secret. Danny, whose real name is Nael Zayas, entered the house pretending to be related to a pro wrestler. He had changed his name, grown out a mullet, and leaned heavily on wrestler stereotypes to deceive his competitors and viewers.

However, last week Danny’s luck changed when his competitors collaborated to decipher a clue that revealed he was actually connected to one of Jennifer Lopez’s exes. It didn’t take long for them to connect the dots and realize that, rather than being related to Hulk Hogan or The Rock, Danny was the nephew of Latin musician Marc Anthony. While other contestants tried to eliminate Danny last week, a lucky break allowed him to stay in the house for another week.

In Episode 6, after performing poorly in the challenge, Danny found himself in the role of guesser. Armed with a clue suggesting Mackenzie was linked to a 6’6" country music star, Danny guessed she was related to Blake Shelton. When this proved incorrect, his relationship to Marc Anthony was exposed, and he was sent home in fifth place.

Post-elimination, Danny discussed his experience on the show, how he was cast on Claim to Fame, and the real reason why his fellow players chose to make him the guesser instead of Shane.

Matthew Huff: To start, can you walk me through the decision-making process of choosing to guess that Mackenzie was related to Blake Shelton?

Danny: It was a game plan between me and my co-conspirator [Shane]. I think we had a good shot. I don’t really know much about country music, but I felt like I had a good pick with Blake Shelton. I thought he was 6’6". I didn’t know he was 6’5".

Huff: Did you and Shane have any idea that she lied about being related to Blake Shelton?

Danny: I had no clue, but you know, it is a game. I thought it might’ve been spot on, given how nervous she seemed and the way she was acting. Maybe she’s just a natural actress.

Huff: What made you decide not to guess Adam even though you had his clue?

Danny: I didn’t go in that direction because I couldn’t figure it out. I still had no idea what any of his clue meant. I didn’t have the time to try and break it down. We thought we had a breakthrough with McKenzie’s clue.

Huff: Why do you think they voted for you to be the guesser over Shane?

Danny: I felt like Shane was going up there too often and I wanted to protect the little alliance I had with him. I wanted to take the shot for him. I knew eventually everyone was going to vote for me anyway because they had my clue, so I took the best shot I could.

Huff: There have been many incorrect guesses this season compared to the last two. Why do you think that is?

Danny: I think it’s because we’re staying up late and getting tired, trying to have breakthroughs out of nothing. Everyone is just so tired. The exhaustion really comes into play when it comes to guessing people because we’re really just shooting in the dark.

Huff: Do you think the clues this season were more difficult than in previous seasons?

Danny: Yes, I think a lot of them were tough. Mine might have been easy if you caught the reference to J. Lo with the hanging "Jay," and maybe felt the maracas. That’s why I tried to keep my nationality under wraps. But overall, the clues were definitely tough. I can’t believe some of the names we came up with just by looking at the wall.

Huff: You came in using a fake name. What was your strategy coming into the house? And did it change as the season went on?

Danny: I tried to come in with a whole persona, like a little wrestler with the mullet. I changed my voice and mannerisms a bit. But with the exhaustion and trying to do too much, I decided to just play my game.

Huff: How much are you sleeping on the show? You’ve mentioned being exhausted.

Danny: I barely slept because I was always at the wall, staring at clues. Other people probably slept more, but I definitely wasn’t.

Huff: How did you end up on the show? Was it an Instagram DM?

Danny: I didn’t get a DM. My wife watched both previous seasons and got me into it. When they put out a flyer at the end of Season 2 looking for people, I decided to try it. My wife encouraged me, and here we are.

Huff: Did you talk to your uncle during the casting process?

Danny: I talked to him occasionally because he’s always busy, but he told me to be myself and not do too much. He said people would be drawn to that, and I kept that advice close.

Huff: Has he watched the show or reached out since it aired?

Danny: He’s overseas, so I’m not sure about the situation there, but I’m sure he’s heard something.

Source: Parade, ABC