The reign of CrystalKen has come to an end courtesy of secret strategizing between Sugar, Matty and Bob with just three days left in the Survivor: Gabon series. While Olympic gold medalist Crystal Cox, 29, actually went fairly quietly from tribal council, the North Carolina resident was never at a loss for words during the game or during the following phone interview from Los Angeles. — Carrie Bell
When did you realize things were going south for you at tribal council?
I had no idea going in. I thought we were sticking with the alliance of five that we had since the merger. When Sugar played the idol and gave it to Matty, I was like, ‘Ok. I’m in trouble.’ It was either going to be either Kenny or myself gone. Day 39 was so close. I could literally see it. I was like, ‘I can hang out here for three more days. I can make it.’
Did you think it should have be Kenny before you?
It should have been Ken because he was the one calling all the shots and I was just helping him execute it. But Sugar felt that I was a bigger threat and a bully. But she never said how I protected her the whole game and let her know what was going on around camp. Her reasoning behind voting me out and getting everyone to agree with it didn’t fly with me. But I can’t do anything about it.
You have been home for a few months…Did watching the blindside and Sugar alliance flip-flop reopen the wound?
Watching it last night with all the stuff that took place behind the scenes, all the conspiring against me, was hard to swallow. I had no idea that all that went down. It definitely opened up the wound again. Once I got home from the show, I had time to let it marinate. I had gotten to the place where I could say it was just a game and I got outwitted. But then watching it play out again last nigh erased all that. I am back to being, not necessarily a bitter Betty, but it does hurt.
Coming into the season, people had high hopes for you physically as you were an Olympian. And then, in all due respect, you sucked at every single challenge.
I did get to that point where I was like, ‘What is wrong with me? Why can I not win anything?’ Those challenges were kicking my butt. They were not easy at all. I’m sure viewers are like, ‘I can do that. That’s so easy.’ But they were not. Once I came to that conclusion, I decided to play a social game and try to keep the numbers on my side.
Have you regretted being so emotional and honest and talking too much?
Looking at it now, I was like, ‘Okay, Crystal, what in the world did you say that for?’ But at the time, no. That’s who I am. The viewers only get to see 10 or 15 minutes of tribal council and it would sometimes be two hours long. When Jeff was talking to some of the castaways, it was like pulling teeth. Everyone is too afraid to say anything. I loved it when he spoke to me because I thought we could make it entertaining. I was like, ‘Jeff I’ll give you what you want.’
What was the first thing you chowed down on after being voted out?
A plate of chicken and rice at Ponderosa. Unfortunately, the rice was there. But when I first got home, I went to an all-you-can-eat buffet figuring they would have everything I could have wanted. I pigged out.
Did you see a physical change in your body at the end and how has it been since you returned to the real world?
I lost a lot of muscle mass. I lost like 25 pounds. My legs felt like sticks. I had no muscle definition left. If I had to drive across town [for a craving], I did it. It didn’t matter how long it took or how much it cost. I found security in food. But then it came to a point where I was like, ‘Crystal, are you going to start training again or pursue other things? I spoke to a few mentors and I think I’m going to retire from professional track and field.
What do you want to do now?
I want to stay involved in track and field probably from a coaching aspect. I want to mentor young boys and girls to hopefully make them better than I was and get them a free education. And I want to get into Hollywood, maybe movies and possibly commentating. Hopefully doors will open up from [Survivor].
In your exit speech, you said you were rooting for Kenny. Does he deserve to win a million? And will CrystalKen still be a thing after the show is done?
I think he deserves to win. We suffered for so long and he helped me through this game and was my No. 1 alliance. We have so much in common. We are both ranked in the world and on Wikipedia. We both have a competitive drive. He’s a good person. I made a friend for life.
READ MORE: Matty Saved–By Sugar
CBS
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