'Slippery little sucker' wins Survivor

SURVIVING THE TIMES: Flight attendant Todd Herzog has been crowned the winner of Survivor: China's $US1 million prize.

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Flight attendant Todd Herzog says winning Survivor: China's $US1 million ($NZ1.3m) prize was a dream come true – but he doesn't know what to spend the money on.

Herzog – a schemer who was dubbed a "slippery little sucker" by a fellow contestant – was crowned the winner of the reality television show's fifteenth season after winning the most votes from a jury consisting of ousted contestants.

He beat waitress Courtney Yates, who came second, and former beauty queen Amanda Kimmel. Lunch lady Denise Martin was the last person eliminated in last night's final.

Herzog, a huge Survivor fan who quit his job as a flight attendant to take part in the show, told Stuff.co.nz he had wanted to compete since he was 15.

"I remember just being amazed when Survivor started. The challenges were so cool, and they went to these different countries. It made me want it so badly that by the time I was 21 and able to audition, I was ready.

"This was my dream so it's like anybody getting their chance to live out their dream – you know you’re going to fight to make it worthwhile."

It was the hardest thing he has ever had to do, Herzog said.

"The hardest thing by far was dealing with the boredom. You're sitting in the sun all day long with no food being eaten alive by bugs, so you just become miserable and you think about everything at home that you’re missing.

"It takes a real toll on your mind."

Herzog also found it tough not to tell anyone about the show during the two-month gap between returning home and the live final.

"It's so stressful because I wasn't allowed to tell anyone how far I got. I started waiting tables for a while but word got out that 'Todd from Survivor' was waiting tables at a restaurant and that became extremely overwhelming.

"I would show up to work and my boss would say 'you've got eight tables today waiting for you'. It was exciting and kind of a compliment but it was hard because I couldn't get work done because everyone wanted to ask questions and take photos."
 
He didn’t know what he was going to do with his prize money.

"I haven't bought anything yet but I am going to go and get a new car, and travel a bit. I'm not sure what to do next yet. Life is an adventure and I can't wait to see what happens next."

Herzog had some advice for contestants in the next season of the show, Survivor: Micronesia.

"Align yourself with people you can trust. Make sure that you do not give up because it will be the hardest thing you have ever done. But as long as you keep a strong head you will make it to the end."

Yates told Stuff.co.nz Herzog deserved to win and she only made it as far as she did because of his help.

"This is his dream, it always was. Nobody loves Survivor like Todd Herzog loves Survivor," Yates said. "I think he deserved to win. I am so proud of him and the fact that I got second behind him is just a bonus."

Yates defended controversy about her weight loss during the show.

"It's very popular to see skinny girls and call it anorexia but it's a bit unfair when it's a television show. Everyone lost weight, it wasn't on purpose and I'm a small person.

"The guys lost more but when a small person loses weight it's a lot more noticeable."

*The next season of Survivor, Survivor: Micronesia, begins in February, pitting eight fans of the show against eight former contestants. For the line-up, click here.

- © Fairfax NZ News