In the new era of Survivor you often find me complaining on X (Twitter) about the player’s stories. But this week’s feature is someone who shared her story of her struggles as a Black, queer woman, AND survived a cult and the estrangement of her mother?

Now THAT is a SURVIVOR story. I am so thrilled to share my interview with a fan favourite, and a SIA favourite the illustrious Katurah Topps! I sat down and asked the Survivor 45 finalist about her feud with Bruce, and her representation on the show. And we of course chat about music, film and what’s next for her.

1. Okay let’s start with something I am DYING to know, how goes the rivalry with Bruce? 

Funnily enough, it was never a rivalry! While it looked like that on the show, in reality Bruce just treated me really poorly, repeatedly, in the first half of the game and it took a large toll on me. I knew before going into the game to prepare for all personality types–including men who feel comfortable talking down to and being blatantly disrespectful to a woman like me– but Bruce just took this to a whole other level, that to date, is still incredibly shocking to me. And after days of being the sole target of Bruce’s ever-escalating hostility, insults, comments about my appearance, yelling, and more, his actions made it abundantly clear that he would never work with or respect me–so getting him out was my only option, both from a strategic level and for my mental health. (And of course, venting about him in my confessionals along the way helped ease my frustration LOL). 

2. Since today is #TMITuesday can you tell the readers something they may not already know about you? Your story was so moving on Survivor, but perhaps you have a special talent,like juggling? Tap dancing? 

First, thank you for saying that about my story. I’m so proud that I gathered the courage to share the story of my childhood in an extreme religious cult. I remember being absolutely terrified to share even a snippet of it (I was TREMBLING the entire time) because it was a secret that I’d kept for the last 20 years! I’d been climbing the corporate ladder and eventually became this incredibly established NYC civil rights lawyer… and the whole time no one knew that I’d spent years forced into childhood indentured servitude and that after years of this, at 13 years old, required to enter into a marriage, with a 68 year old man. Survivor was the first time I’d even said the words “I was raised in a cult…forced to go years without education.. and child bride” outloud; and of course, it was the one time nearly 10 million people were watching me! 

But that brings me to my second point, I think my special talent is connecting with people. I have such a unique background that in about 90% of cases I can walk into a room full of strangers and by the time we leave the room, have connected to them in some way. And I love that skill because I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, sharing stories, supporting each other and laughing together; it’s why I knew I’d do well on Survivor. Because in essence, most people just want to be seen, heard, and feel understood-–and given all my identities, child cult survivor turned NYC lawyer, Black person, woman, older daughter, first generation college student, and many more, trust me, I understand those desires more than most. 

Oh yea, and I also speak French ! People are always shocked to learn that, but I’ve studied the language for over a decade and spent years living in France in my 20s. 

3. How did you think you would be perceived on the show when you were on the island (during filming/competing), and how has that changed after seeing you were such a fan favourite and such an incredible game player?

Honestly, I did not think about how the public would perceive me; my sole focus was surviving the game and navigating my tribe’s perception of me!

I knew walking into the game, I was already at a disadvantage just being a Black woman—historically in Survivor, women, and especially women of color, are voted out early or seen as “the easy vote out.” Not to mention, Black women in particular have been repeatedly seen as “aggressive, threatening, scary, or intimidating” for things as simple as displaying strength, intellect, or having emotions. (In the 24 years of it airing, a Black woman has only won Survivor twice –insanely morbid odds, right?– and both times it was after each woman created the perception that they were simple, nonthreatening characters). Knowing this, I believed my best odds of going far in the game was to metaphorically “shrink myself” to a level that others could swallow without feeling threatened, so I lied about being a lawyer, played up the fact that I’m originally from Missouri (though I’ve lived in NYC for the last 8 years), was helpful in challenges but not dominating, and focused on being the “fun, pleasant, and docile personality,” —even when I was (reasonably) angered or hurt by another player’s actions. This was a terrible balancing act that I wouldn’t wish it on anyone; especially if you don’t have a #1 ally that you can let your guard down with and just be your full self. And even after taking all of those precautions, I was still called “scary,” viewed as a threat, and my tribe’s clear choice to vote out in the early part of the game. 

So, when I was finally able to switch tribes when everyone merged (on day 12), I switched my attitude too. I switched to a “remember who the heck you are; shrinking yourself didn’t win you any favors anyway, so do what you want!” attitude and started to make moves that shaped the game for my benefit, instead of me just feeling constrained to the already-established dynamics. It felt like I’d taken my power back! It was sooo exciting! I think the viewers saw this switch in me too and began rooting for me even harder! I love that, because that’s when I started rooting for myself as well. 

4. Speaking of being a fan favourite, you were one of Sia’s picks from season 45, what was that experience like for you?

Oh my god, being selected as Sia’s favorite Survivor player was so monumental. I remember the day she video called me and told me she’d watched my Survivor journey, felt so connected to me, and “could feel my authenticity”–it was the ultimate privilege and badge of honor, especially given how intense my Survivor journey was! Then, adding icing to the cake, Sia flew me to LA to spend the day with her in her home; she’s such a kind and caring person. The entire experience felt like a whirlwind and importantly, confirmation that being honest and authentically me, is a powerful thing.  I talk about the experience in detail on my YouTube page @KaturahTopps. 

5. What would you say is your theme song’ and why?

Ohh I love this question! It’s also very hard to narrow it down because there’s just so many good ones!  I’d say its a cross between: 

1. You Won’t Break My Soul – Beyonce; 
2. Could Have Been Me– The Struts
3. All Me– Drake.

These 3 songs are constantly in rotation on my “You Got This Katurah” Spotify playlist and I played them a LOT as I went through the casting process and preparation for playing Survivor. (and of course, honorable mention to Unstoppable – Sia. ;))

6. If you could write and design your own Survivor advantage or clue what you create? 

Omg I’m loving these questions! Before playing I would have probably said something classic like the ability to steal someone’s vote or play an idol after the votes are read. But now that I’ve played, and know all too well how critical it is to have at least one real ally, I’d create an advantage that allows you to either 1) swap a member of your tribe with someone else from another tribe or 2) put yourself on another tribe. Having the right tribe members can mean having an additional vote, having a strategic partner, access to key information, improved tribe morale, protection, and more (and the opposite is also true). Basically, having a genuine ally can be the very thing that allows you to survive another day–and that is more powerful than anything. 

7. It’s not uncommon for a player to return to Survivor, although recently Jeff Probst revealed there will be no returning Survivor players through season 48, what would you do differently with a second chance? 

First, let me be clear- I would absolutely LOVE to return to play another season! Sign me up! (I said this exact sentence tearfully 5 seconds after Jeff snuffed my torch HAHA).

And what would I do differently? I’d like to be with people who I can make deep and real connections with; basically, I’d love to have at least one genuine ally. I played Survivor for 25 days without anyone ever calling or viewing me as their #1–and honestly, playing Survivor alone just isn’t as fun. You’re already battling the elements, the twists of the game, and being separated from all your comforts of the real world, adding loneliness to this equation just makes it all the more difficult. 

So, if I ever got the chance to return, I’d love to have people that I can show my loyalty to and go far in the game together. Also, now that the secret is officially out that I am a civil rights lawyer, I’m hoping people will see my profession as a testament that I’m passionate about helping and connecting with people; this is an advantage!  But of course, the biggest change I’d hope to make if I ever got to play again: this time I hope I WIN! Isn’t that what we all want? Let’s all manifest that. 

8, As someone who works in the legal industry, what is your favourite film about that field? Are you a Legally Blonde gal, maybe Just Mercy? Erin Brockovich? 

Oh I’m definitely more of a Just Mercy girl than anything else. A lot of Bryan Stevenson’s (the author of Just Mercy) work and mission overlaps with the civil rights work I’ve been doing for the last decade. Before playing Survivor I spent 5 years serving as a Policy Counsel and Movement Lawyer at the same civil rights law firm that argued and won multiple landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Brown vs. Board of Education:  the case that held that America’s racially segregated schools were unconstitutional, essentially allowing Black people to lawfully integrate into white schools–a decision that is part of the very reason I’m even able to say I’m a lawyer today.

My work at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is one of my proudest accomplishments.  

9. Do you keep in touch with anyone from season 45?

Oh yes, of course! I’m on good and/or speaking terms with nearly everyone from my cast. Going through such a cool and crazy experience together is life-changing; it is not something you can forget about lightly.  

10. What’s next for you?

Well, I recently quit my job! (Crazy, right?) For so long, my passion for helping and connecting with people has manifested in my civil rights work. I’ve centered my legal, policy, and community-based advocacy around people who are traditionally forgotten and have had to overcome hardship. I love this work but it is very hard on the spirit –particularly because my expertise includes addressing systems of violence that disproportionately harm Black people, including police violence. After a decade of that work, including being a civil rights lawyer during 2020, while working to create legislation and policies in response to George Floyd’s murder and simultaneously addressing the astronomical COVID-19 death rates in the Black community—my soul really needed a break. 

So after playing Survivor, I started brainstorming ways to continue to help and connect to people, without immediately returning to a traditional law firm setting. Fortunately, what started as a personal journey to heal and release myself from the secrets of my childhood (by sharing my story on Survivor), ultimately led to thousands of people reaching out to let me know they are inspired by my story and sharing their own stories with me. It was the perfect reminder of how powerful it is when we tell our stories and connect with each other authentically. 

So now I am focusing on doing exactly that. I’ve started accepting offers to do speaking engagements at venues all across the country; I’m sharing my story in hopes of continuing to inspire others that even in the most unimaginable situations, we have strength, we have power, and our current reality is not the limitation on our future. It still amazes me that, at 10 years old, I was literally pulled out of elementary school and told explicitly that I “would never step foot in a school again” and that my life would be manual labor and birthing babies. Yet here I stand today, one of the most decorated attorneys in NYC, against all odds. (Black American women only make up 2% of all lawyers). It really is a testament of the power of my healing journey; I see that the more we heal ourselves, the more we can be a guide and help to others. And I’m loving every part of the journey! I will continue to share more details from my story and the journey of building this new chapter together on my YouTube channel.