by Gina Scarpa

Last night, on Survivor: Samoa, Russell’s lucky streak continued and he found another hidden immunity idol around camp without receiving a clue or being told about it.  When his main target, Laura, won immunity for the second challenge in a row, he was forced to come up with a backup plan.  Banking on the fact that all the original Galu members would write his name down, he and his Foa Foa tribemates blindsided Kelly, abruptly kicking her out of the game.  Today, Kelly spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about her experiences on the show.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for Survivor?
A. Kelly: It’s a great game and I’m super competitive.  I had seen the show a bunch but I never really thought about trying out until I met one of the casting directors.  I started studying the game more and thought, “Oh I could do this.”  It’s constantly strategizing but the competition part was super exciting.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You played a very quiet game but that’s part of being successful in the game of Survivor.  What was your strategy going in?
A. Kelly: My whole thing was to be more of a listener and let people talk because this is a cast of people who love to talk about themselves.  I wanted to get in good with everyone and not be too close to the females.  I had really good alliances, I was on good terms with everyone.  Everyone said they would pick me for reward challenges and I was like, “Oh wow!” 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are you surprised that there wasn’t more talk about breaking up the females on Galu?  An all female alliance can be deadly.
A. Kelly: It surprised me because day one, we looked at each other and said, “Girls to the end.”  As the game progressed, Monica and Laura became more of a target because Shambo felt more on the outs.  The guys were terrified of us!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you on board to vote Erik out first at the merge?
A. Kelly: We were all initially Foa Foa.  We wanted to split the vote because Russell had the idol.  Five minutes before, someone was going around saying Monica or Laura needed to go home.  Then, we realized it was Erik and I saw Erik propositioning Foa Foa and I asked him what was going on.  He told me I was on a need to know basis and unfortunately, we just all ran out of time before Erik could finalize everything.  I guess we thought that he was against our own tribe.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What happened between the conversation on the Galu beach and tribal council that changed your plan from splitting the votes to everyone writing Russell’s name down?
A. Kelly: The day I was sent home, we spent the whole day napping on the beach.  There wasn’t too much strategizing.  We didn’t realize Russell had the idol but little did we know…

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: In your mind, if Russell was going to play the idol and blindside someone, did you ever think it would be you?  The look of shock on your face was pretty clear.
A. Kelly: No, I really didn’t because I knew it would be a girl because he said, “I’m not done playing yet, ladies,” but I thought it would be Monica.  Monica was Laura’s main ally.  I didn’t step on anybody’s toes.  I didn’t think it would be me.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Does it bother you that you had to take the fall for Laura, who was obviously Foa Foa’s main target the last two episodes?
A. Kelly: I don’t feel like I took the fall for Laura at all. 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Despite being blindsided, are  you satisfied with your experience of playing the game of Survivor?
A. Kelly: Oh my gosh, yes!  It was amazing and I’m so thankful for the opportunity.  I learned so much about myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.  I was never expecting anything like this!  More than anything, it was fun waking up every morning.  It was like summer camp.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can Galu stay strong to the end here or is Foa Foa going to keep prevailing?
A. Kelly: To me, it seems like it’s a tie game at this point. Shambo has obviously flipped.  It just depends on who wins immunity.


Survivor: Samoa airs Thursdays at 8pm ET on CBS.

(Image courtesy of CBS)


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