Survivor 49's MC Opens Up About an Important Conversation Viewers Didn’t See (Exclusive)

When MC Chukwujekwu realized her game was in jeopardy ahead of Survivor 49's (rather controversial) split Tribal Council, she went to work. The 29-year-old fitness trainer shared something personal with fellow castaway Jawan Pitts, a conversation rooted in real emotion but also in hopes that honesty might shift her fate in the game. Sadly, it was a moment viewers never got to see.

MC spoke exclusively with Men’s Journal about that unseen exchange, what led her to open up, and what it was like watching her story play out from home.

Scroll down to read the full exit interview with MC.

Men’s Journal: I want to know how you’re doing. I know living the experience is one thing, but watching it back is another. So how are you feeling today?

MC Chukwujekwu: People are like, “Are you OK?” I’m like, “I’m OK” This happened six months ago. It’s crazy to watch it back, of course, but I’m so happy with how I played the game. I’m satisfied. There are things I would’ve done differently, especially knowing what I know now, but I’m really proud of what I did out there.

Men’s Journal: I saw a lot of chatter online about that split Tribal Council. Many people aren’t fans of it—including me. Had you gone to Tribal as one big group, do you think we’d be talking right now?

MC: No, absolutely not—and I say that with confidence. I had really tight allies, and they were all on the other beach. Sophie [Segreti] was my ally, but we were pitted against each other. It was just the two of us from Hina with four Uli. The random rock draw didn’t go my way. If it had been any other combination of people, I’m fully confident I’d still be in the game.

Men’s Journal: Talk to me about Tribal. Where did you think the votes were going when you walked in?

MC: I knew every single person was voting for me going into Tribal. Jawan told me—and I guess it was his way of doing me a favor because of the information I’d given him. I told Jawan because I didn’t want what happened on Season 42 to happen again—back-to-back Black people going to the jury. I was having an out-of-game conversation with him that could wreck my game, but I wanted to let him know Sophie was trying to put the vote on him. I told him I wouldn’t vote with Sophie and would vote with him instead. He wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but he ended up telling others and it got messy. Then he told me, “Hey, I’m sorry, but everyone’s voting for you—so I’m going to vote for you too.”

Men’s Journal: Before the votes, it turned into a live Tribal and everyone was whispering. What did you say to Jawan? Were you trying to reiterate that conversation?

MC: Before Tribal, I went to each person trying to save myself. I said, “I know y’all are spooked by [Rizo Velovic] and whatever advantage [Savannah Louie] has. Savannah and Rizo are going to put two votes on me for sure. Let’s put two on Sophie.” The idea was two votes on Sophie, two on Rizo—if Rizo doesn’t play an idol, it’s a tie and we vote him out. They all kind of agreed, probably just to appease me. When I asked Jawan if we were still doing that, he said no—they were all voting for me. I asked him to at least put a vote on Sophie to cause confusion, hoping someone else might follow.

Men’s Journal: What about Rizo. What did you whisper to him?

MC: I was trying to cause confusion. I wanted them to think I might do something to stay safe so they’d split the votes between me and Sophie. I asked, “Should I play my Shot in the Dark? I think I’m going to play it,” just to spook him.

Men’s Journal: Did you actually consider playing it?

MC: I did, but it’s only a 16 percent chance. I felt like what I was doing—especially if Jawan was with me, which he wasn’t—was maybe a 20 percent chance. So I took my own route.

Men’s Journal: Viewers didn’t see everything, but why do you think they ultimately voted you out over Sophie? Was it because you were so tight with the rest of Hina?

MC: My allies were all on the other beach. Sophie wasn’t as well liked socially at that point. During the merge meal, everyone was saying, “It’s going to be Sophie tonight.” I think it clicked with Savannah—if everyone wants Sophie out, keep her as a shield. She figured, “Why satisfy what my opponents want?” So I think that’s what it came down to.

Men’s Journal: I was surprised Sage [Ahrens-Nichols] and Jawan seemed to flip right back to working with Rizo and Savannah, even though they had reason to be spooked by the idol in his pocket and Savannah even being there. Did that surprise you at all?

MC: Yeah, I agree with you, girl! Weren’t y’all just saying you wanted them out? Sage had a very strong negative reaction to Savannah and wanted her out. Since Savannah was immune, she went for her ally instead. I’m still not sure why it had to change from Rizo. Maybe they wanted to be on Savannah and Rizo’s good side. I don’t know if that was the right move.

Men’s Journal: Were you worried Savannah might have something else at tribal? Did you all speculate whether she was telling the truth or?

MC: Yeah, she told us she could participate in our Tribal. They were worried she had something else, maybe an extra vote. Honestly, Sharon, I was confused. I’m just as confused as you.

Men’s Journal: Between the Tribal split and bad luck, a lot was stacked against you. Any regrets about playing your idol at the previous Tribal?

MC: Hindsight is 20/20. If I’d kept it, I could’ve used it. But I don’t regret it because I didn’t know what I know now. I needed to play it then to see where people stood. Sage and Jawan were playing both sides really well. Uli believed them, so I needed to know if I could. I also thought we were past split Tribals—I had no idea another one was coming. I felt good socially, so I thought I’d be fine next vote and maybe find another idol.

Men’s Journal: Was there anything you wish they had shown that you remember?

MC: Yes. I wish they showed my conversations with everyone—I spoke with every single person, not just Sophie and Jawan. That would’ve given more context. And they didn’t show captions for what we were whispering, which also lost context. They also left out me mentioning the race conversation. It looked like I turned on my ally for no reason when there was more weight to it.

Men’s Journal: As a viewer, at one point in Tribal, you look defeated. I wish they had shown more of your fight prior to that too.

MC: Exactly. I’d been fighting all day, but by the time Tribal came, I thought, “I could be going home tonight.” I whispered in everyone’s ear, trying to change just one vote.

Men’s Journal: I'm always curious about what it's like being an alternate, which you were. Did that feeling go away as soon as you hit the beach or does it take a few days to feel part of the cast?

MC: As soon as I did my part in the marooning challenge, I felt like I belonged. I proved I belonged there. I didn’t really have imposter syndrome. I applied at the very end of the casting cycle, so I thought, “If I’d applied earlier, maybe I’d be an original cast member.” But I’m glad it worked out this way—it made my story more interesting.

Men’s Journal: Final question — would you play Survivor again?

MC: Yes, 100 percent. In the middle of it, I was like, “Hell no, I’m not doing this again!” But once you’re out, you forget the hard stuff and remember the good. Overall, it was an amazing experience. I’d love to play again with the knowledge I have now—there’s so much I’d do differently.