Final Interview
Amber's Final Chat
April 17, 2001 11:00 AM PST
CBS_Moderator: If you're just joining us, we're chatting live with Amber Brkich. To ask Amber a question, please type it in the space below and click "Ask the Survivor". We'll get to as many of your questions as we can. Let's get started!!! Hi Amber, thanks for being here to chat with us today.
Amber Brkich: Hello everybody, I'm ready for your questions.
AstarianJewel: Amber, first of all, You're beautiful and a sweetheart! Do you think your tendency to be kind rather than cut-throat was the reason for your elimination?
Amber Brkich: I guess it could have been. I think there were a couple things that came into play. I came close to winning a couple challenges. I don't think backstabbing and betraying had anything to do with it.
DTCutting: Amber, do you think you were portrayed fairly on TV? It appeared that you were just Jerri's sidekick and were in trouble when she left. Is that the way it really was?
Amber Brkich: I guess you could say that it was true that I was Jerri's friend but I don't think I was as much of a sidekick as they showed. I was friends with everybody. I think I am a more outgoing person, they showed me to be more of a shy person but I think if you meet me in real life I might surprise you.
CortlynBC99: Amber, did you and Elisabeth get along well after the merge? It seemed it, but then she voted you off twice in a row. Did you consider her one of your closest friends in Barramundi?
Amber Brkich: Elisabeth and I did get very close during the merge. We had a lot in common and we're close in age. I think her voting for me was just her playing the game and I had voted for her previously also. We joked about it afterwards and she said "Hey, I owed you one" and we joked about it -- we're still good friends.
AmericanBadAss: Amber, why in the world did you hang out with Jerri, of all people? She is so evil, and by that, you could be perceived as a clinging vine. How would you explain your behavior?
AK47: If you knew that Jerri is the most hated person in the game, why did you continue your alliance with her?
summergirl: Amber, do you regret becoming so close to Jerri, and do you think it hurt your relationship with the other survivors?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* The way they showed it on TV it looked like I only hung with Jerri, but what they didn't show was that I hung out with everybody. I didn't see it to my advantage to make any enemies. I thought it would be smart to get along with everybody. There's a lot going on that you don't see and that's me being friends with everybody else as well.
iluvamber_821: How did you feel about Tina, Colby, and Keith after they voted out Jerri? Was she really as mean as the show made her out to be?
Amber Brkich: I think the show definitely played up her character. I had a feeling that she was going to be voted out that time. She had crossed the line when she said she wanted Colby as her partner and nobody else. Going into Tribal Counsel I really wasn't that surprised. Jerri's a much nicer person than they make her out to be.
WanaBlikeRodger: Once Jerri was gone, what strategies did you consider? Did you think Nick would have made a good partner?
Amber Brkich: I definitely thought about approaching the remaining Kucha members, but I also thought that that might be too risky for me, meaning that I could go even earlier. Nick -- I don't know if he would have been the best person to pair up with, because he didn't seem like he was impressing the rest of the members of the Barramundi tribe.
raindrop: If you could play the game again, what would you do differently??
Amber Brkich: I guess I would try not to get so much caught up in the friendship part of this, but it's easier to say that than actually do it. It's much harder playing the game when you're actually out there than it is from sitting on your couch.
crazypeach: What new character trait did you develop during your stay in the Outback??
Amber Brkich: I guess you could say I believe in myself more now, I'm more confident and think that I'm doing the ultimate challenge. I feel like I could do anything now.
fuzzy: What were your worst and best experiences in the Outback and why?
Amber Brkich: I would say the best experiences were early on in the game when we're singing around the camp fire, that was a lot of fun and I also liked doing the challenges, especially jumping off the cliff. I would say the worst part was starving and being cold, particularly the night we were all sleeping on the sand after our camp had washed away.
Jeanie20: Did anyone on the show ever say that they wanted to leave because of the lack of food or the shelter situation with the flooding?
Amber Brkich: No, nobody was willing to give up at that point. We knew we only had 9 days left and we knew that no matter what we'd been through or what could lie ahead, we were going to stick with the game and play it out the whole way.
amber: How did you feel when you came back to the camp and it was totally flooded?
Amber Brkich: We were devastated. We were so upset because everything that we had had been washed away. Even though we didn't have that much, the little that we did have we had learned to appreciate greatly. It was just another element making the game even harder.
treestub: Amber, what was the hardest challenge that you participated in?
Amber Brkich: I think the hardest challenge was the one where we were all bound together and had to do the obstacle course. We were kicking sand into each other's faces and mouths and were just being dragged and pushed and pulled all over the place. We were breathing so hard that at the end we plopped on the ground and could barely get up again. it was physically the hardest challenge.
MesoClan: If you could go back in time, would you still have chosen to participate in the game, knowing now how tough it was?
Amber Brkich: Definitely, if I could go back in time I'd never exchange this experience for anything. I would definitely try out again and definitely play it the same way that I did.
pam: who would be the person you feel the closest to after your experience in the Outback? and why?
Mr_DJ: Amber, you were great! Who do you wish you could've bonded with more during your stay in the Outback?
Amber Brkich: I guess you could say I am closest with Mitchell, just because he seems like he keeps in closest contact with me, although I do still feel close with everybody since we practically email every day. The people who were voted off early in the show (Kimmi, Debb) I didn't really get to know at all. I would like to learn and know more about them.
survivorfan23: Amber, how did you feel about the beef jerky situation with Kel? Do you think that Jerri falsely accused him of sneaking it in his backpack? By the way, you are awesome!
Amber Brkich: *laughs* Well, thank you! I still to this day think Kel had something. It might not have been beef jerky, but I know it wasn't a blade of grass or bark off a tree. I don't think Jerri falsely accused him.
Joel_M: Hey Amber! Were there any major disputes on the island that we as an audience did not see?
Amber Brkich: No, not particularly that I can remember. The only major fights were between Kimmi and Alicia and then the one time that Tina had to jump in and stop Keith and Jerri from arguing.
Fuzzyman: Who irritated you the most when you were out there? Is there anyone you would rather not see again?
Amber Brkich: I would like to see everybody again because I think in a different kind of atmosphere people might get along better. Nobody annoyed me really that much, but since I haven't talked to him since he doesn't seem to be putting effort into the show - Kel, I guess you could say.
neeserkins: Do you think alliances should be banned to make the show less predictable and more of a challenge in the future?
Amber Brkich: No, I don't think alliances should be banned. I think with every different cast each person will have different ideas of how to approach the game. You may see it changing soon with less focus on alliances. Right now it seems the easier way to win the game, so why wouldn't you choose to be in an alliance?
SurvivorFan86: Hey Amber, do you think that betraying a friend that you make in the Outback and
voting them off is really worth a million dollars?
GoColbyAndElisabeth: Do you feel that the backstabbing and lying is a key part of the game, or one that could be avoided?
Amber Brkich: Well, since I really feel that I didn't betray or backstab anybody I guess it isn't worth a million dollars unless those people who got their feelings hurt are willing to forgive afterwards. It's much harder playing the game nicely and to get you farther it's even harder.
SurvivorFan86: Do people ever stop you in the street and ask you about your experience? If yes, were they all supportive, or did you get some negative feedback?
Amber Brkich: Everybody in my hometown has been wonderful. People stop me often and compliment me on how well I represented my hometown and myself. They're happy with my reputation of being one of the nice people. . . . The only negative comments were about me following around Jerri, but the important people know that that was just the editing of the show.
NaThaN_MiTcH: Hey Amber!!! Has anyone in the media upset you with what they have said about you?
Amber Brkich: No, not really. People get caught up forgetting that there's a lot they don't show, so I try not to take anything personally. I even try not to read the bad articles.
MadAdder: It seems like the contestants remaining are nicer, more good-hearted, and less manipulative than those in the first show. Is this the case?
Amber Brkich: I don't think completely. I think the people that are left over, however, do get along better as a group. Everybody seemed nice but living in such conditions can bring out the worst in people.
Amberfan: Who would you compare yourself with from the first Survivor?
Amber Brkich: I think I relate closest to Colleen. She also seemed to play the game in a friendly manner. I think her outgoing personality is a lot like mine and other people have also told me they see the similarities between us.
Amber4Ever: Why did you bring a journal, if you can just see the whole thing on TV?
SurvivorGirl1: Congratulations on surviving so long! Will you publish what you wrote in your journal? Or did that get lost in the flood?
Geetz: Having a journal and pen as your luxury item, would you consider turning those journal entries into a book?
Amber Brkich: I brought the journal to also capture the stuff that they didn't show on TV, so even though I have all the episodes on tape, I also have in writing what you don't see on the show. I hope in years to come if I seem to forget anything I can just go back and read what I wrote in my journal. I haven't thought seriously about publishing my journal, but it does seem like a good idea. I think a lot of people would be interested in seeing what I wrote.
treestub: Was there any romance going on behind-the-scenes that we were not aware of?
Amber Brkich: No, there weren't any romances. When you're out there (for me at least) that's the LAST thing on your mind.
Locke_The_Survivor_Canadian: What do you think of Tina?
kuchababe: Do you think Tina was as manipulative as she appeared to be to us?
Amber Brkich: I think Tina's reputation changed dramatically throughout the game. In the beginning, she seemed like she was the "Mom" and most caring of the group, but towards the end, she definitely became very manipulative and I know it's the prize money.
MEL: Was Nick as lazy as he was made out to be?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* Nick wasn't feeling so well, so when he actually was sick, he wasn't able to do much. They had shown on TV somebody asking him to fish and that was me. He said he had never fished, so why start now? I do think he was made to be a little more lazy than he actually was but he really didn't do all that much.
josie_: What about the time when Mike got his hands burned and you got the note? What was running in your head at that very moment?
Amber Brkich: Well, we had no idea who had been hurt or how. We were thinking a snake bite or somebody had fallen or broken an arm. We were very scared and very worried. It made the game seem much more real.
allibug: Have you ever tasted any of Keith's cooking off the island?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* No, I haven't been able to eat any of his food, but I do have a couple of recipes of his and I'm looking forward to trying them out. I would, though, like to try Keith's cooking in the future.
Amber_Rules: Did you see when Colby cheated to pass you in the reward challenge?
Amber Brkich: I didn't realize at the time that he had cheated until recently when a lot of people pointed that out to me. But the game's over now and I have no hard feelings.
kevbokaze: Hi Amber! Do you feel that the males on Survivor have an advantage on some of the challenges or other aspects of the game?
Amber Brkich: No, not particularly. Although it seems like they may win more often, I think the women come just as close. I think the game is pretty fair.
BaBiGyMnAsT: What did you think of the host Jeff Probst?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* I think Jeff does his job VERY well. He knows exactly which questions to ask. I haven't been able to see him much since the show's been over, but I do think off the show he'd be a very nice guy and I'd like him a little bit more.
Bort: Did anyone realize how manipulative Colby was at the time or did they all play into his game?
Amber Brkich: We had noticed early on that Colby couldn't make up his mind of who to stick with or who to trust, so we knew that he was being somewhat manipulative.
Wolf: Have you talked to Jerri since you have been "off the island"?
Amber Brkich: Yes, we've e-mailed a couple of times and have both talked about how excited we are to see each other again.
BaBiGyMnAsT: What was your most embarrassing moment in the Outback?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* I don't really know if I was ever really embarrassed, but I guess you could say almost throwing up in front of everybody after eating the bugs was pretty bad --but I'm glad I was able to hold it in.
allibug: What were the conditions for using the latrine? Was there much privacy at all with the cameras around?
Amber Brkich: We would go off into the woods where we would see that nobody could see us and just dig a hole. That part of the game really wasn't all that bad. There are much bigger worries going on in your head.
Nic: Amber, what was your funniest experience in the Outback?
Amber Brkich: I would say eating the dinner with Jerri, because all we did was laugh because we were THAT excited to eat such good food.
freyja: Was there any time that you wanted to quit and go home?
Amber Brkich: No, I came out there to play the game and to stay as long as possible. I knew no matter what that it would end--I just didn't know when, but I was NEVER ready to quit.
pippo: What did you do to avoid thinking of food?
Amber Brkich: *laughs* Nothing! Because that's all we ever did think about! I guess at times we did think about home and friends and family, but that tends to be too upsetting, so then we'd always just go back to talking and thinking about food.
WATCHER: Amber, how much weight did you lose? Were you ill in the Outback from the lack of food?
Amber Brkich: I think I lost around 10 to maybe 15 pounds. I wouldn't say that I was ill, but it was hard to start eating regular food again.
poppywv: What item did you most miss when you were away?
Amber Brkich: Besides food...*laughs* I think I missed my computer, because through e-mail that's how I keep in touch with many of my friends. It was hard not knowing what was going on with everyone's lives.
chipmunk: Amber, how badly did you miss your family? Were you able to talk with them after you were voted off?
Amber Brkich: No, I didn't talk to my family when I was voted off and I missed them very, very much. I was very excited to see them and finally talk to them again once I got home.
Migs: Kel says you sing Britney Spears songs all the time, we didn't get to see that...what other fun stuff did you do which we didn't see?
Amber Brkich: I don't recall singing Britney Spears' songs, but we did sit around and sing campfire songs. It's upsetting they weren't able to show that. I do like to sing a lot, and I'm glad to hear Kel was complimenting me.
AlbertoPena: Amber, how fun was the food auction?? What did you get to eat? Did you get sick after?
Amber Brkich: The food auction was wonderful! There was such great food as rewards. I was able to eat my favorite (french fries and ranch dressing). I also got Mountain Dew and then of course, there was that awful moment when I paid $200 for a glass of river water. Even though I didn't get that much, it paid off later because I was one of the only ones who did not get sick.
Mookie: Could you describe what a typical day in Survivor is like?
Amber Brkich: You wake up as soon as the sun comes up and at first it's cold but soon it heats up really, really fast. The first thing you want to do is get the chores done so you're able to save your energy for later on, just in case there would be a challenge coming up. Then we'd eat and then sit around, talk, maybe fish or play backgammon and then as soon as the sun goes down-- it's shut eye time.
survivorrocks: Which is needed more, mental or physical strength, to be on Survivor?
Amber Brkich: I would say, surprisingly, mental--because that is what gets you through the game. Yes, the challenges are somewhat physical but that's not what assures you to stay til the end. I didn't particularly win any of the individual challenges and I still stayed pretty far into the game. I do think, however, it helps to be in shape because early on when you're still in separate tribes that is what gets you guys the advantage of winning the challenges and rewards. It seems like the weak people go first.
sRmi: Amber, how would you react to the fact that people admire you and that some look up to you as a role model?
Amber Brkich: I think it's a HUGE compliment and I'm glad that I came off in a way that people look up to me and would want to follow my example. It is very exciting to be looked up to from many kids and people all over.
omer: How did the game affect your personal life? How did it affect your career?
shashavt: How was it returning to your job as an administrative assistant? It must be so DULL now !?!?!? (I mean, that's what I do and I can't imagine sitting still like that after experiencing such an adventure!)
ThursdaysChild: Hi Amber - it's good that you say you believe more in yourself now that you're home....what new actions do you think you'll take in the ULTIMATE Survivor game called life...any new plans? Take care, dear.
Amber Brkich: I have not returned to that job that I was doing in the summertime. I've actually had a really long vacation just having fun with the show and partying every Thursday. I plan to hopefully be able to use this experience and get into the entertainment field or just a more exciting job other than an administrative assistant. I'm so glad that I've had this opportunity so my career is able to advance much further.
detroit_boy: What made you ever think about trying out for Survivor? And why?
Carol: Hi Amber!! What advice would you give to someone considering applying for Survivor 3?
Amber Brkich: I tried out mainly because I was a huge fan of the show and also just recently graduated from college. I was not looking forward to getting a normal job where I'd have to sit in front of the computer all day long, every day. I'm so glad I didn't have to do that. For anybody trying out for the show, have a blast with it but also expect the worst.
MEL: Was there any major world event that happened while you were on Survivor that shocked/surprised you when you found out after the show?
Amber Brkich: While we were on Survivor the Presidential election was going on and we were shocked to find out that they still hadn't known who our President actually was. It's kind of weird missing such huge history and finding out about it later.
Iron_Man: Are you seriously considering posing for Playboy? Wouldn't that be a little damaging and demeaning?
Amber Brkich: I know that it's an important decision and could affect my reputation in a certain way. That's why I'm only considering it and haven't said "Yes" or "No" just yet.
gooch: Was being on Survivor the toughest challenge of your life so far? Do you think you might use this experience to do some good in the world? (i.e., join the Peace Corps, or feed the hungry?)
Amber Brkich: I definitely think it's been my hardest challenge yet and being only 22 it's hard to think that I've already gone through one of my hardest experiences ever. I would definitely like to use my experience to do good and try to help out people who need it.
CBS_Moderator: Thanks so much for chatting with us, Amber. Any final remarks?
Amber Brkich: I would just like to thank everybody out there who's been so supportive and who have made this experience that much more fun. Thanks for chatting with me - I had fun too.
TherealManny: Bye Amber, I love you. You are the best too!!!!!!
Nicole: Good luck!
SilverWolf: Good luck Amber. See you on T.V. soon!!!!
Blondie: Take care amber. Best of luck!! Admins rule!
i_love_survivor_alot: I LOVE YOU AMBER
SurvivorFreak: Thank you Amber, enjoy your life out of the Outback!
Amber2001: The U.S. loves you Amber! Bye!
jerri_rules: AMBER WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!! WE WISH YOU WON!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK IN WHATEVER YOU DO IN LIFE!!!!!!!
Migs: Goodbye and good luck Amber! You were great! You made the show more fun to watch!
Bort: Thanks Amber, you're the best! Good luck in the future!
Nic: BYE AMBER!! I LOVE YOU!!! GOD BLESS!!!
GoColbyAndElisabeth: Thanks for coming and chatting with us, and good luck!
Mizz_Dimples: YOU'RE AWSOME!
JOSH: Bye Amber! Luv ya!
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