"it really forces you to grow."
Dr Jana Denzel’s story is one of ambition, integrity and reinvention.
A practising cosmetic dentist with a growing reputation, he entered the spotlight when he was a candidate on the 2025 series of The Apprentice.
He surprised viewers when he left the show mid-series.
Since leaving the show, Dr Denzel has redirected his focus toward his dental practice, DENSTUDIO, and advocating for better representation and oral health within South Asian communities.
In an exclusive interview with DESIblitz, Dr Jana Denzel spoke about his time on The Apprentice and how his business is doing since leaving the show.
Most & Least Enjoyable Aspects of The Apprentice
The Apprentice is known for being one of the most demanding reality shows.
From the tasks to the boardroom, viewers see what the candidates are made of and whether they are capable of being Lord Sugar’s business partner.
Stepping into the fierce environment of the boardroom, Dr Jana Denzel found the pressure thrilling:
“The most enjoyable part was being pushed outside my comfort zone.
“You’re surrounded by big personalities, tight deadlines, and high pressure, it really forces you to grow.”
Yet that same pressure unveiled a side of the production that troubled him.
Dr Denzel admitted: “The least enjoyable? Realising how scripted and edited the show can be… It’s presented as a business show, but once you’re in it, you see how much narrative is created for TV.
“That part didn’t sit well with me.”
Forging Friendships
Although it is a business show, living with the other candidates leads to friendships, with some continuing long after the series’ conclusion.
Dr Denzel said the experience was “unique”, with everyone bringing something different to the table.
And while there were “clashes”, which is natural in that kind of environment, but there were also genuine connections.
Dr Denzel added: “I still keep in touch with a few of them.
“Me, Frederick [Afrifa] and Liam [Snellin] have formed a trio called the Three Musketeers! Some friendships definitely carried beyond the boardroom.”
Why Walking Away was the Right Decision
One of the biggest moments of The Apprentice series 19 came when Dr Jana Denzel announced in the boardroom that he would be leaving the process, shocking his fellow candidates.
Dr Denzel later said it was one of Lord Sugar’s comments which prompted him to leave.
But on whether it was the correct decision or not, Dr Denzel said:
“Without a doubt. I knew who I was before I went in, and I wasn’t going to let a TV narrative shape that.
“I didn’t want to be edited into a box that didn’t reflect me.
“Walking away felt like reclaiming control of my story and I’ve never looked back.”
Advice for British Asian Candidates
Throughout the years, The Apprentice has seen numerous British Asian candidates.
Harpreet Kaur has won the 2022 series, while series 19 saw Anisa Khan finish runners-up.
The Apprentice usually boosts a candidate’s fame but Dr Jana Denzel advises against this:
“Go in knowing your why. Don’t do it for fame, do it to elevate your purpose.”
“Be mindful of how South Asians are often portrayed in mainstream media, so protect your image, speak up, and be proud of your identity.
“Represent yourself and your community with confidence.”
Dental Health Challenges in South Asian Communities
Away from the spotlight of television, Dr Jana Denzel’s day-to-day work brings him face-to-face with long-standing oral health issues affecting South Asian communities.
One of the most pressing, he says, is diet: “Diet plays a huge role — we love our sweets, chai, and acidic foods, which can increase the risk of decay and enamel erosion.”
His observation is backed by national health data, with studies showing that five-year-old children of South Asian heritage in England are significantly more likely to suffer from tooth decay compared to their white British peers.
Acidic and sugar-rich foods, including traditional sweets and flavoured teas, are key contributors to enamel breakdown.
But the challenges aren’t just clinical, they’re cultural too.
“There’s also a stigma around cosmetic dentistry – many see it as a luxury, not a confidence tool.”
According to Dr Denzel, this misconception can stop people from accessing treatments that could improve both their oral health and self-image.
Overcoming Early Challenges
Dr Denzel’s success wasn’t handed to him, it was carved from struggle.
He spoke candidly about his upbringing and the weight of expectations that came with it:
“Coming from a refugee background, there was no blueprint or safety net. I had to figure a lot out on my own.”
“Financial pressure, cultural expectations, and constantly feeling like I had to prove myself, those were tough.
“But every challenge became part of the foundation I built my career on.”
DENSTUDIO
Under Dr Denzel’s leadership, DENSTUDIO is becoming more than just a dental practice, it’s evolving into a brand centred on confidence and care.
“DENSTUDIO has always been about more than smiles, it’s about restoring confidence.
“We’re currently expanding our team and introducing new services to make that experience even more bespoke.”
But his ambitions don’t stop there. He envisions a flagship clinic that blends dentistry, wellness and design, a space that challenges traditional perceptions of oral healthcare.
It’s a bold concept, aimed at transforming not just smiles, but the entire patient experience.
Defining Success
For Dr Denzel, success isn’t defined by titles or turnover, it’s rooted in purpose.
He explained: “Success is living a life that’s aligned with your values.
“It’s not just money or status, it’s impact.”
“For me, it’s being able to honour my parents’ sacrifices, empower others from similar backgrounds, and wake up each day doing something I love.”
His outlook offers a clear rejection of conventional markers of achievement, reframing success as something deeply personal, value-driven and grounded in legacy.
An Alternate Career
Dentistry may be Dr Jana Denzel’s profession, but creativity runs just as deep and it could have been his career had he not become a dentist.
He said: “Probably a filmmaker or creative director.”
Explaining that dentistry is “another form” of storytelling, he said:
“I’ve always loved storytelling and in many ways, dentistry is just another form of it.
“You’re shaping someone’s image, confidence, and how they present themselves to the world.”
It’s a striking perspective, one that connects aesthetics, emotion and identity.
For Dr Denzel, whether it’s through film or dentistry, the aim remains the same: to help people see themselves in a new light.
Dr Jana Denzel may have exited The Apprentice midway through the series, but his story has resonated far beyond the walls of Lord Sugar’s office.
Rather than playing to the cameras, he chose to protect his integrity, stepping away to stay true to who he is.
That decision, rare in a genre built on drama, has become part of what defines him.
As he continues to grow DENSTUDIO and advocate for better representation and oral health in underrepresented communities, Dr Denzel is proving that you don’t need to win a reality show to make a lasting impact.
Sometimes, the most powerful move is walking away from a script that was never written for you in the first place.
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