Sierra Reed was the 10th person to leave Survivor:Tocantins. I had the chance to talk with her following last Thursday’s episode. She talks about how it felt to deal with Coach and Debbie lying, how she felt after Tyson left and how proud and surprised she is of Stephen. Here is what Sierra had to say……
Billy Debney: Hey Sierra! How are you?
Sierra Reed: I’m good, Billy. How are you?
BD: Not bad thanks. So what’s the story behind you getting cast for the show?
SR: Well they came up to me three weeks before they were leaving and I was eating a taco on Sunset, and they came up and said “Hey you’re super cute! Wanna be on Survivor” I was like…ummm no. But I’ll do that show Amazing Race. But they said they weren’t casting for that. But I’m really attracted to traveling, I’ve pretty much lived all over the world. I think that was my biggest thing. I was attracted to the travel part. So I went in for my interviews and had fun with it. Then they asked me to be on the show!
BD: So would you ever pull a Rob and Amber and go on The Amazing Race with someone?
SR: (laughs…a lot) You mean join the reality train? Um no….actually yes if I was asked to go on that show I would absolutely do it cause its an amazing show. But I don’t want to be perceived as a reality star.
BD: I watched the Ponderosa video and you said that you would never do the show again. Is that still what you think?
SR: Nope I changed my mind. I would absolutely do it again and I guarantee that they will call me. (laughs)
BD: Now you had a tough time out there with the way people perceived you…why do you think that happened?
SR: Ahhh because in the beginning when you start off super weak it always hangs over your head. And I think that my alliance with Brendan and the 4 way holding all the idols really pissed people off. The moment they blindsided Brendan they really didnt get a chance to really give it to him like they gave it to me. Because in order to blindside someone you can’t tell them you know about them. So I think I got the brunt side of all of it.
BD: You very easily could have gone early on…what do you think was your biggest move to prevent that from happening?
SR: I was really good in camp…I started the first fire. I was a huge food collector…I climbed all the trees. I helped build numerous challenges. I memorized the survival manuel so I knew a lot of the tricks of the trade. I really pulled my weight in challenges. And I think just hard work and trying to be a good person. I think in the beginning as a tribe it’s really important to be a good person and to show that. Then when you start to play individually…so maybe thats what I did wrong. Maybe at the merge its time to be a snake in the grass.
BD: So it was the last couple days you were there that you and Erinn really bonded right?
SR: Ummm no I really dont think Erinn and I extremely bonded so to speak…but Erinn finally for the first time saw that maybe I wasn’t as bad as she thought I was.
BD: Well that was probably a good feeling to go out on…
SR: Yeah it was a really good feeling to go out on..when you have Taj who is someone I really respect…and when you have Erin who is someone who is playing the game really well. Yeah riding coat tails but you always have to have that person. When I had people on my side saying they weren’t going to vote for you…that felt really good. Because they believed that what I stood up for was worthy of still staying in the game.
BD: How frustrating was it for you dealing with Coach and Debbie lying last night?
SR: It made me almost kick the TV…I’ll tell you I screamed so loud. It feels like when you are a kid. When you say something to a friend but they don’t believe you. Or when you tell your Mom you didn’t break something and your just clenching your fists but no one believes you. Its insane! When the person who is lying is saying that you are the liar. But I think I did a good job of making him look like a liar to America and to the tribe.
BD: So did everyone believe your side of it?
SR: Yes. They did. They absolutely did believe me. JT and Stephen did believe me. But unfortunately it didn’t matter. Because if you watch JT and Stephen right now…it doesn’t matter what order Timbira leaves…we are all getting plucked out. And they are gonna be there for each other.
BD: So how excited were you last week at Tribal?
SR: Oh gosh when Tyson went home? I think my facial expression said it all. I couldn’t believe it. It was a really brilliant move. And I wish my tribe had been smart enough to do something like that and get out of the stupid warrior alliance. And be smart enough to take out the strongest player. It’s strategy. And I was also really happy since he ran his mouth the WHOLE day. And I wasnt even going to vote for him to tell you the truth. I told him that night…”look when we go to tribal..dont be a jerk. Just let me go quietly..dont be a jerk and stir my pot” But the moment we got there he does! So I vote for him and call him a jerk and the funny thing is he goes home packing. So I got the last laugh.
BD: Was there anything that really surprised you when you watched the show back?
SR: Yeah! I thought Stephen was a weak little pip-squeak! And look at him! I’m almost so proud of him. He is brilliant. And the whole time I was feeling so bad for him in challenges cause he can barely walk. But then you watch him mastermind the game and your like….damn you’re good!
BD: Alright one more question for you…if you could right now pick the winner yourself…who would it be?
SR: I’d say its a coin toss between Stephen or JT. Or even Taj.
BD: What about from the whole season?
SR: Oh gosh…..I would still have to say JT, Stephen or Taj. Absolutely.
BD: Right on. Well thanks so much Sierra.
SR: Thank you so much Billy!
