Survivor: The Amazon – An Interview with JoAnna

RealityNewsOnline was once again given the opportunity to interview a Survivor contestant who had been voted out. We asked JoAnna Ward a series of questions and below you will find her answers. The answers here are just as she sent them in, with all-caps and punctuation and even some places where, I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure what she was talking about… We have also added two explanatory comments, in brackets.

Hello, JoAnna. Obviously you were quite a controversial player, so let's start with some questions that deal with that and go from there:

RealityNewsOnline: Considering the way you talked about the Immunity Idol, it had many viewers wondering if you had ever seen the show before. Didn't you realize coming in to this show that the "Immunity Idol" would be a part of the game?

JoAnna Ward: I was not a fan of the game. Even if I was, I still wouldn't touch the idol. I think contestants have this option, it is not mandatory or I wouldn't have been selected.

RNO: I've had many other Born-Again Christians e-mail me to point out that the Bible says you shouldn't worship idols – where does it say you shouldn't have little statuettes nearby that somebody happened to choose to call an "idol" for game purposes?

JoAnna: Graven images and not being among any reference of idols is mentioned in the bible. I would leave you supporting scriptures, but that would take away the fun.

Furthermore God gives those who are in personal relationship with him specific instructions, if "true" born again Christians were sending you email, then they would recognize and respect that. I don't answer to a pastor, clergy, bishops, and fellow man, I respect them, but I answer to the Most High Elyon God, my life is in his hands. I hold him responsible for my outcomes. I accept his yes, his no, the doors he opens and the ones he closes, he is God and there is none besides him. Believe that! Obedience is better than sacrifice – so question on – I will pull you into my world before you pull me into yours... SWEET!

RNO: What is your side of the situation which caused you to go off on Christy the way you did, to the point of sticking your hand in her face when you knew that the only way she could understand you was to read your lips?

JoAnna: As far a Christy goes, she was a thorn in my flesh. Christy was very vocal about her disagreement of my not wanting to touch the idol. She also held me personally responsible for the girls isolating her from the tribe... If you were listening to what I was saying, in addition to what I was doing, you would have understood from the episode – but then of course this would mean you actually wanted to understand??? –anyhow, there were several occasions that I was talking to Jeanne and Christy came and stuck her entire face between us and right in my face. My solution to this problem was to invite her face out of mine with my hand. The clip you see, the issue is being laid on the table because Christy is still talking about the idol, my stupidity (as if) and me putting my hand in her face. Outdone, I finally approached her and I reminded her that we agreed that she was going to let it go. It amazes me that you never see Christy harassing me????? But I guess it wouldn't have mattered because it would have been OK because she fell into a minority with her hearing – well I fell into several minorities – Christian, Strong, only single-parent, the sudden death of my mother DOROTHY VASSELL, but there was no pity for me – oh I forgot – I don't need pity. By the way did you notice above all else that Christy did not vote against me after I allegedly "went off on her." Makes you wonder??? Nobody voted against me at all that episode??? Then, when the did vote me off, I wasn't because of my faith, going off on people, mean, or rude??? Hmmm... I was just too strong… SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY, and PHYSICALLY. Or maybe they just lied on national TV and said that I was just plain better – it amazes me how others try to formulate so many other reasons – I am a Mighty Woman of God. Come correct or don't come at all. It is hard to argue with absolute truth supported by evidence. Try something else – next. [RNO Note: While we obviously weren’t there, it does seem that perhaps Christy might have needed to “stick her face” in as reading lips is the only way she can understand what others are saying.]

RNO: What did you think when you saw your confrontation with Christy on TV?

JoAnna: I thought it was a slight slant in the editing. I was not bothered by it though, I know what happened and because of the skipping and jumps in the footage, my people knew it was suspect. Also, the people who I deal with on a day to day basis know that if it came to that, I was pushed there. I handle myself well. I already know what I am dealing with, and I know how it all turns out in the end. There is a bigger picture and I am glad that the eyes of my understand are alert enough to view it in its entirety. Thank you Lord Jesus!

RNO: Did you have a strategy going in to the game and was it altered in any way by the tribes being split by gender?

JoAnna: Part of my strategy was to lay low behind a dominant male – from the looks of things that wouldn't have worked either, for there were none, they lacked in some areas – the other part of my strategy worked... Prayer, Praise and Worship! HALLELUJAH OH GLORY HALLELUJAH AMEN I am strong in the Lord and the Power of his might! The joy of the Lord continues to be my strength. I love you all so much for this stage.