Season 49 “Survivor” contestant Sophie Segreti has spoken about her close friendship with fellow player Sage Ahrens-Nichols and how the pair have mended their relationship since leaving the island. Sophie was speaking after being voted off the show and explained that she could have been more ruthless if it wasn’t for the fact that she liked Sage so much.
Sophie Segreti Explains Friendship With Sage
As part of her exit interview with Parade following her elimination from “Survivor,” Sophie discussed her friendship with Sage — something that had been noted by other contestants and many viewers. She revealed that the pair bonded quickly and became close, something that may well have affected how she played the game as it meant she was not willing to necessarily put her own needs above Sage’s.
“So it’s actually funny. Because if you remember that episode where Jawan goes home, I am kind of the one who is deciding between Jawan and Sage,” she reveals. “And the reason that I chose Jawan is because I was close with Sage. I was playing a little bit with my heart, not gonna lie. I had a closer relationship with Sage, and she also had proven to trust me and clued me in on things and really had my back. And so that’s why I was like, ‘I have to save her now.’”
However, Sophie admitted this may have been a problem as it meant that Sage was particularly upset by what she saw as a betrayal when Sophie voted to eliminate Jawan — the other person that Sage had developed a strong friendship with.
She said, “And in retrospect, maybe I should have just voted her out and stuck with Jawan. Because, in doing so, because we had that close bond, in breaking her trust, it was so much worse. Whereas I feel like, if I betrayed Jawan, we didn’t have as much capital in our relationship. And so it might not have hurt us badly.”
Sophie and Sage Are Now On Better Terms
The animosity that arose from the Jawan elimination wasn’t enough to permanently damage the friendship between Sophie and Sage. Speaking about the relationship the pair now share since filming for the reality series ended, Sophie explained that they are “great now.” She also discussed how interesting it is to watch Sage play “Survivor” so well from the audience’s perspective.
“It’s been so fun getting to watch her game on TV, because she is playing such an amazing strategic game,” says Sophie. “And I think because she really dances to the beat of her own drum, you can almost forget how strategic she is. I mean, we saw it with, ‘Just tell them I’m farting. We’re not talking strategy.’”
She continued, “And so that’s been lovely to see. But Sage and I are good. I had to do a little bit more damage control when we all were back in the States. But I’m so grateful to have gotten to play the game with her. I mean, kudos to her. She really spearheaded ‘Operation Kick Sophie to the Curb.’”
