Cirie from ‘Survivor: Game Changers’ on coming full-circle with a win
She’s been there and done that… three times already, as a matter of fact. But while Cirie Fields is considered one of the most skilled and dangerous Survivor players ever — mostly for the damage she inflicted on the Micronesia season — she has never won the game, or even made it to the finals. (Although she would have made the final 3 in Micronesia had there not been so many injuries that brought it down to a final 2.)
That’s why Cirie is back for a fourth time to play Survivor: Game Changers (premiering March 8 on CBS). She doesn’t just want to win, she needs to win. And that became quite clear during our conversation in Fiji before the season began. Watch the video above and read the Q&A below to see why Cirie is back and what she plans to do this time to finally seal the deal. (Also make sure to follow @thedaltonross on Instagram to see exclusive on-location photos, including one of Cirie casting her pre-game vote for whom she’d like to vote off first.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Okay, Cirie. This is our fourth time doing this together out here. Tell me, why are you going to win Survivor: Game Changers?CIRIE FIELDS: I will win Survivor: Game Changers because good isn’t good enough. I cannot come back a fifth time. Well, maybe I’ll think about it, but not as a non-winner. I can come back a fifth time, but only as a winner. I need it. I’m hungry. I need it.
Are you a glutton for punishment? What the hell are you doing out here again?I have not closed the loop on my Survivor experience. I’ve inched my way, went a little backwards last time, but I need to make a full circle, and the only way I can do that is to win.
So what’s going to be different this time?I’m different this time. I’m older, number one. I think I’m a little wiser. And I am ready to fight my inner demons. I don’t see these people as my competition. My only competition has always been myself, and I can either give it 100 percent and take this thing home, or do what I did the last time and just be safe and be okay with being good. But I’m not. I have a thirst, a hunger, whatever you want to call it — almost like a fix, I need it! I need to win.
When I spoke to players before Heroes vs. Villains, the two people they were worried most about were you and Parvati. Do you think you are still on everyone’s radar like in season 20, or is it out of sight, out of mind?I’m hoping that I’m not on people’s radar. I’ve been out of the game for 6 years. I see bigger threats out there. If they can just get their mind off of little old innocent me. Seriously! There are so many people there — competition out there that they should be focused on. A two-time winner! I’ve never won! Am I capable of winning? They should think I’m not. I’m not a threat to you guys. Let me just go ahead.
Whom do you want to work with?My perfect team would be Caleb, Tai, Michaela, Tony — I gotta take Tony. He’s Jersey City, dude! I like Aubry, but I don’t know if Aubry’s feeling me like that. I’d like to have Aubry.
How do you deal with the two new players you know nothing about?I get a vibe from people and I’m gettin’ a we-could-probably-work-it-out kind of vibe. I don’t know what she did on her season, but I don’t get a Russell vibe from her. I could be wrong. I’m old now, my radar could be losing its strength.… I belong on the older woman’s tribe now!
How do you think other players see you?I hope that they just see me as the couch person who got off the couch and did okay in the game. That’s all I want out there.
For more Survivor scoop, follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonRoss.
