S32: Kaoh Rong
S34: Game ChangersChallenges: MPF percentile
70%
Seasons: 2 | Days played: 77 | Wins: 0 | Final Three: 1 | Jury: 1
- Survivor 32: Kaoh Rong (2016) - 3rd place, no jury votes.
- Received zero jury votes to finish 3rd (5-2-0), in Episode 14, "Not Going Down Without A Fight."
- Survivor 34: Game Changers (2017) - 4th place, 17th out - 10th juror.
- Voted out in Episode 14, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" (Day 38).
| Challenge stats | Tribal council stats | Jury stats | Overall stats | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | ChW | ChA | ChW% | VFB | VAP | TCA | TC% | wTCR | JVF | TotJ | JV% | SurvSc | SurvAv |
| S32: Kaoh Rong | 3.11 | 13.40 | 0.23 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 0.55 | 1.94 | 0 | 7 | 0.00 | 0.78 | 5.05 |
| S34: Game Changers | 1.85 | 12.81 | 0.14 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 0.69 | 1.38 | - | - | - | 0.83 | 3.23 |
| Career | 4.95 | 26.21 | 0.19 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 0.63 | 1.61 | 0 | 7 | 0.00 | 0.82 | 4.09 |
Tai Trang - Performance ranks
Tribal: VFB% percentile
54%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
83%
Challenges: MPF percentile
72%
Tribal: VFB% percentile
70%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
71%
Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:
1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";
2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and
3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."
See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.
Tai Trang - Challenge record
Tribal/team challenge record (6-for-12; 2 2nds; 1 sit-out):
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Wooden Ships" - Dives, paddles, and Beauty beats Brawn by one puzzle piece (2nd*/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Dragging the River" - Carries the log, pulls in the string, and Beauty wins! (1st/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Rice Race" - Places the second ball for Beauty, and Beauty wins! (1st/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 4 RC: "Dig It" - Races and digs, but Beauty finishes second, loses Caleb (2nd*/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 4 IC: "Snake, Rattle and Roll" - Sits out of another second-place Beauty finish (2nd/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 5 IC: "New School" - Now with New Gondol, unties and carries fish pieces, and Gondol loses.
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 6 RC: "B, B & B" - Helps move the buoys in to shore, and eventually, Gondol wins.
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 6 IC: "Get Over It" - Final stacker in Gondol's ill-advised stacking strategy; Gondol loses.
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 8 RC: "United We Stand" - Part of the utterly mismatched winning team, with Julia, Nick, Debbie, Scot.
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 9 RC: "Knot Your Fault" - Part of the winning team, with Jason, Julia, and Scot.
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 11 RC: "The Hook>" - Paired with Joe, who does surprisingly well, but does not win (2nd/3).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 12 RC: "Weight and Sea" - Part of the winning team, with Jason and Michele.
Individual challenge record (1-for-10): (Mean % finish: 63.5%)
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 7 IC: "Rollerballs" - Second person to drop out in the final round (2nd/11).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 8 IC: "Uncomfortably Numb" - Outlasts even Cydney, and Tai wins! (1st/10).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 9 IC: "Backed Up" - One of several people to not win (tie-2nd/9).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 10 IC: "This Much" - Fourth person to drop out, 25 minutes in (5th/8).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 11 IC: "Running the Numbers" - One of several people back re-checking symbols at the end (tie-3rd/7).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 12 IC: "Got a Hunch" - One of several people to drop his stack, not win (tie-2nd/6).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 13 RC: "5x5" - Lands zero sandbags, then has to wait as Joe finishes (5th/5).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 14 F4 RC: "Home Stretch" - Working on the combination lock as Aubry wins (tie-2nd/4).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 14 IC: "Gimme Three Steps" - Has a lead on the final puzzle layer, but just loses (2nd/4).
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 14 F3 RC: "Stacked Up" - Gets close a few times, but keeps knocking over his stack (tie-2nd/3).
Hero challenge/ duel record (1-for-1): (Mean % finish: 100%)
- Kaoh Rong Ep. 10 RC: "Free Will" - Outlasts everyone overall, wins advantage (1st/3).
Tribal/team challenge record (5-for-13):
- Game Changers Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Blue Lagoon Bustle" - Crosses various obstacles, digs up a bag, and Nuku wins!
- Game Changers Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Serpent Turf" - Hauls the giant snake, and Nuku wins again.
- Game Changers Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Austin's EOC" - Crosses obstacles with Debbie & Caleb; new Mana loses (3rd/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 4 IC: "Ow Pairs" - Collects bags for Mana, but Mana loses.
- Game Changers Ep. 5 RC: "Unchained Medley" - Digs up ball bags; Mana loses (3rd/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 5 IC: "Box Car Blues" - Carries sandbags over the beam, and Mana wins (1st/3).
- Game Changers Ep. 6 IC: "Cargo Salvage" - Now with Nuku, hauls stuff, but Nuku loses.
- Game Changers Ep. 7 RC: "Dulcimer Stomp" - Untie the ladder puzzle planks, and Nuku wins.
- Game Changers Ep. 7 IC: "Plunge, Pop, Pull" - Pulls the raft along for Nuku, but Nuku loses.
- Game Changers Ep. 9 RC: "New School" - With Andrea, hooks fish and carries the pole for the winning team.
- Game Changers Ep. 10 RC: "O Black Water" - Crosses water obstacles for the losing team.
- Game Changers Ep. 11 RC: "Angry Chair" - Helps haul people in the chair, for the losing team.
- Game Changers Ep. 12 RC: "Full Tilt Boogey" - Part of the losing blue team, with Sarah and Michaela.
Individual challenge record (1-for-10): (Mean % finish: 64.3%)
- Game Changers, Ep. 8 IC: "Keep on Your Toes" - Outlasts all but Andrea (2nd/13).
- Game Changers, Ep. 9 IC: "Get a Grip" - Lasts over 1 hr, 35 min, outlasting Ozzy, and Tai wins! (1st/12).
- Game Changers Ep. 10 IC: "Got a Hunch" - One of ten people to not beat Troyzan (tie-2nd/11).
- Game Changers Ep. 11 IC: "High Step and Stack" - One of nine people to not beat Andrea (tie-2nd/10).
- Game Changers Ep. 12 IC: "Can't Buoy Me Love" - Final person to drop out, over 18 minutes in (2nd/9).
- Game Changers Ep. 13 F8 IC: "Teeter Tower" - One of several people to not beat Aubry (tie-2nd/8).
- Game Changers Ep. 13 F7 IC: "Vertigo" - One of several people who does not beat Brad (tie-2nd/8).
- Game Changers Ep. 14 F6 IC: "Maybe I'm A Maze" - Second to reach the puzzle stage, but does not win (tie-3rd/6).
- Game Changers Ep. 14 F5 IC: "Spoon Man" - One of four people not to place a single ball (tie-2nd/5).
- Game Changers Ep. 14 F4 IC: "Final Four-titude" - Third to the puzzle, but nearly catches Brad (2nd/4).
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-1; 1 2nd):
- Game Changers Ep. 4 RC: "Ram-Ball On" - Navigates obstacles for Mana, who finish second (2nd*/3). (Officially a Hero challenge, scored like a duel, because only two people per tribe competed.)
Career totals - challenges
| Wins: | 11 |
| 2nd place: | 2 |
| Played: | 25 |
| Win%: | 0.48 |
| Sat out: | 1 |
| Wins: | 2 |
| Played: | 20 |
| Win%: | 0.10 |
| Mean% Finish: | 63.9% |
| Wins: | 1 |
| 2nd place: | 1 |
| Played: | 2 |
| Win%: | 0.00 |
| Mean% Finish: | 75% |
Tai Trang - Tribal Council record
Idols held/played (1/0) | Advantages held/played (1/1):
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 2: Finds an idol clue, idol location, and key location, but can't release the key.
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 3: Finally retrieves the key and unlocks the idol, despite losing the tool.
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 9: Displays his idol at Tribal, gets handed Jason's as well, but plays neither.
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 10: Wins the extra vote advantage at the Reward Challenge.
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 12: Uses his extra vote to cast two throwaway votes against Michele.
VFB - Votes for the person booted (5/9*):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep5 | Anna | Anna Khait (voted out, 5-1) | Yes |
| Ep6 | Peter | Peter Baggenstos (voted out, 4-2) | Yes |
| Ep8 | Jason | Nick Maiorano (voted out, 6-2-1-1) | - |
| Ep9 | Cydney | Debbie Wanner (voted out, 4-3-2) | - |
| Ep10 | Scot | Scot Pollard (voted out, 4-2-2) | Yes |
| Ep11 | Julia | Julia Sokolowski (voted out, 5-2) | Yes |
| Ep12 | Michele, Michele* | Kyle Jason (voted out, 4-2-1) | -, -* |
| Ep14 | Cydney | Cydney Gillon (voted out, 2-2; fire) | Yes |
| 9* | TOTALS | 5 | |
*Tai used his extra vote advantage to vote twice (both incorrectly) in Ep.12: 2 TCA, 0 VFB
VAP - Votes against (4):
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 10: Two votes, from Julia and Michele.
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 11: Two votes, from Julia and Jason.
Jury votes received (0/7):
- Kaoh Rong, Ep. 14: Received zero jury votes, finished third (5-2-0).
Idols held/played: (3/3; 9 votes voided)
- Game Changers, Ep. 4: Shortly before the dual Tribal Council, Tai finds the Mana clue, then idol (Day 11). He gives it to Sierra at Tribal Council, and she correctly plays it (6 votes voided; Day 11).
- Game Changers, Ep. 5: Finds a clue to another idol, but not the idol itself (Day 12).
- Game Changers, Ep. 6: Uses the clue early in the morning to find the Mana idol (Day 14).
- Game Changers, Ep. 6: Swapped to Nuku, uses the same clue to find their idol, hours later (Day 14).
- Game Changers, Ep. 14 (F6 vote): Played an idol for himself (voiding votes from Sarah and Troyzan), and one for Aubry (voiding a vote from Brad), temporarily saving himself and Aubry, due to Sarah's Legacy Advantage play (Day 36).
VFB - Votes for the person booted (9/13):
| Tribal | Voted | Boot (totals) | VFB? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep3 | Caleb | Caleb Reynolds (voted out, 5-1) | Yes |
| Ep4 | Malcolm | Malcolm Freberg (idoled out, [0]-5) | Yes |
| Ep6 | Sandra | Sandra Diaz-Twine (voted out, 5-2) | Yes |
| Ep7 | Varner | Jeff Varner (voted out, 6-0) | Yes |
| Ep8 | Hali | Hali Ford (voted out, 7-4-2) | Yes |
| Ep9 | Ozzy | Ozzy Lusth (voted out, 7-4-1-1) | Yes |
| Ep10 | Andrea | Debbie Wanner (voted out, 6-5) | - |
| Ep11 | Sierra | Zeke Smith (voted out, 5-3-2) | - |
| Ep12 | Sierra | Sierra Dawn Thomas (voted out, 6-3) | Yes |
| Ep13 (F8) | Andrea | Andrea Boehlke (voted out, 6-2) | Yes |
| Ep13 (F7) | -* | Michaela Bradshaw (voted out, 4-2-1) | - |
| Ep14 (F6) | Sarah | Cirie Fields (idoled out, 0-0-0; not immune) | - |
| Ep14 (F5) | Aubry | Aubry Bracco (voted out, 4-1) | Yes |
| Ep14 (F4) | Troyzan | Tai Trang (voted out, 3-1) | - |
| 13 | TOTALS | 9 | |
*Tai was present at the F7 Tribal, but unable to vote, thanks to Sarah's vote steal advantage; no TCA charged
VAP - Votes against (10):
- Game Changers, Ep. 6: Two votes, from Sandra and Varner.
- Game Changers, Ep. 11: Three votes, from Brad, Sierra, and Troyzan.
- Game Changers, Ep. 13 (F7 vote): Two votes, from Aubry and Michaela.
- Game Changers, Ep. 14 (F4 vote): Three votes, from Brad, Sarah, and Troyzan (voted out, 3-1).
Jury votes made (1/1):
- Game Changers, Ep. 14: Voted for Sarah Lacina, who won (7-3-0).
Career totals - Tribal Council
| Advantages held/played: | 1/1 |
| Idols found: | 5 |
| Idols played: | 3 |
| Votes voided: | 9 |
| VFB: | 14 |
| Tribals: | 22* |
| VAP: | 14 |
| Made: | 1 |
| For winners: | 1 |
| Received: | 0 |
| Total jurors: | 7 |
Tai Trang - Pictures
-
Kaoh Rong intro shot -
Kaoh Rong intro shot -
Bonus Kaoh Rong intro shot -
On the boat, Day 1 -
Confessional about wanting a gay, Asian guy who's 51 years old to win Survivor -
Climbing a tree, terrifying Michele -
Why am I on the Beauty tribe? -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC -
Directing the boat-pushing effort -
Beauty tribe finally reaches the puzzle -
Yay, second place -
Still worried about his position in the tribe, Ep2 -
Off to look for idols, but first... -
Clued up, partially at least -
#Cuddlicious -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Hauling log -
Watching the shots -
Beauty wins! -
Early Ep3, have to get that idol -
Key in hand, time for the idol -
So many instructions -
Finally, with another hashtag as a bonus -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Maneuvering the ball -
Beauty wins! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Dying -
Watching Caleb play skee-ball -
Watching medical tend to Caleb -
Beauties say goodbye to Caleb -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep5 -
Buff dropped, ready to swap -
The new Gondol tribe -
Back in camp with new tribemates -
Buttering up the new tribemates -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Hauling the fish, with Joe -
The losing Gondols -
It's either me or Anna. Good thing I have an idol. -
Gondol tribe, Ep5 Tribal Council -
Listening to Anna -
Greeting old/new tribemate Julia, pre-Ep6 RC -
Watching Scot shoot baskets -
Reward feasting -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 IC -
Working on the stack -
Plotting to take out Peter -
Gondol tribe, Ep6 Tribal Council -
Listening to Peter -
Arguing with Mark the chicken, early Ep7 -
Merge feasting -
Happy about the merge -
Getting approached by Debbie -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 IC -
Still going... -
...and done -
Hanging out with Mark, early Ep8 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 RC -
Yellow team wins! -
Reward feasting -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 IC -
Already uncomfortable -
Down to two -
Tai wins immunity! -
Back to quality time with Mark -
Dara tribe, Ep8 Tribal Council -
Listening to Michele -
Telling Jason he voted for Debbie -
I'm not very good at lying -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 RC -
Yellow team wins! -
Reward feasting -
Evil Tai emerges -
Starting line, Ep9 IC -
Dara tribe, Ep9 Tribal Council -
Showing off his idol -
It has a brother! -
Celebrating the idol show, early Ep10 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 RC -
Ep10 RC, now in progress -
Down to Tai vs. Aubry -
Receiving the advantage -
Confessional about the advantage -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 IC -
Congratulating Jason -
Dara tribe, Ep10 Tribal Council -
No Superidol tonight -
Celebrating with Aubry -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 RC -
Retrieving the final ring -
Watching Joe just miss the winning shot -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 IC -
Memorizing stuff -
Dara tribe, Ep11 Tribal Council -
Listening to Julia -
Asking Aubry if he should play his idol (nope) -
Telling Aubry and Joe about his advantage/idol plans, early Ep12 -
I should make it to the final four -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 RC -
Moving the balls around -
Blue team wins reward! -
Excited to be going to the animal reserve, but worried about missing out at camp -
Reward feasting -
Even Lucky the Elephant likes Tai -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 IC -
Re-stacking -
Trying to catch up to Cydney -
I think Michele is a bigger threat than Jason. Now I need to convince the others -
Dara tribe, Ep12 Tribal Council -
Getting talked over by Michele -
Playing the advantage -
The second vote is also for Michele -
Joe explains the Jason boot, early Ep13 -
They completely left me out of the loop -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep13 RC -
Waiting for Joe to finish -
Got nothing for ya -
A man and his chicken -
Joe discusses his physical problems -
Saying goodbye to Joe -
Worried about Mark waking people up, early Ep14 -
Reaffirming the alliance with Aubry -
Pre-challenge lineup, F4 RC -
Crossing the seesaw -
Stuck at camp with Michele while Aubry and Cydney feast -
Pre-challenge lineup, F4 IC -
Working the puzzle -
Michele wins -
Making sure Aubry knows how to make fire -
Final four Tribal Council -
Watching the fire-building tiebreaker -
Pre-challenge lineup, F3 reward challenge -
You *are* the final 3 -
Getting closer -
I really want the million dollars -
At the jury removal Tribal Council -
Cheers! Morning 39 -
Heading to Final Tribal, with Mark -
Ready to face the jury -
Here we go... -
Going through the idol find and advantage play -
Final four Tribal Council -
Reunion show, F3 and jury -
Waiting for the vote reveal -
Michele wins -
Full cast, reunion show
-
Game Changers intro shot -
Game Changers intro shot -
Bonus Game Changers intro shot -
On the boat, Day 1 -
Made it to camp -
Hugs -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC -
Watching Debbie unlock stuff -
Watching the puzzle stage -
Nuku wins! -
Tai and the chickens, Ep2 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Hauling asp -
Almost to the table -
Nuku wins again! -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep3 -
The new Mana tribe -
Good news, Caleb, you're safe -
Nothing can go wrong now! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Watching the puzzle stage -
The losing Manas -
Mana, Ep3 Tribal Council -
The Kaoh Rong three -
Post-Tribal discussion, Ep4 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Finally handing it off to Brad -
Mana takes second! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Watching the table maze -
We have to go to Tribal with Nuku? -
Strategy chatting -
Time to look for an idol -
Ah, there's the actual idol -
Sharing his find with the tribe -
Mana and Nuku, Ep4 Tribal Council -
Listening to Brad -
Giving his idol to Sierra -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 RC -
Digging up bags -
Listening to Debbie -
Well, Hali *was* better on the balance beam -
Time to look for another idol -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Watching Sierra shoot -
Mana wins! -
The idol hunt resumes, Ep6 -
Success! -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep6 -
The new new Nuku tribe -
That was quick -
Two idols in one episode! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 IC -
Pushing the sled -
Whoops -
Might need to use an idol tonight -
Nuku, Ep6 Tribal Council -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 RC -
Nuku wins! -
Nuku, ready for 10 pizzas -
Cheers! -
Starting line, Ep7 IC -
Watching the word puzzle -
The losing Nukus -
Nuku, Ep7 Tribal Council -
Varner tries to get everyone to vote Ozzy -
Objecting to Varner outing Zeke -
Talking to Probst -
Pre-merge lineup, Ep8 -
Excluded from the merge feasting, with Brad -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 IC -
Whoops... -
Congratulating Andrea -
Maku Maku, Ep8 Tribal Council -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 RC -
Hauling fish, with Andrea -
Blue team wins! -
Waxing poetic about streaking -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 IC -
Showdown with Ozzy -
Tai wins immunity! -
Maku Maku, Ep9 Tribal Council -
Listening to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 RC -
Helping Cirie finish -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 IC -
D'oh! -
Alliance meeting -
Maku Maku, Ep10 Tribal Council -
Hauling Michaela, Ep11 RC -
Watching the puzzle stage -
The losing red team -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 IC -
Maku Maku, Ep11 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 RC -
Introducing Probst to Mark the Human -
Starting line -
Commisserating with Michaela -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep12 IC -
Still going... -
Maku Maku, Ep12 Tribal Council -
Pre-challenge lineup, F8 IC -
Stacking -
Maku Maku, Ep13 F8 Tribal Council -
So long, Andrea -
Checking in with Aubry -
Pre-challenge lineup, F7 IC -
Heading to the beach -
About to get the hard sell from Cirie -
Maku Maku, Ep13 F7 Tribal Council -
Pre-finale check-in with Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, F6 RC/IC -
Not picked to join Brad on reward feast -
Getting bossed around -
Screw you guys, I'm going back to Aubry -
Getting support from Aubry and Cirie -
Maku Maku, F6 Tribal Council -
Hold up, Probst... -
Playing two idols -
Oh no... sorry, Cirie -
Pre-challenge lineup, F5 IC -
Starting line -
Maku Maku, F5 Tribal Council -
Listening to Aubry -
Pre-challenge lineup, F4 IC -
Trying to catch up to Brad -
Hooray, Brad won again -
Trying to work with Sarah -
Maku Maku, F4 Tribal Council -
The final member of our jury... -
Snuffed, Day 38 (Episode 14) -
With the jury, Final Tribal Council -
Listening to Andrea -
Reunion show, waiting for the vote reveal -
Full cast, reunion show
Tai Trang - Interviews
Pre-game interviews
- CBS "Meet the cast" video (YouTube)
- Jeff Probst's Kaoh Rong cast assessment (YouTube)
Post-game interviews
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (5/19/16): "Kaoh Rong Final 3 Interview Special"
- Dalton Ross at EW.com (5/19/16): "Tai reacts to getting all that surprise money from Sia"
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (5/19/16): "Tai Trang Marks His Journey"
- Gordon Holmes at XfinityTV.com (5/20/16): "Runners-Up Aubry and Tai Discuss Final Tribal and the $100,000 Chicken"
Pre-game interviews
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (2/22/17): "Tai Trang Is Up for Another Game of Chicken"
- Gordon Holmes at XfinityTV.com (2/28/17): "Tai: 'I'm Not the Flip-Flop Guy. If You Worked With Jason and Scot, You'd Want to Flip on Them Too'"
- CBS Game Changers pre-game interview (YouTube)
Post-game interviews
- Dalton Ross at EW.com (5/25/17): "Tai says he and Brad are 'friends for life'"
- Josh Wigler at Parade.com (5/25/17): "Tai Trang Talks About His Idol Philosophy"
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (5/25/17): "Survivor: Game Changers Winner & Final 6 Exit Interviews"
Tai Trang - Bios
Excerpts from his official CBS Survivor: Kaoh Rong cast bio page: (1/20/16)
"Inspiration in Life: My parents. They worked so hard to provide for 11 of my siblings. During and after the Vietnam war, we were so poor, we had to eat plain rice with soy sauce for months. Somehow they managed to get us all on a fishing boat to escape Communism and luckily we all survived 11 days on the open ocean. In an Indonesian refugee camp, my mom made and sold one cookie at a time to earn extra money for her children. They are the ones that taught me self-reliance and my mom always reminds me “If you have health and both hands, you can never go to sleep cold or hungry.”
If You Could Have 3 Things on the Island What Would They Be and Why? Coffee-my life necessity, I grew up loving Vietnamese coffee since I was 3 years old; a razor- I like to shave my head and face to feel young (a survival must) and clean; “The Windup Bird Chronicle,” it’s a surreal Japanese fiction that would relax me.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: Spencer, I like his positive spirit and determination to survive in given situations, and Bob Crowley, because we’re both older, nice, likable players with non-threatening demeanors who work hard.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: Growing up poor and without many of life’s comforts, I have the physical and mental stamina to survive in harsh environments. I’m determined and never give up till I get what I’m after. I am short and non-threatening, most people seem to like me and often are drawn to me for whatever reason. I am genuinely nice and will treat everyone well (but don’t cross me, not even once). I will do whatever it takes to become the Sole Survivor. Even though it’ll be difficult and devastating to betray my alliance, my ultimate goal is to win. I want to be a winner that everyone thinks is a little odd, but endearing, who plays a smart and interesting game with some spicy drama."
Excerpts from his official CBS Game Changers bio page (2/8/17):
"How have you changed since the last time you played? After playing and watching my season unfold, I am more aware and appreciative of how complex Survivor is. I see my pitfalls and how I can improve. It's a delicate balance of being true to oneself and developing trust and friendships, while at the same time knowing who I think I can beat at the end.
I hope I have not become jaded or less trustful now. Each game is unique with its own dynamics and I just need to be open and see where it takes me. I need the knowledge from my past season, but not baggage. Survivor is so great and winning is my ultimate goal.
What are you most proud of from the last time? Blindsiding Scot [and] Jason, and sending Scot home. I am proud that I broke away from their alliance to have a voice and played my own game. Deciding on my own destiny resulted in making the Final 3. And, yes, I am so happy to have saved Mark, the chicken. I worked really hard foraging for food so others didn't eat him. I am also proud to bring awareness to how we humans need to take care of our environment and have compassion for other living things.
How will you play differently this time? I am much more confident about the game now. I know I have a lot to offer and I can get along with everyone; now it's time to create strong relationships. It's good to have friends in both an alliance and on the Jury. I will be much more observant and aware of my position within the rest of the tribe. I need to be more flexible and fluid in this ever-changing game of strategy, focusing on the bigger picture of winning the game rather than personal friendships. Most of all, I would like to be myself, take risks, and have fun hanging with all these big Survivor legends."