As one of the greatest players of all time, Boston Rob Mariano’s word is often final in the eyes of the fans and he has officially spoken up on his thoughts on the winner of Survivor 50.
During a recent press junket at the ATX TV festival he comments on his mentee Jonathan Young as a couple of outlets asked him about his thoughts on Jonathan’s game and his subsequent exit press.
When sitting down with the Queen of Stream, Lauren Ashley Beck—another one of Boston Rob’s mentees from her time on Survivor: Island of the Idols—he declares Aubry Bracco as the rightful winner of Survivor 50, without any hesitation.
“Whoever wins, wins—I’ve always said that. Managing the jury is part of the game.” - Boston Rob Mariano
Then in an interview with TV Insider, Rob goes a little deeper into his opinions on Jonathan’s game, but more specifically, his post-game press, explicitly stating, “He butchered his press.” He continues that Jonathan’s emotions were just too high after he took the loss really hard and took it out in the wrong way.
“I told him that that was the wrong move…” he tells the outlet, “I don’t think belittling Aubry’s game to make your game better is a good move—and he agrees.” Of course we have not seen a public apology from Jonathan, though many fans have urged that it would be in his best interest to do so. But even if he’s embarrassed by his actions, he doesn’t seem to be someone who likes to take responsibility—based on his gameplay and post-game attitude—or admit when he’s wrong.
And Boston Rob reiterates to TV Insider, “I always have said, the person that wins is the one that deserves to win,” doubling down that regardless of his personal feelings and relationship with Jonathan, Aubry is in fact the rightful winner of Survivor 50. He clarifies that she managed the jury in a way Jonathan couldn’t and that’s the most important element of the game at the end of the season.
Of course, while there are seasons where jury members clearly vote out of spite, it’s clear this was only that type of season in favor for Jonathan. The votes he received from Chrissy Hofbeck, Coach Wade, and Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick all seemed to be for him because they were against Aubry. Every other jury member was focused in their efforts to get answers from each player and confirm their gameplay through the other juror’s experiences as well.
But like Boston Rob says, Aubry won which made Aubry deserving of her win. Just as Aubry believes Michele Fitzgerald deserved to win Survivor: Kaoh Rong despite all the fans saying otherwise. Maybe Jonathan will learn his lesson and come back for another season to prove he understands how the game is played. But based on his bitter attitude, I don’t think fans will be too eager to watch another season that includes Jonathan.
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