“I Was Mentally in the Game” – RealityNewsOnline’s Exclusive Interview with Solitary 3.0's Maureen (#5)

Maureen (#5) had a spirit that was willing, but her body gave out during the gluttony treatment. Now that's she's out of Solitary, she has taken the time to answer some questions and give her take on the entire experience.

RealityNewsOnline: Welcome, Maureen, and thanks for taking the time for this interview. First off, what made you decide to go into Solitary?

Maureen: I’m a bit insane! On a serious note, I liked the fact how Solitary takes you out of your comfort zone. It’s the only show that the individual cast members control their destiny. There are no alliances and others cannot plot to kick you off.

RNO: What were your initial thoughts upon finding another person inside your pod when the blindfolds were removed?

Maureen: I was very confused when I saw someone else in the pod. After all, the show is called Solitary. My mind started to race with questions and concerns. Will we have to be playing as a pair? Will we compete against each other? He looks stronger than me physically. Oh, boy. I hope during the first round, I don’t have to compete against him. Man, it’s going to get crowded in this room.

RNO: In the first three treatments, you hit the red button, yet were not eliminated. How scary was it to wait for VAL to reveal your fate?

Maureen: My gut told me someone quit before me, but at the same time, you never really know. You could read FEAR in my face. I just kept my fingers crossed that my timing was right.

RNO: The auction ended rather badly for you, as you paid for a treatment handicap that was stolen and then used against you, as well as the bowling ball treatment. How maddening was it to be singled out by #9 (Jason) during that part of the game?

Maureen: While playing the game, I hated the fact that #9 singled me out with BOTH the treatment handicap and sitting on the bowling ball treatment. I wanted to be one of those players that went unnoticed.

However, it was a good strategy on his part, especially since the handicap was for a food eating challenge. I haven’t fed my body junk food for how many days?! For the handicap, I had to eat the marshmallow chocolate bar. Let me tell you, it was filling. After the first treat, I was already on my way to feeling full.

RNO: How did you deal with VAL's obedience experiment, where you sat in the chair and were ignored?

Maureen: I love sitting in the chair and doing absolutely NOTHING. It just meant I was still in the game. The obedience treatment gave me time to just think, reflect about life, and enjoy my experience in Solitary.

RNO: Of the tests and competitions outside the treatments, which one did you find the most frustrating?

Maureen: I didn’t like the mousetrap challenge. Just when I had all the traps organized, they would go off! I would have to start ALL OVER again. Setting them up wasn’t easy as they often clipped my fingers.

RNO: Of the first three treatments (the stools, the flesh clips, and the smells/liquids), which was the worst and why?

Maureen: The flesh clips were the absolute worst! As soon as I put the first one on the side of my abs, I could already feel the sting. It felt like someone was biting into my skin. After 40 flesh clips on my body, I was in excruciating pain. I have never voluntarily caused myself that much physical pain in my life!

RNO: You ended your stay after the gluttony treatment, when your body quit on you. Do you feel better going out that way rather than hitting the red button due to pain or discomfort?

Maureen: I was mentally in the game for the gluttony treatment. I may not have shown it through my tears, but I didn’t want to leave Solitary. When my body quit on me while my mind was still in the game, it was heartbreaking. However, I knew it was my fault for not preparing my body well by overeating in my real life. I told myself throughout the treatment, the only way I was going to quit was if my body quit on me first. My heart and mind was clearly in the game. I am still proud of myself because I truly gave it my all.

RNO: Outside of the tests and treatments, what was the most difficult part of Solitary?

Maureen: It was really hard to stay awake. I wanted to recharge my body with eight hours of sleep, but VAL was not going to allow that. When my eyes looked heavy, VAL would say, “wake up, number 5.”

RNO: Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your experiences in Solitary?

Maureen: As I watched the show with my fiancé, family, and friends, they all said, “YOU are crazy for doing this. Why?” I agree with them, however, it was truly one of the BEST experiences of my life. I’ve always been fascinated with reality shows and it was my lifelong dream to be in one. Solitary was the ideal show for me. It pushed me mentally, physically, and emotionally. VAL broke me down, but built me up stronger as a person. I have a new bar that I raised for myself!

RNO: Thanks again for the interview, Maureen!

Solitary 3.0 is a Fox Reality original program and airs on Saturdays.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Solitary articles:

Jeffrey Clinard has recapped Solitary since its premiere season. His patronus takes the form of a sadistic penguin and he can often be found watching Las Vegas Wrangler hockey games for the fights. He can be reached at realityfeedback@bookslv.com.

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