Tuesday August 27, 2024, TF1 broadcast the second episode of Koh-Lanta, The Cursed Tribe. An evening marked by the arrival of Ilyesse among Frédéric’s yellows and the departure of Emmanuelle towards the cursed tribe. Also, after losing the immunity test, the reds had to eliminate one of them. It was Alexandre’s vote that changed everything and led Ari to the exit. In an interview for Purepeoplethe business leader looks back on his forced departure and discusses his adventure.
How did you feel when you realized you were eliminated?
I was prepared for it, it was one of the possible scenarios. I can’t say that it was a total surprise to me. Despite everything, I felt frustrated because there was still hope that the other scenario would come true. It was 50/50 and unfortunately when the last ballot was counted, I understood that I had lost by tossing a coin.
You mention a certain betrayal during your elimination…
Yes, that’s one in my eyes. Alexandre, I knew I couldn’t completely trust him. Even if he told others he was hesitant, for me he was going to vote against Marie. That was his choice. There are two possibilities. Either he voted against me strategically, to protect himself and I think that’s more the explanation. Or he really thought that Marie deserved to stay more than me and in that case I can’t blame him even if I don’t share that opinion. Personally, I think he wanted to eliminate me strategically. And it wasn’t a good strategy. If this choice would have benefited him in the long term, I would have said to him: “Well done Alexandre! You did great, you got me out, you’re protecting yourself.” Except that there, for me, it gives him a bad image, that of a strategist too early. It’s a label that I think will stick to him. It’s not a good thing to show yourself as such so early in the adventure.
Why do you think your classmates voted against you?
For two things. First, there is female solidarity. The girls were very close to each other, they were all friends… They wanted to protect Marie and you have to accept that. Some of them even told me: Marie was their friend and she came before me, even if we got along too. And then I think that some of them sincerely thought that Marie deserved to stay more than me, whether it was in terms of sport or because of her involvement. I share this opinion less, but it’s their opinion, I couldn’t change it.
Some people mention your level, judged below average on the tests. What do you think about it?
I don’t agree at all. Except for the last event where I didn’t hit any targets like most of the candidates. But I was good at throwing coconuts, I must have hit five or six. I also did my job in the next event. If we had to put everything on the catapults, I admit I wasn’t good. But like many. It would be a shame to judge only on that. On the other hand, if I’m criticized for not being involved, that’s wrong. I gave it my all from start to finish in all the events as well as in the camp.
Alexandre said he was voting against you because you “lack determination in the tests”. What do you think?
I refute it. I think it’s an argument he’s heard from some candidates. I don’t really think he thinks that. Especially since during the catapult test, there’s no question of involvement. We aim, if we don’t succeed I don’t see how to do it. I didn’t miss the targets on purpose. I tried but my actions meant that I didn’t hit any targets unfortunately.
Why did you choose to vote against Marie?
Marie was not unworthy, in fact no one was unworthy, we were all very involved in this adventure. But you have to vote against someone. It was her or me. I voted against her out of spite, not by choice. For the boys, on the scale of overall merit, Marie deserved to go out more than me. There was also a kind of male solidarity in which I was not.
Alexandre believes that the girls versus boys strategy is not the right one. What is your opinion on this?
I think that allying himself with the girls is a way for him to protect himself. In the short term it works but in the medium term, I’m not sure. I was sincere. I was not at all in this girls against boys strategy. I voted reluctantly for Marie, I got on very well with her. Obviously, affinities count and I can’t blame the girls for having been in solidarity with Marie.
The reds were well on their way to the events but ultimately lost in immunity. Why do you think that is?
You can be the sporty one, the smartest one, the most strategic… But catapults are a game of skill where you really don’t master everything. As much in archery, when you’re good, you’re good. But here it’s very hard to have the right moves, it was also seen since many missed the targets. When you hit them, there is necessarily an element of chance. It’s a test where luck plays a big part for me. Unfortunately, it cost me my exit. When Michel hits the last target and gives the victory to the yellows, I felt in danger. I’m in the analysis and I understood very quickly that Marie and I were in the hot seat. I’m the oldest, the least sporty… Not hard to guess.
How did you react to the announcement of the existence of a cursed tribe?
It was a big surprise. But the elimination of the four candidates was not. It’s something I perceived very quickly. When Denis Brogniart started to explain the principle, in the words he used, in his way of presenting things, I told myself that it was impossible that they would leave for good. But on the other hand, I had no idea what was going on! I would never have imagined the island of the cursed tribe. I was thinking more of a duel between them or something like that. I found it very well played on the part of the production, as well as bringing back Ugo and Frédéric.
How was the return home?
I found my loved ones and there was inevitably a disappointment to see me return early. Because I had given an approximate return time. But I still saw the pride in the eyes of my wife and daughters. I did not stay long but it was still an exceptional adventure even if I could not stay as long as I would have liked.
What was your first move?
I gave a big hug to my wife and daughters, they are the ones I missed the most. My parents too. Because after the elimination, we already have the opportunity to sleep in a bed, eat.
What has changed in your life since then? Koh-Lanta ?
I didn’t stay long enough to change radically. On the other hand, the adventure reinforced what I already thought. You have to know how to take the positive things from a defeat. Even when you lose in life, you have to know how to land on your feet and see the positive. I was privileged to participate in Koh-LantaI only keep the best.
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