© OFTV - Nathan Webb
From reality TV star to cooking enthusiast - Nathan Webb shares how his experience on "This is Fire" helped him push his boundaries and boost his confidence.
Prepare to be transported into the fiery world of Nathan Webb. Nathan, who previously wowed audiences with his good looks and charm on Netflix's “Too Hot to Handle'', and recently took the culinary world by storm on "This is Fire Season 2" - a high-stakes cooking competition streaming on OFTV, OnlyFans' safe and free platform. Nathan's culinary mastery won him $20,000 and the ultimate champion title on "This is Fire," but his experience went beyond just winning. Through the competition, Nathan embarked on a journey of self-discovery and growth, discovering new culinary skills and facing new challenges.
How did it feel when Chef JoJo announced you as the winner of “This is Fire Season 2”? Were you expecting it or did it come as a surprise after the last cooking challenge?
So it's a strange thing. I didn't think I was even going to win the first round against Kyle, but I did. Then once I got to the final, I really wanted to win.
The call times for filming were quite early, starting at 7:00 AM. To be honest, every time I was declared as the winner in the early rounds, my immediate thought was, "I got to be up again at, like, 05:00 A.m." (laughs). But honestly, the experience was so enjoyable that the early mornings didn't bother me much. I was just winging it until the final. It never felt like a competition to me since the other contestants were my friends, and cooking with them was just a lot of fun. The moment Chef JoJo finally announced me as the winner was a huge relief. I was looking forward to sleeping in the next day, knowing that I had won the show and the big prize money that came with it. Not to mention that I no longer had to get up at 5:00 am.
What was the funniest moment on the show?
One of the funniest moments on the show for me was when my competitor of the episode, Emma, got visibly frustrated after I decided to copy exactly what she had done. Even now, months after filming, we see each other quite frequently, as we go to the same events, and she never fails to bring it up.
Going from Netflix's "Too Hot to Handle" to a cooking show is quite a big transition. Was this influenced by your current life circumstances, such as having a partner and a baby, or has it always been a goal or an interest of yours to pursue?
It's always been a passion of mine. My daughter's mother, bless her, happens to be the worst cook in the world (laughs). She's aware of it, and she doesn't really want to improve since she knows I'll just take over in the kitchen. So, in a way, she's quite smart about it. And now that my daughter, Kynlei, has come along, I get to share my love for cooking with her. It was a nice change of pace from being on a dating show, and I didn't have to worry about taking my clothes off on television. Filming for "Too Hot to Handle" was extremely intense. We would start at 6:00 a.m. and continue filming until around 1:00 a.m. There were cameras in your face all day, and people were constantly following you and listening to you.
If given the opportunity, I would love to do another cooking show as I had a lot of fun on this one. The atmosphere was much more relaxed, and I could enjoy cooking with my friends and mess around with the producers and all the sound guys.
How would you describe the experience of coming in as a kitchen amateur and then being judged by an accomplished chef like Grandmaster Chef JoJo? What’re some of the moments that’ll stick with you forever?
When I first came in, I downplayed myself, always saying how bad I was, so that in Chef JoJo's mind, he'd expect the worst. That way, when I presented a half-decent meal, he was more impressed. For example, I acted like I didn't know how to cook a rack of lamb. Of course I do. I love lamb. I love it.
I think I will always remember receiving the board (the trophy) as the winner, simply because, as I mentioned earlier, I came into the competition with zero expectations. That was just my approach to things. By not setting any expectations, I couldn't be let down. So when my name was announced as the winner, it was an enormous sense of relief and accomplishment. When Chef JoJo handed me the board and confetti came down, it was all just fantastic.
© OFTV - Nathan Webb and Chef JoJo
What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during your time on the show?
Time management. My time management was horrendous. But during the show I had no choice but to get my dish on the plate within the given time frame or risk serving what was on my plate, which could be nothing. Now, after the show, I'm everywhere I'm supposed to be and everything is ready at the right time. That's my most important takeaway, I think.
How important is cooking in your new family life, and what kind of magic does it work in bringing your loved ones together?
Cooking is an activity that my daughter and I can enjoy together as she grows older. I want to teach her kind of how my mother taught me. That's how my mother and I bonded when I was a kid, and I hope to create the same special bond with my daughter. It is not common for fathers and daughters to share this hobby. I hope that when she grows up, she will remember how her dad taught her to cook from a young age. That's something I hold onto.
Personal growth: your last reality show “Too Hot to Handle” had a focus on it. To what extent has your experience at “This is Fire” has had an impact on your personal development?
I've never been a shy person, but on reality shows like this, there is the aspect of being recorded, and furthermore, there are 50 to 70 people that you've never met before who are essentially all judging and filming you. At first, I felt very uncomfortable being on a cooking show with people watching what I'm doing every time. But I think my confidence has definitely gone up through that experience. Stepping outside of my comfort zone was not something that I did too much, except for “Too Hot to Handle”. Now, I find myself going to events and dinners that I never would have gone to before. And I just feel a lot more confident walking into a room and seeing people that I would never usually associate with. Now after this experience, I'm able to talk to them and actually get to know them.
Your Instagram caption suggests that you're living the American dream. What’s your definition of this dream? Would you say that OnlyFans and OFTV have played a part in achieving your version of the American dream? If yes, how so?
For me, the American dream reflects so many possibilities. Since moving to the US, I have been presented with countless opportunities, including the chance to be on "This is Fire". In my opinion, the essence of the American dream is simply being happy, which I am because I have a wonderful daughter who has a great mother. Also to have the freedom to do what I want, when I want.
OnlyFans changed my life. Prior to “OnlyFans" and “Too Hot to Handle”, I worked as a stripper. When discussing the American Dream, freedom is a significant aspect. Previously, I was confined to the strip club from Wednesday through Sunday, but OnlyFans has contributed to my sense of freedom. It is incredible that I can monetise content from anywhere in the world.
Although OnlyFans is used by all kinds of creatives like models, musicians, actors, fitness experts and influencers, it is often best known for its association with sexual content. However, showcasing one's body on OnlyFans does not have to be sexual. In your opinion, can OFTV be a tool to broaden awareness of other aspects of the brand?
Absolutely! I believe that the stigma around OnlyFans is gradually dissipating. In the past, when people heard the name OnlyFans, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was often associated with adult content creators. However, with the introduction of OFTV as a separate branch, perceptions are changing. For example, when I tell people about a cooking show on OnlyFans, they sometimes ask if I am cooking naked. Of course, I am not! OFTV offers a wide range of content beyond adult material, but this avenue remains relatively untapped due to the prevalence of sexual and adult creators. OFTV is branching out into new areas, such as “Miss/Match”, a dating show. These endeavours are helping to change people's perception of OnlyFans.
Your career has taken you from being a stripper/cowboy to appearing on a Netflix show with commitment-phobic contestants, and now a cooking show. What can you tell us about your future plans and what exciting projects can we expect from you next?
I thought about this. What is my next show going to be? I don't know yet. Fitness is a big part of my life, and I believe that nutrition doesn't have to be boring. Many of my friends who compete in bodybuilding or physique shows eat the same thing every day, and that's just miserable. Food should bring joy to people, and limiting yourself for months is a burden.
That's why I recently launched a new training website and fitness app, which includes a lot of my own recipes. I started working on this project about a year ago, and it was launched just a month or so ago. It not only showcases how I train but also how I eat. People who know me through social media sometimes see me eating three In-N-Out burgers and wonder how I do it. The answer is moderation - I balance out indulgences with healthier choices. I try to preach to people that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring and limited to chicken, rice, and turkey.
In the thrilling Superfinales episode, which was released on March 16th, Nathan faced off against the winner of the first season, Kazumi, in a culinary showdown for the ages. Check it out, to see who is the ultimate winner.
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