When shooting started last fall for Donald Trump's NBC series "The Celebrity Apprentice," Trace Adkins figured he wouldn't last more than a couple of episodes. And he's not the only one who felt that way.

Omarosa Manigault Stallworth, who had been a contestant in an earlier year, was used to seeing competitors with masters degrees and Ph.D.s, and she admits she was "shocked" when Trace became one of the surprise stars of the series.

"You look at people's credentials — which is what I did before the show — and I thought, 'This guy has no chance in hell. He walks around with a big ol' cowboy hat and a guitar. He's gonna have to come armed with more than a guitar to beat me,'" she says.

But as each episode progressed, Trace quietly won her over with his skills and his temperament.

"You work with him and you realize that he has all the qualities that you need to be an effective leader and to represent your community and your charity properly," Omarosa reflects. "He's honest, he's charismatic, he's giving, and he's tell-it-like-it-is. At the end of the day, if you take those things into the boardroom, you're successful."

Just two episodes of the season remain, and Trace is currently among the final four contestants. The field will be whittled down by two players on this Thursday's installment.