Beauty and the Geek: Drew and Erin Recall Their Reality Trek

For the first time in Beauty and the Geek Season 3's storied four-week history, the eliminated duo had zero drama with the rest of their cast mates, and even less between themselves. Rather, Drew Sawa and Erin Gipson just seemed like a couple of nice Midwestern kids trying to have a good time while they learned a thing or two. In fact, with the exception of 22-year-old Marquette University senior Drew's compulsion to quote Star Trek in every speech, and 25-year-old voice teacher Erin's belief that a pound of gold weighs more than a pound of feathers, we wouldn't want them to change a thing about themselves. The two rang TVGuide.com last week to talk about their hopes and dreams... and to dish about their meaner competition.

First up, Drew:

TVGuide.com: What did you want to get out of being on the show?
Drew Sawa: For the most part, confidence. Being able to approach people I don't know.

TVGuide.com: It seems like you accomplished that. Who helped you the most?
Drew: Erin and Megan. They coached me through how to do different things, particularly in the makeover episode, doing the date. Erin and I talked about how to act and what to mention and what not to mention. She would have killed me if I'd mentioned Star Trek.

TVGuide.com: Did you ever want to get rid of your "geekiness"?
Drew: Primarily just the look. I could never get rid of the Star Trek thing because it's such an integral part of me. A lot of guys like football, and it's as if you told them not to watch football again. It's impossible.

TVGuide.com: But have you thought about toning it down for girls?
Drew: I don't normally mention it that often if I'm out and about, but if it comes up, I won't stop talking about it.

TVGuide.com: Do you still follow any of the fashion tips you got during your makeover?
Drew: For the most part. On a daily basis, I don't. I have clothes that are not fashionable that I still wear, only because I don't have the money to go buy new clothes. I'm still in college and dealing with being broke.

TVGuide.com: Do you still wear that constellation T-shirt?
Drew: Of course, I rock the constellation T-shirt. That and the Star Trek outfit! The blue pants, on the other hand, I've only worn once, and that was before the show. I'll wear the blue pants again next time I go golfing.

TVGuide.com: Had you watched the previous seasons of BATG?
Drew: Yes, I saw Season 1 and Season 2. My buddy Karl was on Season 2.

TVGuide.com: So did you have a strategy to win?
Drew: No, I didn't really have a strategy. I thought I'd study.

TVGuide.com: Do you think the others were working on some plan? I'm asking because in our BATG blog, someone had a theory that Megan threw the "Beauty and the Beach" challenge so Ceci would win.
Drew: Actually, Scooter was pressing the wrong button. We didn't find out until we were on the bus going back from San Diego.

TVGuide.com: That's hilarious! What did you think of the social dynamics of the house? Were you aware of what was going on between the girls?
Drew: Yes. What blindsided me was the Nate and Jennylee thing. I didn't realize that was going on when I was there. It caught me by surprise.

TVGuide.com: How about Cecile's evil ways?
Drew: No one was really able to stand Cecile in general. She had this really fake personality. A friend of mine at work said, "You know, she's too old to be cute."

TVGuide.com: Have you gone on any dates since the show?
Drew: Yes, I've gone on one. I haven't had the time to be on the prowl, though. With school started, I've got a full plate right up until graduation. My life includes finding a job, doing well in school, working and keeping track of all my organizations. I'm involved in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity; FMA (the Financial Management Association); Blue and Gold Investment Club; I'm the president and founder of the chess club; and I started my own investment club, called I Club — we use real money.

TVGuide.com: What's your dream job after school?
Drew: I'd like to work at an investment bank. My No. 1 goal is to work at a hedge fund.

TVGuide.com: What do you think Erin needed to learn from the show?
Drew: That's tough to say. Erin came from Chicago, from humble beginnings, and we come from completely different universes. Erin is a sweetheart, the kind of person who would never talk behind your back. What she needed to learn from the experience... was dealing with peer pressure. She was part of that group, the blonde gaggle, and she was dishing it to a degree. Not as much as Ceci and Megan.

TVGuide.com: You two considered taking that money at the beginning. Do you regret staying?
Drew: I don't, no. It would have had to be $50,000 in order to take it. I had my price. I based my price on probability.

TVGuide.com: Is there anything else you want to add?
Drew: Live long and prosper!

TVGuide.com: Will do.

Let's see what Erin had to say:

TVGuide.com: What did you want to get out of this show?
Erin Gipson: I went in thinking it would be really nice to win the money. I went in very nervous, because I was always teetering on the edge of whether I should do it.

TVGuide.com: What scared you about it?
Erin: Just being on TV and being exploited.

TVGuide.com: Do you regret not taking the money to leave in the first episode? You seemed to need it.
Erin: I don't know. We'll see what happens with the rest of the show, if I regret not leaving early. But I'm glad I did it, because I met a lot of friends, and I wouldn't have all those memories if I'd left so early on.

TVGuide.com: Did you learn something?
Erin: It was a lot of fun, and it was nice to get to know the people in the house. We had really great conversations, and I learned a lot about myself through them and from hanging out and being away from my regular life.

TVGuide.com: Who did you become closest to?
Erin: Nate, Nadia and Jennylee.

TVGuide.com: Not Drew?
Erin: Drew and I, as far as a friendship goes... I don't feel like we really connected. But I think as a team, we did well. I have so much respect for him. I think he's a great person. We didn't have a lot in common, but that doesn't mean I don't love him as a person.

TVGuide.com: Did you ally yourself with the other blondes on purpose?
Erin: It was so coincidental. I was friends with Andrea, too. They didn't show that, but Tori and I had a great conversation the night before we went into elimination. I was sad that she went before I got to hang out with her more.

TVGuide.com: Andrea and Sheree didn't seem to think the alliance was made up.
Erin: It wasn't like that between myself and them. That was news to me when I was watching it. I couldn't believe how many people were talking about the "blonde alliance."

TVGuide.com: How about Ceci? Was she as evil as she's starting to seem?
Erin: Yeah. I think she had previous knowledge of the show and she's definitely there just for the game.

TVGuide.com: Did you get along with her?
Erin: I did. While we were in the house, I pretty much got along with everybody. I didn't have any drama with anyone.

TVGuide.com: How did you feel when you saw all the footage of you dancing on that yacht?
Erin: It was silly. We were all being really silly that day. I think because it's a PG-rated show, that was probably the only thing they could have shown.

TVGuide.com: Really? What else was going on?
Erin: It was definitely the safest thing they could have shown. I don't know. We were always stuck in the house, and then they took us to San Diego, so you can imagine we were all in party mode.

TVGuide.com: What was the hardest challenge?
Erin: The most frustrating was the treasure chest at the end. I dug up the most treasure chests, but they were all empty.

TVGuide.com: And how did that have anything to do with what you studied about electronics?
Erin: I know! It was weird. I felt like I was on Survivor for a second. That was hard for me. The challenge with the auction was just as hard in a different way. Talking and speaking in front of an audience is very hard for me to do. Especially an audience of girls.

TVGuide.com: But you're a singer, aren't you?
Erin: Yeah. It's funny, I've sung in front of thousands of people and it doesn't bother me at all. It's just the speaking thing that trips me up.

TVGuide.com: So what did Drew need help with?
Erin: I felt like Drew probably needed to listen to me. I feel like he was very sure of himself, and that stopped him from listening at points. That was frustrating.

TVGuide.com: Have you been inspired to watch any Star Trek since you got back?
Erin: Definitely not! I got my fill.

TVGuide.com: What was the most surprising thing you learned about the geeks?
Erin: They are so loyal and honest, and they listen. They're really thoughtful to all of us. I'm sure they think we're pretty girls, whatever, but they totally want more from us, because they're so intelligent that they're not going to just hang out with a dumb girl.

TVGuide.com: Are you still a voice teacher in Chicago?
Erin: I teach private singing lessons and piano. And I model. And I perform.

TVGuide.com: What kind of music do you sing?
Erin: Jazz and blues, crossing over to rock.

TVGuide.com: Are you thinking about moving out to L.A.?
Erin: I'm a bit smarter than to just go somewhere without a plan. If I had an offer, I'd consider moving there.

TVGuide.com: Do you think being on TV will help your performance career?
Erin: No. I would never want to try to capitalize off a reality show. I kind of hope people forget I did it. I just want to be known for different things, not "Erin from Beauty and the Geek."

TVGuide.com: Have you ever considered auditioning for other reality shows, like America's Next Top Model or American Idol?
Erin: Never. I take music and modeling very seriously, and I think reality shows are stupid. This is the only thing I would do, because I thought it was a different subject matter than anything I would want to pursue in life.

TVGuide.com: But as long as you're talking to me, want to plug your next gig?
Erin: You can plug my website, ErinGipson.com.

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