Alabama on ‘Survivor’: The James ‘J.T.’ Thomas Jr. interview

Reality show champion discusses winning strategy and losing weight

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James Thomas Jr. - Survivor: Tocantins

On the surface, J.T. appears to be a simple cattle rancher from south Alabama, but in “reality,” he’s a savvy competitor who earned respect among players he bested.

Samson native James Thomas Jr. spent 39 days competing on “Survivor: Tocatins – The Brazilian Highlands,” the CBS reality show. Sunday night, he not only won the $1 million prize by earning all seven jury votes, but also picked up an extra $100,000 prize just for being a fan favorite.

He was one of two Alabamians competing this season: Auburn middle school principal Debra Beebe finished in sixth place. (Alabama on ‘Survivor’: The Debra Beebe interview)

As such an obvious threat — physically dominant, socially smooth, skilled in survival — how did he outlast 15 other contestants? And what does he plan to do with all that money?

In a conference call earlier today, Thomas, along with runner-up Stephen Fishbach of New York, discussed their winning alliance and unlikely friendship.

Video: James Thomas Jr. on ‘The Early Show’

On Thomas’ sudden popularity: Thomas had no idea that he’d be so popular among the jurors, or that fans would pick him to win the $100,000 bonus prize.

On the final Tribal Council: Fishbach says while he fielded the tough questions, Thomas had easier ones and that Fishbach was “definitely brutalized by that jury.” Fishbach said he knew going into the that crucial Tribal Council that he was going to lose to Thomas, the “bad cop” to Thomas’ “good cop.”

In fact, Fishbach found out later that Thomas was hugging competitors before they were voted out that night at Tribal Councils.

On the future of Thomas’ ranching: He said he’s not planning to spend any of his winnings on the cattle, but that it should make it easier to attract business rather than have to seek it out. He added that he’ll hopefully have extra hands around the farm.

James Thomas Jr. - Survivor Tocantins

One man, one vote: Thomas casts the last vote to oust.

On coming into the merge outnumbered: The three former Jalapao members, Thomas, Fishbach and Taj Johnson-George, didn’t have a plan to stay alive, according to Thomas and Fishbach. They separately approached former Timbira members, specifically making overtures to Ben “Coach” Wade, looking to see who could come up with the best plan.

The Thomas-Fishbach duo said they knew they reached a turning point when they successfully blindsided Tyson Apostol. Fishbach said they had anticipated more anger from Apostol’s teammates and even revenge; instead, they wrote it off and let the duo continue to pull the strings.

James Thomas Jr. - Survivor Tocantins

Battle tested: J.T. competes in an Immunity Challenge
in the season finale.

On their unlikely friendship: Thomas said, “No one would expect the New York guy and the Alabama country boy to hit it off,” adding they bonded after the hike to camp on Day 1, fishing, teaching each others skills.

Fishbach said that their similar approaches of working hard to benefit the tribe made them allies from Day 2 or 3.

On the tooth saga: (Thomas broke a tooth during a challenge, and when host Jeff Probst offered it to him, he threw it away.) “I felt bad I didn’t lose it in some big collision; the ball hit me in the face. It didn’t hurt at all, but I come off looking really tough.”

(Probst gave the tooth to Thomas’ mother, Marie Castillo, during the live broadcast.) “She’s definitely going to put it on eBay!” he joked.

Erinn, Stephen, James Thomas Jr. - Survivor Tocantins

The road to the final three: From left, Stephen Fishbach,
Erinn Lobdell and Thomas take time to stop and snuff the torches.

On being cast for ‘Survivor’: Thomas said, “It was the first time I’ve ever filled out an application. My mom conned me into it. It was a long process.”

Meanwhile, it was simple as being on Facebook for Fishbach. “I uploaded a picture to Facebook of me looking goofy, and the casting director saw my picture and they were looking for a goofy city boy.”

On the hardest part of being on the show: Thomas said that it was starving to death, and having to turn on people like Johnson-George toward the end, especially since she was their ally and “had a much better chance of beating us.”

On winning food and losing weight: (Thomas took part in many reward feasts, as part of a winning team in challenges.) Thomas said, “I lost 16 pounds.”

But he added that even with all of the bonus meals, he regretted missing out on the reward that Timbira won in Episode 7: burgers and beers.

On starting a business together: (Thomas mentioned on the live broadcast that he’d like to invest some of his prize money in a business with Fishbach.) Fishbach said that the two of them have already worked well together and that they each bring different skills, plus Thomas now has plenty of “seed money.”

Thomas joked he’d have to keep a closer eye on his prize money and his business partner.

Photos: CBS

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