TVLINE | You’re a Survivor in this game, but also a cancer survivor. Did that at all influence your decision to come back?
I always wanted to come back and play “Survivor,” and I knew I would do that no matter the cost. So two years ago I was diagnosed with the BRCA gene. Eight weeks after I got my diagnosis, I was laying on the table having my breasts, ovaries, and fallopian tubes removed. That was joyous. But what I learned through that is I’m tough and I’m brave and I can do big things, and it was OK. So I knew that I wanted to be back out here. There was no part of me that said I can’t still do it. I can still do it and I just know to trust my gut and I think I just have a little more confidence coming out.
TVLINE | You’re all currently on lockdown and you can’t speak yet, but what are the pre-game vibes like?
OK, so vibes only — honestly, nobody’s talking at all — but I get really good vibes from Coach, for sure. He seems awesome. I know he seems a little insane when he plays the game and maybe he is, I don’t know, but awesome vibes from him. Awesome vibes from Emily Flippen, who I was surprised about, but I’m really digging her in this game. Genevieve, Angelina… oh, Rick Devens! He seems like just a really good person.
TVLINE | Who from your original cast do you keep in touch with?
Trading texts now and then: Ben, Ashley [Nolan], Doctor Mike [Zahalsky]. I would say those would be the three. But I probably text with Ashley the most, no, maybe Ben. I don’t know. I was trying to get a reunion in Florida. I just moved to Florida and I was trying to get them all to get together in Florida. Hasn’t happened yet, but it’s going to. I want to go to Ashley’s surf school. Shout out for Ashley’s surf school!
TVLINE | Was there anyone you thought would be out here but isn’t?
Honestly, Devon [Pinto], from my season. I hope, I assume that he was asked. He has a new family. I think he has a new baby, so I’m assuming maybe it just wasn’t right for him. But I was fully expecting to see Devon out here and I was a little bummed when I didn’t see his beautiful face, but I understand why, if that’s the case. He’s got a gorgeous family.
TVLINE | About that, you’re the only person here representing “Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers.” Is that an advantage or a disadvantage, and why?
Interestingly, looking around there are only three of us who have never played with someone else in the game, right? It’s me, Genevieve, and Jonathan, and I actually think it’s an advantage to us because we don’t have old game dynamics or hurts happening, and we also are not put in an automatic alliance with someone. So when you think [about] the three people from “48.” Everybody thinks they’re automatically gonna be together, right? Are they? I don’t know, but if I gotta get rid of a “48” person, maybe they’re somewhat interchangeable. Genevieve, Jonathan, and I? We’re not interchangeable, so I personally view that as an advantage. So I guess having Devon here would have been a dis… “That is not an advantage,” in Devon’s words.
TVLINE | Is there any aspect of this game or being in Fiji that you’re not looking forward to? Any trepidations you’re feeling?
What am I afraid of in this game? That’s so interesting because I feel like I’ve come out this time being so excited about the game. Certainly, the worst part of playing is the nighttime. The nighttime is really long. Honestly, I just don’t want to get taken out with a game of chance. That’s my biggest fear. I don’t know that I would ever agree to go to rocks ever. I hope I’m not taken out by a game of chance. I don’t want to get hurt, right? Nobody wants to get hurt. Or medically evacuated.
TVLINE | If this is the last time that you’re out here, how do you want your legacy to be remembered?
I think I want my legacy to be someone who just never gave up. I just clawed my way to the end. I don’t think that anybody ever has totally smooth sailing. I certainly did not on my first season and I’m not expecting to have that this season at all, because there are 23 other brilliant people out here, but, heck, I’m gonna claw my way to the end. This time I’m gonna win though.