The RizGod says he was placed on “Survivor 50” be each beloved and hated

Generally when you’re chatting with the fourth-place finisher of Survivor 49, it’s laborious to know with whom you’re talking. Is it Rizo Velovic, a considerate, introspective, and emotional younger man who locations household above all else and could be diminished to tears on a second’s discover? Or is it The Man The Fable The Legend R-I-Z-G-O-D RizGod Child, a brash, self-mythologizing cartoon character of a goofball completely constructed for the social media influencer age?

Opposite to what individuals might consider watching the latter on tv screens, Rizo is self-aware sufficient to acknowledge that the RizGod is pure “shtick” he employs for enjoyable. Which is why he was shocked to be taught that one other colourful character he can be sharing the island with on Survivor 50 (premiering Feb. 25 on CBS) was fully the identical each on and off digital camera.

Rizo additionally is aware of that the RizGod persona more than likely falls into both adore it or detest it camps amongst followers — and that these sturdy reactions are precisely what bought him forged on back-to-back seasons. We spoke to each Rizo and RizGod — neither of whom was allowed to disclose his placement or any specifics about his earlier sport throughout pre-game press because it had not but aired — in Fiji simply days earlier than filming on Survivor 50 started, and the 26-year-old got here out firing.

(That is one in every of 24 deep-dive, on-location interviews with the Survivor 50 forged. Hyperlinks to the opposite interviews can be posted on the backside of this text as they turn into accessible.)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Alright, Rizo, inform me why you're going to win Survivor 50.

RIZO VELOVIC: Truthfully, I feel if I can replicate what I did on 49 and do it with a number of the greats, I can’t solely win Survivor 50, however hopefully cement myself as one of many best to ever play. I feel my allure and my capability to do no matter it takes to win goes to come in useful, particularly with all these connections and all people realizing all people out right here. So I really feel like I bought the drive and the center to win Survivor 50.

How does it really feel mentally, emotionally and bodily to be again out right here just some weeks after enjoying?

To be precise, it's been 9 days for me. And I feel actually, in a bizarre method, I'd really desire this. I'd desire doing Survivor back-to-back with no person seeing me play. I can't think about how Kyle and Kamilla really feel popping out right here after all people simply watched them play, and with out giving something away, I really feel like if individuals watched me play, they wouldn't need to play with me now.

So I’m excited to do that as a result of I feel this might be the one alternative that I wouldn't be a “risk.” I imply clearly we're all threats as a result of we're all on Survivor 50, however I'm tremendous pumped mentally. I don't suppose my thoughts has left the sport. Bodily, I really feel good. I did lose numerous weight. And I used to be already a thin man, in case you keep in mind [from meeting before Survivor 49], and I didn't have so much to lose, so I didn't acquire that again.

After which emotionally, I'm tremendous blessed and tremendous excited. I keep in mind after we talked on 49, I advised you the way large of a fan I’m, and I actually keep in mind the premiere of 48 voting as a fan. I didn't even know I used to be on 49 at that time. I'm actually voting on what I would like on 50. I then play 49 after which now I'm on 50! I imply, I'm nonetheless a fan, however I'm not a fan. I’m that participant that basically the followers voted for what they wished. I basically put myself on this place to vote the sport that I wished to play. So I'm tremendous excited, in truth.

What are you going to inform your new tribe mates about your sport in 49 once they inevitably ask you?

I actually suppose it hurts me extra to lie about it than be truthful. As a result of with all people realizing all people on this forged, in addition to the three those that haven’t performed with somebody. These three individuals are Chrissy, Genevieve, and Jonathan. So basically all people has anyone that they know. So for me as an unknown commodity, the one factor that make me extra threatening is to lie about how I did on 49.

As a result of I'm on Survivor 50 for a purpose, so I'm going to be truthful for the way I did. Now, am I going to enter intricacies of what I did within the sport? Completely not. Not vital. However when it comes to my placement, when it comes to my play type, I feel it'd be foolish for me to lie as a result of if I simply say, “Oh my God, I'm a brilliant fan! I'm so glad to be right here! I can't consider they picked me!” — that's all bullsh—!

If we take into consideration the individuals which are not right here, they picked me over Malcolm, they picked me over Jerri, you understand what I imply? It'd be silly to say, “I simply bought fortunate to be right here.” So I can be truthful and that’s my plan.

All that the opposite gamers have seen of you is you calling your self the person, the parable, the legend. How do you suppose you getting such a outstanding edit in that 49 trailer impacts you right here?

Yeah, so I want I can present you the video as a result of I didn't know if I used to be going to even be on the trailer, however I invited all my household and my buddies over. I used to be like, “Yo, let's file this.” Actually as quickly as I noticed myself on the TV, all of us simply began screaming. I didn't even know what I stated. After which I play it again and thoughts you, I do know I'm going to be on 50 right now, I'm like, “Holy f—! I simply bought my entire shtick as a brilliant fan!”

I don't recall a time somebody ever identify dropped themselves within the preview, and I did my entire shtick and I'm like, “That is nice!” However then I used to be like, “F—, all these individuals which are going to be on 50 are going to know that I name myself this!” To be sincere, I'm actually not as fearful about it because it may appear as a result of once I take a look at the gamers right here, I can wager my backside greenback that Ozzy didn't watch the preview, Colby didn't watch the preview — half of those individuals didn't watch the preview.

The one those that I'm fearful about is all of the new-era individuals. And to be fairly sincere, these are the individuals I don't need to align with anyhow. I need to align with pre-new-era individuals as a result of I really feel like all of the new-era individuals are so intermingled with one another at these charity occasions and these meet and greets — I haven't had the chance to try this. So whenever you ask me about my edit within the preview, I'm honored as a result of it's like, dude, that preview was all about me! In case you see the discourse on-line, it's both all of them love the RizGod or they hate the RizGod. That's why I'm sort of right here. Truthfully, I'm actually not fearful about it.

When did they method you about going back-to-back?

After the sport wrapped up, we have been going to go away Ponderosa and actually two hours earlier than we left for the airport, I get pulled to the facet by manufacturing and Jeff Probst is on the pc and I'm like, Oh my god, Jeff Probst simply checks on everybody. That is regular. I'm like, “What's up, Jeff?” We're finest buddies at this level.

After which he does this Jeff Probst spiel about “Blah blah, blah, blah, blah, it's very uncommon that we do that however how would you love to do it back-to-back on Survivor 50?” And I actually thought he was joking. I used to be like… as a result of I'm going to go along with my RizGod shtick right here… after all after the season wrapped up, I'm like, They bought to ask me for 50! However on the similar time, to truly have it occur is unreal. So when he requested me, I began crying as a result of I used to be like: Holy f—, Jeff Probst is asking me to…. It's one factor to return again on Survivor, however Survivor 50 is probably the most anticipated season of all time.

I did 49, and the explanation why I got here on to Survivor was to symbolize for my household, to encourage my brother, and to play for a rustic the place we have been by no means represented, and now there's going to be a yr stuffed with Rizo on TV! So I used to be tremendous pumped, tremendous stoked.

I keep in mind going house and all my household's crying on the airport, and I'm like, “F–, now I'm crying!” After which I inform them to cease crying as a result of I'm leaving in 9 days once more to play Survivor 50. And it was such a surreal second.

Something you remorse about your first time enjoying?

Truthfully, Dalton, under no circumstances. I swear to God, under no circumstances. Within the 9 days house, I mirrored on my expertise and what I got here to do, and I felt like I did that. And for me, 50 is actually only for enjoyable, you understand what I imply? I'm right here with individuals I idolized rising up and I'm right here to stamp my legacy as a result of I advised you this in 49: I wished to play Survivor, not simply to play it, however to be one of many best of all time. And I really feel like Survivor 50 goes to present me that chance to try this. So I go away 49 tremendous pleased and now I'm hopefully going to go away Survivor 50 even happier.

What's your largest weak spot on this sport?

I feel my weak spot is I didn't anticipate how deeply I cared about strangers enjoying this sport the primary time.

How do you navigate that the second time?

I feel the second time for me is likely to be a little bit bit simpler as a result of I grew up watching these individuals and I do know their tales. If you play Survivor, or something for the primary time, and also you share that have with those that even have by no means achieved it, you bond over that.

I keep in mind going house and telling my girlfriend about this, that and the third, and he or she's like, “I don't care.” We've been collectively for six years. I'm like, “Babe, I'm telling you, that point on the island, it actually bonds you with individuals.” And I feel for me, the lore of bonding with Colby Donaldson, the place I grew up watching you and I do know what your story is…. Granted, for some individuals it's been 20 years since they performed, so clearly so much has modified, however I feel I can sort of stability that out a little bit bit this time round.

7:23 The Forged of ‘Survivor 50’ Reveals Who They Need to Vote Out First

How a lot pre-gaming have been you capable of get achieved in these 9 days?

Dude, none. Properly, so what I’ll say is, I imply, I'm a fan, so I don't give a f— on Twitter. The entire forged was leaked actually 48 hours earlier than we bought right here. So when it comes to digging, I went on individuals's Instagram followers and Twitter followers and see who adopted who. However for me, I had no luxurious of pre-gaming as a result of I didn't inform anyone I used to be on 50.

After which 24 hours earlier than I fly out, my identify leaked and I'm like, “Dude, they're going to kick me out of fifty! How the f— does this man know?” And I used to be shaking in my boots, so I then go on Reddit as a result of I used to be like, “Properly, if I'm leaked, then all people else that has been leaked must be proper.“ And lo and behold it's true. So I didn't do any pre-gaming. I'm positive different individuals have.

How do you deal with that?

I’m hoping {that a} FaceTime name that these individuals had during the last yr means nothing after we're on the island.

You stated you grew up watching these individuals. Who’re you fanboying over?

I advised you final time that Survivor: Tocantins was my old flame, and it’s. And the truth that I'm on an island of Fiji with Coach Benjamin Wade is unreal to me, as a result of watching that Exile episode as a child and seeing Coach simply deteriorate within the desert of the Brazil, after which I'm going via LAX and Coach is simply randomly doing Tai Chi and I'm like, Dude, he's really like this! I assumed it was a joke. RizGod is a joke. He's really… I don't know what the phrase is. He's insane. He's loopy. I didn't anticipate Coach to truly be how he was on the present. What you see is definitely what you get with him. It's f—ing unreal!

When Jenna Lewis first performed Survivor, I didn't even know how one can stroll but. However actually, I'm not fanboying the place I'm like, “Oh my God, let me bow all the way down to you.”

Who do you need to work with and who’re you a little bit apprehensive about?

I stated earlier I need to work with extra of the pre-new-era individuals personally. I'll provide you with two males and two girls that I need to work with. On the prime of the record is Chrissy Hofbeck and Genevieve, which I suppose sort of counteracts that, however I'll let you know why. Out of all people on this forged, there are solely three those that have by no means performed Survivor with anyone else. These are Chrissy, Genevieve, and Jonathan. Jonathan, I’ve no curiosity of working with. So we'll X him out. That leaves Genevieve and Chrissy.

To not go a lot into how I performed 49, however how I view Survivor, I really feel like I can relate much more to Genevieve and Chrissy. And with numerous pre-gaming and relationships that stem 20 plus years, I must go to individuals — and granted, Chrissy and Genevieve are in all probability intermingled within the alumni — however they in all probability are searching for individuals to work with. And if I could make myself as a sizzling commodity to them, we are able to do injury.

I take a look at Chrissy and I feel she was robbed, to be sincere. And I do know individuals throw that s— round all people like saying Sam was robbed. Chrissy was genuinely robbed. I take a look at this forged, it's individuals which are attempting to get a second probability. It's individuals which are attempting to appropriate their errors. It's those that don't need to spoil their Survivor status. After which there are people who find themselves attempting to cement themselves as one of many best. I feel Chrissy is attempting to in all probability appropriate a few of her errors. And granted numerous the errors she had wasn't actually her fault.

She will't management Ben discovering all these idols. She will't management the ultimate 4 fire-making. So I feel Chrissy has a fireplace beneath her ass, and I need to assist Chrissy mild that fireside. And I feel we might do very well collectively. Not like I performed something like Ryan Ulrich, however I feel we are able to have that very same related dynamic as a result of though I’ve this RizGod shtick, my ego isn't as large as numerous these individuals's egos out right here. Like, f—ing Q nonetheless thinks he gained 46. And I'm considering “Q, what the f— world are you speaking in? What world do you suppose you're this nice participant?” I like Q, simply to not play with. So Chrissy is anyone I actually need to work with. She's the highest. After which Genevieve is simply somebody strategically that I’d have numerous similarities with.

And the boys you most need to work with?

For the boys, my primary — which goes to be tremendous humorous and I do know the net neighborhood hated him — is Joe from 48. And the reason being quite simple, Joe is predictable and dependable to the soil. Why would I not work with that? Joe actually went on 48 and stated, “I'm enjoying for Eva.” Play for me, Joe! Please play for me! And I really feel like me and Joe may relate on many ranges and I’d like to work with Joe. After which for the following man I’d've stated Christian Hubicki, however actually, the truth that there's three David Vs. Goliath individuals right here, and I do know they're all buddies and Mike White put them each on The White Lotus and they’re diehard for one another [changes that].

So I’d say the following man is actually Charlie. He's one other individual that has three individuals from his season, and granted, I don't know the inside workings, however he appears not linked to Tiff and Q. He's extra buddies with Liz, Kenzie, Venus, no matter. So I really feel like Charlie and I’ve numerous similarities. We're additionally the 2 youngest individuals on this forged. And strategically, we additionally see so much eye to eye.

And I additionally suppose he's sort of within the Chrissy boat the place he has so much to show, as a result of I don't need to say Charlie was robbed, however he mismanaged Maria and that value him the sport. I really feel like he thinks he was robbed and he needs to show that he ought to have gained. So the explanation why I need to work with Chrissy is the explanation why I’d need to work with Charlie. A whole lot of parallels there.

Who makes you cautious?

If I needed to decide one man and one lady, the person I wouldn't need to work with is Q, as a result of I can deal with numerous egos — ego administration is what I'm calling Survivor 50 for me — however I simply don't know if I can deal with Q's ego for that lengthy. Revisionist historical past to me is one thing I can't do. And I feel Q has numerous revisionist historical past.

After which for the ladies, actually, and it may very well be recency bias, but it surely's Kamilla. Kamilla performed an incredible sport in 48. I had a binge watch of 48 earlier than 50. I noticed how she performed. The edit confirmed that Kamilla was loyal to Kyle, however then watching press and every little thing, it doesn't actually appear that method an excessive amount of. Kamilla was sort of loyal to no person. And I want somebody that's loyal and I want those that I can predict their actions. And I don't suppose I might predict Kamilla, she's sort of in every single place. She was like a secret murderer and was very open in her confessional saying, “I'll throw anyone beneath the bus. I don't care.” I don't need to work with that. So if I needed to say two individuals I wouldn't need to work with, it's Kamilla and Q.

You didn't point out Savannah in any respect. What's your relationship like together with her?

I don't need to go an excessive amount of into it. I can't actually say a lot, however what I’ll say is I’m not shocked to see her right here on 50 with me.

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Different Survivor 50 deep dive participant interviews:
• Survivor 50 star Ozzy Lusth opens up about hitting 'all-time low of my life'
• Survivor 50 star Aubry Bracco opens up about the 'freedom when you fall from grace'
• Colby Donaldson reacts to playing Survivor for the first time without Jerri
• Angelina Keeley refused to do Survivor 50 unless they gave her a jacket
• Survivor 50's Coach goes deep on evolving from an 'arrogant ass' into the… Tide Walker?
• Survivor 50 star Jenna Lewis-Dougherty is 'here to f— you over in every way, shape, or form'
• Cirie Fields says winning The Traitors does not take sting out of Survivor loses
• Mike White on how he is handling Survivor 50 castmastes angling for White Lotus cameos
• Chrissy Hofbeck opens up about controversial season 35 end and being bashed by earlier forged
• Rick Devens explains why he’s a lunatic that wishes to play with different lunatics
• Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick needs to show that 'mother actually is a badass'
• Christian Hubicki wished to inform Survivor 50 pre-gamers to 'f— off'
• Genevieve Mushaluk on why watching Survivor 50 will be more terrifying than playing it
• Dee Valladares welcomes being one of Survivor 50's biggest threats: 'I want them to come for me'
• Q Burdette reveals ridiculous things he did to prep for Survivor 50
• Kamilla Karthigesu feared she would be cut from Survivor 50 for pregaming
• Emily Flippen says 'If I win Survivor, something crazy has happened'
• Jonathan Young shares the Survivor lessons Boston Rob gave him before season 50
• Tiffany Ervin reveals her plan to manipulate Q's ego on Survivor 50
• Charlie Davis says he will 'in some ways never get over' his shocking Survivor 46 loss
• Joe Hunter reveals his wife helped him scout the Survivor 50 competition
• Kyle Fraser thinks constantly about joining the Survivor two-time winner club
• Savannah Louie wants to expose pre-game alliances on Survivor 50