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Survivor: Caramoan - Exclusive Interview with Brandon Hantz

Posted on 03/14/2013 by Gina in Survivor and Cast Interviews

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Brandon Hantz of Survivor Caramoan

by Gina Scarpa

 

When Brandon Hantz came to play the game of Survivor again, a year after South Pacific, he vowed not to let anybody push him around. Unfortunately, he had Phillip Shepherd on his tribe, who thought he was calling the shots. After being told not to bite the hand that feeds him, when Brandon felt he was the one taking care of camp and majorly contributing to challenge wins, it was the last straw. His meltdown after that resulted in the Bikal tribe forfeiting the immunity challenge and voting him out right there. Brandon talked to us today in an exclusive interview about his rivalry with Phillip and looks back at the way he went out of Survivor this season.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The first time you played, you obviously weren't very happy about the way you went out and then, your uncle [Russell Hantz] gave you a hard time at the reunion. Coming into the game this time around, were you planning to change up your strategy?
A. Brandon: I don't plan on doing anything but yes, I had a different mindset. I didn't want to be pushed around or made to look like a fool. People felt sorry for me, and I don't like that feeling. I was being a good guy, I got shafted... I don't wanna be screwed by somebody that I thought I could trust. I was so naive. Look, I was 19 years old. I'm more mature than most, I've been married for four years, I have beautiful kids. But I've got to be realistic and say I still have some growing up to do. It's been a year since I played this last time. I'm like a computer, I keep downloading stuff and keep learning. Everyone has room to improve in their life.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: In my recap this week, I said how I thought it was interesting that Philip has let his first time around playing go to his head the way it has. Considering how he came across on Redemption Island, where do you think his bravado comes from?
A. Brandon: His bravado comes from being able to play with one of the best players to ever play. I don't think Boston Rob's better than my uncle but I respect him as a player. Anything I say is going to be Survivor related, no personal attacks here, but yeah, Phillip is a character. He plays to the camera. He's not really being himself and you can see that because everything is really scripted. He says "I'm not this crazy guy," but he plays it really well. I'm not that way. Just because you're fake doesn't mean I have to be. The game doesn't revolve around you, you gotta be sociable. At this point, he lost the game already. He didn't play for a million dollars. He played to be on tv. What now do you have except being popular for the camera? The camera loves him because he's a complete idiot. We gotta call it what it is. Phillip loves the camera and loves the attention. He had just come out with a book right before he did Survivor. That tells me right there that it was just a big book to him. It's not the seriousness of playing Survivor like it should be. When Brandon comes on the scene, it was hard for people to understand me but it's okay and acceptable for others to show their feelings and emotions.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The issues between you and Phillip were strictly about the game, until he brought up your family and especially your kids. What kept you from knocking him out? Was it that massage?
A. Brandon: Jeff ... dude, he has the softest hands! He must do something to his hands. When he works out, he works out with gardening gloves or something. His wife is definitely a happy woman! No, I'm just joking around but he's awesome, man. He's not only a good host but a good man. When he said he loved me, it made me feel like he actually cared. Love is a strong word and I know there's levels of it but in a way, I felt he really did care for my well being. I showed restraint but I wanna give credit where credit is due. If Jeff Probst asked me to do something, I'll do it... in the boundaries as far as morals... you get what I'm saying, right?

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Yes, of course. You were really determined to leave the game on your own terms and be the author of your own destiny. When you did leave the game though, did you regret any of your behaviors or actions?
A. Brandon: No, not at all. I stand by everything that I did or we wouldn't have much to talk about today. As much as people are worried about me and whether or not I'm okay, it's like, "Really?" A year from now, he still needs to go to the hospital? I was over it five minutes later and they don't understand how much fun I had at Ponderosa. I have no beef with Phillip, he's definitely not a street fighter like he said. He's more of a puppy who likes to bark, bark, bark then run around when the big dog comes around. I'm this little bitty honey badger. He was really scared and it was funny. So many times that's happened in life, all the smack talk and stuff but put your money where your mouth is, that's my motto. Not maybe a life motto to go by but when somebody wants to act tough, that's when you find out how tough somebody really is.

 


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

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 


Follow Gina @ginascarpa


  


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