James Clement saw his luck run out last week, when he was voted off his ‘Heroes’ tribe on Survivor All Stars. Jame’s alliance turned against him and saved Colby, likely out of concern for his injured knee.
In a new interview with PEOPLE, James talks about being eliminated, how his leg’s doing (he actually tore his ACL), and discusses being called a villain.
Excerpts from the interview below –
You survived your first tribal after hurting your knee, but were sent home despite beating Colby in the challenge and holding your own in the Hero Olympics.
I think they were trying to save me from myself because they knew I wasn’t going to quit and I would have really messed stuff up. They were concerned about my knee so I think they did it for me even though they didn’t want to.
How’s the leg?
I’m going through surgeries now. I tore my ACL meniscus and then I got some sort of infection from bad water and it messed up the knee more. We will find out more when they go in again in five weeks. My kneecap rubs against the bone and scatters cartilage around the area. It doesn’t really hurt but it gets hot. If I put ice on it, I can watch it melt. It’s more annoying. I want to scratch it from the inside.
You’ve played three times. In China, were voted out with two idols in your pocket. In Micronesia and Samoa, you left due to injury. Which elimination burns most?
Definitely the idols. Me not paying attention and getting voted out is the most upsetting. The other two times I was doing my best, but I got hurt and plans didn’t come to fruition. That was out of my control. It’s strange because I’ve gone 32 years without going to the hospital. I work in a graveyard. I build houses. I played football. And I go and get hurt on the beach. Way to go James! You’re supposed to relax on the beach. [The blindside] made me pay attention more and I swore that if I ever came across an idol, I would play it immediately. I wouldn’t hold on to them.
More than once, players asserted that you should have been a villain. Were you on the wrong tribe?
There’s a fine line between heroes and villains. It’s cute that everyone thinks I’m being super-aggressive and obnoxious because I wanted everyone to focus, win and play as a team. Anarchy obviously doesn’t work and I just wanted everyone to make a plan and stick to it. If you think teamwork is the work of the devil, then send me to the villain side. Trying to organize is just crazy talk. That’s absurd.
Who do you want to win?
Amanda deserves it. She plays hard. She’s sweet. She’s been to the end twice. It’d be nice if she makes it this time and actually completes the mission. Poor thing, she’s always a bridesmaid.
TELL US – SHOULD JAMES HAVE BEEN VOTED OFF?
