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Paloma Soto-Castillo has been playing the social game her
entire life, one of the skills necessary to succeed in the game of
SURVIVOR. Her parents were both missionaries, causing her to move around a
lot during her childhood. Growing up with this lifestyle taught her to
adapt to any environment and she became a stronger person as a result.
Soto-Castillo was born in Chile and lived there for a large part of her
life before moving to Tennessee, Virginia and then settling in California.
One day, on a whim, she decided to leave everything behind and move to
Kenya…alone, without any group or organization. She lived among the
natives and wild animals for three months without any support from family
and friends or any modern conveniences. After witnessing the people's
suffering first-hand, she says it changed her life and she's certain
she'll go back and help change their lives. Soto-Castillo is motivated to
win SURVIVOR so she can open an orphanage or elementary school for the
children of Kenya.
Soto-Catillo has a B.A. in communication studies from California State
University, Long Beach and continues to go to school. She is currently
working on her single subject teaching credential and works part time as a
waitress. Her hobbies include traveling, camping and reading. In her free
time, Paloma loves staying competitive and keeping her mind sharp by
playing Texas Hold 'Em.
Soto-Castillo is single. She currently lives in Downey, California with
her Shitzu, Sam. Her birth date is August 24, 1984.
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Paloma: "I love Africa, I've been here before. I haven't been
here, I was in Kenya but I love Africa and I think it is an amazing
continent. I am a little scared playing the game with animals around, this
is their territory. This is their home and we're pretty much invading it for
a little bit, especially the hippos and the elephants because they are very
territorial. The scenery is amazing, the weather is amazing, it's not too
hot, not too cold. The reason I was chosen for this show is because I am
very adventurous. I don't know if brave is too big of a word too, but I think
they saw that I am feisty and that I am able to do this. I am really
passionate about this game and I really want to win so I think they saw
that when they interviewed me. I need to separate my life with the game
life. I am a completely different person when I play a game board and when
you meet me on the street. It's a huge deal, the stakes are high, it's like
playing Monopoly for a million dollars. People who are dishonest and
deceitful, it might even be myself, I'm not going to judge that - that is the
person that they are. I am going to firmly believe it is the context of the
game and it's not who they are. Just being able to separate the two...real
life and game life. The reason why I want to win the million dollars is to
take some back to Kenya and build a school for the kids that I taught because
they don't have a school, they just have sticks up. That will help me a lot,
because I am very motivated even if it isn't for me, but for those kids that
I love, so it will really help."
Jeff Probst: ''Paloma is sassy, cute. My question for her is,
'Is her attitude real, or is it a put on?' And if it is a put-on, how long
will she be able to sustain it when she starts getting hungry? Paloma's
going to have to pick the right alliance. Who you decide to team up with
early on has such an impact on how you do in the game, because if you pick
the wrong people, it can be hard to get out from under that.''
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