By joining the yellow team of “Koh-Lanta, The Immunity Hunters”, William thought he could find a place for himself. Finally, he was eliminated on Tuesday February 27, 2024, at the end of the third episode’s advice. A departure which leaves him bitter, he who gave everything for the team… But among the reasons for this elimination, he mentions his relationship with Amri.
Last week, William arrived, with Léa, in Koh-Lanta, The Immunity Hunters. The 62-year-old survival instructor taught his yellow team a lot. As soon as he arrived, he found food on the island while his comrades were feeling hungry. During the comfort game, he performed well… but his low level in swimming penalized the team during the immunity test. At the council, they decided to eliminate it unanimously. Near SamaGameWilliam looks back on this short stay in the Philippines, talking about his elimination, the criticism from his teammates and his role as a survival pro.
Why do you think your classmates eliminated you?
There are several hypotheses. Maybe they eliminated me because of my little shortcomings in swimming, maybe they didn’t need me anymore… There are plenty of reasons. There is also the fact that they formed an already united team, that I arrived as an accessory and that the council had to appoint someone. That’s what I feel. But it’s true that it’s funny to be unanimously cleared like that…
You are the last yellow to have held during the bamboo event (20 minutes), you are a survival instructor… Do you understand the importance of the aquatic events for your team?
I understand very well. But it’s not just aquatic events. I think we have to put things into perspective. There are different tests, as I told them. I can be very strong in land events, and that was true in bamboo. I could have been comfortable playing skill and logic games. But it’s their choice. I have nothing to do with the story.
At the council, Alexis criticizes you for a “will i am” side: “He likes to say I know how to do it when we don’t care!” What do you think ?
I find that a bit harsh of him. I even laughed about it because I didn’t really understand it. I found it so ridiculous of him. I know how to do things, I wanted to pass them on to make their lives easier on the camp, to be in better condition for the tests. And I am thanked in this way. It’s not cool. And I don’t blame him. It was in the heat of the moment, he is young – he is only 21 – so he did not measure his words.
You are an expert in survival, not the last one on the tests… In your opinion, what did you miss to go further in the game?
Perhaps a strategic mind. Alliances should have been made. And then the fact of not having been at the top swimming level didn’t help me. But I think that in fact I was simply bothering certain people in the camp who wanted to free me. But it’s a shame to have been afraid of me, because in terms of strategy I wouldn’t have done one. I would certainly have helped them in the land trials. And then I have had so many adventures in my life, that I manage to put things into perspective and stay positive. Life goes on.
You were talking about an alliance with Léa and Pauline, in the end everyone voted against you. What happened ?
Basically, I am not a strategist. They were the ones who came to see me. They gave me a presentation on a possible alliance. It was up to them to come back to me. Looking back, was it fake or not? Or maybe they really wanted to keep me on the team for my survival knowledge? Once again, I’m not a strategist, so I didn’t really get into the subject, I didn’t delve into the subject in depth. I was a little naive.
You arrived after everyone else, how did you experience it?
I had a pretty good experience! Because they had chosen me, in gratitude my goal was to help them. I found them food quickly, I made the roof of the cabin because there was nothing done. I felt it was my duty to do this kind of thing to thank them. When I arrived after everyone else, I was still a little apprehensive, it’s true, I’m not going to hide it. But aside from that, I did what I had to do at the camp to make their lives easier.
When it came time to choose between Léa and you, Amri had chosen Léa. Then, afterward, he seemed bothered by your presence on the team. How did you experience it?
I felt it a little bit. But I didn’t pay much attention to it. I told myself that things were going to calm down, that we were going to continue our life in the camp. And since I was doing my best for them, I told myself that he would calm down a little. He and I didn’t have a discussion on the subject. We spoke together at one point, and I felt that I was a bit in the hot seat. I told him it would be nice to keep me a little longer, but he didn’t take that into consideration. It’s still a game! I did my adventure as I wanted and I don’t regret what I did.
On social networks, many people like you and some report a certain jealousy of other male adventurers towards you. What do you think ?
When we are in the context of the game, we do not feel jealousy or anything else. It’s afterwards that we see things on the screen. But why would they be jealous? There are so many more serious things in life. I’m a super cool person, I had no ulterior motives when I acted. Koh-Lanta is a human adventure where you have to have great team spirit. I did everything for the team, and maybe I missed things. I would like to thank Internet users for supporting me. I am disappointed and sad not to be able to go further in the adventure. I apologize to the viewers who supported me, but it’s not my fault.
You had already participated in a survival show (Wild, the survival race, in 2018 on M6). What memory do you keep of it?
I have mixed memories of it, we will say. It’s a nice adventure, but I don’t prefer to bring up the subject. I had a blast Koh Lantaalthough I didn’t stay long.
Why try your luck again, in Koh-Lanta this time?
For the human adventure! It still remains a legendary show. It was one of my projects, I had the goal of participating in it. I did it so I’m super happy. We are really well surrounded, everything is safe, there is a team of doctors who protect us, I felt super comfortable with everyone… It was great.
How many times a year do you go on adventures?
I go every year. I put myself in a real condition of survival. I’m leaving with the minimum of equipment, no phone or anything. I’m really putting myself in danger. If anything happens to me, it’s over for me. I’m not saying it’s serious, but I’ve had a few problems: stung by a scorpion, by a stingray, attacked by wasps… I also had to stitch myself up on the spot because I fools around with the machete. It’s all part of my daily life. So I can’t imagine the adventure if we are assisted by a satellite phone. For me, it’s off-grid. We don’t confront nature, we deal with it.
Have you prepared in any particular way for Koh Lanta ?
I didn’t prepare at all! I went there coolly. I trusted in my physical and mental abilities, in a certain philosophy that I have. I left peacefully!
What has Koh-Lanta changed in your life?
I realized that life goes on. And participate in Koh Lanta can somehow boost my survival activity, but otherwise I haven’t changed my behaviors or my life. It remains a superb experience.
Have you had more requests for your adventures since the broadcast?
My notebook was already starting to fill up for the season before Koh Lanta. And since then there have been others. I wasn’t waiting for the show for that. But it will certainly boost my business, that’s obvious! It would be dishonest of me not to say it.
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