Koh Lanta – Fouzi: "It’s cruel to make the playoffs"

What were your reasons for joining Koh-Lanta?

Fouzi: Fulfilling a childhood dream. When we were little, we used to meet in front of the TV every Friday to watch the series as a family. Then, during my holidays in Algeria, I tried to retake the water tests and fish… I remember promising my mom that when I grow up I would sign up for Koh-Lanta and make her proud (laughs). I also wanted to convey a good image of my dual culture, its richness, its integration and to break down prejudices.

What aspects of the show did you find most difficult?

relationship to hunger. I lost 15 kilos in 33 days of survival! I even needed a walking stick on the last day of the adventure! (laughs)

Didn’t you find it unfair to be sent to the qualifying test while not losing the comfort test?

It was a cold shower… It’s okay if I finished last, but I finished fourth there, which is quite an honor. Looking back, I find it cruel to take the curse when it wasn’t designed for me, but at the time, I didn’t blame Bastien at all for appointing me, I just said to myself ‘fight, you’ll get there’. ‘. Here I see that I have succeeded in my adventure by maintaining a positive attitude no matter what.

What do you think of Amber’s arguments about sending Jean-Charles to the playoffs?

I was so surprised. I only understood 50% of your choice. On the one hand, Jean-Charles expressed his desire to be put in danger to prove his combativeness, but on the other hand, it is true that he is part of the red alliance, it is a unifying factor… That’s why I was curious. For example, he had not chosen a Nicolas. It was an opportunity to eliminate a Yellow.

At this stage of the game, weren’t you suspicious of the Greens deal within the Reds alliance?

Yes, I was a bit skeptical, but as we’ve seen with the elimination of Louana (former green), sometimes bonds of friendship can extend beyond existing agreements, so anything is possible.

What do you think of Nicolas’ spy role?

It suited us strategically, but I personally thought it was totally crazy to take this position (laughs). It’s a dangerous game, he’s shooting himself in the foot because we’re all aiming for the final on Koh-Lanta and I don’t see how you can get away with it against the final judges…

How did you approach the qualifying round?

I was super motivated but disappointed when I saw that this is a game of diligence and patience. This is the kind of challenge I’m usually afraid of because I’m pretty clumsy in everyday life (laughs). I even threw the stick out of anger for a while, but I pulled myself together so as not to regret it.

What’s more complicated than eviction on the board or in the playoffs?

The cruelest thing is to take a qualifying exam, but it’s also the noblest way to leave, because no one has put out my torch and betrayed me.

You drew the wrath of internet users after the comments about the food sharing between men and women…

Those who know me know that I am not that kind of person. It’s a series that’s been caught in the media, taken out of context, and people are drawing wrong conclusions from it. It touched me, but what upset me the most was seeing my father defending me on social networks to tell me that I am not sexist. It kept me awake for two or three days.

You often talk about your loved ones during the match, what did they think about your career?

They are very proud of me. My dad is a college professor and he tells me every day his students talk to him more about me than his lectures! He uses Koh-Lanta to get their attention (laughs). I know that I will disappoint my relatives because they believe that I will go all the way, I am a little afraid of their reaction (laughs).

Sarah Ibri