Nov 10, 2006 6:55 am US/Pacific
Brad Steps Out Of Fashion On 'Survivor'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
A shuffling of "Survivor" tribes mixed up the game as contestants turned their backs on Aitu. Brad Virata had already said too much, and soon the 29-year-old fashion director from Los Angeles was sent packing.
After losing his tribe's trust, Virata was blindsided in the show's tribal council.
"I didn't know I was going," said Virata. "I didn't know what was brewing. It's kind of a sigh of relief for me.
"At the same time, parting is bittersweet," he said. "Anything is possible in this game. And making the jury just proves that point."
Normally the show waits to begin naming jury members until down to the final nine contestants. At the finale of previous seasons, seven castoffs judge who between the last two contestants wins $1 million.
As the Raro tribe relaxed around a fire, they discussed plans for a merger, which they believed was forthcoming. Virata says that the merge signifies "every man for himself," his tribe mates became suspicious.
"I played a fair game from the minute I stepped on that island," said Virata. "I tell it like it is and I don't like to candy coat things."
Virata received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in international communications from the University of Washington and attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. In five years working for Guess? Men's Division, Virata helped launch the clothing line "Los Angeles Denim Atelier." He currently works as the Director of Men's Merchandising for Lucky Brand Jeans.
Chen asked Virata to compare enduring the challenges of "Survivor" versus his day job in the fashion industry.
"It's sink or swim," he said. "It's all about juggling and baby-sitting people's personalities, especially when it comes to people on the island or designers."
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
