Follow Zap2it:
'Survivor' runner-up Parvati Shallow: 'Russell does have some redeeming qualities'
Twitter
Google
Parvati Shallow took second place despite playing a good all-around game in "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains." She tells Zap2it in her exit Q&A why she thinks she lost to Sandra Diaz-Twine and that Russell Hantz isn't all bad.
What made you want to do "Survivor" again?
I think I have a sick addiction to playing "Survivor." I don't know. I swore up and down that I would never do it again after the second time because I played so hard and it was so strenuous on me. But when they called me, I had this voice in my head going, "Do it, do it, do it," so I had to listen to that voice.
Were you surprised you didn't win?
No, I wasn't surprised. At the final Tribal Council, people made it really obvious who they were voting for and I knew it wasn't going to be me most of the time. They got up there and hurled insults at me and Russell and then talked about Sandra and their whole complete demeanor changed -- how she's an angel who works at a bank and her husband's in Afghanistan and she's God's gift to humanity and I'm like, "I guess I'm not going to win."
Do you think people couldn't get past the alignment with Russell?
I think there were a few things. I think there was a lot of hostility and resentment from the people I'd play with before who didn't want to see me win again. The people at Ponderosa, they're all together, so they're all talking about stuff with each other and making up rumors, it was gossip city. That's one of the reasons why a lot of people didn't vote for me, but the other one is that nobody liked Russell and they connected him and I. Sandra's whole case was, "I wanted to get Russell out, I wanted to help you guys," so they were like we should've listened to her, so they gave her the money.
You aligned with Russell, is he not such a bad guy? Or is he just as bad, or worse, as we saw on TV?
He is intense. I don't know what America is smoking but he is a lunatic. He's out of his mind. He is a very aggressive game player and very controlling and very competitive. He has a very large ego, so whenever any kind of move went down, he wanted to take the credit for it. Which is why he's so hard to live with because he's constantly watching everyone and wants to know what's going on. I just tried to calm him down every time I talked to him. I'm like, "Listen dude, you're outplaying yourself right now. You're irritating everybody, just chill out, go do some downward facing dog for a second and then we can talk strategy because you're driving me nuts. Go take a time out and we'll talk about this later." That's what you have to do with him, you have to let him know what's going on and hope he backs off.
Russell does have some redeeming qualities. He's a very loyal player. He also is willing to take huge risks -- he's very bold in his game-play so he was a good guy for me to align with. I don't think anybody else would have given me an Idol. He was ready to go home, he thought his name was being written down too that night and he gave me an Idol.
Would you do Survivor again if they asked?
No. I will never go back. I'm opening a wellness center in Santa Monica and I'm going to focus on building people up, having a healthy lifestyle, doing good, positive things. I'm just ready to leave all the paranoia and mayhem in the past. I'm appreciate the opportunity to have played, but I am finished.
Follow Zap2it Andrea on Twitter and follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook for the latest movies, TV and celebrity news
Related
'Survivor's' Jerri: Russell 'screwed himself out of a million bucks'
'Survivor's' Colby: Dumbest Move award 'classless move on CBS' part'
'Survivor' villain Russell: 'Sandra's not even in the Top 20 of all time'
'Survivor' winner Sandra: 'Russell was nothing but a scumbag'
'Survivor: Palau's' Jenn Lyon gets tribute during 'Heroes vs. Villains' finale
Photo credit: CBS
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Our Partners
Parvati deserved to win. She is the best Survivor to ever play the game.
then there's always porn...
Not a person I talked to today thought that Sandra should have won. They could see Russell (outstanding entertainment...he's the reason we watched), or they could see Pavarti. They both made the most amazing idol plays that the game has ever seen. But, Sandra? Seriously? The heroes were a bunch of wusses.
Pavarti had a little ego of her own. She played a good game but didn't really make any big moves except the one with the idols. Her making fun and doing the little crying re-enactments such as the one in this picture didn't help her. If she was really smart she would have faked being just a little humble. This is why she was so associated with Russell in so many ways. huge egos that are too big to hide.
Parvati, win or loose...you "are" the ultimate survivor. As for ever playing Survivor again, never say never, lol.
Parvati completely & 100% outplayed both Russell and Sandra. I was totally OK with Sandra winning - but Parv was THE player to beat this season.
The final episode showed some nice Russell moments...during the "walk of the fallen" he continuously looked out for the women behind him on the precarious path. Several times I heard him say "Watch out here..be very careful..watch your step here". That tells me he is not a completely self-absorbed person. He also showed some insight and paid a compliment when they were at Colby's mask and Russell said something like, "...he may be the truest hero of them all...". Colby's play may not have been up to par this round, but even Russell was admitting that Colby played with integrity and in the spirit of the "old" Survivor. Russell has many issues to be sure, but I think he is a decent person.