Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites
Alexis
Eliminated May 1

Were you blindsided by the elimination?
Alexis: Are you kidding? Did you see my expression? Yes, I was very blindsided. Goodness, I didn't see that coming at all. In fact, what you don't see is Amanda coming up to me crying and asking me to give her the "respect" of knowing whether she was going home. I hadn't lied in the game yet, and I wasn't going to lie to her face, so I told her that people were voting for her that night. I spent the rest of the day just feeling awful for sending her home and then she freaking sends me home!

Did you have any idea that Amanda had the immunity idol?
Alexis: No. Not at all. I totally believed her.

How did it feel to get to spend time with your brother, Nate?
Alexis: It was one of the best moments of my life. I know that sounds a little dramatic. But, really, at that point we'd been deprived of any sort of unconditional love. You're basically going through the trenches with people that you don't know and who at the end of the day are your competition, so to have the unconditional love of a family member for a little while was just breathtaking.

You won the reward challenge, so what was it like to swim with the jellyfish?
Alexis: It was incredible! To get to explore something like that was amazing. It was paradise. When we saw the thousands of jellyfish swimming below us it was mind-boggling. Nate had the time of his life.

What was the hardest part about Survivor?
Alexis: Being away from my family was hard. By the end of the first week, I was over how difficult it is physically. But I'd never been in a situation before where I was deprived of love. It really is detrimental.

Do you think the fans were at an disadvantage?
Alexis: Absolutely. Our island was terrible compared to the one the favorites were on. On top of that, all of them were playing the game a second time. If I got to do it again, it would be totally different because there's such a huge learning curve when you first get out there. I needed to learn how to find food and gather coconuts. The everyday life would be a breeze now that I've already done it.

Who do you think deserves to win?
Alexis: My girl Natalie. We have that Texas bond that goes down to your DNA. I think she's played a phenomenal game. It makes me sad that she's been edited to look like a crazy girl because she's got a heart of gold. I really respect her.

What's next for you?
Alexis: I'm starting an online magazine for girls. It launches on May 11, so check it out at iam.girl.com.