Show Summary: SECRET MILLIONAIRE – American millionaires gain a new perspective on what it’s like for the lower classes as they go incognito and work at minimum wage jobs in some of the country’s most poverty-stricken neighborhoods. After working side by side with needy-and-deserving people, the “secret millionaires” ultimately meet with those they want to help, reveal their true identity and give away at least $100,000 to their lucky recipients.
Episode Synopsis: SECRET MILLIONAIRE “Dani Johnson: Knoxville, TN” Episode 1- In the premiere episode, millionaire and successful entrepreneur Dani Johnson leaves her family and lavish lifestyle behind to spend six days in one of the poorest areas of Knoxville, Tennessee, in search of those most in need of her help. While there, she will survive on welfare level wages, volunteer her time and search her heart to determine how much of her own fortune to gift the community heroes she meets. “Secret Millionaire” premieres SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on The ABC Television Network.
Watch a sneak peek of the new ABC show “Dani Johnson: Knoxville, TN” which premieres tonight on ABC (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).
"I grew up in a violently abusive and dug infested home where I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually abused," Johnson said. By 21 she was reportedly homeless.
Johnson then says she turned her luck around by starting her business, which at the time was a weight loss product she sold "from the trunk of my car and a payphone booth." She adds, "Within two years, I became a millionaire."
Johnson's business later grew to include skin care and nutrition products. She's also developed programs for personal and professional development and works as a consultant and coach for debt management, amongst other several ventures. However, Johnson was stripped of her millionaire riches and identity for the upcoming reality series "Secret Millionaire." The show, which premieres on Sunday, March 6, features millionaires who live in poor communities for a week on just $40 to live. At the end of the episode, the millionaires give away thousands to charities that help the communities. Johnson was sent to Western Heights in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The neighborhood has a drug problem and 51 percent of the people there live below the level of poverty. Johnson became embedded in the community for six days by living in the neighborhood and helping out local charities in the community, one of which was The Love Kitchen, run by twin sisters Helen Ash and Ellen Turner
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Johnson said, "I could feel the love" when she walked into the Love Kitchen, which helps feed 2,000 people a week.
The mother of five admits however, she was apprehensive about showing off charitable work on camera. "We don't need a camera following us around showing what we do because we believe in giving in secret," Johnson said of herself and her husband Hans
She adds, however, that she was inspired to have the "opportunity on a national scale to do what we're already doing and that is to mobilizing people to make a difference in their communities."
"Secret Millionaire" premieres on Sunday, March 6th at 8 p.m. ET