Survivor’s Russell Hantz Talks Being Voted Off, Boston Rob, Denies Leaking Spoilers

Russell Hantz was finally voted off Surivor for the first time ever as his Zapatera tribe was able to accomplish a feat that no other tribe in the history of the show has been able to do.

In a new interview with E! News, Russell discusses being voted off, calls Boston Rob “fake” but praises his game, reveals he actually tried to form an alliance with the guys, and once again denies leaking out any Survivor spoilers. Excerpts are below –

Is Russell Hantz really a softie inside—is the villain all an act for Survivor?

When I get out there I get so in the game. I get to a point where I am focused on one thing: that’s the game. I’m able to step out of who I am and play this game. That’s why I’m so good at the game—I’m able to step out and be a different person. The difference between me and Rob is with him, that is what you see. Rob, we ain’t best of buddies and we’ll never be. I know good people, from the South mostly…I’m the guy who will give you the shirt off my back in real life. I’m the guy who will come get you at three o’clock in the morning and bail your butt out of jail. To me, what I see in Rob as a person is he’s fake, 100 percent. He is what he is on the show. Him and [Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains winner] Sandra, that’s them. That’s their personality, in real life.

What’s your opinion of how Rob is playing the game this season?

I think he’s playing excellent. I think Rob is doing a great job. He has it under control. I don’t know what happens at the end of the day, but if anybody wants to make a bet with me right now, I’ll make the bet. I know how it feels when you have control of the tribe. My tribe’s about to fall to pieces because I’m not there. Mark my words.

Why didn’t you try a different strategy this season—why you didn’t switch it up and try to ally with the men?

I did. You didn’t see that part. First I went up to Stephanie and said OK, I wanna align with you. This is what I’ma do, I’m gonna go to the guys, I’ma align with them, and I’m tell them I talked to you. I’ma tell them we have your vote so it’s gonna be four, we need another person, because Krista didn’t like me at this point. She thought she’d be conceived of that Natalie girl I’d be resentful of. So I talked to Mike and Dave, they were like high-fiving me, [saying] “Yeah man, let’s do this!” I said, “I’m telling you one thing: I talked to Stephanie. I don’t want to keep nothing from y’all, but if there’s any way possible I wanna drag her along with us, because that’s just another vote. Whenever you’re ready to get rid of her, we’ll get rid of her.” That was a lie. I wanted to keep her because she was like Parvati—she had a strategic mind like Parvati. So did Krista, but they don’t show Krista in that light. That was the best alliance I ever had. Ever. That’s how hard the game is—I still didn’t make it.

Can you comment on reports that you leaked Survivor spoilers? What is your opinion of people who leak reality show spoilers?

It sucks. The thing is, it’s easy to say it was me, because I’m the villain. Everyone’s asking me this stupid question. I don’t want to give it any credit because that’s exactly what these people want—they want credit.

You mentioned Celebrity Apprentice—are we going to see you again on TV?

I’ll be back. It might not be Survivor, but I already have something in the works—and it’s gonna be good.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON RUSSELL’S INTERVIEW? IS HE ONE OF THE BEST SURVIVOR PLAYERS? DO YOU THINK ROB HAS A GOOD CHANCE AT WINNING THE GAME?

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