[CENTER][LEFT]Vevmo recently asked Johanna Botta to respond to some questions about herself and her time on The Island. Johanna took no time at all in responding, and we appreciate it.
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In every interview, one always has expectations about what the answers will be. Invariably, we're surprised by some of the answers since occasionally they are far shorter than the questions. Other answers are entirely different than we expected. Both leave us with a better understanding of the person and should remind us that we are watching a heavily edited show that does not give us a complete look into the character of the people we watch. Johanna's thoughts about others in the cast may suggest that we perhaps should not "hate" certain people as much as some of us seem to do.
We did not ask Johanna any questions that we knew she could not contractually answer. (e.g., "who won"). What would be the point? During the rest of the season, we hope to ask her some additional questions that she can only respond to after certain events occur in future episodes.
Here is the interview, just as it was returned to us:
[B]Q1.[/B] During the taping of the Gauntlet 3 reunion show, some people thought you said you would not do another challenge. How did you feel at the time? Why did you decide to do this challenge?
[B]A1.[/B] I never said I wouldn't. People just assumed I wouldn’t because I did not raise my hand when the question was asked. At the time, I didn't think I would do one so soon, but The Island's new theme was intriguing -- plus it is always nice money and a mini vacation.
[B]Q2.[/B] What were your alliance plans before you left LA for Panama?
[B]A2.[/B] I knew it was going to be tough because I wasn't there with my (Austin) cast. I knew I could trust Kenny and Colie.
[B]Q3.[/B] Did your plans change after arriving on The Island and hearing the details --no teams, no missions, the face-offs, etc? If so, how?
[B]A3.[/B] Not at all. I was a little disappointed. I didn't want to sit there and do nothing. It was boring.
[B]Q4.[/B] How many days did you spent in those conditions before the actual shooting began?
[B]A4.[/B] I don't remember. (Editor's note. Does alcohol impair memory?)
[B]Q5.[/B] There were lots of rumors before the challenge about this one being “Survivor style.” Was it what you expected and if not, what did you expect and how did the actual situation differ from your expectations?
[B]A5.[/B] I thought we would all be doing survivor like challenges. Also, I thought we would starve and would be sleeping outside in huts we made. I was sad; I thought it would be a lot tougher.
[B]Q6.[/B] How much of an impact did Tonya going against Abe and Kenny in the first face-off have on the way the women played the game?
[B]A6.[/B] We knew they wouldn't make the challenges that unfair!
[B]Q7.[/B] In your video blog at MTV you take ownership of your relationship with Kenny. Why did you do that blog and what message were you trying to send?
[B]A7.[/B] I wasn't dying to send any message. I live in NYC and (MTV) asked me to come in and talk about the episodes. I don't regret hooking up with Kenny. I am single and young. We are friends who happened to get drunk one night and found comfort in each other in a place and at a time that was particularly hard for people to be in.
[B]Q8.[/B] There are a number of stories on line and the Boca Del Toro newspaper about The Island actually being shot at one of Panama’s major tourist sites. Were you aware of this at the location at the time, and do you think the way the show is produced leads people to be critical of things like the location and the amount of alcohol the cast is seen consuming?
[B]A8.[/B] As far as I knew, we were on a big island; however, we as a cast were very limited in the area we could wonder in, so in the end it didn't matter how touristy it was because we couldn't leave our small area.
[B]Q9.[/B] You recently moved to New York. Does the move signal that you are done with Hollywood? What are you doing now?
[B]A9. [/B] I have a great job at a very good company that I enjoy working for very much. I am done with Hollywood for now. I would probably do other shows in the future because I think the money is good, but it would have to be during my work vacation.
[B]Q10.[/B] Although we are only three episodes into the season, do you have any regrets you can tell us? Is there anything you are proud of that you don’t want us to miss in the show?
[B]A10.[/B] I didn't go to this show with that much desire to win. I went because Colie and Kenny asked me to go so that I could help them get to the end with (my) votes. I guess I regret getting as drunk as I did the first night I kissed Kenny, mainly because I looked like a dork.
[B]Q11.[/B] Will we see Johanna on another challenge?
[B]A11.[/B] Probably
[B]Q12.[/B] In a recent article about an appearance that Paula did on a college campus, she said that you dumped Kenny after the challenge (there were cheers). Is it true that you to are not together? Were you ever a couple?
[B]A12.[/B] We were never a couple. I see Kenny every week. He lives right by me, so we hang out a lot, but we don't hook up now. We did for a bit after the show. We might in the future, because there definitely is an attraction there, but for now were best friends.
[B]Q13. [/B] In one word or phrase, how do you describe each of the cast of The Island? (e.g., Johanna = Sexy)
Tonya Cooley -- changed for the better
Abram Boise -- smart
Dave Malinosky -- alone
Rachel Robinson -- sick body
Ashli Robson -- nice rookie
Tyrie Ballard -- good heart
Kelly Anne Judd -- ballzy
Colie Edison -- amazing and funny
Dan Walsh -- funny as Hell
Jennifer Grijalva -- Sexy
Ryan Kehoe -- the best
Paula Meronek -- the equal best, trustworthy
Cohutta Lee Grindstaff – sweet, good person
Derrick Kosinski -- A father
Robin Hibbard -- good person
Evelyn Smith -- athletic but still young
Dunbar Flinn -- Very intelligent
Kenny Santucci -- funny as Hell and amazing cuddler. Good friend
Johnny Devenanzio -- takes time to like him but when you do, you’re fine
Johanna Botta – (no response)
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Thanks again, Johanna.
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