Survivor Finalist Carolyn Wiger Comes Clean: ‘I Almost Feel Embarrassed, but I Thought I Could Beat Him!’ — Watch
She may not have won the money, but she definitely won our hearts. Our undying love and admiration may not be worth a million bucks, but hey. It counts for something, right?
In the Season 44 finale of Survivor, Carolyn Wiger faced the jury alongside ally Yam Yam Arocho and former Soka member Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt at the final Tribal Council. While Heidi made the big one-two punch of winning immunity and taking Carson out, Yam Yam was able to impress the jury with his social strengths and likability, which earned him seven out of the eight votes and the show’s big prize. Unfortunately for Carolyn, zero jurors wrote her name down to win the million despite their acknowledgement of how underestimated and smart she was in the game. (Read our full finale recap here, plus watch our interview with Yam Yam.)
So what was Carolyn’s reaction to the shut out? “I feel good,” she tells TVLine the morning after the finale. “Of course it’s emotional watching it back, but I never felt this bitterness. It was hard, but I was so happy for Yam Yam. I was just so proud of him and that was genuine.”
In our video interview embedded above, Carolyn talks to TVLine about not gunning for Yam Yam, mentally preparing herself to vote out Carson and whether she’s underestimated in her every day life. Plus, she details her reaction to Frannie’s heartwarming aftershow words and the positive reaction she’s received from Survivor fans online.
Watch the full interview above, then sound off on Carolyn’s game in the comments.
Loved her and the Tiga alliance.
Loved you Carolyn, couldn’t stand Yam Yam, don’t know why they thought he deserved the win, you’re a winner in my book sweet lady.
Sweet lady?
Continue to be yourself, Carolyn! You’re great. Loved you. Be proud! Congratulations with your sobriety!
Carolyn, you are one of the most inspirational women I have ever seen. It would be an honor to personally know someone like you. Continue to be your authentic, beautiful self. I really wanted you to win. You made season 44 of Survivor a great success.
I can’t believe she didn’t win, much less that she didn’t receive one single vote???
Carolyn was one of the most genuine people to play Survivor. She was unpredictable, erractic and that shook up the game.
I love that she is just so unapologetically herself. Carolyn would have had my vote!
Loved Carolyn from the get go! Sorry she didn’t win!
I underestimated Yam Yam’s people skills. Good for him!
Out of the 3, Carolyn played the best game. She should have won! Yam yam was cute and likeable that was his whole game! 😵
I’m so sad that Carolyn didn’t win, and even more sad that the people she was loyal to, were not loyal to her in the end. I never believed a word out of Yam Yam’s mouth and the fact that he wanted to take out Carolyn, said it all for me. Even Carson dropped her like a hot potato when she had helped and supported him all season. I was a big Frannie fan and very disappointed that she nor Matt voted for Carolyn. This was our first and last season of watching Survivor.
First and let so they didn’t lose a viwers. Okay just checking
This season Carolyn and Yam Yam were part of the biggest reasons to watch.
Carolyn – When Heidi won the final immunity I was sad for you. I can only wish to be as comfortable in my own skin some day as you are in yours.
Loved her as a player and she should have definitely won but please learn to keep your tongue in your mouth .it was gross seeing it all the time.but I would have definitely voted for her
Love Carolyn … not at first though I thought who the hell is she. Show went on and I was cheering her on. I would love to see her play again. Thankyou for entertaining us lol ..
Catherine 🥰
Carolyn I really wanted u to win. I think that ur the most authentic prison that has been on survivor. I’ve struggled with believing in myself as well and uve inspired me to be who I am and not to be ashamed of it. I ran great person and u should be very proud of yourself. Contact me if u wish to. I loved watching u in survivor