Pre-game interviews

• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (9/5/24): "Andy Rueda Says Idols are Overrated"
• Rob Cesternino & Mike Bloom at RHAP (9/8/24): "Survivor 47 Pre-Game Day 4: Andy & Anika"

Post-game interviews

• Dalton Ross at EW.com (12/12/24): "Survivor 47 star Andy Rueda says Sue 'wanted my head on a spike'"
• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (12/12/24): "Survivor 47's Andy Rueda Says He Doesn't Regret Carrying Out 'Operation: Italy'"
• Rob Cesternino at RHAP (12/12/24): "Exit Interviews: Sixth and Seventh Jurors Voted Out Survivor 47"

Official CBS Survivor 47 bio excerpts, (September 4, 2024), as preserved by Mike Bloom at Parade.com:

"Three words to describe you: Frenetic, warm, creative

...

What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game? Can I say the casting process itself? I was a finalist last cycle, and it was a very emotional challenge to get so close and not know if I would ever get another shot. But I made the best decision possible. I gave myself back to my life, and lived my fullest, most substantial year so far. I thrived in my education and career, got to know myself in deeper ways, and fell in love with my amazing girlfriend, Shannon.

Which previous player do you identify with the most? Who do you think you will play most like? I identify the most with Yul (wow, flattering myself) for being a triple threat Goliath and truly inspirational Asian representation. I think I’ll play most like Omar — though he didn’t win, I think he demonstrated the optimal, most respectable blueprint for a good New Era game; prioritizing social capital, information, and options in a way that sustains a manageable threat level.

What will you value in an alliance partner? I want someone who is not willing to win at all costs, and that is susceptible to true loyalty. I need this person to want to take me to the end, even if they’re not sure they can beat me. This can either be some moral compass they bring in the game, or because they just love me that much.

Favorite hobbies: Minesweeper, road trips even though I can’t drive, being a k-pop stan.

Pet peeves: [People obsessed with grammar], people walking directly behind me, cherry-picked statistics.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Leaving my data analyst job in big tech to get my masters in a field of AI that I am very passionate about. During my studies, I got a research paper published as a first author, and an award for Outstanding Achievement in Computational Linguistics.

What is something we would never know from looking at you? I come across as very carefree, but underneath is an extremely intense, constant, and often excessive amount of hyper-active thinking. I’m able to overthink how to tie my own shoes. In the game, I will focus a lot of energy towards taking deep breaths and trusting my instincts.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? My maternal grandfather for serving in WWI, and for being one of the few Democrats on either side of my family.

Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I feel like I’m two good players smushed into one. My two great powers are my ability to charm and disarm people from all walks of life, and my ability to crunch numbers in a pinch. I’m confident I can always find the right vote-split/plurality option, and I can use my social bonds to execute on it."