Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick on Mr. Beast Twist

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick’s Survivor 50 run got here to an finish amid one of many season’s most chaotic Tribal Councils within the present’s historical past, as Rick Devens uncovered key alliances and a Mr. Beast Beware Advantage launched a high-stakes coin flip that upended the vote. In her exit interview with The Hollywood Reporterthe four-time participant breaks down the second her sport unraveled, the conversations that sealed her destiny and why she believes the turning level got here properly earlier than her elimination.

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Let’s begin with that Tribal Council. Were you stunned by Devens revealing everybody’s plans? How a lot did that change issues for you within the second?

When he began going off and outing me and Jonathan, I used to be like, “Oh, here we go. Now I have to do damage control.” I let Jonathan converse first. And what he stated was good, however I’m like, “I got to jump in here.” I can not throw Jonathan below the bus, regardless that it was his plan and I’m getting dragged into it. This is simply not who I’m. When I provide you with my phrase, I provide you with my phrase. So I attempt to flip it again on Devens. But then he is attacking me. Tiffany’s attacking me. Rizo’s attacking me. I’m like, “Oh, this is not going good. Stephenie, remain calm.”

What was your response when the Mr. Beast Beware Advantage was lastly defined?

I used to be like, “Shit, I want to flip the coin after that mess.” But Devens needed to flip the coin. Then you see Cirie ask Jonathan, “Would you let Devens flip the coin?” Jonathan’s like, “No, I wouldn’t because you don’t want him to be safe, but then he could go home.” But we have been all in settlement after that mess at camp. We all went again to the way it simply must be Devens or Aubry. There are too many names flying round. Cirie stated one thing like, “Do you want to flip the coin?” I’m like, “Should I?” She goes, “I think you’re safe, but if you want to flip the coin, flip the coin.”

I ought to have taken that as a touch, however then I obtained nervous as a result of Jeff was like, “Wow, we didn’t think anyone would volunteer. You have a 50 percent chance of going home.” So I obtained a little bit nervous and Devens was doing it. We would’ve needed to argue over it or go to rocks. So I used to be like, “I’ll just let Devens do it.”

How stunned have been you with the results of that coin flip?

I used to be shocked. But I’m a staff participant and a very good sport, so I clapped and I acted as if I used to be joyful for him. See, I’m a very good actress! There’s going to be a vote and we had a backup plan. If Devens is protected, it’ll be Aubry, proper? Then we in fact go to a different dwell tribal and everybody discusses how it’ll be Aubry. Even Joe tells me it’ll be Aubry. Well, apparently they have been all going for me. It was not going to be Aubry. Then I suppose Jonathan finds out on the final minute that it is me. You both go together with the vote or you are going to be the odd man out. So he went with the vote.

When Mr. Beast confirmed up with the thriller suitcase after the public sale, what have been the theories at camp about what it could be?

Somebody could be miraculously protected or may need to go residence instantly, or somebody can depart for a complete bunch of cash. We thought possibly he was going to supply $1 million to depart proper now. We had no concept. Mr. Beast does all these wacky, loopy issues.

And it was so bittersweet, as a result of we simply obtained our letters from residence, from our family members. So we go from this emotional excessive to proper again within the sport. Jonathan comes proper at me and is like, “We got to make a big move.” I’m like, “What do you mean?” He’s like, “It’s got to be Ozzy.” I’m like, “I don’t know if we have the numbers for that, Jonathan.” So it went from increase, increase, increase. Then I’m going for a stroll for an interview. I come again, he is like, “It’s you.” They turned the entire vote on you. I’m like, “How’s it on me? What do you mean? What is going on?”Just a catastrophe. good previous Survivor. Never a uninteresting second.

Jonathan tells you Ozzy’s coming for you and he tells viewers in a one-on-one that he is exaggerating. Did you consider him when he instructed you that?

I did consider he was telling the reality. I confronted Ozzy, and Ozzy admitted he did say that. He stated within the interview to essentially make me consider it, however he did not even exaggerate it that a lot. He’s like, “I just want to tell you something, Ms. Stephenie.” He goes, “Ozzy told me a couple days ago that he doesn’t trust you.” I used to be like, “What?” I used to be so taken again, as a result of I had not given him any motive to not belief me. I had been nothing however there for him the entire sport, for weeks now we might been collectively. I did blindsided him with the Mike White vote, however he blindsided me with the Q vote. We have been even. Other than that, I’d by no means give him any motive to not belief me. So I get Cirie and Ozzy alone and stated, “I want to tell you guys something. Ozzy, your name is out there. I did hear people out. I didn’t plan it, but I heard people out. And the reason is because apparently you don’t trust me going around telling people you don’t trust me.” And he goes, “You know what? You’re right. I did say that.”

I’m going, “Well, why don’t you trust me? I haven’t given you a reason.” And he stated, “Well, I just wanted to see if it would get back to me.” I’m like, “Well, it obtained again to you and I’m telling you the reality and I’m telling you now, Cirie, the reality that I did entertain his title. I do not suppose it is in my finest curiosity to vote any person like him out otherwise you and even me as a result of I really feel like we’re in the identical boat. We’re good shields for one another. If one in all us goes, I do not suppose it’ll be a very good plan. I feel one in all us would go subsequent then too.”

Then I even stated to them, “If you guys turn this on me, I don’t think it’s going to be a good idea for you. I think you could very well become a target next.” They did not like that assertion, however I used to be like, “I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take one of you out, so I don’t know why you’d want to take me out.” So all of us type of agreed to return to the Devens/Aubrey factor. So I did suppose I used to be protected at Tribal Council.

Looking again, was that when issues began turning?

I suppose that is the place all of it turned, as a result of then Cirie does this interview and she or he’s like, “Well, Stephenie was just lying right to my face. I can tell she was lying. She won’t make eye contact. So I guess this is going to be me and Ozzy versus her and Jonathan.” And I by no means needed it to be that. I even instructed Jonathan, “I don’t know if I thought that was such a great plan.” I believed we did have to possibly get Ozzy’s idol out ultimately, flush the idol. But it did not essentially imply that evening or that it might be Ozzy. So I feel that is the place issues turned.

You stated you do not blame Jonathan for doing his half. It looks as if you understood the place Ozzy was coming from. How about Cirie? You’ve performed together with her earlier than.

We have not actually talked all season. We do not textual content or name one another. But when a actuality present comes up, we name one another and we’re like, “Did you get the call for this?” It’s like previous buddies who have not talked in years and change into buddies once more. After 50, we talked a little bit throughout premiere week. She tried to elucidate to me why she instructed Rizo so rapidly about my benefit. I nonetheless do not agree together with her doing that simply because Rizo from that day by no means trusted me. I did not know even her and Rizo have been even that shut till I watched the present after the actual fact. So we type of agreed to disagree and that I used to be very loyal to her and she or he was not loyal to me, and it’s what it’s and simply let’s get pleasure from 50.

But then we have not actually spoken. We do not actually discuss on the telephone. I’ve completely no onerous emotions in opposition to Cirie in any respect. She undoubtedly outplayed me. I simply want she would simply admit that she was not loyal to me, as a result of she wasn’t. And she could have her causes, however on the finish of the day, she was not loyal to me and I used to be loyal to her.

As you watch the season, clearly while you’re enjoying it, you miss numerous issues. What stunned you most as you have been watching the episodes?

Just how Cirie actually was by no means on my aspect. She gave me her phrase earlier than the sport and I actually thought she meant it, and I do not suppose she did. Which I should not be stunned by, however I’m as a result of I feel when she offers her phrase to some individuals, she will be loyal till she would not want them anymore. But she actually wasn’t loyal to me from the start. She actively took out my alliance each probability she might get. So I’m really happy with myself that I hung in there. Kyle goes, Q goes. It was nonstop, Colby, Genevieve, Coach, Chrissy. My individuals have been simply dropping like flies and I’m nonetheless hanging in there. I did one of the best I might with the hand I used to be handled.

This is your fourth time enjoying. Do you’re feeling that if that is your final probability that you simply’re glad, or do you continue to really feel like you might have much more to offer to this superb journey?

I at all times really feel I’ve extra to offer. I’ll by no means say by no means. I really like a very good journey, but when this was my final time ever enjoying, I’m tremendous proud of the best way I went out. I’m tremendous proud of the sport I performed. I’m tremendous proud of the edit I used to be given and the individual that I used to be within the sport. I feel I set a extremely nice instance for not solely my kids, however kids everywhere in the world and for girls of their mid-40s who’re mothers on the market and possibly suppose they might not nonetheless have it. You obtained it, woman. I’ve gotten so many constructive messages from so many individuals thanking me for being such a fantastic position mannequin — males, ladies, kids, everybody. So you realize what? If that is the tip of my journey with SurvivorI’m tremendous proud of it. I’m tremendous happy with myself and I’m very grateful to have been part of it.

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