JT still friends with Survivor finalist
BY CHRIS SCHULZ
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EXCLUSIVE: James JT Thomas Jr says he and Stephen Fishbach will remain close friends, despite squaring off against each other in the final of Survivor: Tocantins.
Thomas, a ranch manager from Alabama, won the show's $1 million prize and the $100,000 fan favourite bonus, beating computer consultant Fishbach with a clean sweep of the jury votes.
Without receiving a single vote against him at any of the show's tribal council eliminations, and receiving all seven jury votes in the final, Thomas has been said to have played the perfect Survivor game.
Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, a humble and tired Thomas said he set out from the start to get his tribe mates to like him.
"I just tried to build some very solid relationships with these people from the get go and provide for them and look out for everyone," he said.
"We were legitimately good friends."
Thomas, who is infamous for losing a tooth during an earlier immunity challenge, raised eyebrows when he chose to take Fishbach to the final - and not the less popular Erinn Lobdell, which would have guaranteed him a win.
He and Fishbach - a computer consultant from New York - remained firm friends, despite some tense moments during a grilling by the jury, Thomas said.
"Stephen was my biggest competition by far. He was the only one playing the game as strategically as well (as I was). If he hadn't have hurt himself so much in the final tribal (council) it would have been a much closer vote.
"He was such a good friend I had to take him to the final."
Apart from sending his nieces and nephews to college, Thomas didn't have plans for his money. He said he found the media attention from his win overwhelming, and was looking forward to getting back to his ranch.
But the 25-year-old wasn't minding the female attention his win had attracted.
"There's been a good reaction from a lot of girls in my area. There have been a lot of awkward situations for sure, but I've found someone who's been really sweet to me and we're enjoying it together.
"It's a light relationship ... I'm not married and I'm not looking to get married any time soon."
Thomas said Survivor was an "amazing adventure" and he was begging the show's producers to have him back in the future.
His only tip for contestants on the next series, Survivor: Samoa?
"Don't trust anyone with a southern drawl."
* Did JT deserve to win? Post your comments below.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Absolutely - the best person won. I was disappointed that they didn't show Coach being caught out in one of his lies though (where he asked Sienna to reform their old tribe). The fact that Coach "passed" a lie detector test means nothing - he believes his own lies, so of course he would pass.
JT knew that he would beat Stephen in the jury vote as well, so him taking his mate to the final two was a buck each way - a tip of the hat to JT the good ole boy from Alabama and also to JT the player. Did you notice that his Southern drawl was a little more exaggerated for the final tribal council? Clever guy.
JT did deserve to win. He had the more solid relationships with others on the jury. Stephen was perceived as the one who was more two-faced and being called the "wizard" just made him seem all the more a manipulator even though JT was in on the blindsides just as much as Stephen was. Also Survivor juries generally don't like seeing people pereceived as weaker than them win a million bucks. So they could handle JT winning more easily than Stephen. So not surprised they all voted for JT.
He didn't have his name cast at tribal council and he won all 7 jury votes (if this report is to be believed)! "Did JT deserve to win?" What do you think Chris?
I'm glad he won. Steven was such a worm with his to-ing and fro-ing all the time.
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I love the fact that JT won, I just wish he had given the 100k to Taj because he screwed her over