Paulina Porizkova, the latest star to exit Beyond The Edge, revealed the very special gift that Craig Morgan made for her and gave to her off-camera when she left the show. On Beyond The Edge, nine celebrities, including Paulina, Craig, Lauren Alaina, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Colton Underwood, Eboni K. Williams, Jodie Sweetin, and Metta World Peace traveled to the jungles of Panama to participate in challenges called "adventures" to raise money for their charities. Unlike other reality television competition shows, there were no eliminations each week. Instead, the contestants themselves decided when to go based on when they reached their breaking points. If they were ready to leave, they rang a bell to signal that they were going home.
Throughout the Beyond The Edge season, Paulina shared heartfelt Instagram posts in which she praised her castmates for their courage and strength and expressed her thanks for how they supported and inspired her. At 56 years old at the time of filming, Paulina was the oldest female member of the cast, and the third oldest overall. She said that she joined Beyond The Edge because she feels that society tells people that older women are "irrelevant," so she wanted to prove that she could compete and win. Paulina battled her arthritis which caused persistent, extreme pain in her hips, and pushed through seven adventures in order to win $34,000 for the Women's Rights Project, which is a part of the ACLU Foundation.
In a post on Instagram, Paulina revealed the hand-whittled cross that Craig had made for her and given to her when she left. She said that it has become one of her "most prized possessions." She shared, "I hold on to it when I feel down or stressed- and its intent, the fact it was carved for me by caring hands, somehow feels like a hug." Although this moment did not air on the show, the bond among Paulina, Craig, and the rest of the cast was obvious to Beyond The Edge viewers. Paulina then went on to ask her followers to name one reality show that has "people working together for a good cause instead of manipulations and backstabbing," proving the uniqueness of Beyond The Edge. She described the show as bringing nine people of "very diverse backgrounds and beliefs" together "to do good." Paulina then revealed what she gained from the show: "And in the process, I, for one, found something I had lost. Faith. Faith in the good of people."
Paulina continued the post by saying that she may have "wrecked" her hips and that she is "still recovering" months later, but "it was all worth it." She also expressed her pride at contributing money to her charity, "co- founded by the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg, now apparently needed more than ever." She concluded the post by sending her "heartfelt thanks" to the producers of Beyond The Edge, Jay Bienstock and Greg Goldman, the "amazing" crew, and, most of all, "my partners, now friends, who taught me there is hope for us all when we let go of our assumptions, preconceived notions, judgments and allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to just - love."
Craig's gift of a handmade cross to Paulina is a symbol of all that she gained from the show. Her faith in the good of people was restored. Because of the way that Beyond The Edge works, the usual backstabbing and betrayal of reality competition shows was replaced with camaraderie, support, and love. Throughout her journey, Paulina inspired viewers with her kindness, perseverance, and positivity. She is an incredible role model. Paulina truly achieved her goal of proving that women of any age can do anything by pushing herself Beyond The Edge.
Beyond The Edge airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Source: Paulina Porzikova/Instagram