Warning: This article contains spoilers about Wednesdays season finale ofSurvivor: Island of the Idols.
In the end, she got burned by the fire.
How would Lauren have done if she had made it to the end?
Lauren Beck on ‘Survivor: Island of Idols’.Michele Crowe/CBS
How did she feel about learning that her biggest ally in Tommy helped Dean more than her?
And what else about her game besides the fire would she change if she could?
We asked Lauren about all that and more when we spoke after Wednesdays finale and reunion.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So close, yet so far.
Let me start with the obvious question.
Lets say you beat Dean in that fire-making competition.
And I didnt think I was going to be able to play the game that I played.
And Im really proud of the game that I did end up playing.
But I knowSurvivor,and it is a game.
And if Tommy did not make those moves, he may not be where he is now.
And he did that.
I always said if it wasnt me, I wanted it to be Tommy.
And Im just so grateful.
What I dont get is you guys from very early on were such a power duo.
So, how did you both manage to stay in the game?
Even though, that wasnt a thing, just so you guys know.
I practiced making fire like a madwoman before I left.
That same day, I made six fires.
They were roaring, they were raring, it was ready to go.
I felt good walking into Tribal, and yeah, its not fun.
And thats what they did.
And Noura solidified her position within the final three with immunity.
But I think she also solidified, you know, not having me win, which is fine.
We only knew each other for 39 days.
Everyone was out there playing for their family, significant other, whatever, what have you.
Obviously, this season had a lot of very serious stuff go down as well.
And we know the one really tough episode where Kellee was eliminated and everything surrounding that.
I saw your apology on social media, which I thought was very heartfelt and sincere.
How difficult was it for you to have to sit down and watch that whole episode playback on TV?
I have to imagine that was very hard.For me, it was.
It was like, I just couldnt believe that certain things were coming into play as game-play.
But, I think its hard, right?
I think ultimately its a teachable moment for everyone.
I think that a lot of us didnt have a lot of the information and that made it hard.
We were all trying to support each other.
There are certain things that I wasnt willing to do and lines that I wasnt willing to cross.
I love my cast.
I will be with them forever and ever whether theyll have me or not.
And yeah, thats where Im at with that.
What was your favorite moment of the game?
Wed sit at home on our couch with our dog and watchSurvivor.
And Im like, Because weve been watching the show for so many years!
So, would I have done something differently?
Maybe, but it wouldnt have gotten me to final four.
Like, maybe I wouldnt have gotten those moments.
If I go back for Second Chance, though, I might change a little bit.
Okay, you just stole my next question.
So, I guess you just gave it to me.
If you get that call to come back again, whats your answer?My bags are packed.
Watch an exclusive deleted scene from the episode above.
And for more Survivor intel, follow Dalton on Twitter@DaltonRoss.
