by Gina Scarpa

In the game of Survivor, Katie Hanson had a good thing going with her all female alliance on the Kalabaw tribe. Then, Dana took herself out of the game for medical reasons and Dawson was voted out. With Jeff Probst pointing out her every flaw in challenges, she became an easy target after her tribe lost their second challenge in a row. Following her elimination, we talked to Katie in an exclusive interview about battling the elements in the Philippines, Tandang's decision to forfeit the reward challenge, and whether or not voting her out was a good idea.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to audition for Survivor?
A. Katie: I was actually recruited. I remember watching Survivor when it first came out and I said, "That was tough. I don't think I can do that!" And then years later, the opportunity falls into my lap and I'm like, "Do I have what it takes?" It's easy back home to say, "I can do that," but how many of us have gone without food or water? It really takes a toll on your body. You don't have the fuel to make things happen. It's kind of discouraging but it was just an amazing opportunity.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: We saw just how difficult the elements were this season in the Philippines but can you tell us more about actually living out there?
A. Katie: It's funny because watching previous seasons of Survivor, you see that it's raining, people have pruny looking fingers and are shivering, and you're thinking that it might last a few days. Then, they're sunbathing and it doesn't look too terrible! But that was every day for us and it was doggone miserable! Even Penner said, "This is ridiculous!" You have to be positive to get through that weather and it really makes you miss home. To get through that shows a lot about the will that all of us have. We made it through.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did your game start to crumble when Dana left the game?
A. Katie: Oh totally! I mean, Dana was my number one ally. When she started getting sick, I was thinking she would push through. We've all had our episodes out there of not feeling that great. When medical came in, I was like, "Oh my god! Is she that sick?!" It just goes to show that anyone can win Survivor. It's about the cards that you are dealt. You can't predict that you're going to get sick and you can't predict who you're going to align with. A lot of it has to do with luck and unfortunately, it wasn't on our side.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I asked Dawson this and I'm wondering if you feel the same way. If Dana had stayed, would Denise have stayed loyal to the alliance of women?
A. Katie: One hundred percent, I think she would've stuck with the women. Girls in general have a bond and I think she trusted us. With the guys, they have ulterior motives. How much can you trust Jeff? We don't really know that much about him and we lived with him for that long. Denise, for some reason, could read right through us and she knew we were being genuine.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Okay, so I want to talk about the reward challenge. People really blamed Michael and Jonathan for the decision but it seemed like others agreed to it. Who had a say in the decision for Tandang to forfeit to Kalabaw in exchange for the rice?
A. Katie: Everyone! Every single person was involved and at one part, even Artis agreed to it! It's just interesting to see what they choose to show but it looks like it was between Penner and Skupin. In the long run, did we make the best decision? For TV purposes, yeah! The food was great, I got my letter, but at the same time, it was probably a dumb move. Actually no, it was a dumb move. We were all starving out there! Kalabaw never won any food. Tandang has had steak, muffins, cookies, chocolate, coffee, and they really had a leg up on us. It was our time to indulge ourselves and I think that we definitely were the most deserving.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Wouldn't it have made sense to blindside Penner with the idol? Or did it make sense to get rid of you because you were struggling in challenges?
A. Katie: I think that is definitely a big part of it but I think another part of it was that they didn't know when the merge was coming. Penner is definitely an advantage to have, he's done excellent. They definitely made the best decision on keeping the tribe strong. But I do think Jeff and Carter screwed themselves.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I'm so confused about what Carter's problem was with you. Can you shed some light?
A. Katie: No one knows! Out of everyone, I feel like I spoke the least. That was part of my strategy. I just think I wasn't warm and welcoming to him. I know that he irritated all of the girls because he's all about the men and doing well in challenges. Of course he's great but all he had on the brain was athletics and sports. It's like, how do you relate to someone when that's all they talk about? Do you have anything else going on in life besides that? I'm not sure. Like I said, I wasn't warm and welcoming and he can sense that. Why would he wanna keep me?

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

(Image courtesy of CBS)

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