Survivor's Nice Girl Chokes

Last week, Survivor: Palau's Ulong tribe said so long to its second castoff, Ashlee Ashby. Surprisingly, though, the sweet-natured 22-year-old Mormon from South Carolina was more relieved than upset to lose her chance at $1 million, which she would've used to pay off her student loans. Here, Ashlee admits to TVGuide.com that, although she had the physical "outplay" aspect covered, the "outwit" and "outlast" concepts were a bit beyond her.

TVGuide.com: Your teammates thought you wanted to leave. Was that true?
Ashlee: I was ready. It was a fabulous opportunity, and I was really thankful to have had it.

TVG: But you were only on the island for about six days!
Ashlee: Call me a wimp — I'm not a survivor. I thought I could be and believe me, I wanted to. I [did manage] to compete in all the challenges, as opposed to Kim, who didn't compete in the last one.

TVG: So what was your problem?
Ashlee: Prior to going on the show, I knew there has to be some conniving involved and you play some people. I knew there was going to be some backbiting. I was like, "I can do that, please." Believe me, I wanted to, but when it came down to it, I couldn't. I tried hard to be that person and I just couldn't.

TVG: Couldn't you take advantage of Kim's slacking to turn everyone against her?
Ashlee: No. It came down to Kim [asking] me, "Ashlee, are you voting for me?" I said to Kim, "I promise you that I won't vote for you." So I voted for Jeff.

TVG: So you just weren't prepared mentally?
Ashlee: I wasn't expecting that I was actually going to become friends with everyone. I thought, "I don't need friends, I have plenty of friends. I am going to play a game." Unfortunately for me, dang it, I made friends with them. Darn! They were too nice or maybe I am too nice.

TVG: You're Mormon and fairly religious. How'd your family feel about you doing Survivor?
Ashlee: Everyone was very, very excited and supportive and thrilled that I was going on the show. They are all fans, so it was fine. I think everyone in my family was way more excited than I could ever be, though I was pretty excited.

TVG: They weren't worried about the potential nudity or anything naughty like that?
Ashlee: Not as worried as the people in Utah, apparently. [Editor's Note: Ashlee's referring to the minor stir caused by her comment on a CBS.com video clip regarding her "huge, humongous breasts."]

TVG: Are you planning on going back to school now?
Ashlee: I am finished with school.

TVG: Oh, your bio labels you as a student.
Ashlee: Yeah, I don't know why it says I am a student. I completed school. My doors are open now. I majored in communications [at Brigham Young University], and I'd like to do something in the entertainment industry.

TVG: Would you ever do another reality show?
Ashlee: Of course, but only for CBS. [Winks.] Unless I create my own, like Millionaire Mormons.

TVG: In your exit speech, you said you wished you'd cuddled with Ibrehem for warmth, like Kim did with Jeff. Have you spoken to him since?
Ashlee: No, I haven't. I'm hoping to see him [at the Survivor reunion].

TVG: You definitely should've taken advantage of that situation. Ibrehem's quite the hottie.
Ashlee: I know! Hindsight, geez.