Survivor Gabon: Interview with Crystal - "I made sure Randy had a royal exit."

[hepcat]

After the finale, but better late than never, Crystal Cox, the Olympic gold medalist who was cursed with ten-pound shoes in Survivor challenges, shares her thoughts on leaving the game in sixth place. Throughout this conference call with reporters she showed a very pleasant, mellow demeanor – not at all sullen or bitter about her time on the show. The call took place before the finale aired, so you can forgive her for being a little coy about the order in which the remaining Survivors finished the game.

Hi, Crystal. I want to talk to you about your alliance with Kenny. Were you true to the end with him?

I was die hard with Kenny. We had each other’s back, and we just protected each other like mother and son out there.

What made you gravitate toward Kenny so early on?

I think it was the point where he and GC went and brought us back some little sardines; and then when he saved me from Ace – Ace wanted to boot me out. That’s when our trust truly did develop. We were true and honest to each other to the end.

What did you think of Matty?

Matty to me played a very selfish game. Back at camp, he would eat so much rice. We would be like, “Come on Matty, we need to conserve the rice.” And when we had the cookies at the auction, what they didn’t show was that Matty had about three cookies, plus he had half of mine and half of Kenny’s. He was just selfish! I just wanted hold him and shake him many times during the game, then ask him, “How come you’re so easily influenced? Stick with your alliance.” So yeah, Matty is Matty.

What did you think about the statement Sugar made that “the good people should win” since she was implying that the bad people were in control?

I don’t know why she pinned me as a bad person. I pretty much played an upfront game. I didn’t do a lot of deceiving and deception in the game. As far as blindsiding people, that just comes with the territory. I didn’t understand her whole concept of “good people should win the game,” and why she would make that quote.

Did you rely on Kenny to do the more deceitful stuff?

We were just deciding who we were going to pick up next and how we were going to go about it, and how we were going to execute it.

When you went up to vote for Randy, you really went off. What was going through your head?

I was okay, I knew he was going to be going home, I knew the idol was fake, I was like, “You know what? He gonna hear me before he walk out this door.” Just as he pulled that little stunt the week before with what he said about me and my “gang” and my “posse”. I was furious about that, so when he left I made sure he had a royal exit.

About the fake idol, what was the whole point behind that?

Honestly, it was for Randy to make a fool of himself because Randy wanted to get rid of Susie. He wanted to get Susie because she was the one who was switching alliances all through the game, and she was the one who started the domino effect with Kota being in the jury. So Sugar and Bob thought it would be a great joke on Randy if he played that, and we’d get a good laugh out of that. And we did. ‘Cause we were dying. (laughs)

Now Bob’s elaborate plan last week to make another idol, did you know it was fake?

At first I thought the idol was real. When I looked at it, I was like, “Oh my gosh! This idol is real!” He hugged and kissed me on the cheek and everything. And then I went and looked at the torches, and I realized they were missing some beads and stuff. That’s when I figured out the idol was fake.

What did you think when that idol got played? When Sugar gave the idol over to Matty?

I was like, “Oh, my gosh.” I knew Matty had been gunning for me since day one, and I knew he and Sue had a tight alliance. Sue was like the hairdresser for the camp; she was washing people’s hair all the time. I knew it was either going to be Kenny or me going because I realized that they were in an alliance.

How surprised were you to be voted off last night?

I was surprised. I knew I had a target on my back, because I had a strong alliance with Kenny and Sugar, but I did not think that Sugar was going to turn on me. It surprised the crap out of me.

Can you explain why you were freaking out at Matty last night, when it was Ken that broke the alliance?

I wasn't mad at Kenny—I knew which way he was going to vote. I was more upset at Matty, because when we got back to camp, he was freaking out because he saw his name on the paper. And it just was getting to me! And I was just, "C'mon Matty, be quiet!" You're going to have to see your name on a paper sooner or later. And I just couldn't take it anymore.

Why did most of the challenges give you such a hard time?

The challenges were hard as hell. They were not normal things to do! There was some craziness the challenge crew thought of. And after the first couple challenges, I was like, "I'm sick of this, I'm just going to play a social game."

Was the gorilla reserve thing the biggest highlight for you?

Definitely! I have never seen gorillas up close and personal like that. And to see them in their habitat like that was just amazing. There were three gorillas, a baby gorilla, a teenage gorilla, and a silverback; and whenever the baby would go playing on the trees, the teenager would go knock him off and hit him upside the head! The thing is, they were playing. To us it looked like they were fighting with each other, but they were really playing.

Going back to last week, it seemed like you and Kenny were fooled by the fake idol. What was the rationale behind flushing that one out, but letting Sugar carry hers through the entire game?

The whole idea of Sugar holding on to hers was to use it to protect one of her alliance, which was mainly Kenny or myself. And we knew that we were going to help carry each other all the way to the end. The whole idea behind the fake idol was to let Corinne play it, but then she would go home anyways.

How do you feel about the way you've been edited? Because the last couple of interviews we’ve been doing, people have been talking a lot about the editing. You appear mean and abrasive. Sugar appears to be the opposite, but from what we’ve heard from other people, that’s not the case.

Exactly! I was quite surprised how my edit has been coming across, and after a while I was like, “Forget it, I’m going to roll with it.” But I was quite surprised. I think they got me on every moment at camp when I was fussing somebody out. They didn’t show me dancing around camp or helping out with the cooking. The folks that know me outside the game and know who I truly am – they know it was just for television.

When your name came up to Randy, he said he didn’t have a big problem with you, but what we saw on TV was completely different.

Yeah, the thing is that Randy had no reason to dislike me. No one in that game had a reason to dislike me because I didn’t play a deceitful game. He pretty much turned a whole tribe, Kota, against me, every single person. What they failed to show, which is so disappointing to me, was that every single person saying “Oh, my gosh, Crystal. You are not like how we thought you were.”

Did anyone else on the show know that you have an Olympic medal? Did you manage to keep that a secret?

I thought I was keeping it a secret but I’ve been finding out that folks actually knew. Gillian knew. The only people I did tell was Mattie, Sugar, and Kenny. We swore each other to secrecy in the show, right before the merge feast; and from my understanding Charlie knew. The good thing is they didn’t use it against me, because I was such a weak physical threat. I wasn’t very good in the physical challenges.

Did you know that Sugar has acting credentials?

That night when Ace left, and we shared secrets about each other, she told us.

I’ve watched the Ponderosa videos, and I was pretty shocked at the treatment you got when you arrived. How was that for you?

It was really hard. I’ve never actually gone through rejection like that in my life. And I’ve had some commentators and reporters tear me apart athletically, but going through that was a totally different feeling. It was the worst. I don’t know why Kota was treating me like that, because I didn’t really do anything to them, other than vote them off, and that wasn’t in a really deceitful kind of way.

I’m not sure why Marcus was so bitter because it was Susie who flipped on him, right? And Charlie even said he didn’t have anything against you, but he said his friends would give him grief if he was nice to you. Where do you think all that after-game bitterness was really coming from?

I think most of it was just coming from the fact that I was still in the game, and they wasn’t. You know, the game is called outwit, outlast, outplay—and they got outwitted!

They were in the opposing alliance. You got taken out by your own alliance. You were so much more gracious about it. Do you have any thoughts about that whole situation?

Yeah, I was upset when it happened. You just want to curl up and cry because you spend all these weeks with these people, starving and going through the whole situation, and you come back to another situation, where no one likes you—it was hard! It was very hard for me. More so than being in the game.

We heard from a couple of people that Kenny was using a gay slur against Charlie. But all the people who said that had heard it third hand, so I was wondering if you ever heard Kenny say anything like that.

No, Kenny’s not homophobic. Actually, the night when we initially got our tribe together, the very first night after the playground pick, we spent most of the time talking about Kota, trying to associate names with the people, and that one incident came up where Kenny was trying to describe Charlie. But he didn’t pick him out for that reason, he picked him out because he was a physical threat.

On what criteria are you going to base your vote?

I’m basing my vote on what person played a loyal game, someone that I felt played a great physical and strategic game, and someone who didn’t rub me the wrong way.

Anything you’d do differently in hindsight?

Oh yes, definitely. I would have joined in an alliance with Bob and Corinne, and sent Mattie home—as opposed to trying to be honorable to my alliance.

Randy on the show, and in interviews, really came across as angry, you know, “I hate Crystal” and all of that; and yet, when we actually talked to him later, he said he actually did like you after the show. What’s your relationship with Randy?

We had a chance to talk and hash things out at Ponderosa, and I don’t know—he is who he is. His situation in life and the things he’s been through kind of made him who he is, but I didn’t understand why he didn’t like me, but he did say that from the first or second day, when he called me a “b” – I don’t know if this made the show or not, I can’t remember – I told him to not call me except by my name, and when he got mad at that, I was like, forget it. I’m going to have to let these people know they can’t cross me the wrong way.

How would you describe Sugar?

She’s a smart lady, but her rationale behind doing things were things I had no concept of. I was like, “Why are you doing this?” You know, she’s playing a strong game right now and I wish her the best.

Is she nice or is she mean?

Sugar, um…(thinking) Honestly, she’s mean. (laughs) The way that she just sends folks packing. She did it to Ace, she did it to me. She has a mean spirit about her. Even though she was in my alliance, she has a mean spirit about her – at least with me. She called me a “bully” but at least with me, I was more honest with the way I came across. It wasn’t like I was lying to anybody.

Why is Susie still there?

(laughing) I know! Susie’s such a coattail rider. She has been flipping alliances since day one, and I guess that’s what you have to do to ensure your longevity.

What are your thoughts on GC?

I was disappointed because GC was a part of my alliance and I thought we could go to the end together. But the situation out there was so extreme that I think he just got tired of losing. You have to be extremely strong-minded out there. You’re at your worst. It’s disappointing the way he left the game but hopefully he can use it as an experience and grow from it.

What about Corinne? Was she really that mean and arrogant around camp?

I think she was very much like that towards Sugar. She had no reason to have any dislike toward me, because I didn’t rub her the wrong way. When I had a chance to go to Ponderosa, I was like, “Why aren’t you talking to me?” but I didn’t care about it. I think she puts up a façade. I don’t think she’s as mean.

What about Bob, is he playing the game hard or is he just lucky?
Bob is playing the game hard. He’s winning where it counts, and he is doing his thing. (laughing) He is not lucky. There’s no luck out there. It’s either do or die, and he’s out there doing it up.

You and Marcus had a connection with his cousin – how was Thanksgiving dinner?

Whew! (laughing) His best friend is my cousin, but my cousin totally understood it was a strategic move. Even though Marcus was tight with alliance, I mean, you really can’t promise someone final this or final that, and that’s what I had to open up Susie’s eyes toward. Hopefully Marcus will be able to grow from this experience also, but I haven’t really spoken to Marcus about it.

Does Matty have a strategy at all?

No, Matty does not have a strategy. Matty is out there with Susie – he’s just going with the wind. Wherever the wind blows, that’s what they’re going to do. The thing with Matty is that he has been gunning for me since day ten. He wanted me gone anyways. But I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t have yelled at him. I don’t regret the things that I said; maybe I should have said them a little nicer. But he was whining, and he just needs to be quiet. He was just (mockingly) so shocked that his name was written down, and he was getting on my nerves.

Why do you think he was gunning for you?

He initially formed an alliance with Susie, Randy, and Dan. They were going to get Kenny, GC and myself out, so ever since then he didn’t like me, and didn’t switch alliances when Ace joined our group.

What have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned to be a little less brash and sassy. I’ve learned to watch how I say things to people.

So you were brash and sassy out there.

Oh, you know, it wasn’t like I was throwing darts at them. I was telling them the truth. Everything that I told people in that game, they already knew it. Especially at tribal. Folks were just like, “Oh, we’re just so happy here!” Whatever! We’re struggling. We are in the wilderness and we are starving and it’s not the best situation. I just think my tone must have come off kind of mean sometimes, but overall I know that I’m a sweet person. And people that know me know I’m a sweet person.

Did it get better at Ponderosa or did you have to wait for someone else to show up?

I had to wait for someone else to show up. Yeah. Pretty much I hung out by myself until the next person arrived.

What was your original strategy going in?

To play a low-key physical game which, um, ended up low-key anyway, but just have numbers on my side. To make sure every time we went into tribal my name wasn’t written down.

What was the hardest part?

I would say the worst part would be the food. I love to eat, and training and competing I eat to fuel my muscles, and that was the hardest part – just not eating. I thought about food constantly.

Other than the challenges being hard, why do you think you didn’t do as well?

The food; the lack of food, lack of rest. My strength was down and out. It was by far the worst situation I’ve been in my life. Probably that’s what made it so hard. I never went into any challenge thinking I was going to take second or third place, I was going in there to win. It just so happens that we always lost. The mental part, too: trying to garner up all this strength, on top of having no physical strength, to try to excel at challenges.

Do you think Bob has been lucky?

With Bob putting the mask on the face, I don’t know if it’s luck or not. Bob is very talented in many areas. I don’t know if he mentally placed that head, how the pieces feel, he did an excellent job. He’s been doing excellent throughout the whole game. I don’t attribute his success to luck at all.

[Google]

 

[Mariner]

Great interview, hep. I thought her remarks about Sugar were particularly interesting. It seems like Crystal was capable of seeing people's complexities. I also think it's interesting she consciously decided to quit trying at challenges and just play a social game.

[shoepie]

Good interview, thanks. I like that she leared to not be brassy and sassy and watch how she talkes to others. That is a valuable lesson to take home. Good for her. That was my only issue with her.

And apparently Kenny did, indeed, use a derrogative term for Charlie. She tried to gloss over that and say in the context it was okay. hmmmmmm no.

[dantrb]

Originally Posted by shoepie

And apparently Kenny did, indeed, use a derrogative term for Charlie. She tried to gloss over that and say in the context it was okay. hmmmmmm no.

So it seems. Then again, Randy and Corine were calling everyone names too. I wonder what's worst.

[shoepie]

Originally Posted by dantrb

So it seems. Then again, Randy and Corine were calling everyone names too. I wonder what's worst.

Some names are worse than others. F*g trumps all we heard those two spew.

[AsIs]

With her exit and the interview, I like Crystal 10x more than I did on the show. Best wishes to her.

[CrossingGuard]

Crystal!

Thanks for the transcript, hep! It was an enjoyable read.

[FBhang]

Thanks for the great interview!

Did it get better at Ponderosa or did you have to wait for someone else to show up?

I had to wait for someone else to show up. Yeah. Pretty much I hung out by myself until the next person arrived

LOL, glad we read this after the finale, as it is pretty obvious Kenny is next.

[KeepItReal]

Good interview. It's always nice to see when people realize that they were cranky/abrasive/out of order. It doesn't happen often on these shows.

As for the others not speaking to her until someone else showed up, nothing better could have exhibited what these people are truly made of. They are vile to the core, to be able to treat people that way outside of a game. I would not want Marcus as my doctor under any circumstances, and if he had the opportunity to save my life I'm sure he'd remind me of it every chance he had. I know doctors like him. Knew a surgeon like him with such a G-d complex that another surgeon agreed with my assessments and stepped in and took over once I complained to him. When other doctors can see it now that's BAD...and I see that same arrogance in Marcus. I would have thought that he was only like that in the game, but I can see that's not so. I'm wondering about Crystal's cousin if he can call a man like that his best friend. Charlie is just a follower...let's hope that Marcus is a little better than he's portrayed himself and that he's just a huge baby that takes a long time to come down off of the emotions of the game.

[dantrb]

Originally Posted by shoepie

Some names are worse than others. F*g trumps all we heard those two spew.

Sorry, I don't agree with that (I'm gay btw.) Some may hurt more than others but just because they affect you. I'm sure if Susie was call "this" or Crystal/CG "that" it would hurt more too.

I'm all for equal opportunity, even when it comes to hateful words