Aubry Bracco informed me she “desires to be somebody’s nice shock out right here.” She’s already succeeded in her mission, as her return to Survivor is sort of surprising, given how issues ended for her over half a decade in the past. However for the primary time in her actuality TV profession, the 39-year-old was capable of take her thoughts out of “sport mode,” specializing in constructing each a brand new profession and a household. And so she’s again to have a dialogue because the fullest model of herself, desirous to “get again to the sport that I like on my phrases.” Very similar to the Closing 4 of her unique season, Aubry has discovered that fireplace as soon as once more — and it will not be extinguished by tears anytime quickly.
Learn on for my interview with Aubry, and examine in with Parade every 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 Aubry Bracco
Let’s begin by saying, and delightfully so, I’m so stunned to see you right here!
I feel lots of people are stunned to see me right here.
I imply, that is mainly as a result of you find yourself doing all of your first three seasons at such a fast clip. And Fringe of Extinction wasn’t essentially probably the most constructive expertise to cap off your Survivor profession. So what made you finally resolve to come back again? Had the idea of returning for Season 50 been in your thoughts?
Initially, I am shocked I used to be known as. So extremely honored I used to be known as. There are such a lot of unbelievable gamers. In Survivor, I do not ever assume anybody deserves something. You earn it, and it is lots of luck. And so I used to be shocked to even be known as. Was it on my thoughts? I got here to peace with the truth that my Survivor journey was over on the Fringe of Extinction. I do not care what anybody says, the Fringe of Extinction days rely. From Days 105 to 111, I keep in mind savoring every second as a result of I did not assume I might be right here once more.
And it was actually humorous. I used to be doing “Speaking with T-Chook” final July, and he or she’s simply so heat. And once I heard it was T-Chook, I used to be like, “I will discuss to T-Chook.” There’s not many individuals I will discuss to. And it was a extremely constructive dialog. And he or she and Rob requested about 50, and I used to be like, “Huh.” After which Q voted out Moriah as a result of she was me or no matter. And I used to be like, “That is humorous.”
And I actually did step again from the Survivor group. I do discover it to be so rewarding and extremely poisonous. I am okay saying it. It is an unbelievable duality. I performed 3 times in 4 calendar years. So I paid 32, 34, 38. I did not have time to step again. And you actually do be taught lots and need to unpack lots. I did not have the possibility to control again to regular life, and I felt like I used to be now not grounded and now not myself. So once they known as for 50, simply the possibility to have a reconciliation and to return with myself, but in addition the sport that I like was such an honor.
Nicely, let’s speak about regulating again to regular life. As a result of lots has occurred within the years because you final performed, together with changing into a mom. Have these life occasions affected your headspace going into this season?
Yeah. I imply, within the time since I performed in 38, I met my great associate, Tyler. I moved out of Los Angeles as much as Oregon in the course of the pandemic. My father had a coronary heart transplant, which was extremely arduous for my household. He is doing properly. Shout out to the Mass Normal Hospital ICU and Cardiac crew. I began a enterprise. I’ve my very own advertising enterprise. I am by no means going again to full-time. I had an incredible child named Odin, which implies “God of chaos and knowledge.” I like the dualities. We name him “Odie.” So, simply my perspective on life has modified. I imply, it is like, I am right here as a result of I need to have enjoyable and I need to be fearless. And I need to get again to the sport that I like on my phrases.
So your first two seasons, you made extremely deep runs. And once more, Fringe of Extinction is sort of a distinct expertise. When you make it to yet one more finale, you are blindsided within the premerge with an idol in your pocket. Do you’re feeling that having gone by that adjustments the best way you are approaching the sport?
I do know what it feels wish to be blindsided. A whole lot of the gamers right here have no idea that, or do not know it in the identical method that I do. A few of them have been voted out. A few of them noticed it coming. I used to be totally blindsided, and so I do know what that looks like. I additionally know what it is like if you simply usually are not your self, and you aren’t current. I really feel the closest to myself that I’ve since 32, if that is sensible. I really feel most like myself, however a extra polished model. I realized lots, and I believed I performed a extremely good sport. In 34, lots of people had been like, “What did you do?” I needed to disguise behind threats that stored getting killed off.
To not point out you had been additionally a type of aforementioned threats.
I used to be one of many Kaôh Rōng 4. We had simply aired, nearly just like the three from 48.
And never solely that, however you additionally had the latest discourse round Michele’s win, and the way you could be some of the “robbed” finalists within the present’s historical past as much as that time.
It was wild. I’ve this big like, “Who’s she?” This large mystique. I nonetheless really feel like individuals do not know. Zeke as soon as famously — or “famously” in my life story — mentioned to me, “Aubry, individuals see no matter they need to see once they have a look at you.” These glasses are like a funhouse mirror.
What’s one factor you are doing equally, and one factor you are doing otherwise between your earlier seasons and Season 50?
So one factor I am doing equally is making these one-on-one connections like I did in Kaôh Rōng. I actually consider you can have somebody who’s your ally, who’s your coronary heart, like Joe Del Campo. 71 and getting it completed; 80 and nonetheless great-y! Cydney was my strategic ally. We noticed the sport eye to eye. Tai was my energetic connection. We simply felt the vibe. So that you’re gonna see me actually work on these relationships. I do know the sport strikes quick, however I feel you need to actually be in tune together with your intestine if you really feel one thing with somebody, and determine what that’s actual quick.
One thing you are gonna see totally different is that I am a little bit bit extra “roll with the punches.” If one thing goes improper, I feel it is the entrepreneurial spirit and me now. I am like, “Oh, rejoice failure, transfer on.” I really feel like I burn lots much less power when issues go awry, and I’ve extra perspective now. The current is shifting quick. And if you do not get there, the rug will be ripped out from underneath you.
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Let’s speak about your competitors. We’re gonna play a sport known as “Pal 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 need to work with, or somebody you see as an enemy or menace.
I really feel like there’s “proceed with warning” too. For everyone right here, I am like, “You chop me at Closing 6, so you need to go at Closing 8.”
Pleased to place a 3rd class in there! Let’s begin with Jenna.
Center class, “proceed with warning.” I really feel like she’s going to be somebody that lots of people need to work with.
Colby.
Pal. He is only a very secure vibe. I all the time want stability.
Stephenie.
Pal to some extent. I feel she may say one thing improper and blow one thing up.
Cirie.
Aw, Cirie! I’ve completed lots of interested by Cirie. She’s a Pal to some extent, but it surely’s at what level? She’s somebody I deeply care about. I’ve been effusive in my love of Cirie. However I do know that she may stab me within the again, and I would not see it coming.
What about your fellow Recreation Changer Ozzy?
Oh my gosh. Ozzy is a Pal, however we’re so distant. In 34, my solely dialog with Ozzy was the night time he received voted out. The primary time we met was proper after the merge, he goes, “Hey, we should always discuss someday.” I am like, “Yeah, we should always.” After which he was gone. I like Ozzy. He is Pal, but it surely relies upon. Relying on the place the playing cards fall by way of swaps and stuff.
Coach.
Oh my gosh, Pal. Coach is a loon, and I adore it. I get vibe from Coach. I really feel like I may speak about some bizarre stuff with Coach. I really feel like I received a little bit little bit of that Renaissance individual. He is nearly just like the extra secure Debbie earlier than we had a falling out.
That is what individuals had been saying throughout Kaôh Rōng, that Debbie’s the brand new Coach. Now you get to play with the proto-Debbie!
I like him. I like him!
How about Chrissy?
[Pause.] Foe. She’s simply savage.
Angelina.
Frenemy. Pal.
Why did you go along with “frenemy” at first?
Oh, I feel she’s actually artful. And I am like, what are you gonna do? However I really feel like we may very well be buddies.
Christian.
Pal. I get a extremely good vibe from him. I feel we’re the identical age too.
Mike.
Oh my gosh. I do not know. Mike White is “proceed with warning.” As a result of I am like, I actually such as you, however all people’s gonna need to be on The White Lotus. So that you’re gonna be a magnet. However then I am additionally like, “I actually such as you. As a result of I can see you observing all of us, and also you’re writing the subsequent season proper now.”
Robert Voets/CBS
You spent a while with Rick on the Fringe of Extinction. What are your ideas on him now?
[Gives a look.] Rick has been very type to me. So type. I do not belief him so far as I can throw him. However I like him. Rick is somebody who’s been extremely type to me in actual life. Our relationship’s all the time been like actual life. And that point you watched me from the jury and married Chris and I on the Fringe of Extinction briefly, I do not know. Devens is a extremely scary participant. He finds stuff.
Moving into the brand new period, Jonathan.
Unsure. In all probability Pal, however I do not know. I am undecided but. Simply the vibes, I have never had sufficient time round. I do not know.
How about Dee?
Oh my gosh, I would like her to be my finest pal, as a result of who would not? I completely love how she thinks in regards to the sport. I feel she’s a genius. I feel she’s an entrepreneur. I feel she’s a imaginative and prescient, and I feel she loves individuals, however she scares me simply as a lot as Cirie. You possibly can inform, Dee walks in a room and it is identical to magic butterflies.
Emily.
I like Emily. I have never had sufficient time vibing together with her, however Pal.
Charlie.
I needed to say Pal, however I am feeling Foe. I am so torn on Charlie. I really feel like everybody’s gonna need to be buddies with him. However I additionally assume I need to discuss to Charlie about his mindset, about what he is bringing into the sport from his time, as a result of I feel it will dictate how he performs.
I imply, there are some comparisons between the 2 of you on the floor. Each of you had been runners-up in among the most controversial finishes of the previous ten years.
I do know a little bit of the sensation, I really feel the Fringe of Extinction tactic of, “I used to be in your sneakers!” Having a dialogue — I do not say that phrase anymore; did not work. So yeah, Charlie’s attention-grabbing. I have to get a beat on him.
Let’s speak about Q. First off, what was your response if you not solely hear Moriah say you are her favourite participant, however Q then makes it the rationale why she turns into the goal?
I used to be like, “You gotta be kidding me, dude!” I flopped laborious! You assume that a lot of me? Thanks. I will take it. I do know he has a Needed poster of me in his kitchen. Q is so attention-grabbing to me. I am undoubtedly an enormous crimson flag. However I am additionally so intrigued. I simply need to discuss to him, as a result of I feel we’d have extra in frequent than he thinks. I’ve a child who’s underneath two. He simply had a child. He is a hustling actual property agent. I am constructing my very own enterprise. Q is so chaotic. That management freak factor is gonna come out. I am extra apt to let Q type of blow himself up. Q looks like somebody that you’ll want to be untangling the wires within the bomb, just like the film Pace. However we’ll see. Perhaps we might be buddies.
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What about Tiffany?
Pal. I like Tiffany. However I am additionally getting some bizarre vibes that I do not know the place she’s gonna fall. There’s additionally the Q of all of it. So I do know that she had a tempestuous relationship with Q. So I really feel like Tiffany is a pal. However proceed with warning, as a result of it depends upon what tribe she’s on. I actually love how Tiffany performed the sport. I feel that she was underrated.
Genevieve.
Oh my gosh. One other proceed with warning. She does give me Gone Woman vibes. I simply really feel like Genevieve would commit a homicide after which clear up so expertly that you just would not even ever say she was a suspect. Genevieve is “proceed with warning.” I need to be buddies together with her, however I am like, “Watch out.” Are you able to inform I’ve the identical reply for everyone, just about?
Nicely, let’s have a look at if that reply continues by the 48 crew. We’ll begin with one other Survivor Joe.
Pal. I have never had a lot time to vibe with him. There’s one thing about Joe the place I can inform that he wears his coronary heart on his sleeve. He is a really emotional man. I am genuinely curious, much more so than Charlie, about how he is doing in the very same place. We’re every week out from watching a finale the place we misplaced. We might have identified we had been gonna lose, however now we’re grappling with the general public’s notion of it, how we noticed it on TV. It is received to be so uncooked and recent for him. I like him.
How about Kamilla?
Oh my gosh, I like her. However she scares me. I am like, “Pal, pal, pal, scary within the woods, however I do know she’ll kill me off in some unspecified time in the future.” However I like her. The 48s have a pleasant vibe to them.
Is Kyle included in that?
Yeah, Kyle’s a “Proceed with warning.” I imply, he is a grasp at being engaged however not an excessive amount of. I like Kyle.
Let’s discuss in regards to the 49ers. Since you performed in Recreation Changers with Zeke and Michaela, two individuals who had been additionally from a season you hadn’t seen. What’s your notion of them?
Savannah has some Parvati vibes. And Rizo may go anyplace. I am undecided, however I like them. I’d like to work with the 49ers. They’re in all probability a little bit scared coming in, however I truly assume they’re in place. I feel all people’s going to be type of going for them. I am open to it. I am coming into this sport, I am so receptive. There is a softer aspect to me. I feel having a child and going by what I’ve with Survivor, I would like the gamers to be okay. But it surely’s additionally good in that I really feel like my spidey sense is again on-line, and I am very receptive to the vibes.
Which earlier participant do you want had been out right here on the island with you proper now?
I want that Kelley Wentworth was on Survivor 50. She’s a pal. And I want Omar. Omar and I’ve briefly linked extra on a human degree about typically the fallout after this sport and the way laborious it’s.
Lastly, what movie star or fictional character would you deliver out for a Cherished Ones go to?
I’d ask Don Draper to affix me to listen to about all of the issues that I should not do to mess up my life.
[Laughs.] I like that. “Do not be like me, Aubry!” Nicely, I am excited you are again to make one other pitch for that million-dollar sale. It was such a cheerful shock to see you on the market! And it looks like you might be in such a clearer mindspace going into this season than you had been up to now, which goes to provide you an important perspective for hopefully one other long term within the sport.
Thanks for saying that. As a result of I mentioned I need to be somebody’s nice shock out right here. I’ve completed lots of work. There could be tears; I’ve cried on the producers already. However there’s lots of hearth there, and issues that do not kill you make you stronger.
And also you began your Survivor profession with tears!
I did. Perhaps that is what it was all about!
