Ashley denies 'dumb blonde' claims

NO PUSHOVER: Ashley Trainer denies claims she is a 'dumb blonde'.

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EXCLUSIVE: Survivor victim Ashley Trainer has hit back at a tribe mate's claims that she is a "dumb blonde".

The 22-year-old spa saleswoman from Minnesota was eliminated from the Foa Foa tribe after a gruelling episode in which she had to eat sea slug guts as part of a reward challenge. She is the fifth member of her tribe to go home.

The former cheerleader said claims she was part of a "dumb blonde girls alliance" organised by rogue competitor Russell Hantz - who has caused trouble for his tribe since the beginning of the season - were laughable.

"I truly believe I was voted out because I started to catch on to what Russell was doing, and that scared him," she told Stuff.co.nz, echoing comments made by Betsy Bolan when she was eliminated for similar reasons two weeks ago.

"He knew I knew a tonne about the game and he was intimidated by that. He was worried I was going to catch on. That's why I got booted out."

Trainer said Hantz' game plan "didn't make sense" to her, but she wasn't offended by being called a "dumb blonde".

"People call blondes 'dumb' all the time. It's so clichéd. It's coming out of Russell's mouth (and) how much can you trust what Russell says?

"It sucks because I thought he was a friend to me, but that's Russell. The way he's playing the game, it doesn't make sense to me. He's playing nasty.

"I don't think he can win it, but if he does, good for him."

Trainer admitted using her looks was part of her initial Survivor game plan, but was forced to change tack as soon as the tribes were chosen.

"Everyone has their own strategy in their minds. I had this strategy going in that I was going to be a flirt, but I had to get rid of that straight away because everyone on my tribe had a significant other."

Despite watching several seasons of the show to prepare, Trainer said nothing could prepare you for the Survivor experience.

"It's a lot harder than it actually seems. You have to watch what's going on around you. If you're too paranoid you make everyone else paranoid. It's very difficult - it's much harder playing the game (than watching it)."

It took her two months to recover from her 14 days in Samoa.

"Your body goes into complete shock when all of a sudden you aren't eating and drinking. You feel physically ill when you're playing the game. Then you come out and you're eating tonnes of food, and you get sick again because your body's not used to digesting it.

"My body was horrible, it was so screwed up for two months after I left the game."

Despite her physical complaints, Trainer said it was the best experience of her life.

"It was absolutely amazing. It was the best experience ever. I loved it. I would have made it much further if I had stuck with some females, definitely."

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

* Did Ashley deserve to be eliminated? Post your comments below.

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Richard   #21   09:43 pm Dec 04 2009

Poor Ashley, if all she has to offer is looks and being a flirt, she doesn't have much to offer, so typical these days. I feel sorry for the man that hooks up with her, she is convinced that she has only one asset, her body. That is so sad, but again, so typical.

RW   #20   04:22 am Nov 28 2009

Russell is the reason 90% of the viewing audience looks forward to Survivor. You have those hoping he get booted and those that will hate to see him go. Bottom line, it is all about ratings and CBS made a good choice.

Ra   #19   10:34 pm Nov 27 2009

Go Russell, hes playing the best game out of everyone. Natalie is HOT!!

Survivor fan!   #18   04:15 pm Nov 27 2009

I never liked Ashley anyway but I was surprised to see the other blonde vote her out ... its a shame that Russell takes up so much of camera time as i'm SO over him.. its also a shame that instead of commenting on Ashley that over half the messages posted are responding to a comment made by someone who obviously doesn't watch this programme..

Jose   #17   02:54 pm Nov 27 2009

I was wondering if you could all do the world a favour and stop watching this tripe so they stop making it!

Slaine   #16   01:32 pm Nov 27 2009

Russell pawns all.

Ben   #15   12:01 pm Nov 27 2009

Funny PS - my idea of a society that has better standards is a place where people don't criticise others for enjoying something just because they don't enjoy it. Is the idea of anyone having different views to you also beyond you?

PS   #14   11:43 am Nov 27 2009

What an offensive, intolerant bunch you are (with the exception of Hu Gives #3). The comment from Hu Gives was right on the button, and why we are so obsessed with the gratuitous pap of survivor, masquerading as "news", is beyond me. As a society we must and should have better standards-Survivor must go.

Sam   #13   11:32 am Nov 27 2009

I'm sad she's gone :(

Andrew   #12   11:20 am Nov 27 2009

@ #3 Hu Gives - Are you blonde by any chance?

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