By John Powell – GlobalTV.com

Angelina Keeley has grown a lot since first appearing on Survivor eight years ago. She has two daughters, has been a stay-at-home mom, had a miscarriage, lived through postpartum depression and a a life-threatening pregnancy-related condition that threatened not only her life but her unborn daughter’s life. So, she was more than ready to take whatever Survivor had to dish out with season 50. What she didn’t count on was how the edit would alter the perception of her and the other women playing this season.

John Powell: Angelina, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us today. Really appreciate it.

Angelina Keeley: Thank you so much. Thanks for making the time.

John Powell: We saw, as much as you can on Survivor, a passing of the torch last night with you handing off the jacket. How did that all come to pass?

Angelina Keeley: Obviously, many years ago, I remember begging for Natalie’s jacket and it felt like the right thing to do to complete that circle and give what I so desired so many years ago. (laughs)

John Powell: You’re close with Mike and we saw him get voted off. Ozzy had the reaction that he did. You held it together, at least from what we saw. How were you feeling out there? Did you try to talk Ozzy away from that ledge?

Angelina Keeley: No, I wanted him to jump. (laughs) That was like music to my ears. I was very, very sad (about Mike leaving). It took quite a while to process, I was devastated. When I finally put my head above water, I was like, okay, this is a chance for me to pull Ozzy and Stephanie in and get Christian out. That was my first hope.

I was obviously unsuccessful in convincing them. I think they both play an older school game. They were like, “Well, we’ve already voted for her, so is she really for real with us?” My first choice was to get Christian out and avenge Mike, my friend, but there weren’t really legs to that. I could tell Ozzy, he’s not very good at putting on airs, wasn’t on board.

Then my path became: Okay, do I play my shot in the dark, or do I try to work with Emily and Christian? Mike was the glue for us. I never really trusted him, but he believed Christian was with him. I asked Mike point-blank on the first day on the beach: “Are you sure Christian is with you? We’re in trouble.” He was sure. So I said, “Okay, let’s do this.” That’s why we moved forward the way we did.

Once Ozzy and Stephanie moved and it didn’t seem like it was going anywhere, Emily was very convincing. Emily’s not getting the credit she deserves. She had me believe in her. She was crying to me in the forest about how she wanted to play with me and felt most connected to me out of everyone. She’s really good.

Because of her, I thought: this is a gamble. Do I gamble on a one-in-six chance at a shot in the dark, or do I gamble on Emily? My prevailing thought: which probability is higher? If I play the shot in the dark and Emily is honest, I just isolate myself more because I don’t trust her. I didn’t have a lot. I didn’t have anyone at that point. I was a free agent so I took the gamble on Emily. If it didn’t work I’d go out classy leave them with something to remember me by and I’d get my torch for the first time. There’s a first time for everything. (laughs)

John Powell: What I couldn’t fully understand from watching your journey is: Why were you such a threat to people? From what we saw, you were there, working among people and they just seemed to be targeting you. Have you figured out why?

Angelina Keeley: I think it was a combination of two things. One: There was this idea that I was very well-connected, one of the most well-connected people out there which I don’t think I was. I was probably average. I’ve been busy these last seven years with a business, two kids and buying a house. I stay busy. I’m not pre-gaming my life away but the perception was that I was connected.

A rumour started that was completely false. That I was targeting old-school players. That put Colby and Stephenie on high alert. The other factor was the ghost of Angelina past, me playing Season 37, and people thinking, “Whoa, she’s crazy; I don’t want to play with her.” What I was trying to do was mitigate all that. My strategy was to be cool, build relationships, do my job in challenges, which I did!

Even staying at camp sometimes was intentional. If I was gathering firewood all the time, suddenly Q would say, “She can’t be trusted, she’s never at camp, she’s looking for idols, she’s scheming.” You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I was open to business with anyone, got along with everyone, even if they voted for me. I was probably too good a sport. I was just happy to be there, playing joyfully and lightly. Even producers asked, “Do you feel stressed?” I was like, “Yeah, I am fine.”

I wish we could’ve shared that more with fans. It’s not even just my story. I’m super disappointed in the lack of seeing Tiffany, hearing from Kamilla, the negativity around Chrissy, not hearing her story. Where’s Dee? Where are the women? There are a lot of women contestants this season who are not happy with the way the show’s going. I hope they course-correct for us 12 who showed up and gave it all, as Jeff asked, and now I ask them to do better.

John Powell: You really did a 360 from when you were on before. You seemed more centred, more focused. Some people voted off said the pre-gaming made them feel iced out, like they didn’t even have a chance. What’s your view?

Angelina Keeley: There was definitely a lot of pre-planning, which always exists in returning seasons. Personally, I prefer newbie seasons because you get a more authentic game but returning seasons are compelling because of pre-existing relationships, which cut both ways. Some people were excited to play with me, but there were prevailing blocks, old-school players aligned, Christian/Devens/Emily aligned. My thinking: what’s best for the fans, what’s best for the game. Playing fluidly and open-mindedly gives a better experience.

That’s why I said no to Natalie’s jacket when wardrobe offered it on a silver platter. It didn’t make sense for the story? How did I just walk back in? Too many bridges. Story has to be continuous. Also, I needed to earn it, given the perception of me. I wasn’t going to take the bait. That shows growth, awareness but it’s not always entertaining TV. My goal wasn’t to be the star. It was to have fun, play hard, try my best and lean into my true self. I love people, I’m competitive, I’m fun, I’ll banter, that’s what I did.

John Powell: Survivors find moments of reflection alone on that island. You spoke publicly about a tragedy before going on Survivor. Did you find peace out there? How was it being alone with your thoughts, your life and missing your kids and family?

Angelina Keeley: I lived a lot in those seven years. I had my first daughter during the pandemic, had postpartum depression and anxiety. It is very common, one in four moms. Then, my second daughter and a life-threatening pregnancy-related condition where she and I might not have made it. By grace of God, we did. She’s healthy, happy, three-and-a-half.

You live through these things and get stronger. Being a stay-at-home mom for four and a half years grows your capacity for patience, working under pressure, calm under chaos. I brought all that into the game. I missed my girls but I knew they were in great hands and I focused on being out there and doing my best.

John Powell: I was raised by a single mom so I know how much work that is. All the best to you, and thanks so much for your time. Can’t wait to see you at the finale.

Angelina Keeley: Thank you. Take care. Give your little Frenchie a little pet for me too.

John Powell: Awww. Will do!