Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
It was one of the most unexpectedly delightful moments in the history ofSurvivor.
The support I received from family, friends, and co-workers was amazing.
Bret LaBelle on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.Monty Brinton/CBS
I wish I had come out sooner."
And Bret now writes the book on hisSurvivor(andAmazing Race!)
journey, reliving the highs and lows of his reality TV adventure.
Bret LaBelle on ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.Monty Brinton/CBS
Crack a tall boy and make a toast to the Bret Labelle Quarantine Questionnaire!
BRET LaBELLE:After theMillennials vs. Gen Xfinale, I boarded a plane and traveled the world.
This turned out to be my last stop as I have never left.
I loved the beaches, the weather, and the ambiance of this beautiful place.
Our days were filled with beaches, food, surfing, and drinking.
We made our home in an ancient Hawaiian hut called an Hale Noho.
I only left paradise for a quick stint onAmazing Racewith that ginger foolChris Hammons.
What a full life I lead!
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
Coming out to Zeke.
Second, because it was a long time coming.
I had an internal struggle with myself with coming out and being gay for years.
The support I received from family, friends, and co-workers was amazing.
I wish I had come out sooner.
I’m also extremely proud of being theSurvivorcontestant to drink the most beer at rewards inSurvivorhistory.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
My only regret is that I didn’t win more reward challenges so I could drink more beer.
I would have also like to have been involved with the family visit.
I cannot tell you how bad I wanted to talk to my father.
Every night after the merge, I cuddled Adam Klein.
And I was the big spoon.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
I liked my edit for the most part.
Watching the show back can be frustrating because the edit “tends” to follow the winner.
Things you did and say may get cut so you can give credit to someone else.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
As anyone who has met me knows, I’m an extrovert and I love being around people.
However, once they left my house, I became on introvert for three days.
I didn’t answer the phone, or leave the house, and just spent some time by myself.
Maybe it’s because while taping the show I wasn’t alone for 6-and-a-half weeks.
I just needed some time to be alone and reflect on the amazing journey I had just been on.
I loved my experience onSurvivor.
I think it was easier for me to be on reality television because I’m older and more established.
(Really, $550,000 after taxes.)
My only regret after the game was getting involved with social media.
I was sucked into Twitter and Instagram, both of which I had never experienced before.
I would suggest anyone who playsSurvivoror any reality show stay off social media while your show airs.
There are a lot of lies and misinformation, especially on Twitter.
They will bring zero joy to your life.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
However, I do still talk to everyone from the cast and enjoy seeing them when I do.
It was a very special cast and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
I’m heartbroken that I can no longer pick up the phone and call Sunday anymore.
Or just send a text to check in with her.
I think we all are.
Losing Sunday was like losing a part of our season and our story.
We all love you Sunday… you are missed every day.
I loveSurvivorand I will always watch.
My favorite season, besides my own, will always be season 2,The Australian Outback.
It’s the first season I ever watched and it got me hooked.
I immediately knew I could play this game.
I knew I NEEDED to play this game.
Open auditions came to Boston for the third season and I tried out for it.
They picked Ethan Zohn instead of me… lol.
I loved season 2 because the characters were awesome.
I was rooting forTina Wesson.
And Tina responded to me in perfect Southern twang, “Well, Bret LaBelle!
I was rooting for you!”
She’s fascinating, warm, and so easy to talk to.
I have met so many players fromSurvivornow and rarely get starstruck like I did for Tina.
But a few still illicit a crazed response.
Dinner with Richard Hatch was one.
Hatchet throwingwith Johnny Fairplaywas another.
Drinks withCorinne, and gambling for the first time with my now good friendRandy Baileywas up there as well.
Bucket list: Dinner and drinks withCoach Benjamin Wade.
I HAVE to meet the Dragon Slayer one day.
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
Maybe it’s the Boston connection.
Maybe it’s because I was a fan of his.
Again, the Boston connection.
She would make the time go by much faster out there.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
Just get rid of the stupid islands where you come back after being voted out like Edge of Extinction.
I feel like Fonzie is getting ready to jump the shark every time a season has one.
It’s not fun.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
I’m asked this question a lot.
Right after my season aired, the answer was yes.
As time goes on, and after doingThe Amazing Race, I’m not so sure.
It takes a long time to recover fromSurvivor.
TheRacewas an easy recovery.
But I have unfinished business onSurvivor… and I know I can win.
Gun to my head right now and I must answer: “Would you go back on Survivor?”
The answer is “Yes.”
