Karen's Question

[Karen O'Neil]

Congratulations Michele and Rachel! You two were two of my closest friends in this game and I'm happy to see that the two of you were able to make it to the finals.

I'm only going to ask the two of you one question and all I ask is that you put as much effort into answering as you can. I would just like to know the things that you did in this game that the person next to you did not do and why you think that makes you more deserving to win this game then other person. After the other person answers this question, if you would like to defend yourself then that's fine with me.

[Michele Noonan]

What did I do that Rachel didn't do? Great question, Karen!

1. During the power week competition, I was able to use my social skills to manipulate a win in that challenge. If you look back at that challenge, I personally, didn't eliminate that many people. I was chatting with you, Jase, Nick, and Janelle, and had all of you working against each other to help ME win. This was the challenge in which I cemented personal relationships with many houseguests that helped me get further into the game.

2. I came up with the plan to eliminate Rachel's alliance. After Britney was evicted, Rachel and I had a long talk. It was a good one, she even showed me some video clips from her job during Black Friday. We got very personal. I also realized during this conversation that Karen was her partner and that Rachel was a highly competitive person that needed to be taken seriously. I worked hard to assure that if Rachel couldn't go home, her allies would. You were evicted the next round, and two rounds later, I took out Janelle.

3. I made a deal with Rachel to bring her in to my alliance. I told her that if she voted Janelle out, I would tell her my plan. I got Rachel to vote out her main ally. Rachel was intrigued by my deal, even though she says she was not going to follow through, I had no doubt that she would. Through a veto challenge, I was able to bring Jase back into the game, which helped me get Rachel on my side.

4. I don't want to take anything away from Rachel's game. She did what the HOH wanted, which I'm not saying is a bad thing. I was a more independent thinker throughout the game. I used my social skills to avoid the block, even though I was the biggest target in the game. When I was nominated, I won the power of veto. I knew I would be going home if I had not done that.

I played this game for me. There were two times that I didn't vote with the majority for eviction. I did what was best for Michele, even if it wasn't the popular decision or the decision that the HOH wanted me to make. Because I didn't always vote with the majority, I had to use my social skills to talk my way back into the good graces of the people that I had just voted out. Rachel never had to do this, as she was always doing what she needed to do to keep the HOH happy.

As a game player, I hope you respect my game a little more. I know not everyone agrees with how I played the game, but I did what I thought I needed to do at the time, and agree with my game play or not, I am here. I worked hard to get here despite what anyone says.

Thanks, Karen for your question.