Survivor victim Marisa slams 'jerk'

BY CHRIS SCHULZ

EXCLUSIVE: The first victim of Survivor: Samoa says she would never use a tragedy like Hurricane Katrina to gain an advantage in a reality television show.

Marisa Calihan, a 26-year-old Cincinnati student, became the first victim of the latest season of the top-rating TV3 show when she confronted her wayward Foa Foa tribe mate Russell Hantz, who spearheaded her demise.

In the first episode, Hantz burnt socks, emptied water canisters and formed multiple allegiances - one of which he called the "dumb-ass girls alliance".

He also lied about losing a dog in Hurricane Katrina - a tall story reminiscent of infamous contestant Johnny Fairplay, who pretended his grandmother had died to gain sympathy votes in season seven.

Calihan told Stuff.co.nz in an exclusive interview that Hantz was a "jerk" and he eliminated her because he knew she was on to him.

"I think the guy's really just doing it for pleasure. I didn't know to the extent of what Russell was being devious and diabolical; I just knew that I couldn't trust him. When I said I was wary of him he saw that as a big threat.

"He was the self-confessed 'puppet master' so to not have strings on someone I think made him very nervous. If he wasn't threatened by me why would he be hell-bent on getting rid of me?"

Hantz's lie about his involvement in Hurricane Katrina was controversial, Calihan said.

"He hadn't even stepped foot in New Orleans. I think it's horrible and inexcusable to use that tragedy (to his advantage). I've had many people contact me and tell me they were victims of Hurricane Katrina and they're very upset that he's using that angle.

"They were all proud of me for standing up to him."

Calihan, who agreed to go on Survivor after being approached by a casting agent, said she didn't know the full extent of Hantz' antics until she saw him acting up on TV.

"I didn't realise he had been burning socks. I knew that my socks were missing ... What a jerk. I cannot believe he burnt my socks.

"It's a clever way to play the game. It's not a good way, it's not an honest way to play the game, but it's clever."

But she warned that her tribe had an even bigger threat than Hentz: Ben Browning.

"The audience didn't get to see just how awful Ben is. That guy is wretched. He is demeaning to women, people, races ... he thinks he knows everything and he will get right up in your face and tell you how to do it.

"He has no respect for women whatsoever and I just couldn't take it. Unfortunately you didn't get to see it because (Survivor's producers) wanted to highlight Russell."

Despite only lasting three days, Calihan said she was proud of her performance.

"I think that I came off dignified and I left with my dignity intact which is not always something that happens when you're voted off."

Survivor: Samoa screens on TV3 on Thursday nights at 7.30pm. Stuff.co.nz will exclusively interview every contestant as they are eliminated.

You can donate money to the victims and clean-up following the Samoan tsunami tragedy here.

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