“I Knew Not to Trust Rob”: An Interview with Survivor’s Alicia

Alicia was on the outside of the original Chapera alliance, but rode it out all the way to seventh place. RealityNewsOnline had a chance to ask her about her strategy, how Rob has gotten so much power, and more!

RealityNewsOnline: Hello, Alicia, and thanks for taking the time to answer these questions from RealityNewsOnline! Starting at the beginning, what was your strategy going into All-Stars and how did it differ from your first time around?

Alicia: Basically my strategy was to do the opposite of what I did the first time. I tried to hold back in the challenges so that I wouldn't be such a physical threat and I tried to not be too confrontational (that was hardest of all!).

RNO: Did you feel you were able to fully make use of your strategy, or did you have to modify it a lot due to actual game conditions?

Alicia: It's hard to know exactly what is going to work until you get out there... but I think I used my strategy as much as I could. I made it six days further than I did the first time.

RNO: Throughout your time on All-Stars, it was evident to the viewers that you were on the outside of the main alliances there – did you know that as well or did the others do a good job of hiding it from you?

Alicia: I chose to be on the outside of the alliances, so I knew full well what I was doing. I just couldn't align with anyone who was going to be under the control of Boston Rob – that just happened to be everyone but me.

RNO: We saw you make a deal with Rob when you all thought Amber was probably doomed – did you expect that deal to hold up when you found out Amber was back, or did you know all bets were off then?

Alicia: Even when I thought Amber was doomed I knew not to trust Rob. If he didn't approach me to make that alliance none of that would have ever happened.

RNO: Did you have other deals that we didn't see?

Alicia: I did try to plant a few seeds. I talked to Rupert early on about my concerns with Rob and Amber being so close. Sue Hawk and I were watching each other’s backs until she left the game, and I tried to hint to Kathy that I was on my own in my tribe. The problem is, you can't stir up an empty pot!

RNO: Why did it seem that nobody (you, Tom, Jenna, Rupert) wanted to join together against Rob and Amber?

Alicia: I would have been glad to. I was the only who ever stood up to him (on Day 3). I think everyone was trying to play the game too safe.

RNO: So how did Rob seem to acquire so much power in the tribe?

Alicia: The one thing everyone seems to have learned from playing the game the first time is that flying under the radar is the safest way to get far. I think everyone was content to hide behind Rob and let him do all the dirty work.

RNO: We heard from Lex and Kathy that Rob used his outside friendships to his advantage – would you characterize it the same way?

Alicia: Some people will do anything for money and the thrill of the game. Rob is one of those people. He used everything necessary to get ahead, including his close friends.... I can't respect that.

RNO: Why do you think you were picked on in your final reward challenge?

Alicia: Besides Shi Ann, I was the only one without any alliances. Everyone could say negative things about me without worrying about any repercussions to their game.

RNO: What would you say was your biggest mistake?

Alicia: I have no regrets. The only thing I could have done differently would have been to suck up to Rob the way everyone else did. I would rather be voted out than do that.

RNO: Did it offend you when Big Tom would say things like, "Our raft is the best-built thing since Alicia," and, "Nice rack, uh, raft"?

Alicia: Not at all!! That's the way Big Tom is and he's harmless. I just took it as a compliment.

RNO: Do you have anything else you'd like to say to your fans?

Alicia: See you all at the Finale... it should be very interesting to say the least!

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com. Thanks to the other RNO writers for their question suggestions.

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