Debbie got the boot last night, which means that we're that much closer to seeing Taj take it all the way. On the down side, we're also that much closer to seeing Coach make it to the million. I spoke with the middle school principal turned outdoorswoman earlier today about Coach's "integrity," last night's vote and her relationship with Sierra. If you'll recall, last week the model told me everything was all good with Debbie, but I just wanted to make sure Debbie felt the same way...
Hilary: You talked about coach's integrity, do you really think he had any?
Debbie: You know what, he really did and he stayed true to his word. I tried to get him to turn on J.T and Stephen and he wouldn't. So the guy
basically stayed true to his word. Yes, he has some quirky characteristics but so far yea, he didn't tell the truth where Sierra was concerned when she called us out but other than that, with who he's aligned himself with, he's stayed pretty true.
Hilary: But do you think he's just lying to himself, with those stories about the Amazon and hanging with natives?
Debbie: Honestly, I don't know. We were all blown away by those stories and I guess I'm not one to judge whether they're true or not. He says they are, he believes they are and they sure are some crazy stories. I don't know...but I believe if he says they are.
Hilary: So were you surprised by who voted for you?
Debbie No, not at all. Actually let me take a step back, I was totally blind sided and shocked but when I saw who voted for me, I knew they knew I was a threat so I took it as a compliment. And even Jeff said the week before, "hey how does it feel to be such a threat in this game? I'm not shocked. It's a game and they did good!
Hilary: Have you and Sierra mended fences?
Debbie: Absolutely, we mended fences the minute I walked into Ponderosa. The thing that wasn't shown is that Sierra and I were really close. And I look at her like a sister. Of course, I'm old enough to be her mother but I don't want to think about being that old! We had a very close relationship and even my daughter and I get into some verbal fights. What you didn't see were the two days before were it was a real mess and I said "Stop, ok? I've had enough" and that had been going on for a while But yea, Sierra and I are really close, I talk to her all the time.
Hilary: Do you feel you like you played the game with integrity?
Debbie: I do for the most part. But gosh, you know when it gets to the end you gotta play the game. I was doing some dealing and trying to stay in the game. I knew my time was limited after Tyson left because Tyson and Coach and I had such a tight alliance formed from get go. So I got a little conniving towards the end, but hey, it's part of the game.
Hilary: Going into it, did you plan to be totally honest or were you willing to be deceitful from the start?
Debbie: From the beginning, I wanted to be honest with myself and I wanted to be me out there. I honestly think some of the producers got frustrated with me at times because I really don't trash talk people. I tell my middle school kids all the time, people who talk about others are just doing it to boost themselves up like a bully so I wasn't gonna go out there and trash people, I was there to play a game. So I think I stayed pretty true to that. Yes, in Survivor, there are lies and deceptions. It's part of this game. Does it make you a bad person because you're out there deceiving people? I don't think so. And I never came out like Coach saying "I am playing this game with integrity and honor." I didn't do that so I don't think I lied.
Hilary: So at this point in the game who should we have our eye on?
Debbie: I've really been thinking about that. They're all bringing different things to the table, you've got weak, you've got strong, you've got mind manipulation, physical strength. It's going to be really interesting to see how this thing plays out. Right now, I was shocked when I realized how much of a role Stephen is playing. I thought J.T. was calling the shots but I think Stephen is doing a lot of it behind the scenes. Stephen is someone that I'd watch out for right now, but I'm anxious to see how it plays out.
Hilary: So last night's vote - why can't anyone spell "Debbie"?!
Debbie: I don't know! Probably because nobody names anyone "Debbie" these days. It's like an old name. I don't know! Everyone spells it differently, it's hilarious.
Hilary: So I assume they don't tell you how to spell peoples' names before hand.
Debbie: Nope. I think I spelled "Candace" crazy too because I had a student who spelled it the way I wrote it. They don't tell us any of that stuff.
Hilary: Did anyone stand out in terms of change in character?
Debbie: No not really. I think Coach changed the most physically. He looks emaciated at this point. But J.T. still has his little belly at this point because he got to go on all those rewards challenges where we ate. The people we played with pretty much stayed the same. Yes, there are tempers, you get easily agitated often, after so many days out there after no sleeping, because you're really not sleeping. There's bugs and things crawling on you, it's wet. Just miserable. You're not eating, you're not drinking much because the water tastes horrible. So it takes its toll and gets on everybody's last nerve.
Hilary: Were you a fan of the show before?
Debbie: I absolutely was. I always thought Survivor was the ultimate reality show. I applied in season two, didn't get a call and then they called me back for this season and how they got my name and all that, there's lot of different rumors , I don't know. But I was so excited when they called and asked if I would consider applying again.
Hilary: As a fan was there a previous Survivor you were modeling your game after?
Debbie: I always thought Tina played the game with class and was nice and worked hard. So I thought she was pretty cool. So maybe Tina a little bit but I was also a little bit goofier than she was. I don't know if you saw the back flips I did out there! So yea, I thought she played the game with class and I really didn't want to have to get really nasty out there.
Hilary: What was the hardest challenge for you?
Debbie: Oh my gosh, I thought the very first one was horrible. We had been there three days and hadn't eaten a thing because, of course, we didn't have flint. So that first challenge it was one hundred and twenty five degrees out there and we were running over those dunes and then out in the water. My dress slash shirt weighed about five hundred pounds wet so I ended up taking it off and then running back and then we all developed this weird burning cough from inhaling that hot air so much, it was horrible!
Hilary: So did you ever think about going home?
Debbie: Not until day twenty something when I probably would have gone home for a Reeses peanut butter cup.
Hilary: Anyone else you've connected with beside Sierra?
Debbie: Actually, we all really are great friends and close. I know it's odd for this game but we really do like each other and care for each other. I'm really looking forward to the finale. I think we're a good group of people and everyone will see that.
Hilary: Well I'm pulling for Taj right now!
Debbie: I love Taj! She's my girl!
