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Talking Tocantins Trash with Brazilian Survivor Candace Smith
by Troy Rogers
 Now that we're two episodes into Survivor Tocantins, the tribes were quick to get down to business after two potential survivors were blindsided at consecutive Tribal Councils. The tribal action in the second episode of Survivor Tocantins heated up quick when Timbira tribe members Candace Smith and Coach locked horns over how to cook rice and beans. Both strong personalities, Candace and Coach attempted to put their egos aside for the greater good of Timbira but soon found themselves divided when the customary tribal trash-talking began.
When Coach learned from tribe mate Debbie that Candace was making a play to round up votes to oust him from the tribe, the Missouri soccer coach went on the offensive to make a strategic move of his own to weed out what he called the poison within the tribe. And when it was all said and done at Tribal Council after Jeff Probst tallied the votes, Candace learned that her tribe had turned against her and took Coach's side to vote her out of Survivor Tocantins.
The following morning, we couldn't wait to jump on the phone with Candace given her fiery, no-nonsense personality to find out how she felt about being blindsides and falling victim to Coach's tribal tricks.
THE DEADBOLT: When did you start to suspect something wasn’t right heading into tribal council?
 CANDACE SMITH: [laughs] You know, right before we left I noticed people couldn’t make eye contact with me and I was like, "Okay, something is up." But I was honestly working until the last second. I was cooking food for them to eat when they came back after voting me off. So, I mean, I knew the social aspects of the game were going to be difficult for me and I didn’t get in there and manipulate enough and whisper enough and rally enough. I thought my performance and my work ethic spoke for itself. I’m like, "Okay. If our strategy is to be strong, I’m safe." I was wrong.
THE DEADBOLT: Were you wondering if your strong personality and aggressiveness would help or hurt you heading into the game?
CANDACE: Oh, for sure. I mean, I’m an opinionated, honest person and I knew that could potentially hurt me. But the thing is, I’m a good person. I’m honest and I’m hard working. I’m not one of those people who puts on a show like Debbie to try to prove how nice I am, talk about my charities, and do this whole tap dance. I don’t have to talk, I just do it. I thought that, again, that my performance would speak for itself and I really wouldn’t have to get too much in the social wrangling that happens.
But I didn’t foresee Coach being the douche that he is. To put me next to a misogynist - and we’re going to have a problem, especially when I’m stronger than them physically and mentally - when the dude can’t even pick up a plank and run over a hill. But yet he walks around like I’m "Mr. Big and Bad." There was no way I can tolerate that.
THE DEADBOLT: Did Coach have hair care products with him or what? He always seemed to have perfect hair?
 CANDACE: You know, he had something going on because he kept the braid going at all times. And he either had some gel smuggled in in his ass or he was using some kind of mixture of sand and fruit sap. But he kept stylin’ and profiln’ and somehow his toenails stayed painted the entire time, too. So he might have smuggled in a marker in his ass, too. I have a feeling he can smuggle a lot of stuff in his ass. That’s just a feeling. I don’t know because I wasn’t up it. Debbie was. You should ask Debbie what all he had up his ass, she was up there.
THE DEADBOLT: [laughs] Who were some of the past survivors that you modeled your strategy or plan after?
CANDACE: You know, I loved Todd [Herzog] from China. But obviously I didn’t have it in me to strategize the way he did. I mean, he manipulated so wonderfully and I didn’t. You know, I had people in mind. But when it came down to it, it’s like I just resorted to being Candace and that didn’t do me very well.
THE DEADBOLT: Were you surprised that Taj actually told the truth about being married to Eddie George instead of just making up a lie?
CANDACE: I think people don’t realize how that could be used to your benefit. I mean, the reality is, some people are star-struck. So it’s like, "Wow. I have the opportunity to befriend Eddie George’s wife and maybe meet Eddie George. Let me be nice to her and keep her around." People don’t think about that. I know with some people that was in their mind.
THE DEADBOLT: Yeah, it did seem like some were star struck. But then, as soon as it sunk in, they were like, "Wait a minute. He’s already a multi-millionaire. Why should she win?"
 CANDACE: Right. I mean, I definitely think that crossed some people’s minds. But I think it can be used to an advantage, too.
THE DEADBOLT: If you could, would you ever go hunting for food? Not fishing. I mean like going after a deer or a pig or something? Are you guys even allowed to do that?
CANDACE: [laughs] I don’t think there were any around us. But it was kind of protected. So I think it varies from season to season, like on what you can and cannot do. But I’m vicious, I would’ve hunted down a pig if there was one around and make some chitlins.
THE DEADBOLT: Yeah, I kind of figured since it fit with your personality.
CANDACE: Oh, you know I would. I’d have the blood all over me and I wouldn’t care.
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