Richard Hatch Sets the Record Straight: I Was Robbed of My 'Survivor' Crown

Richard Hatch, also known as the 'House of Villains' star and the winner of the very first season of the E! reality show 'Survivor', has been making headlines for years due to his complicated and often tumultuous experience on the series. The reality star recently opened up about his time on 'Survivor' in an exclusive interview, setting the record straight about his misunderstood behavior on the show.

'I think people misunderstood my approach to the game,' Hatch revealed in the interview. 'I wasn't playing to make friends; I was playing to win. My motivation was to get to the final tribal council and I did what I needed to do to get there.'

Many fans who tuned in to the first season of 'Survivor' remember Hatch's dominant gameplay and ruthless strategies, which ultimately earned him the title of sole survivor. However, some viewers also perceived him as manipulative and untrustworthy. Hatch insists that his actions were simply necessary in order to come out on top in such a competitive environment.

'The game of 'Survivor' is not about being liked; it's about being respected. You have to make moves to advance in the game. Some people might see that as being manipulative or as playing the game 'dirty,' but I just see it as being smart.'

Hatch, who is no stranger to confronting controversy, also dished on some of the other 'Survivor' contestants who have impressed him over the years. One name that came to mind was the infamous Boston Rob.

'I love Boston Rob. He's an incredible player. He's played the game several times and has consistently performed at a high level. He's always been able to adapt and change his gameplay to fit the situation, which is one of the most difficult things to do on 'Survivor.'

'I also really admire Sandra Diaz-Twine,' Hatch continued. 'She's a great example of someone who played a 'fly under the radar' type game, which can be just as effective as being the dominant player.'

When asked what advice he would give to future 'Survivor' contestants, Hatch replied: 'Be true to yourself. Don't get caught up in what you think the audience or your tribemates want to see from you. Play your own game and stick to it.' These are wise words from someone who has experienced the reality of reality television firsthand.

Hatch's candor is refreshing in an era of edited-for-television reality shows, where contestants often present carefully crafted personas to the viewing public. Despite his complicated past, it seems that Hatch is ready to put the record straight about his time on 'Survivor' and cement his status as one of the show's most memorable contestants.