Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor (CBS)
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Name (Age): Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor (39)
Current Residence: Granada Hills, CA via Buffalo, NY
Occupation: Insurance Adjuster
Hobbies: Writing, hiking/working out, and watching reality shows.
Pet Peeves: People who can’t drive in traffic and people who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths.
Three Words to Describe You: Outgoing, strong minded, and goal setter.
NOTE: Usually I get a good thirty minutes with each contestant before the game starts. However, this season I had to get through all 20 players in only two-and-a-half hours. So, these pieces will be short and hopefully sweet.
Gordon Holmes: It says in your bio that you watch a lot of reality shows. Any titles in particular?
Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor: “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” those are the two biggest ones I watch…”Dancing with the Stars.”
Holmes: You got the important one in there.
Taylor: (Laughs) Yup.
Holmes: What do your kids think about Mom’s million-dollar opportunity?
Taylor: They’re super excited, but they’re teenagers, so they have to have that laid-back attitude as well.
Holmes: If my Mom went on “Survivor” I would freak right out.
Taylor: That’s what I’m saying! Every time I ask them how they feel about it, they’re like, “Eh…yeah…we’re happy.”
Holmes: Any advice from them?
Taylor: Just to be careful with my words. Don’t go in there all crazy in the beginning.
Holmes: Are you known to go all crazy?
Taylor: No, I’m talkative, I say things before I think. I read people and I like to speak about it and talk and give an opinion. And they’re like, “Mom, just relax.”
Holmes: “Survivor” is often a game that features deception. Do you have any issues with lying?
Taylor: Not at all. I do it for a living. I’m a claims adjuster and I talk to attorneys all day. Sometimes I have to bend the truth a little bit.
Holmes: Well, it’s not like attorneys are always truthful.
Taylor: Exactly. (Laughs)
Holmes: Are you comfortable flirting to get ahead?
Taylor: If it happens, it happens, but I’m not going to say it’s a tool of mine. I’m not normally a flirtatious, sexy person. That’s not really me.
Holmes: If the CBS cameras catch you flirting, is there anyone back home that’s going to be upset?
Taylor: Not at all. There’s no one special in my life right now.
Holmes: Aww… (Laughs)
Taylor: I know!
Holmes: Let’s discuss some things you might experience out there. How well do you deal with people lying to you?
Taylor: I can deal with it. People lie, it’s life. You can try to be honest, but it happens. I lie to my kids sometimes to protect them from something.
Holmes: How about hunger?
Taylor: I…I’m OK with it. I do a spiritual fast from time to time with my church. My biggest issue is probably dealing with the cold.
Holmes: How about sleep deprivation?
Taylor: I’m sleep deprived right now. (Laughs) I’ve been running on little energy for a while now.
Holmes: This is going to be like a vacation for you.
Taylor: (Laughs) I know.
Holmes: How about paranoia?
Taylor: I’m not a paranoid person. I think I’m a little over dramatic. But not paranoid.
Holmes: An early thoughts on the other players?
Taylor: Not at this time. I can’t even read anything until we’re all in a room together.
Holmes: If there is a twist this season, any guesses as to what it could be?
Taylor: If they bring that twist where you have to go to the island by yourself, I’m just going to die. (Laughs) I hate that one!
Holmes: So Day One, Jeff says, “We’re sending someone to Exile.” You’re going to say, “No thanks. See you guys later.”
Taylor: I would deal with it, but I hate Exile Island. That’s the only one that they brought to the game where I was like “NO!”
Holmes: You could finally get some sleep.
Taylor: Yeah, you can get some sleep but you’re going to be hungry and cold if you don’t have someone who can start a fire with you.
Holmes: If you could align with any past player, who would it be?
Taylor: “Boston” Rob (Mariano) he is the greatest. He’s such a people person. He knows how to read them and bring them in. It’s kind of scary. He has a little cult. I don’t want to be cult-like, but he’s a master manipulator. I love him, I think he’s the best player of all time.
Holmes: Alright, lightning round time. Cats or dogs?
Taylor: Dogs.
Holmes: Beer or wine?
Taylor: Wine.
Holmes: Superman or Batman?
Taylor: Superman.
Holmes: Meat or vegetable?
Taylor: Meat.
Holmes: Republican or Democrat?
Taylor: Democrat.
Holmes: Books or TV?
Taylor: TV.
Holmes: Swimming or sunbathing?
Taylor: Sunbathing.
Holmes: Many casual friends or one good friend?
Taylor: One good friend.
Holmes: A nice car or a nice home?
Taylor: A nice home.
Holmes: Smart or funny?
Taylor: Funny.
Holmes: I know the answer to this one; Parvati or Boston Rob?
Taylor: (Laughs) Boston Rob.
Holmes: Big vacation or big TV?
Taylor: Big vacation.
Holmes: Working alone or with a team?
Taylor: Working with…no…working alone.
Holmes: Dragons or unicorns.
Taylor: Unicorns.
Holmes: Careful planning or fly by the seat of your pants?
Taylor: Careful planning.
Holmes: And finally: Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest?
Taylor: Jeff Probst.
Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.
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