“She is my soul mate.”
Photo: Art Streiber
Before she was a survivor, Parvati Shallow auditioned for The Amazing Race, bringing her two roommates to the casting meeting with her. When the producer sitting across from them asked Shallow which one she wanted to play with, she didn’t waver, naming one and betraying the other right then and there. While she didn’t end up booking that show, those cutthroat instincts led her to Survivor, where she was dubbed “the Black Widow” for winning over her rivals with flirtatious charm before disposing of them as needed. She competed on Cook Island before being brought back for Micronesia, Heroes vs. Villains, and Winners at War, where she perfectly mastered both the series’ social element and game strategy, becoming one of the most universally acclaimed players in Survivor’s history. She’s continued to grace reality competition shows with her presence (and headbands), from The Traitors to Deal or No Deal Island to Survivor: Australia v. The World.
When did you know you made it in the reality-TV industry?
I have to think about this because I’ve been doing reality television for about 20 years, so I really have to go back through my rolodex in my brain. And I’m a mom, so my short-term memory is solid, but long-term is really spotty. When did I make it? Honestly, probably when I had a sit down with Alan Cumming and he knew my name.
What did you buy with your first paycheck from reality television?
Okay, so my first paycheck was from Survivor Cook Islands, which I did not win, but it was the largest amount of money that had ever hit my bank account. I was 23 years old, and I’m sure I just went on a shopping spree.
Reality Masterminds
Our inaugural celebration of the most powerful people in unscripted television.
If you were just to describe your onscreen persona in five words, what would they mean?
I would say fierce. People are very afraid of me. Fun. Athletic. Black widow. Does that count as two or one? Flirty. Not as much now. Well, no, I still am.
What is the onscreen moment that defines your career so far?
The onscreen moment that people continue to talk about was what happened in 2008, and it was when the Black Widow Brigade — me, Cirie Fields, Amanda, and Natalie — got together and we convinced Erik Reichenbach to give up his Immunity Necklace. People have written stories about this, articles, books. They are still studying this move because we were that powerful.
What do you think about that moment is so defining?
Because it was a group of powerful women. There were four really badass women with all different kinds of strengths coming together, not competing with each other, working together for a common goal. I think everyone who sees that move is like, I want to be a part of a winning team like that. Also they’re scared to be the Erik, so it’s a cautionary tale for all you Eriks out there.
When did you feel most misunderstood by viewers and why?
I think I felt most misunderstood by viewers during my first season of Survivor that I played when I was 23 years old — just a baby, fresh off the boat from Georgia. I played that game as I lived my life at the time. I was a cocktail waitress, bottle-service girl, and very flirty. I flirted my way through the Cook Islands. When I came back, I was pretty brutally slut-shamed, and that was very hard for me to receive that kind of backlash.
If you could switch places with anyone in reality TV right now, who would it be?
Really, the only reality show that I’m watching ever is The Traitors. Well, I am also watching season 50 of Survivor right now, because of course it’s an epic historic season. But, oh God, I really want to compete on Dancing With the Stars. Maybe I would switch places with one of those pros on Dancing With the Stars and just magically poof myself into a pro dancer.
Which reality star is exactly who they say they are onscreen?
Phaedra Parks is exactly who she says she is onscreen. Phaedra is an iconic superstar, onscreen and off.
Who’s least like their TV persona?
All the reality people I’ve played with are pretty much exactly who they are off-screen too. I’m trying to think if there’s anybody. Well, okay. There’s some do-gooders on Survivor that you see onscreen and their edit is very morally high road. And we know off-screen, they’re not quite like that. I won’t name any names.
Are some of those Heroes?
Some of them are Heroes. I’ll just leave it at that. You can go look at the notes and see if you can figure it out.
Do you think every good reality-TV show needs a villain?
Every good reality TV show needs a villain.
Who are some all time villains?
Me, Boston Rob — those are my top two. But I loved Lisa Rinna on The Traitors. I thought she was really great this past season. Tyson Apostol, incredible villain. Kate Chastain, so good. I loved her on her first season of The Traitors where she was just throwing money off the bridge at the challenge. Bob the Drag Queen, great villain on The Traitors as well.
What is one thing you miss about life before fame?
Life before fame and life after fame for me are pretty much the same thing. I’m a single mom. I drop my kid off at school and make her lunches and pick her up and set up playdates. I’m doing the same things that I would be doing if nobody knew who I was. Sometimes I get nice perks and people send me gifts and stuff, and that’s cool. But yeah, it’s not like I’m so famous that people are mobbing me down the street.
You’re grounded.
Very grounded. I’m a Virgo.
What is your advice for aspiring reality-TV stars?
Just surround yourself with a solid community. Make sure you have people in your life who you trust and know are looking out for your best interest. When I came back from Survivor the first time, I was quite adrift, so I would say get your community on lock and shore up your relationships so you have good ones and people who will keep you centered as you skyrocket to fame. I would also say enjoy the ride because it comes and goes. Sometimes you’re hot, and sometimes you are not.
What is the best Survivor feud?
I have to say Sandra and I have had a pretty good feud. We had a solid running feud for like ten years from Heroes vs. Villains of who should have won, and the fans got very heavily involved in this feud as well. But we’ve since buried the hatchet and we’re feud free these days.
You guys worked together as best as you could.
We worked together on The Traitors. She said that there was no way she thought they would pick me to be a Traitor and not her, so that’s why she didn’t think I was a Traitor, which I loved.
You’re no stranger to making iconic alliances on Survivor, The Traitors, Deal or No Deal Island. Who would be in your dream reality-TV alliance?
You’re only as good as your alliance. I would put Simone from RuPaul’s Drag Race. I would put Monét X Change from Drag Race. I have a thing for drag queens. I think they are the pinnacle of creativity in human form, and they’re so stunning and beautiful. So I think my alliance would be fully made up of drag queens and Cirie Fields. I will always have her as my No. 1.
Who are you taking to the final three though?
Cirie I would take to the end because she is my soul mate. I would take Trinity the Tuck. I would take Monét X Change. No, I’m taking four! Including myself. I want to see Trinity and Monét face off again, and I want to see one of them win.
A final four.
Groundbreaking final four.
Who are you rooting for in Survivor 50?
I’m rooting for Cirie. This is not a secret. Everywhere I go, I talk about how amazing this woman is and I think she deserves a win. This is her sixth time playing Survivor. Let’s give it to her this time. So far, anyone who’s said Cirie’s name has gone home, so I’m hoping that trend continues all the way to the end.
Production Credits
Styling by
Daniel Edley
Hair by
Richard Collins at TMG
Makeup by
Jayme Kavanaugh at TMG using e.l.f. Cosmetics
Wardrobe by archival
Moschino courtesy of Albright Fashion Library (bra)