Exclusive: Patrick Bolton talks 'Survivor' -- I didn't feel left out at all, or that I was bothering the tribe

Patrick Bolton was voted out of the Hustlers tribe during the third episode of Survivor's 35th season called Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers on CBS.


Patrick, a 24-year-old small business owner from Lanett, AL who currently resides in Auburn, AL, was voted out of the "Yawa" tribe on Day 8 through a unanimous vote after the tribe finished in last place at the third Immunity Challenge of the season.

Patrick cast his vote, however, for Lauren Rimmer, a 35-year-old fisherman from Beaufort, NC.

In addition to Lauren, "Yawa" is now comprised of Ali Elliott, Devon Pinto, and Ryan Ulrich going forward.

During an exclusive interview with Reality TV World on Thursday, Patrick talked about his short-lived Survivor experience. Below is a portion of what he had to say.


Reality TV World: Why do you think the tribe chose to get rid of you instead of Lauren? I know they thought you were unpredictable, but the tribe said Lauren didn't really fit in. So are you surprised they weren't more concerned about the prospect of Lauren leaving them to work with other castaways whom she may have more in common with come a swap or the merge?

Patrick Bolton: Right! You know, it still blows my mind. I can say, you know, from being in their perspective, maybe I am unpredictable. They don't know me. If they knew me before, they would just know this is me and I'm just trying to have a good time as well as build relationships.

Lauren, on the other hand, she wasn't connecting well and they said they were doing it for team chemistry. And so, when they were saying those things, and I'm still kind of, you know, on the border where they're saying that in case I had an idol, it wouldn't hit me to play an idol, or was that their actual feelings?

I was messing with the team, I tried the chemistry and I just really wasn't part of the group, you know? I don't feel that that was right. I felt like I would definitely be more part of the group than Lauren for sure! And I didn't even feel like I was being left out in that sense or bothering them. I just felt we were part of a small, little family.

Reality TV World: You made a comment in last week's episode about how you trusted most -- but not all -- of your tribemates, which alarmed pretty much everyone. Do you think that little slip played a role in your vote-off at all?


Patrick Bolton: I don't consider it part of my vote-off, me saying that I trust most but not all. I think in that Tribal, the person I trusted was everyone but [Simone Nguyen], and that's what I was referring to at that point.

Next Tribal, going in, I think Lauren used that to her advantage in saying, "You don't know whom he trusts. He's not telling you." And I think Ryan and Devon knew that I was on their side.

I don't think they had anything to worry about there. And so, pretty much, it was just -- I don't think that that played into any of my events as far as me going home by saying I trust most but not all.

Reality TV World: What about your behavior in that sandbag-throwing Immunity Challenge? It seemed like that pretty much sealed your fate.

Patrick Bolton: I don't think me throwing the sandbags was the ultimate.


Reality TV World: Looking back, why did you take over in that challenge? Did you want your tribe to view you a hero kind of, or maybe you're just so competitive you felt the need to get the job done yourself? And do you think you still would've lost had someone else stepped in to help you?

Patrick Bolton: Had we lost because Lauren or Devon had thrown, I still think I would've possibly been on the chopping block. If Lauren had lost it for us, I think I would have still made it. I should've let her throw the sandbags.

But being in the moment, put yourself in my position: We have a short amount of time. All of our days are leading up to these challenges, and we're held back, and all of a sudden, when it's time to out and perform, my adrenaline is pumping. And they told me after the challenge was over, they were yelling my name, saying, "Patrick, let's switch out!"

I cannot recall at any instance hearing my name being called. I was in the moment and in the zone, and prior to the challenge started, we have about 30 seconds to plan what we're going to do and what our strategy is, you know, who's going to throw and how are we going to get over this obstacle?

It was my responsibility to throw the sandbags. I went in knowing that that's my job and my duty, and I was supposed to get it done! It took me longer than I should have, and you know, it's just unfortunate on my end.


To read the first part of our exclusive Survivor interview with Patrick Bolton, click here. And be sure to check back with Reality TV World soon for the concluding portion.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski