Survivor season 49 castaway Jawan Pitts says his exit from the game was such a whirlwind that he barely remembers it. “I was so out of it,” the Los Angeles-based video editor, 28, exclusive tells Men’s Journal, admitting he blacked out at Tribal Council and didn’t realize he accidentally grabbed Rizo [Velovic]‘s torch on his way out.
Jawan breaks down that chaotic moment, reflects on the pressure he carried throughout the season, and shares how the experience changed the way he sees his own game.
Scroll down to read the full exit interview with Jawan.
Men’s Journal: I’ve watched and read a lot of your exit interviews already, so I get to ask some follow-ups. First, as a professional video editor, what was it like watching your Survivor story unfold on TV? Anything different than you expected?
Jawan Pitts: At first I was annoyed because I thought I was going to get the goofball clown edit. But looking at the bigger picture, I knew what it was building toward—me versus Savannah [Louie]. It made me appreciate it more. As a storyteller, I was like, “I see what you’re doing, and it’s cool.”
Men’s Journal: What about Tribal Council specifically? Did the edit match your memory?
Jawan: Your boy was feeling confident at that Tribal. And I relate to when players say they black out when they get voted out. It happened to me. I don’t remember saying “Who did this?” or standing up to hug people. I think that’s why I grabbed Rizo’s torch on the way out—I was so out of it. Watching it back, I was like, “Yeah, that’s so me. I’m a goofball, and I’m glad I went out like that.”
Men’s Journal: Who do you ultimately credit with getting you out?
Jawan: Definitely Yellow Sophie [Segreti]. People slept on her. In the pre-merge she was still a fierce competitor. She and Sage had a big connection, and anytime I doubted trusting her, Sage trusted her. And since Sage had saved me on the Shannon [Fairweather] vote, I trusted Sage. It was a blind spot.
Men’s Journal: You and Sage flipped a couple of times. What was your actual long-term plan? Were you loyal to one side or taking it day-by-day?
Jawan: My goal was to protect Sage and Steven [Ramm]. Those were my people. Ideally at the merge I wanted Rizo there too. I had a hit list of the “cool kids”: Nate [Moore], Savannah, Rizo. But the new era is crazy. The split vote changed everything. The guy on my hit list was suddenly stranded with me holding an idol and upset with me. Everyone I’d just made a move with was involved. And Savannah comes riding in on a chariot. Everything shifted. My goal wasn’t to be flip-floppy. Every decision was, “How do I win money for my siblings?” Am I the best game player? No. Am I flawed? Yes. But given the information I had, that’s why I played the way I did.
Men’s Journal: You’re self-deprecating at times, but you also have this “king shark” side. How did you balance that?
Jawan: At my first Tribal I was fumbling because I was so enamored with being on Survivor after trying to get on for years. But once I got my footing, I realized I liked playing up for the cameras. I saw Jeff [Probst]‘s eyes light up. That gave me confidence—maybe too much. And then Sage told me at the Shannon vote, “They don’t like you.” I was like, “Oh, I’m bad at Survivor.”
Men’s Journal: You’ve mentioned the MC [Chukwujekwu] vote weighing heavily on you. Walk me through your headspace there.
Jawan: MC confided in me, and I hurt her. There are so many variables you don’t understand until you’re in it. If I could go back, maybe I’d do things differently. My intent wasn’t to target her—I was trying to get Sophie out. And something I haven’t said before: right before Tribal, Sage asked me, “Is there any way we can vote Rizo tonight?” I shot her down. I said a Hina had to go and I wanted Sophie. She was cool with Sophie. She really did want Rizo that night, and I was scared to pull the trigger.
Men’s Journal: There’s also been discussion about the pressure you felt regarding MC. Did that feel unfair?
Jawan: Yeah. I’m a people pleaser, and I don’t like ruffling feathers. But I did feel like I had a different weight than most of my cast. My boys got no heat for taking out MC or Alex [Moore]. As a Black man on Survivor, there are expectations that others don’t have. Not an excuse—just reality. If I had an idol, I would’ve done a Maryanne [Oketch] or Drea [Wheeler] moment and given it to her. But those weren’t the cards I had.
Men’s Journal: How are your relationships now with your original Uli tribe?
Jawan: We’re not all best friends, but I’m grateful. Sage is a lifelong friend. Shannon checks up on me a lot. Even me and Savannah—we’re trying to unpack things. Survivor is a reality show, not a documentary. I believe she’s a good person and good TV. Me and Rizo were bro-ing all the time; they didn’t show it. Nate too—we don’t talk a lot, but I respect him. I’m grateful I got to play with such special people.
Men’s Journal: With Savannah, do you think she misunderstood you or misread your intentions?
Jawan: We’re just two different people. When you’re starving and tired, things get magnified. Plus, she did a great job not letting me know she didn’t like me. It was obvious on TV, but I had no idea until Sage clocked it every minute.
Men’s Journal: One more game moment I want to ask about: Kristina [Mills] giving you her chicken reward. Did you feel guilt since you didn’t vote with her later at that Tribal?
Jawan: Of course. I felt guilty. I cared about Kristina, but we had so little time together. Trust is currency, and we didn’t have time to build it. Meanwhile, I had longer relationships with Rizo and Savannah. Kristina’s a good person, but we didn’t have enough time to build that bond.
Men’s Journal: Last question: Would you play Survivor again?
Jawan: There are probably 15 people ahead of me on that list in the new era. But personally? I need time to heal. I’m not totally out of it, but I need some Jawan time.
