Name: Semhar Tadesse
Age: 24
Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Spoken Word Artist
Tribe: Savaii
Gordon Holmes: I’m told you have a strong aversion to liars. I’m worried that you chose the wrong reality show to take part in.
Semhar Tadesse: I think the fact that I hate liars is definitely going to affect the game. It’s going to make me very annoyed and irritable when I see people backstabbing. But, I do understand that it’s a game and not a reflection of who these people are outside of the game. So, I’m going to do my best to mentally prepare myself that it’s OK to lie…people are going to lie.
Holmes: So within the game it’s OK to lie?
Tadesse: I’m going to try my hardest not to, but if necessary I will. I’m not very good at it. People say everything is written all over my face.
Holmes: OK, tell me two truths and a lie. Let me see if I can figure it out.
Tadesse: I’m double jointed, I love orange soda, and the only salad I like is Caesar salad.
Holmes: You don’t love orange soda.
Tadesse: No, I’m not double jointed.
Holmes: Darn it…that was a weird one, who’d make that up?
Tadesse: (Laughs) Usually the first one nobody suspects.
Holmes: See, now we’ve learned that you can lie. You’re going to do well.
Tadesse: Yay!
Holmes: Because it’s very rare that anybody gets something by me. Actually that’s a lie too.
Tadesse: (Laughs)
Holmes: Have some of your favorite players managed to stay honest?
Tadesse: The people that I’ve liked haven’t had to lie or deceive very much. I like Sandra (Diaz Twine) and I like Fabio (Judson Birza) and they made it pretty far being honest.
Holmes: Any plans for that million-dollar check?
Tadesse: When I win the million dollars I intend to travel the world. The first thing I want to do is go back to Africa and see my family. I haven’t seen them in quite some time. Then I want to travel the world and write lots of books.
Holmes: What kind of poetry do you write?
Tadesse: Spoken word mostly…romantic. There’s no specific subject that I follow but romance is definitely one of the top subjects.
Holmes: You’ve been around the cast for a few days. Have you made any observations yet?
Tadesse: You can tell who seems to be polite, who smiles, who doesn’t. Who eats a lot, who finishes their food the fastest. I’ve been very observant. Who’s wearing a wedding ring, and who has a motherly attitude. But I refuse to judge anyone until we speak.
“Survivor: South Pacific” premieres Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
More “Survivor” Fun: XFINITY TV sent Gordon Holmes into the heart of the South Pacific to get a first-hand look at the filming of the latest edition of “Survivor.” Be sure to check back for exclusive interviews with the returning All-Stars and host Jeff Probst, behind-the-scenes photos, and Gordon’s personal (and injury-filled) account of what it’s like to compete in an actual immunity challenge.
Any Questions about “Survivor: South Pacific”? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
Tags: jeff probst, semhar tadesse, survivor, survivor south pacific
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