I WILL SURVIVE!

Survivor castaway Colleen Haskell crosses over from civilian to celebrity. Photograph by Danielle Levitt

ALLISON OLESKEY: Having experienced Survivor both on the island and off, would you recommend it?
COLLEEN HASKELL: All of the publicity is a complete joke, and I don't know how long this phenomenon is going to continue. But if normal people are going to be given the opportunity to travel to exotic locations and win money, and if that's entertainment for other people, I say go for it.
Looking back, are you happy that Rich won?
I know that everyone was saying that he had the best strategy and deserved to win, but I'm sick of hearing that -- it isn't true. I think someone like Gretchen was extremely strong and a great person. If she had won, it would have said something really positive about where society is. Instead, the message is: This is where America is at -- you have to plot and scheme to get what you want. I find it sad.
Initially, you said you weren't going to get involved with the post-Survivor media circus. You turned down Playboy, but you've signed with ICM, one of Hollywood's top agencies. Why?
What it comes down to is when you appear on TV you get a lot of people contacting you and coming out of the woodwork. People start promising you the world and then take it away the next day. You almost need to get an agent, just to handle the phone calls and weed through it.
Some of the others from the show have already signed book deals and TV deals. Gervase has been covering the red carpets for Access Hollywood, while others have been walking them. Why haven't we seen you out?
I think it's really interesting. It's not who I was before this, so why would it suddenly be that way now? I never had an interest in being a correspondent for Access Hollywood. Just because a situation presents itself doesn't mean I'm going to do it. I think a lot of it is silly, and my opinion hasn't changed.
How did it feel to get a car from Rosie O'Donnell when you appeared on her show?
It's unbelievable how the business works. People are giving you tons of things, and you're thinking, How nice. Then you start to realize, Wait a minute ... product placement! You're just a commodity, bu if that gets me a free car, that's cool.
Now you have an agent and have finished the semester at school. What are your expectations from here?
It's hard for me to say. I plan on taking it offer by offer. What appeals to me the most is something that will allow me to be myself. I don't know about acting. I've never done it.
That hasn't stopped a lot of others...
That's what everyone keeps telling me. I'm pretty open to try anything.
As you know, this is the "Crossover" issue, and you're crossing over from being an unknown student to being represented by a Hollywood agent and dubbed "America's Sweetheart."
In a sense, I've been crossing over my whole life. I'm always trying something new; every five months I stop what I'm doing and try something different. I don't think anyone who knows me will end up being surprised by anything I do.

CAST AWAY:
Lace tank by
Katayone Adeli,
Pants by Helmut Lang,
Shoes by Yves St.
Laurent Rive Gauche.

Page 47, Crossover Issue (Oct) 2000.