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Friday, June 20, 2008

SML wedding unites reality TV stars

'Survivor' contestant Jonny Fairplay of Danville weds former 'Top Model' contestant in an event that draws a who's who of reality TV performers.

Walking across the ballroom without bumping into someone from a reality television show was close to impossible Saturday night at The Water's Edge Country Club in Penhook.

The A-list of D-list stars was in town for the wedding of Jon Dalton, also known as Jonny Fairplay of "Survivor" fame, and Michelle Deighton, who appeared on "America's Next Top Model."

Fairplay, as he prefers to be called, is best known for telling fellow cast members that his grandmother, Jean Cook, had died to gain an advantage on "Survivor: Pearl Islands," the hit reality show on CBS. Fairplay lied about his grandmother (she was very much alive at the wedding), and he didn't win the million-dollar prize, but show host Jeff Probst later said the deception was, "the greatest lie in 'Survivor' history."

Fairplay went from pro wrestler/reality show villain to family man in two words -- "I do." Besides a host of cast members from reality TV shows, Fairplay and Deighton tied the knot with family, friends and their 6-month-old daughter, Piper Addison, in attendance. The baby, born on Jan. 16, seemed to love the camera and behaved on cue -- perhaps a next-generation "Survivor" or top model.

Fairplay, who attended Virginia Tech, grew up in and resides part time in nearby Danville. When asked, why the couple chose Smith Mountain Lake as the site for their nuptials, he replied, "It's the perfect place -- the perfect location."

The wedding ceremony began with "Survivor: Africa" cast member Lex van den Berghe officiating. Van den Berghe took a few jabs at Fairplay, noting his apparent luck finding such a beautiful bride and drawing laughs from the guests.

Stretching his 15 minutes of fame to the max, Fairplay has appeared on almost every reality TV show since "Survivor: Pearl Islands" aired in 2003. He's enhanced his bank account and his reputation as a rascal on "Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites," "Kill Reality," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," "Reality Stars Fear Factor," "Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding" and "VH1's I Love the New Millennium" (set to premier on Wednesday).

Fairplay returned to "Survivor" for its 16th season, which began airing in January. Filmed in Micronesia, the show pitted fan favorites against prominent castaways from previous seasons. Fairplay, at his own request, was the first voted off the island, citing that he missed Deighton.

At the wedding, his grandmother revealed that Fairplay was still experiencing oral pain from an altercation with fellow reality TV star Danny Bonaduce on a reality awards show that left Fairplay in the hospital with broken teeth.

The bride, a contestant from the fourth season of "America's Next Top Model," is known for contracting impetigo (a common skin ailment) during the show's filming and causing the other would-be models to panic.

After the short ceremony, the party rocked on until about 10 p.m. Fireworks officially marked the end of the wedding reception, but did not end the party. Close friends and family boarded a rented bus and traveled to Danville for an after-party.

The newlyweds jetted off to a clothing-optional resort in Jamaica for their honeymoon. They are staying at Hedonism III, advertised as offering "an oasis of pure pleasure." The honeymoon spot is appropriate, said Fairplay, because his bride billed herself as bisexual on "Top Model."

Seems like a perfect beginning for this celebrity couple.

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