Matty's Opening Statement

[Jeff Probst]

Here is where MATTY and MATTY only will post his opening thoughts.

[Matty Whitmore]

Hey Everyone…

To start things off, I would like to say thank you to each of you for making this game one of the most memorable games I have ever been in. I know it’s cliché for the final two to thank the jury members, but this game was like a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and I had so much fun playing the game with all of you. And of course, thanks to Jeff for hosting such an amazing game!

I was hoping to keep my opening statements short and sweet, but I don’t think it worked out too well. So, umm, I apologize in advance. I just wanted to give you a glimpse of how everything played out from my point of view.

Coming into this game, my strategy was to do whatever it takes to get me to the end, but to try not to be a prick while doing it. I wasn’t concerned about being the nice guy, or about being honest and loyal to everyone I befriended. Don’t get me wrong… I didn’t want to backstab or lie to people, but I had no problems doing any of that if it meant helping me reach my end goal.

From the beginning, I worked really hard at the first Immunity Challenge because I knew I wanted to be a tribe leader and set myself up with a strong tribe. I immediately clicked with Crystal, and we set up our alliance pretty much from Day 1. I also really trusted Marcus and thought he would be a good person to have on my side.

Things were going pretty smoothly until our tribes switched. The Original Bantu was supposed to stick together, but Susie switched her vote and voted Sugar out (who I really liked). That was a game-changing moment for me, because I realized that: a) the whole Bantu alliance was done… put a fork in it, and b) I needed to take Susie’s advice and actually start playing the game.

After that we had another switch, and I was lucky enough to be on a tribe with Corinne, GC and Randy. You three definitely helped me through the rough next few rounds, and helped eliminate my biggest enemies at the time, Charlie and Leslie.

At the Final 9, I had a tough decision to make. I could either align with Ace, Crystal, Marcus and Paloma who seemed to be running the show, or I could align with Corinne, GC, Jacque and Randy and overtake the powerhouse alliance. This was the hardest choice I ever had to make in this game. Corinne and Randy had looked out for me while we were on tribes, and I didn’t want to betray them, but I knew I had to in order to make it to the end.

I ultimately decided to align with the powerhouse alliance, because:
a) I knew I could trust Crystal, and since the others were targeting her that round, there was no way I could vote out my closest ally;
b) I thought I could split the vote at Final 5 and make it to the Final 3 with Crystal and Marcus, but figured I would be a quick target with Corinne, GC, Jacque and Randy; and
c) as long as Corinne, GC, Jacque and Randy voted against the powerhouse alliance, that pretty much sealed the deal for me making it to the Final 5 – which would at least buy me some more time before I had to worry about my safety.

I would be lying if I said I had much power in the next few votes, but at this point I had screwed over some of the people I respected the most, so I was ready to do whatever it took to get to the finals. I was in it to win it.

From the Final 5 onward, Crystal and I worked together to get us both to the finals. Crystal had found the Hidden Idol earlier in the game, and she wanted Ace out at the Final 5. I hadn’t talked to Ace much, and I was planning on voting for him anyway, so it was a win-win situation for me: I had immunity and I was able to vote out the person that posed the biggest threat to me making it to the final two. At Final 4, everyone knew that Marcus would be a huge threat if he got to the finals. So with nothing to lose and everything to gain, I sent Paloma a PM asking her to keep me around, and emphasized how much of a threat Marcus would be in the finals – which secured myself a spot in the Final 3. And at Final 3, there was no way I was going down without a fight, so I worked my ass off to win the challenge, and that brings me to where I am now.

Anyway, I am not going to sit here and tell you that I was in control of this game. In fact, I hardly ever had much control of who stayed and who went home. However, I was always aware of what was going on in the game, and I used that knowledge to put myself in the best possible position to help me reach my end goal. I had to constantly adapt my strategy to what was going on around me, and I think that is what makes a true Survivor. I got where I am today by making smart choices, forming the right alliances with the right people, and winning challenges when I needed them the most.

With that said, I can't wait to hear all of your questions! I have nothing to hide at this point, so any questions you have will be answered with total honesty. And good luck, Crystal! You played an amazing game, and there is no one I would rather be with in the final two!

[Matty Whitmore]

P.S. I am really sorry that was so long...!