He also made up a completely new advantage called the “Shot in the Light.”
Carson Garrett had the social game, the strategic chops, and the puzzle expertise to winSurvivor 44.
And then did so in record time.
Carson Garrett on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
Did he vote for Yam Yam because Yam Yam helped him with fire?
And would he have done the same had the tables been turned?
We asked Carson that and a lot more about his journey when we spoke the morning after the finale.
Carson Garrett and Yam Yam Arocho on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
it’s possible for you to watch the entire interview above or read it below.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKY: Tell me about your confidence level going into that fire-making competition against Heidi.
CARSON GARRETT: Oh my gosh, it was so low.
Carson Garrett on ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS
This whole entire game, I’ve been trying to build social relationships.
I would never decline someone’s request to talk.
But I literally was like, “Don’t talk to me.
Carson Garrett on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
I’m an introvert.
I need this time.”
And I was very happy with how I did.
Carolyn Wiger and Carson Garrett on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
I actually did way better than I thought I would.
I really wouldn’t have.
Because it’s true.
I’m forever grateful even though I didn’t pull through at the end.
Having him there holding me, literally pushing my arms to help me, it was incredible.
It just speaks to who he is as a person.
Did that get your vote, or would you have voted for Yam Yam to win anyway?
My vote really was on the table, and I said that, and it was true.
I wanted it to be either Carolyn and Yam Yam because I knew how awesome their games were.
And I loved Heidi, too.
I would just have needed a lot of information and in-depth strategy to know her game.
I just didn’t know it, because I didn’t really play as closely with her.
For me, it really came down to the final Tribal Council performance.
Carolyn was awesome, and she talked about her personal journey.
You’re making all these hand gestures and stuff.
I think my thing was that I love Heidi, too.
She is such an amazing person.
You voted for your number one Danny at some point in the game.
And that was because of us."
That was just us continuing to break down bonds and cause people to have issues with each other.
I wanted that to be shown in that.
Like, we could have all voted Brandon.
They didn’t even need the idol.
However, by camouflaging our votes, it allowed us to have more leverage going forward.
I consider that being on the right side of the votes.
What was the feeling like when it was over and you’re getting your torch snuffed?
Yeah, I told Jeff, “I don’t know why I’m smiling.”
Because it’s supposed to be so hard and tragic.
And I really don’t.
I don’t think the million dollars was necessarily everything to me.
I was just feeling proud.
Even afterwards everyone was like, “Why are you so happy?”
I was talking to everyone at Ponderosa and I’m like, “I dunno.”
I was really close friends with Brandon.
I was great friends with Danny.
I was close with Matt and Frannie and I had a dorks alliance at the beginning.
I had a bro alliance with Kane.
We called it the Golden Doodle alliance.
Me and Lauren’s relationship wasn’t really shown there, but we had a very close bond.
Did you share any of your fourth-place prize money with your 3D printer?
[Laughs] I have it.
It’s at my house right now.
It is the same $200 one I have had since December of 2021.
It’s so fun.
I highly recommend it.
Like, you might print anything!
Yeah, I hope.
I do think that kind of takes away from the fun of it.
If I did break it, that’d be so cool.
I’d be honored.
It was basically like a 50-50 coin, but you could’t vote.
I’d want to bond with this guy to get his vote.
And I was super close with them.
It was really fun.
I like making up little fun things.
Would you play again?
She was so fast.
You saw her build it in, like, 10 seconds.
It was so quick that I’m just proud I had a flame going next to her.
Like, I can’t believe it.
