“I Didn’t Get Much TV Time But I Feel Like I Played a Good Game” – RealityNewsOnline’s Exclusive Interview with Survivor: Samoa’s Kelly

When I realized I would be interviewing Kelly this morning, my first thought was, “Kelly? Who’s Kelly?” Unfortunately, Kelly was the rare contestant who makes it all the way to the jury without us ever really getting to know her. So I figured, now is our chance to find out more about her and her time on the show. Let’s see what we can discover!

RealityNewsOnline: Hello, Kelly, and thanks for taking the time to talk to us here at RealityNewsOnline! I have to tell you, I feel like we barely got to know you! How do you feel about what we saw of you on TV?

Kelly: It was definitely a different edit. When I got in there, I really liked the people, but at the same time I was there to play a game, not to get airtime. I think a lot of people getting airtime were more there to be a villain or a character and play a role than to play the game. My whole M.O. was to just become friends with everyone, get in there, and to play the game and win the money and not to get TV time. I didn’t get much TV time but I feel like I played a good game.

RNO: Why do you think you got so little airtime, especially given the line in your CBS bio saying, “Kelly is certain she will stand out in the game of Survivor”?

Kelly: I think from the episodes, the people that have been the nicest and who really aren’t backstabbing or getting in arguments or causing the drama aren’t getting airtime. Look at Brett, he’s pretty invisible also and I think he’s playing one of the best games. I think the audience doesn’t want to see the nice guys get ahead.

RNO: What did you do that surprised you by not making it on the air?

Kelly: I think during the challenges I excelled and that was the most fun and where I did the best. Especially the second episode with the rumble with everyone, I think I didn’t get the airtime I deserved. It was fun for me and it was tackling – I wish they would have shown a little bit more of that. I think also that Foa Foa got most of airtime in the beginning because they kept losing. It’s unfortunate because me and Erik were the first jury members and we were from Galu, because they didn’t get to showcase Galu very much.

RNO: Going back to the beginning, what was your strategy coming in to Survivor?

Kelly: Initially when I got there, my strategy was to kind of just get along with everyone and to be a good listener. Especially in a group of people like this, everybody likes to be a bit egotistical and hear each other talk. So I wanted to be there and listen but don’t reveal too much.

RNO: And, since we didn’t get to see it on TV, how did you do with that strategy?

Kelly: You heard Shambo say nobody has anything against Kelly – it’s true. I was set up good with the guys and girls – my alliances were great.

RNO: Who were you close to in the game besides Laura and Monica?

Kelly: My biggest ally was Brett.

RNO: Wow, we totally didn’t see that.

Kelly: Exactly. I think we were playing a very similar game, we were two of the youngest out there. I think to be honest he was my number one ally before the girls. He was aware that Monica was getting the target put on her, so if we had to forfeit someone to a vote, that was going to happen. I think my only true allegiance was to Brett.

RNO: What was the first thought that went through your mind when Russell stood up with the immunity idol for the second Tribal Council in a row?

Kelly: (Laughs) I had no idea that he had an idol. It didn’t even cross my mind. The Tribal Council before we were definitely going to split the vote until the Erik plan came into motion. It was a complete shock – it’s kind of a blur, it happened so fast. I knew it was me or Monica, so I was waiting for the first vote other than him to be read. From the look on Monica’s face, she thought it was her and I thought it was her, to be honest.

RNO: Considering the sideways glances you kept giving Shambo earlier in the show last night, did it surprise you to find out that Shambo was involved in getting you voted out and, indeed, suggested you as the person to vote off once Laura won immunity?

Kelly: Did it surprise me? I think… no. I don’t think Shambo’s moves are strategic, but based off emotion. She wanted Laura out, she wanted to hurt Laura. I just think she was very emotional, there was no strategy behind anything she did. I wasn’t surprised to hear her say my name and at that point, all Russell had was her to go off of.