‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ interview: Katie Collins on drawing rocks, Redemption Island, more

Katie Collins certainly managed to establish a legacy for herself on “Survivor: Blood vs. Water.” Not only did she make it all the way to the final six on what has been a thrill ride of a season, but she managed to only be the second person in the history of the show to be eliminated via a rock. It’s not a purple rock like the one that Paschal got, and we’re pretty sure that it’s not the same rock that Francesca threatened to eat last season; but, it’s a pretty terrible rock nonetheless.

Before we start the exclusive Q&A portion of the interview about the game, we want to acknowledge Katie’s graciousness to do these interviews through what has been a very tough time for her. As you may have heard last week, Katie’s brother and Tina’s son Taylor Collins died in a car accident, and it certainly has reverberated through the show’s dedicated fan following. Our thoughts continue to be with her and Tina, and hopefully they are going to have an opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and enjoy the finale this weekend. She did inform us prior to the start of our “Survivor”-related discussion today that she is extremely grateful for all the support she and her mom have received.

CarterMatt – Let’s start with what I suppose is one of the biggest moments of the season in drawing rocks. I think it was a good move from your standpoint, but was there ever any doubt going through this whole process that this was something you were going to do?

Katie Collins – I was firmly committed, because I wasn’t trying to save my butt. If I were, I wouldn’t have even considered drawing rocks … There was a moment [at the tribal council] where Ciera turned back to Hayden and said ‘Monica.’ And Hayden got my attention and whispered ‘Monica.’ So Ciera was going to throw her vote against Monica, and I’m thinking in my head ‘it’s not like we have the time in the world to talk and strategize.’ Jeff’s asking questions but when you’re not answering questions you have a chance to think out scenarios in your head.

Drawing rocks was the one chance we had to get rid of Tyson, who has been such a strong player. It was kind of a defining moment because we knew he wouldn’t expect it, and it was [surprising] because we weren’t expecting it at that tribal, either. Now that we know that he had an idol in his pocket, [we realize that] he was pretty scared when he pulled the rock out.

I think I made the right decision, and wouldn’t change [it] for the world because Tyson was playing the game so well. This was our moment to leave it up to chance and maybe get him out of there, and then maybe knock off Gervase and Monica and [go through to the end]. But luck wasn’t on my side.

Were you surprised in any way that Tyson decided to go through with drawing rocks? It’s just such a surprising moment all around since you go through so much to get there, and then you leave it up to chance.

Well, he, Monica and Gervase were just so tight. Their alliance was really strong, and we saw Monica sort of break down this past show because she was amazed that they didn’t turn on her. That’s just a testament to their alliance. They’ve just been strong and they have each other’s back. None of us wavered. I suppose that is what made it so cool. It was like a good duel, like a conquest. Who’s going to change their vote, and then nobody did! (Laughs.)

Let’s go back for a minute to a little earlier on in the season. How did you get through and survive past all of the machismo stuff and Culpepper and his alliance at camp? Was there any sort of strategy that you and Ciera used to survive?

It was tough for all the women, with like you said the machismo [guys] and girls flying out one by one. Me and Ciera were like ‘oh my god.’ Really I took on more of a domestic role, like cooking the rice and boiling the clothes, doing some of the basic chores [to hang in there at camp] … Me and Ciera made a pact that we would stay together through the merge. That was the only real alliance, that verbal alliance, that me and her made. And I think our close bond helped us in the beginning against this whole macho thing until Culpepper was voted out; then, we were relieved. It was then that we [realized] that we could make it to the merge.

After we did get there, we obviously had some different strategies, but I think our initial bond helped us in the beginning. I was grateful that I had her, and hopefully she would say the same thing. But it was scary for a while!

We have to at least touch on some of what happened at Redemption Island last night. Did you think that your mom was really ready to let you advance to the next round over her? What was that like?

I think for my mom it really was a struggle. She loves the game so much and she doesn’t let me win at everything. This was just a completely different playing field. This is ‘Survivor,’ and her knowing that she would have to send me home was hard for her. I didn’t want her to go through [that], but I know it needed to happen. I think that she was being honest 100% and that’s all I could have asked for her. We made a pact to both try, and may the best man win.

—

If you want to read more “Survivor” news, we’ve broken down the remaining contestants in full at the link here. Meanwhile, be sure to see the sidebar to the right for all of the other stories related to this season, and also what is coming up around the bend.

Photo: CBS