Keeley Exit Interview | Australian Survivor: Redemption | Ep 21 | Beyond Tribal

In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson sits down with the latest player to be eliminated from Australian Survivor: Redemption and the seventh member of the jury - Keeley.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:15

Hi, I'm Kaylee Ferguson and this is Beyond Reality. I've spent the past decade working as a producer on Australian Survivor. And now I'm taking you beyond trial. I'll be chatting with the players from Australian Survivor Redemption as they leave the game unpacking their strategy, their downfall, and their story beyond the vote. This is beyond reality. Hi, Keely. Hi, Haley. How are you? I'm good. Thank you so much for joining me. You have had such an impressive run on the show this season. I'm so sad to see you out at this point. How are you feeling? Oh my gosh, I'm devastated.

SPEAKER_01 0:52

Um, I really wanted that big bonus check at the end, Haley. I could see it. I think it even had my name on it. Um, so yeah, I'm I'm devastated. I'm still kind of wiping the sand out of my eyes. Well, what was it like watching it back though? Oh, watching it back, um, you know, it was exactly like what it was out there. Um, you know, there was no crafty magic in the edit. That's that is exactly how it happened. So reliving that experience was um, you know, it it's really hard to watch. But weirdly, there's quite a lot of relief because when your torch is snuffed, um, you know, that grip that the game has on you is released. And watching the episode back last night, it has a really similar feeling where, you know, I just feel a little bit of relief. Like the game has, you know, released its hold on me. I've seen the episode, I've seen how it plays out, and and I'm free. I'm free to go to the villa and um and feel my friends.

SPEAKER_00 1:55

Yeah, I mean, that's really interesting because I guess you have to become a different person in a lot of ways to play, to play that game. And it changes you. So um, yeah, I think it's amazing that you you have that relief of, you know, once you get that torch snapped, you can relax.

SPEAKER_01 2:12

You can relax, yeah. And it's it's such a bizarre feeling because I I am heartbroken. I can't believe what just happened. I'm I'm absolutely devastated. But I'm also thinking, oh wow, I can kind of let down a lot of those guards, feel a little bit more free, and you know, go and have a good time. Injury villa.

SPEAKER_00 2:31

Yeah, trust people again.

unknown 2:32

I yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:34

How nice. What a luxury to be able to trust people again.

SPEAKER_00 2:38

Speaking of trust, I obviously want to talk about that move from Sally. She managed to get the half idol off you and put it together to complete an idol. What were you thinking in that moment? Did you believe that she was gonna play it for you? What was going through your head? Yeah, I did.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

I thought she would play it. And and honestly, what is going through my head is whoa, two halves have created a real idol. And I know how much power an idol holds in this game. I found an idol, I played an idol myself, and it was huge. And so I'm looking at this as, you know, this is huge currency right now. And I can't believe that someone is gonna play an idol for me because I've been there and I've done that, and it's a huge thing to do, and it takes, takes a lot as well. And and I was heartbroken to see that idol's life cut short and turned into a friendship necklace. I wish so much that it was played in any way, even if it's not for me. Um, play it for Laws or Caleb, you know, cause some cause some distrust or or or a debt even as well. Um so it was devastating.

SPEAKER_00 3:49

Yeah. In that moment, I guess Sally took the idol and she made a spectacle of it, uh, in terms of pulling it together and then handing it back to you. How does that sit with you? Well, I have no messages for Sally, Haley.

SPEAKER_01 4:05

No, um, yeah, it it was it's hard. It's hard to accept that that's that's the way that you go out of the game. But look, I do accept it. That was the reality. Um, I have to keep moving forward from it. Um as much as it hurts. Um, it is what it is.

SPEAKER_00 4:24

Do you think doing something like that is impressive to the jury? Like, how do you think the jury perceives something like that?

SPEAKER_01 4:33

I don't think it is particularly impressive by the jury, or at least not from my perspective as a as um the newest jury member. Um, I would have loved to have seen that idol get played, even if it was for anyone else. I just would love to see that idol live its life and to see um Sally, you know, make a good read on the game. Um, you know, sending me home with the half idol um still played for somebody else is an incredible move to make, um, a very good strategic move to make. But I think that the spectacle took away from that a little bit. And look, I've got a lot of friends in Jury Villa as well. And I'm not sure if that is a move that they would vote for.

SPEAKER_00 5:18

I want to talk about the previous tribal council because obviously you wrote Brooke's name down. So hard. And this vote, I mean, you were boxed into a corner once Jackson won immunity. In hindsight, do you think maybe you should have held on to Brooke for one more, one more tribal council at least, let Jackson go to Rocks and see how it all plays out from then? Maybe.

SPEAKER_01 5:44

Maybe I don't know. You know, it's so hard in the moment because I'm I'm also sitting next to Brooke Jowett, like an actual challenge beast, who will win the challenge is if if she can. And I'm not naive to the fact that um, you know, me and Brooke are not gonna sit next to each other at the end. And I think as soon as she got that necklace, it wouldn't surprise me if I if I was gone. I was also hoping that, you know, by helping the guys complete their mission of eliminate all returnees, we might see some of the gameplay change. Instead of, you know, hunting the returnees, um, perhaps something else would evolve. I had also started, you know, I always had relationships on the other side, but started making some deals. And I really thought that maybe that would pay off and I could actually just be a boat in their next tribal council for whoever wanted to take advantage of it.

SPEAKER_00 6:42

Yeah. Your relationship with Brooke, you had an incredible relationship with Brooke over this time. And your biggest move of the game, obviously, that amazing idol bluff with your fake idol, and then playing the idol on Brooke, that was a huge move, especially given most people in your situation when the other alliance had enough numbers to split the vote, they would have done the safe thing and protected themselves. And in that moment, you chose to play your idol for Brook. That takes a lot of courage. How did you hold your nerve in that moment?

SPEAKER_01 7:19

I look, I have no idea. Maybe I should be studied, but I have worked in some really high-risk countries and high-risk situations. And so I do have a pretty composed um demeanor about me, which is also a little bit scary. And I have observed the lack of blinking, and I'm gonna work on it. Um, it's worried me too. But in that moment, I remember looking at the urn and I thought, you know what? There's one or two Keely boats in there, but there is not enough to send me home. I really think they've dumped on Brooke. And I think that there is a split in there somewhere. And, you know, it was a high risk, but it it was a high reward in the end as well. I I couldn't believe it. I didn't even know who had gone home until we were leaving tribal council because I was in total shocked that it wasn't one of us going home that night.

SPEAKER_00 8:09

It's such a credit to you. And I mean, how that entire tribal council played out and how you and Brooke took control in that moment. So I think, you know, to have that as part of your resume, I mean, that would have made you even more of a threat than you already were.

SPEAKER_01 8:25

And and resume aside, you know, the resume are just these incredibly amazing moments. And I am so grateful to have that moment because it was a thrill of a lifetime. I feel like I'm gonna be chasing that feeling forever. And to do it with Brooke, who is, you know, a legend in the game, but also an incredible friend was um was something I will really cherish forever. It was really nice.

SPEAKER_00 8:51

Killy, the game just seemed to come so naturally to you. Did it feel like that from the get-go? No.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

No, no, absolutely not. I remember um, you know, landing on Barron Beach and and meeting all of my new friends, and I thought, uh oh, Killy is probably in trouble here because um, you know, we are so different. Um, these are not my normal types of people that I am surrounded with. And I knew it was going to be really hard, but I did find once you kind of let go and you got into the swing of things, and if you are there just to have fun and do some crazy stuff, it's surprising how well things work out for you in the end.

SPEAKER_00 9:35

Yeah, you were considered a returnee, even though you're a first-time player. I mean, everyone was just lumping you in as a returnee. Um, I guess what did you learn from playing with people like Brooke and Mark in those early days? So much. I learned so much from them.

SPEAKER_01 9:53

Um, you know, Mark taught me in the very first tribal council that you have the permission to do what you kind of like here. Um, if you want to change the vote at tribal, you can. And so I learned that from Mark. You know, from Brooke, she has an incredible social game, um, but a social strategic game. She's really able to leverage those relationships. So I learned that from her. Oh, and her exceptional bluffing skills. I mean, that lemon pie bluffing challenge was iconic. Um, and and you know, maybe from Simon, I learned a lot about being a challenge beast and winning challenges. Um, but Simon also really helped me out with um even finding my idol, you know, the stick drawer. That was Simon. And I am so lucky to have had these three in the game. I wish I had met Harry. We probably would have got along really well. Um, but um, I'm really lucky to learn from the returnees and become a returney, I suppose. An honorary returney. What a title.

SPEAKER_00 10:59

Looking back, I guess, at your experience, what did you learn about yourself?

SPEAKER_01 11:04

Oh, I learned about myself that um, you know, I I had what I needed all along. And I just needed to learn to believe in myself. And I feel like at times I can I can almost see it in even the the TV show um version of Survivor where you know I I come out and I make this move on Dawn, and and that was so good. I'll never forget my first um blind side. And then I kind of come back in because I go, wow, that was amazing, but you know, could I do it again? And then I kind of come out again and do something again. So it is really backing yourself and having that belief in your own abilities that at times, you know, it's it's hard. Um, there's a bit of that imposter syndrome.

SPEAKER_00 11:51

Yeah, I think it is incredible because looking back, I mean, there's so many moves we could talk about. There was just so much to your game and it was so impressive. So I think you should walk away really proud of yourself for what you were able to achieve. I am, I am. I'm super, super proud.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

Um, my brother is a fan of Survivor, and you know, he kept saying to me, he's like, you know, you've done a lot of things, but you know, until you win like back-to-back immunities, I can't say you're good. And I I just sat there thinking, oh, I can't wait for you to see what I get up to because I did all of the things and I'm so happy.

SPEAKER_00 12:26

And it was amazing because you you did those back-to-back immunities and you were up against Brook. Like it's not like you had no one that could compete. You were up against uh, you know, one of the best challenge competitors ever.

SPEAKER_01 12:38

Yeah, I couldn't believe it. Um, actually, it's it's huge. Um, that challenge where we sat there for over an hour was um was really difficult. But to be honest, I could have sat there all day. Um, somehow gravity was just on my side.

SPEAKER_00 12:53

Keighley, before you go, I'd love to get to some quick fire questions. Let's do it. Who was your favorite person in the game? Faith. Who had the most annoying habit and what was it?

SPEAKER_01 13:04

Cameron, and it was his um loudness in the morning while I was sleeping, specifically. What was your proudest moment of the game? Oh, it was it was winning the back-to-back immunities. That was incredible. I've never won a trophy ever. So that was pretty cool.

SPEAKER_00 13:20

What song sums up your time on Survivor?

SPEAKER_01 13:23

Ooh, I think um Taylor Swift Mastermind or I Can Do It With a Broken Heart. Oh, yeah and why? Um, in those lyrics, it really talks about um kind of being a little bit on the outs, or you know, perhaps like not believing in yourself, but still hitting your marks every single time. And um, and so I think those two songs kind of capture, capture my game. Would you ever play Survivor again? Um, yes, I would, Haley. There are a few things on my bucket list that I need to check off. Um, so I am ready. I'm ready to go again.

SPEAKER_00 14:02

To be an actual returnee? Yeah, to be an actual returnee. They might accidentally tag you as like three-time player.

SPEAKER_01 14:09

Yeah, great. Um, no, I I need to make sure that I play that threat level down, Haley. So I'm just a second time player. That's me. Nothing to be scared of over here.

SPEAKER_00 14:21

If you could be on any reality show, what would you be on? The traitors, without a doubt. Yeah, I'd be going on that show. What celebrity would you want to see play Australian Survivor?

SPEAKER_01 14:34

Ooh, that is a tough one, Haley, because I am not very good with celebrity names in general. Um, but that um the Irwin guy, um Robert Irwin, I think he would be really good.

SPEAKER_00 14:46

That's what Dave said. Oh, really? Yeah, I think multiple people have said Robert Irwin. It's like, get him on.

SPEAKER_01 14:53

Yeah, Robert Irwin on. I think that would be really cool. And um, I think he just did dancing with the stars, and yeah, get him on the island in Samoa. That would be epic. Get out there, Robert. Describe your survivor legacy in three words. Ooh, um, look, I would say it started off maybe underestimated, unpredictable, um, but unforgettable.

SPEAKER_00 15:16

I love that. I don't think you'll underestimated for very long though, Keely.

SPEAKER_01 15:20

Not for long, but you know, it was certainly there. I um I did see that I was, you know, I think I was picked as the first boot of the season by a lot of a lot of people. And I actually love that, Haley, because um the trajectory of up is a good one to be on.

SPEAKER_00 15:37

Yeah, amazing. Thank you so much, Keely. No, thank you. You know, it's always amazing to see a new player emerge, and you've been so incredible out there. Thank you for everything you've brought to the game this season.

SPEAKER_01 15:50

Oh, thank you. I had so much fun doing it as well. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life.

SPEAKER_00 15:57

Amazing. Thanks, Kelly.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

Great to chat to you. Bye.

SPEAKER_00 16:01

This is Beyond Reality.