by Gina Scarpa

 

When put your trust in your tribe and give them total loyalty only to have them turn on you and vote you out, it's a tough pill to swallow. Survivor: South Pacific's Edna Ma learned that the hard way when fellow tribe member Brandon Hantz told her straight to her face that she wasn't part of their group and was headed to Redemption Island next. The tribe delivered what Brandon promised - Edna didn't last very long at Redemption as she was defeated by Ozzy in the duel. Today, we talked to Edna in an exclusive interview to learn more about her Survivor experience.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were you a fan of Survivor prior to going on the show?
A. Edna: I was a fan and I am a fan still. I knew the game only as much as a casual viewer can know it. I didn't know the game as well as somebody like Cochran. I didn't realize how much your destiny in the game is dictated by people that you can't control at all. It was an accident that I got on the show. I was trying to get on Shark Tank and I wanted to get in front of Mark Burnett for a product I created. An opportunity came for me to meet Mark and Jeff Probst. They said, "We would like you on the show." They gave me two hours to make a decision and I was like, "Okay!"

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your understanding about the bond that you had with the Upolu tribe members early on?
A. Edna: The first half of the game, Brandon spelled it out that I was outside the alliance. He said the same thing about Mikayla. As the game progressed, he'd say "We're six strong," so I didn't feel like an outsider. Then after Cochran went away it was like, "Oh yeah, you weren't really part of the tribe." I thought that people would be a little more fluid in their gameplay. No, these people kept the same strategy from day one! That lack of flexibility was very frustrating.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seemed like you and Coach formed a genuine friendship. Was it hard for you to separate the game from real life when it became apparent you were 6th man (or woman) out?
A. Edna: Initially, after I got voted out and had a feeling that Coach had written my name down... of course, it burns a little bit. Then you realize you get to go to Redemption Island. How many people get to say that? Even as Jeff was snuffing my torch, I couldn't help but realize that it was a very surreal experience. I do feel as if I understand Coach and so I don't feel any bitterness or antagonism towards him. I can't agree with the decision that he made. I've never seen a season of Survivor where you don't keep the weaker people around, like Edna and Cochran, post-merge. You keep a Phillip Shepherd or a Natalie [White].

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Sophie has this concern that Ozzy had an advantage being on Redemption Island all this time because he gets to spend so much time with the jury members. What was your experience on Redemption like with him?
A. Edna: Ozzy was very hospitable when we arrived. Maybe it's from his time spent in the food service industry. He had a fish for me and he offered me his papaya. I pretty much ate all of that. He was actually very kind.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Based on the previews, and even during the episode itself, I thought you might take Ozzy out.  Were you feeling like you had it?
A. Edna: Actually, I did. It was so close! You only see the two sides in front of you and it's inefficient the way the blocks are built. Of course, that's part of the strategy. I felt really close and then Ozzy caught up, so hats off to him.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Even though you didn't make it to the end, there has to be some satisfaction in how far you did make it.
A. Edna: Absolutely! My name was written down pretty much every single tribal council before the merge. According to my fans on Twitter, I'm the female player that holds the highest number of votes in Survivor. I think Phillip Shepherd is #1, Jonathan Penner is #2, and then me. Something like that. I'm either second or third. That being said, I'm shocked I even made it to the merge and even my family was convinced I'd be the first one out.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you up to now? Are you still going to work on selling your product or did being on Survivor spark any new interests for you?
A. Edna: Well, I actually do have the product. It's already on the market and we sell it nationally and we're starting to broaden our distribution. I think that whether we continue down this path, what Survivor helped me do is spread the word about what I do and the product that I've created. Psychologically, I realized that everything is not a sprint. It's more of a marathon. Creating a concept, developing a business, and every step along the way. And the same with Survivor. You have to work as a team and figure out the process of find things that work and things that don't.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you most looking forward to on Sunday's live finale?
A. Edna: I think it will be interesting to finally have the opportunity to talk to people outside the game. I have never spoken to or even met Elyse. There are people I've never had any interaction with.

 

Survivor: South Pacific airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

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