On paper, Kyle Fraser needs to be petrified going into Survivor 50. Everybody simply watched him win solely a few weeks prior, making him one in all solely three returning Sole Survivors. And he is additionally coming again alongside two of his closest allies that he sat alongside within the endgame. However the 31-year-old’s confidence doesn’t break by any means when speaking with me. He is coming into the sport with sure “scary” gamers he desires to affix up with to hopefully make his journey much less fearful. And the lawyer is able to weaponize these returnee’s narratives to jot down his personal storybook ending, hopefully becoming a member of rarified Survivor air as a two-time champ.
Learn on for my interview with Kyle, and verify in with Parade each day for interviews with this season’s contestants and different tidbits. Survivor 50 premieres on Feb. 25 with a three-hour episode on CBS.
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Survivor 50 interview with Kyle Fraser
Now we have to begin with what’s been going by means of your head the previous few months. Since you’ve clearly been watching your successful season again, which I am certain has a variety of feelings concerned. After which, concurrently, you are preparing for 50 as nicely. So what has it been prefer to stay in basically two totally different timelines directly?
It has been quite a bit. I imply, ever since I left the sport after successful, go get married a month and a half later. After which I begin making ready for the season. And I bought concerned within the 50 course of manner later than I feel the general public, I imply, clearly it has been happening for fairly a while. However the second that I bought that decision, I would really simply gotten again to my actual combating weight. And at that time, I simply began making ready mentally and bodily. It was good. I like enjoying Survivor. Watching your self on TV is one other factor. So it was type of good to have a distraction from my very own season. I had a blast, but it surely was good to have one thing to sit up for, too.
So how does it really feel to be again out right here? Since you’re coming in as one in all solely a few winners after we simply noticed you are taking dwelling the million in the most effective video games of the brand new period. How does that have an effect on your headspace?
I am glad to listen to individuals are saying that! [Laughs.] I have never bought to take a look at the web but. Actually. I imply, I gained the sport. The subsequent factor you already know, 50 forged leaks. So it feels good. I used to be actually nervous. I used to be nervous as s—t main as much as this. After which the second we bought on the aircraft to Fiji, I am wanting round and searching on the forged, I felt actually good. I imply, clearly, we’ll speak in regards to the menace stuff. However like, there are a variety of phenomenal gamers right here, and I feel that’ll be good for me too.
Let’s get into “the menace stuff.” As a result of one of many many nice issues about your recreation is that you simply have been in a position to maintain issues quiet till a strategically optimum time. However now it is public that you are a lawyer, and that you simply have been in a secret duo the whole lot of 48. It is secure to say folks know what you are able to. Is that one thing you are going to steer into or away from?
It is attention-grabbing, as a result of I feel that a variety of my recreation is now public. Lots of people know what I am able to. However I feel one factor that is actually onerous to point out by means of the TV is ego administration, each my very own and different gamers. One of many causes I used to be in a position to do nicely, one of many causes I would be capable to achieve life, is that individuals continually underestimate me. I imply, I noticed it play out. I wasn’t on the web an excessive amount of, however important reception of me on the web as my season’s enjoying out like I’ve accomplished all this stuff, but individuals are saying, “He cannot win the sport.”
After I say ego administration, I feel there’s two issues. First off, I imply, clearly, anyone who goes on actuality TV, myself included, has a large ego. However I am prepared to throw that to the wayside when there is a competitors afoot. And I feel that, whereas folks say that, like, you actually have not seen it play out like me. So I feel that I am going to be capable to stroke different folks’s ego whereas additionally hiding in plain sight in type of only a totally different manner. I imply, Tony did it. Tony performed the most effective video games in [Winners at War]. We noticed him doing physique posture issues, strolling decrease on the sand, sporting his buff like a idiot. I do not suppose I am going to be capable to pull it off like that, however I actually do suppose I’ve a manner about me that makes folks underestimate me.
Let’s speak in regards to the million-dollar verify very not too long ago connected to your identify. How do you anticipate pitching your self to folks to maintain you, regardless of being a former winner?
I imply, there is a couple issues with respect to different winners. After all, Dee and I, if we join, I am gonna be like, “Hey, pay attention, we’ve got to guard each other.” You see what occurs when Sandra goes after JT, and vice versa. Everyone goes down. However I additionally suppose this entire season is about spinning narratives.
Hear, there are lots of people on this forged. We bought 24 folks. I feel over half of them have sat on the finish, proper? I am on the market on the island, and I am saying, “Hear, a juror has one thing totally different for lunch, we’d have three extra winners out right here!” Some folks misplaced simply by a vote. Some folks bought to the tip, and perhaps it was a bit bit extra landslide. However all people’s able to attending to the tip on this forged; it is nearly who the jury determined to reward, at the least. That is type of how I am going to spin issues. After which, after all, yeah, this stereotypical stuff, like, “Will folks vote for me once more?” All these like narratives that I must spin about my menace degree. I actually do suppose there’s gonna be lots of people who simply noticed me win, however nonetheless suppose they’re a greater participant than I’m. And that is high-quality with me, so long as I can use that to my benefit.
Nicely, let’s discuss a few of these individuals who will hopefully be underestimating you. We’re gonna play a recreation known as “Buddy or Foe.” I will offer you a reputation of somebody on the forged, and you need to inform me in the event that they’re somebody you wish to work with, or somebody you see as an enemy or menace.Beginning with Jenna.
Jenna, I am going to say Buddy. I do not know an excessive amount of about Jenna. It has been a very long time since I watched the season. However I like her vibe pregame. And I am not gonna get caught up on this “outdated period/new period” factor, except it turns into one which I must type of look out for.
Colby.
Buddy.
Stephenie.
I say Buddy for her too. You are gonna see a variety of themes. I feel I join with lots of people out right here. There’s folks I’ve extra coloration for. I am going to say Buddy for that.
Cirie.
I’d say Buddy, very cautious Buddy. A theme that I type of have this recreation is, pay attention, I simply performed with one of many scariest gamers on my season. And I feel that duo of me and Kamilla was exemplary of what you are able to do while you play with the scary participant, anyone who has all of the instruments that may play Survivor. So I am drawn to scary folks. In a case like Cirie, I am gonna method her. If it really works. It really works. If not, I want her the hell out of right here.
What about Ozzy? Similar sort of “scary participant”?
Buddy, for certain. Who is aware of, he may be making an attempt to play a distinct recreation. So you need to have your finger on the heartbeat of what folks’s motivations are this go-around. However from what I’ve seen, Buddy proper now.
Coach.
Coach, I feel, is gonna be a Foe. I like Coach. I’ve really ran into Coach a few instances at Ben Katzman live shows. I really noticed Coach simply band carry out at Disneyland. I am an enormous Payments fan; he signed one in all my Payments jerseys. That stated, Coach is type of a quiet, chaotic participant. Q is anyone I will type of clump into this. I performed a really predictable recreation. I prefer to play with people who find themselves predictable, or I could make them predictable. After I cannot learn folks’s motivations, or there may be chaos, that is scary to me. So Coach, I lumped into that type of chaotic group.
Aubry.
Aubry is a Buddy to me. Simply because I feel that, despite the fact that she’s a really scary individual, I feel that she’s a real individual. I went again and re-watched a variety of seasons, and I feel that she’s in search of a real ally. She simply hasn’t had that shortly. And I feel that is type of what my recreation broadcast is. You wish to trip with anyone to the tip? Whether or not I am a bit shady or not, I am your man.
Chrissy.
Chrissy, to me, may be a Foe. For some motive, she simply appears very outdated era-coded. Despite the fact that [she was on] 35, I may see her making an attempt to be a ringleader for some type of warfare. I do not know what it’s, however I simply really feel that. And she or he type of has a variety of social intelligence, so it is type of scary for me generally.
Angelina.
I would say Buddy. I feel Angelina desires ally. And I feel that, despite the fact that I am certain her motivations are to be a bit bit extra cutthroat this time — I do not know what precisely find out how to describe what her motivations could also be.
I observed you’re sporting a jacket proper now.
Sure, I’m. She is not going to be getting it! [Laughs.] However I feel that she’s anyone who, like, I may genuinely see myself working with. She looks like an genuine individual on the finish of the day, regardless of how a lot she’ll attempt to conceal it.
How about Christian?
Oh, god, you are gonna hate me. Buddy! Christian Hubicki was the one individual I needed to see right here exterior of my season. I actually would like to work with Christian. I feel that he is a really good individual, and good folks wish to play in tight alliances, despite the fact that I am certain this recreation can be extra fluid than that.
Mike.
I feel Mike White may be a Foe for me. Despite the fact that I actually like Mike White, I feel that, from time to time some folks have a look at me smiling, or being charismatic, or simply making an attempt to be myself. And I feel from time to time, there’s a few individuals who suppose that I may be performing or placing on a present. And though I am certain Mike and I’d be pals exterior of the sport, if we had sufficient time, in a split-second type of scenario, I really feel like he may be a type of individuals who’s like, “Why the f—ok is that man smiling a lot?” I feel he may be a type of guys. I really like Mike. That is why it is humorous, as a result of he is type of like a really charismatic curmudgeon, in a variety of methods, from my understanding of watching his season.
Rick.
I like Rick, Buddy. He is bought a terrific smile. I really feel as if we would like join immediately. However I additionally know that I might be a bit too trusting with folks like that. So I undoubtedly be wanting over my shoulder with him, as a result of he is the kind of man who may pull the wool over my eyes.
Let’s get into your fellow new period castaways, beginning with Jonathan.
I feel Jonathan may be a Foe. Not as a result of we would not get alongside. However as a result of, from what I noticed in his season with Lindsay, for instance, I am in search of allies who we may be on the identical web page and hash issues out in a short time. After I was watching his season, I used to be extra so agreeing with Lindsay’s strategic viewpoints of the sport as a substitute of his. However he type of appeared very adamant to get his manner in a variety of methods, and I do not actually work nicely with that. However he looks like a really superior man.
You talked about her earlier than. However give me your ideas in your fellow winner, Dee.
Oh, Dee is likely one of the scariest gamers out right here. That stated, I feel I am a really harmful participant in my very own proper. We performed very comparable video games: A number of quantity ones, locked in with an alliance, rode it to the tip, needed to had such deep connections that we needed to type of make very emotional, powerful choices. So I respect her recreation, and I like scary gamers. So I want to work with Dee. I feel we would be nice shields for each other. And it would be a really large downside for me if we have been sniping at each other, if we have been to get that chance down the road. However I once more, that is a cautious ally, identical to Kamilla. You play together with her, you play sturdy. However you need to look over your shoulder.
How about Emily?
This one is actually 50/50 for me. As an individual. I like Emily a ton, and I feel that we’d work nicely collectively. That stated, if I have a look at her motivations and her historical past, she simply performed with a smiley brown man, and she or he needed to lower him. And, you already know, I can see that very same factor enjoying out with me. I feel folks wish to come on this recreation, they usually actually wish to pivot just a bit bit — at the least me. I’ve my fundamentals, however I wish to pivot a bit bit. And I do not know what Emily essentially. It is onerous for me to pin down what her motivations are this time, or what she’s in search of, I suppose. So I put her proper down the center, if that is okay.
Let’s get into 46 along with your fellow lawyer, Charlie.
Charlie’s a Foe for me. And I might be utterly flawed. This might be like a “me chasing down a Shauhin” factor. However Charlie is likely one of the people who I needed to mimic. And I feel that I did in a variety of methods. Underneath the radar recreation, extremely unassuming, put his ego away the place all people else in his season was proudly owning strikes. He was continually taking good care of enterprise, however by no means proudly owning as much as it.
And I feel, even strolling round him now in pregame, he oozes social intelligence. And since his season just isn’t as current as mine, I feel individuals are going to neglect nearly how good of a recreation he performed. And that is scary to me, as a result of he’s unassuming in a variety of methods. However he is one of the crucial harmful gamers out right here, and he may play the center. And as anyone who likes to play the center, the one factor you’ll be able to’t have is one other man enjoying the center, particularly if he can name you out for it. I feel I’ve simply greater targets on my again, simply due to recency bias, so I consider him as a Foe.
How about Q?
I want I may say Buddy, however I feel I’ve to say Foe. As a result of I feel Q goes to come back out right here and he will play. I feel folks Q in all probability thinks that everyone’s going to suppose he is chaotic. He is a really good individual, you’ll be able to inform, and so he is enjoying 3D chess in that manner. However there’s simply one thing about Q that makes me suppose, regardless of how predictable he tries to play, one thing’s going to show chaotic. I do not know what it’s; it could be not even his fault simply due to his fame. I really feel as if issues are going to interrupt down in a manner that might be detrimental to an ally that is very near him. So I am gonna say Foe. Not as a result of I wish to do away with him, however I simply wish to distance myself from something which may blow up.
Tiffany.
Absolute Buddy. I’d like to play with Tiffany. I feel that she type of fell sufferer to what I simply defined with Q. Despite the fact that they have been nice allies, and I feel they have been in a really optimum place. Tiffany was my winner choose that season, actually proper earlier than she bought the boot. I did not inform her that; I completely will. As a result of I feel Tiffany has all of the instruments to be like an insanely good Survivor participant. And I do not suppose she has a large goal on her again proper now. And I’d like to work together with her, as a result of I identical to her character. She looks like anyone like, in a manner, Kamilla. The place I may be like, “Hey, I’ve this loopy concept.” And she or he’d be like, “Let’s do it.” And she or he may execute on that. So I’d like to work with Tiffany.
Let’s go to a different new period lawyer: Genevieve.
Truly, it is humorous. My mother, the one individual she advised me to be careful for popping out right here was Genevieve. Season 47 was her first season, and she or he known as Rachel her winner choose. And she or he was like, “That Genevieve is horrifying.” However I consider Genevieve as a pal. I’ve not met Genevieve in actual life, which is bizarre as a result of I’ve met so many 47 folks.
I feel she’s in that Tiffany bucket, a really scary participant who has all of the instruments. However in case you actually have a look at her season, I feel the one factor she was lacking was a Kyle, a primary. I actually suppose that Genevieve, if she simply had one one that, all through your complete recreation, she may have performed with, she would have accomplished much more injury. And she or he performed an excellent recreation. So I’d like to work with Genevieve.
Alright, let’s open up the Pandora’s Field of 48 right here. You and Joe shaped an extremely tight private and strategic bond, and also you took him all the best way to the Ultimate Three. Do you see that relationship selecting up from the place it left off? Or do you suppose he could also be in search of retribution after the variety of instances you undermined him?
Joe is a extremely powerful one for me. As a result of, such as you stated, we labored very intently collectively. And I do not suppose a fraction of our relationship was proven on the TV, which I am very glad about. There may be individuals who suppose that Joe could really feel sore, and he may really feel that manner in a bit bit However on the finish of the day, Joe and I have been locked in an alliance. I had a number of alternatives to take a shot at Joe, and I did not. I made good on a promise of taking him to the tip. And so I feel that Joe and I might be good allies.
And actually, I feel that Joe may come again and say, “I wish to play a barely totally different recreation.” Joe is Joe. Joe goes to be the All-American man. Individuals are going to gravitate in direction of him initially of the sport. However he is not going to have folks like me and like Eva and different folks in our season who can type of insulate him in the identical manner. As quickly as we get to the merge, it is gonna be very scary for him. And I feel {that a} acquainted face may be [good], at the least for me. I need some acquainted faces, despite the fact that it places a goal on my again. However I feel, another way than Kamilla, me and Joe getting collectively may really work.
Let’s convey up Kamilla right here. As a result of your relationship was one thing that was very clearly publicized in 48. So what are your ideas about working together with her in 50?
I am actually shocked to see Joe and Kamilla out right here. However with Kamilla, it is a totally different story, as a result of it is a type of a damned in case you do, damned in case you do not scenario. If we’re speaking, individuals are going to be scared. If we aren’t speaking, simply primarily based off of the quantity of sound bites you heard about me saying, “Now we have a secret relationship,” individuals are going to imagine. And so I really feel as if we simply should be regular, no matter that will seem like on the time limit. Until we’re on the identical beginning tribe, which, one in all us has simply bought to go at that time.
But when we meet up at a tribe swap or at a merge, I feel it is nearly being as regular as doable, no matter that will seem like. The phrase I’ve type of coined since seeing her out right here is “pleasant defensive posture.” I will method her pleasant. I’ve no intentions of making an attempt to chop Kamilla, for chopping Kamilla’s sake. However I will be defensive in direction of her, as a result of that is her second go-round. Like, whether or not it was amicable or not, I put her on hearth. And so I’ve to be careful for her, as a result of I do know that Kamilla is a recreation participant, and she or he may play video games with me. However I additionally should be defensive in direction of everybody else. I want to determine what the notion of Kamilla’s relationship is and what it appears like. And who is aware of? Possibly we invent hand indicators or one thing.
You may go from 10-second meetups in 48 to no-second meetups in 50.
[Laughs.] However we actually do suppose the identical! We even talked at size after the sport about issues that we have been doing, and we discovered we have been simply doing the identical factor. I swear to God. So it is actually type of loopy. I’ve by no means met anyone who thinks on the identical degree as me like that.
Any ideas in regards to the 49 gamers?
I need them gone. My coaches at all times say, “The attention within the sky doesn’t lie.” Now we have recreation tape on all people aside from these two. And I’ve joked in another interviews, Rizo, I am certain he misplaced a ton of weight from enjoying Season 49, simply nevertheless way back which may be. However he is not like a behemoth of a man. So I am pondering, “Is he like a greater Rome?” They’re out right here on 50 so he needs to be good at issues. Both he is a terrific social participant, nice liar, discovering idols, no matter it could be. Savannah appears very locked in, very able to play. And that is scary in its personal manner, as a result of they’re each out right here for a motive. Everyone out here’s a skilled. And so what are they professionals at? I do not know.
And that type of goes to my idea of the sport. I do not understand how a lot time we’ve got, however I have been pondering quite a bit about how I am viewing this. I have been learning these returnee seasons: Heroes vs. Villains, Recreation Changers, Second Likelihood, Winners at Conflict. And my essential distinction I see is that each single vote issues, and each single vote has a theme or narrative. Whereas you’ll be able to construct consensus in authentic seasons about like, “Oh, I do not like this individual or their character.” Each single vote in these returnee seasons, for essentially the most half, has a theme or a story.
And I feel whereas perhaps me being a winner or affiliated with different folks on my season may be thought of a goal, I feel you’ll be able to spin narratives. And I type of have this like mafia mindset the place there’s lots of people out right here who’re made. Cirie’s made; she’s performed with a ton of various folks out right here. The 46ers are related. The David vs. Goliath individuals are related. However we’ve got a bunch of individuals on this island who we do not have that a lot movie on, they usually’re solo folks. They may be capable to float by means of, and so we’d must care for them. The 49ers are the prime instance of that. I like Devens. I like Aubry. I like Genevieve, Emily Flippen to a level. But when I want to color targets on individuals who may need a type of simpler likelihood of floating by means of the sport, I am going to spin that narrative, I suppose.
Which earlier participant do you want have been out right here on the island with you proper now?
Earl. I assumed that it was gonna take me a pair years to get again out right here. I am so freaking blessed to be out right here. However I find it irresistible when gamers play at such a younger age, they usually come again, very Terry Deitz-esque, enjoying the sport another way. And that is what I feel can be cool about Colby and Ozzy in a variety of respects. However I actually want Earl was out right here, as a result of I’d have liked to see what he is like. He was so intentional and considerate at that age. I would like to see what it appears like now.
Lastly, what movie star or fictional character would you convey out for a Cherished Ones go to? Final time, you stated Stringer Bell from The Wire. Do you’ve one other selection now?
I’ll present a bit little bit of my nerdier aspect. This one simply got here to thoughts. I am going to go Luffy from One Piece. As a result of my theme this season is, final season, I began to be versatile. I began off in battle or flight mode final yr. I used to be in a lot turmoil, I do not suppose it actually confirmed by means of. And I feel the whole lot of my recreation, I used to be like, “How do I get the subsequent day? How do I get the subsequent day?” However this time, after all, I wish to get Day 26. However I additionally wish to have a bit bit extra enjoyable and take issues rather less critically than I did. And so I really feel like he is the proper man for that. He is versatile, he is a goofball, and he nonetheless rallies folks round him. He nonetheless wins, however he additionally has time doing it.
