'Boston' Rob Mariano Addresses His Viral Jonathan Young Comments (Exclusive)
After the finale of Survivor 50 aired, Jonathan Young's exit press interviews generated significant buzz online. Shortly after that, his friend, "Boston" Rob Mariano's comments on that press tour went viral and sparked many headlines. Now, Mariano is speaking exclusively with Men’s Journal, providing the context behind his remarks while opening up about how his friendship with Young began and where it stands.
The Survivor icon also discussed the differences between new and returning-player seasons, Phillip Sheppard, and how he felt during Survivor: Island of the Idols. From there, Mariano went on to discuss his friendship with Dylan Efron, which fans can't seem to get enough of. "Boston" Rob also exclusively told Men's Journal about teaming up with Corona for the Corona Great Cooler Hunt sweepstakes, which you can read about here.
'Boston' Rob Mariano on Why Returning Player Seasons Come With Invisible Baggage
Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
Men’s Journal:Survivor fans like myself are always clamoring for returning player seasons. As somebody who has returned and played the game several times, I'm very curious about your perspective on the differences between an all-new player season, a returning player season, and seasons which have a mix of both. Do you think one of those formats is superior for players?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I think the number one thing you have to remember is that whenever there is a cast of returning players, those cast members have history that comes with baggage. That matters whether they played a season ago or 30 seasons ago. People don't forget. Their baggage comes with them, and it's another layer that affects the game.
To answer your question, I think a new player season is fun and exciting because you don't have that added layer that you have to deal with, and you can be whoever you want to be. You can play in the moment with new players, and I don't think it's as much pressure as you get from people who have played before.
Men’s Journal: Do you think that a new player season is easier to win?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: Not necessarily. I think they're all hard to win. However, there are more variables when you have players who have played before.
The Two Survivor: Island of the Idols Twists That Made 'Boston' Rob Cringe
Men’s Journal: You're somebody who is seen by many as an ambassador of sorts for the game because you speak about the game with such eloquence and passion. Clearly, you love Survivor. However, you also tend to be very forthright about your opinions. With that in mind, there is something I've always wanted to know. When you were involved in Survivor: Island of the Idols and you were giving out rewards to players, were there ever any times when you were clenching your teeth because you thought a reward shouldn't have been added to the game?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: There were two times that happened, actually. One was the Idol nullifier. When I heard about that initially, I was like, “What are we doing? The one sacred thing was that if you had an Idol that basically was immunity. Now, we're creating something that nullifies something that you know to give you safety in the game without them knowing?” I was like, “Man, are we messing with the fabric of the game?” I didn't like that.
The other time was when Vince Moua was sent on a mission to get fire. But it rained, so he wasn't able to get the fire. He got the ashes from the ash pit instead. We were kind of debating whether that was a win or not because he didn't actually get the fire. We ultimately decided to give it to him because he didn't have control over the weather. But at the same time, I was thinking in my head a little bit, “Well, that's the risk you take. Survivor is not always fair.” Maybe we shouldn't have given it to him. I questioned that.
Men’s Journal: Did you ultimately decide for yourself if he should have gotten it or were you still unsure?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I was still back and forth in my head about it.
'Boston' Rob Mariano on the Real Phillip Sheppard
Men’s Journal: I want to ask you about Phillip Sheppard since you are someone who got to play with him and got to know him. He actually has accomplished a lot and led a very impressive life. Did it ever bother you to see that people were so dismissive of him because of how he came across on the show?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I think Phillip is an amazing dude. He really is. As you said, his resume is super impressive. I think where there was a bit of a disconnect was in his ability to express himself and to get other people to hear his story. I don't fault him for that. From the outside looking in, it appeared that he doesn't have the self-awareness to read the room.
But, that makes sense given his family history. He had 12 brothers and sisters. He was one of 13. If you try to put yourself in his position as a kid, being one of 13 who is trying to get your mom and dad's attention, you probably have to be loud and outlandish just because there's such a limited amount of focus to go around. You see how that kind of translated and permeated in the game and his accomplishments and everything. He is a pretty accomplished guy and I think he's amazing, you know?
'He Is Hurting': 'Boston' Rob Clarifies Viral Comments on Jonathan Young's Exit
Men’s Journal: The other relationship I wanted to ask you about is your relationship with Jonathan Young. Your recent quote about how he dealt with his Survivor 50 exit press has gotten a lot of attention, but I want to put that aside. I want to know, how did your relationship with him actually start, and are you two as tight as it seems from social media?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: Jonathan has become a good friend. Our relationship started because my family and I watched him on TV. We are fans, and we still watch Survivor. My girls were so disappointed when he got voted out during his first season, and they wanted to meet him. He lives not far from me. I live in Florida now, and he lives about an hour away.
So, I reached out to him to ask him if I could take him to lunch with my family, and I did. We met him, and we hit it off because we're similar people. We have similar interests, we play tennis together, we play golf, we hang out, we both have a background working in construction, working with our hands, so we became friends. Over the last few years, I didn't necessarily coach him, but I definitely guided him, listened to his questions, and tried to help him prepare to go on this season.
As far as the criticism from that quote about his exit press, it’s not that it was taken out of context, but let me just say this. I think his frame of mind since not winning Survivor has been super vulnerable, you know? He was obviously disappointed that he didn't win. I feel that because I do believe he played the best game that he could have. I don't want my comments to take away from that. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of the way he played.
I think it's hard. I think about myself when I was in that situation of going to the end and not winning. It happened to me. I didn't have to defend myself so much because I asked the girl who ended up winning to marry me. Unfortunately, Aubry Bracco already had a husband, so he couldn't go in that direction. I'm teasing. But no, I love Jonathan. He is a good friend. I feel for him and know that he is hurting. I hope he does get another opportunity to go back and play again, because I think it's a work in progress for him. I don't think he's done yet.
'Boston' Rob Mariano and Dylan Efron: The Real-Life Camaraderie Behind 'Everything's a Competition'
Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Men’s Journal: I want to go from one of your relationships with someone you mentored to another one that viewers got to see play out on TV, you and Dylan Efron from The Traitors. You and Dylan have a show, Everything’s a Competition, which makes me wonder what it is about that relationship that has made it last?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I don't know if it's anything specific other than the fact that I get along with him in a way that is similar to my relationship with Jonathan. We have similar interests. Dylan is a bit younger than me. I still feel like a kid at heart. He loves adventure, trying new things, exploring, and that sense of wonderment, just like I do.
When I find somebody that I vibe with, and we hit it off like that, it just makes sense because it's natural, easy, not forced, and not hard. I also think we are aligned, but we bring different things to the table. We have different skill sets, and we're respectful of each other. And at the end of the day, the goal is always just fun. So, it works.
Men’s Journal: When people watch episodes of Everything’s a Competition, they are likely to make assumptions about how episodes will play out. They will think things like Rob's going to kick his butt on this one or vice versa. Do you think people are surprised by a lot of the outcomes when they watch the show on YouTube?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I'll tell you what, Dylan is a fast learner. My MO is to always find the advantage and figure out what I think is going to get me ahead. With him, he very quickly learns how I operate, and he adapts. Part of me is proud of him for that because he's absolutely crushing. But I'm also frustrated by it because he's watching what I do, taking it, and he's using it for himself now. So, I can't give him all of my tricks all the time. Just because I'm older and a little bit slower and not as young anymore doesn't mean I still can't kick his ass.
'Two Left Feet': Will Boston Rob Ever Join Dylan Efron in the Ballroom?
Men’s Journal: You supported Dylan when he was on Dancing with the Stars. I know you have been asked this before, but are you ever going to get out there and try to compete for a mirrorball trophy yourself?
"Boston" Rob Mariano: You know what, I'd never say never, but dancing is probably very low on the list for me. I was born with two left feet, and I have no rhythm. So, we've got lots of other work to do before we end up on that dance floor. But they do keep knocking on the door, I'll tell you that.
Men’s Journal: Well, one of these days you've got to open that door.
"Boston" Rob Mariano: I mean, we'll see, maybe. I love Dancing with the Stars’ executive producer Deena Katz. They have a great show over there. I'm excited to watch more of this season, and we'll go from there.
source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/boston-rob-mariano-addresses-viral-jonathan-young-comments-exclusive
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