James Clement
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Born: March 9, 1977
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana Occupation: Gravedigger Seasons: China; Micronesia; Heroes vs. Villains Placing: Seventh (China); Seventh (Micronesia); Fourteenth (Heroes vs. Villains) Tribes: Fei Long; Zhan Hu (v2); Hae Da Fung; Malakal; Airai (v2); Dabu; Heroes Total Challenge Wins: 19
Days Lasted: 76 Votes Against: 19 Awards: Social Butterfly (China); Meal Ticket (China; Micronesia); Super Hero (China) |
Survivor: China
After the completion of the welcoming ceremony, James Clement was place on the Fei Long tribe. James immediately proved to a hard worker for his tribe. However, after a conversation with Leslie Nease, James revealed in a confessional that his biggest obstacle was the social aspect as he prefer to be by himself. James was chosen to be the frontrunner for his tribe. Fei Long was able to win easily over the rival tribe, Zahn Hu, keeping James safe. James would help his tribe win the next two challenges.
On Day 7, James and Amanda Kimmel found a crab. However, the tribe argued what to do with it before settling with Courtney Yates' idea of boiling it for crab stock. At the Reward Challenge, the Fei Long men won both of their respective rounds against the Zhan Hu men. However, Zhan Hu's women won the tribe it's first challenge and chose to kidnap Leslie Nease. James and Jean-Robert Bellande talked loudly about who to vote out next in an insulting manner before settling on Leslie. The men failed to noticed that Courtney and Todd Herzog were only a few yards and were annoyed with them and wanted them out. Fei Long lost it's first Immunity Challenge. At Tribal Council, Leslie was voted out in a 6-2 vote over Jean-Robert.
Fei Long was able to resume it's winning streak by winning the next Reward Challenge at Tribal Council. The tribe won a visit from local fisherman and his family and chose to kidnap Zhan Hu's Dave Cruser. Due to his ability to speak Mandarin, Jean-Robert served as a translator between the fisherman and the tribe. At the Immunity Challenge, James was partnered with Todd. James and Todd managed to score an combined 3 points for Fei Long, which was crucial for winning the Immunity Challenge.
On Day 13, James praises Denise Martin in a confessional for her work ethic and encouraging nature. James found those traits attractive and said he would be in a relationship with her if not for the age difference. Later that day, two Chinese men came with a note asking Fei Long to pick Zhan Hu's two strongest members and they would become Fei Long. Fei Long speculated that the note meant that two Fei Long members was being transferred to Zhan Hu as well. Fei Long chose Frosti Zernow and Sherea Lloyd. Jean-Robert told James that if Zhan Hu received the same note, he would be going Zhan Hu. Sure enough, two different fisherman came with a note reveal James was being transferred to the Zhan Hu along with Aaron Reisberger. When he was getting to know his new tribemates, James told them he would gather firewood and water. At the Immunity Challenge, James became frustrated with Jaime Dugan and Peih-Gee Law when the women were botching the puzzle while cracking jokes. Zhan Hu ended up losing the challenge after the women threw it in order to vote out James or Aaron. James's attitude became worse when he learned that the women threw the challenge. Despite receiving a vote from Aaron, Aaron was the one who was voted out in a 3-1-1 vote with James voting for Peih-Gee in order to not break his Fei Long loyalty.
James felt the best thing for him to do was to do the work at camp to keep Zhan Hu rested so they would have no excuse for losing the challenge. Despite this Zhan Hu was still set on throwing the challenge and voting out James. At the Reward Challenge, Zhan Hu lost but James was able to go to the trip to the Chinese Tea House because of being kidnapped. James along with Fei Long enjoyed the Tea House and it's amenities. James himself, showered naked in front everyone, which didn't bother them, or him at all. Todd Herzog told James to share the container with him once James had opened it. When he did open it, James learned that it was a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. James gave the clue to Todd, who later returned with the idol. Todd wanted James to throw the challenge so he could vote out Jaime. James felt that shouldn't be too hard as Zhan Hu were going throw the challenge anyway. However, Zhan Hu actually competed to win and they won the Immunity Challenge when Denise was unable to eat a balut which caused her tribe to lose.
Peih-Gee tried to convince James to join them after the merge, pointing out that they sacrificed on of their allies to save him, but he wasn't interested. Based on where Todd told him where the idol was, James went to retrieve the other idol. James pulled both plaques down and rushed to place the idol in his bag. He later noticed that the blank plaque was gone and wondered in delight if Jaime had took it thinking it was a Hidden Immunity Idol. On Day 20, The tribes merged and enjoyed an feast with entertainment provided by Chinese performers. The next day, the Immunity Challenge was held at camp, which was won by Frosti. At Tribal Council, James's suspicions was confirmed when Jaime attempted to play her idol, only for it to be revealed to be fake and she was voted out in a 7-3 vote. James felt he was in a good position because his alliance gets along despite the differences. However, James having two idols earned the ire of Todd and Amanda who wanted him out because of threat status. At the Reward Challenge, Jean-Robert picked James, Todd, and Amanda and they won a tribe to a 1000 year old village. James was impressed with the history of the village. James clashed with Jean-Robert twice, first when it to James eating more rice and second was when the latter interrogated the former about the idols. At Tribal Council, James was spared and Jean-Robert was voted out in a 5-3-1 vote.
James was shaken by nearly getting voted out. He woke up the rest of the tribe by singing "Good Morning" in an obnoxious voice. Denise also came to James about being left out of the Jean-Robert blindside because she felt like she was on the outside. At the next Reward Challenge, Peih-Gee picked James to be on her team. James picked Todd who picked Denise. The team struggled in the challenge and lost the river cruise. James and Peih-Gee argued about the loss of challenge. At The next Immunity Challenge, The castaways were given the choice of competing or eating burgers with all of the fixins, fries, and sodas until the challenge ended. James chose to eat and Peih-Gee won immunity over Frosti. At Tribal Council, Frosti was unanimously voted out over Erik.
After Frosti left, The final seven were quizzed on facts for a trip to a xiaolin temple. Peih-Gee won and took Erik and Denise with her. When they returned, Erik tried to convince James into an final four alliance with him, Denise, and Peih-Gee. James wasn't interested, feeling secured in his five-person alliance and liken flipping to eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. However, Amanda deemed James the biggest threat and felt this was the best chance to blindside him if he didn't win immunity. At the Immunity Challenge, James made it to the final round but failed to score with Erik winning immunity much to the relief of Amanda, Todd, and Courtney. James was set voting out Peih-Gee. At Tribal Council, James didn't use his idols and was blindsided in a 5-1-1 vote.
At Final Tribal Council, James congratulated the finalists and told them that he wasn't upset with them for blindsiding him. James asked Courtney about one good time on Survivor. Courtney said during the first challenge of the season because she claimed the pole was heavy and was excited when they won because she wasn't going to be the first person voted out of the season. When asked by Jeff why he asked that question, James claimed it because he wanted to give the finalists an easy one. In the end, James voted for Courtney (originally stated to be Todd) to win, who lost in a 4-2-1 vote.
On Day 7, James and Amanda Kimmel found a crab. However, the tribe argued what to do with it before settling with Courtney Yates' idea of boiling it for crab stock. At the Reward Challenge, the Fei Long men won both of their respective rounds against the Zhan Hu men. However, Zhan Hu's women won the tribe it's first challenge and chose to kidnap Leslie Nease. James and Jean-Robert Bellande talked loudly about who to vote out next in an insulting manner before settling on Leslie. The men failed to noticed that Courtney and Todd Herzog were only a few yards and were annoyed with them and wanted them out. Fei Long lost it's first Immunity Challenge. At Tribal Council, Leslie was voted out in a 6-2 vote over Jean-Robert.
Fei Long was able to resume it's winning streak by winning the next Reward Challenge at Tribal Council. The tribe won a visit from local fisherman and his family and chose to kidnap Zhan Hu's Dave Cruser. Due to his ability to speak Mandarin, Jean-Robert served as a translator between the fisherman and the tribe. At the Immunity Challenge, James was partnered with Todd. James and Todd managed to score an combined 3 points for Fei Long, which was crucial for winning the Immunity Challenge.
On Day 13, James praises Denise Martin in a confessional for her work ethic and encouraging nature. James found those traits attractive and said he would be in a relationship with her if not for the age difference. Later that day, two Chinese men came with a note asking Fei Long to pick Zhan Hu's two strongest members and they would become Fei Long. Fei Long speculated that the note meant that two Fei Long members was being transferred to Zhan Hu as well. Fei Long chose Frosti Zernow and Sherea Lloyd. Jean-Robert told James that if Zhan Hu received the same note, he would be going Zhan Hu. Sure enough, two different fisherman came with a note reveal James was being transferred to the Zhan Hu along with Aaron Reisberger. When he was getting to know his new tribemates, James told them he would gather firewood and water. At the Immunity Challenge, James became frustrated with Jaime Dugan and Peih-Gee Law when the women were botching the puzzle while cracking jokes. Zhan Hu ended up losing the challenge after the women threw it in order to vote out James or Aaron. James's attitude became worse when he learned that the women threw the challenge. Despite receiving a vote from Aaron, Aaron was the one who was voted out in a 3-1-1 vote with James voting for Peih-Gee in order to not break his Fei Long loyalty.
James felt the best thing for him to do was to do the work at camp to keep Zhan Hu rested so they would have no excuse for losing the challenge. Despite this Zhan Hu was still set on throwing the challenge and voting out James. At the Reward Challenge, Zhan Hu lost but James was able to go to the trip to the Chinese Tea House because of being kidnapped. James along with Fei Long enjoyed the Tea House and it's amenities. James himself, showered naked in front everyone, which didn't bother them, or him at all. Todd Herzog told James to share the container with him once James had opened it. When he did open it, James learned that it was a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. James gave the clue to Todd, who later returned with the idol. Todd wanted James to throw the challenge so he could vote out Jaime. James felt that shouldn't be too hard as Zhan Hu were going throw the challenge anyway. However, Zhan Hu actually competed to win and they won the Immunity Challenge when Denise was unable to eat a balut which caused her tribe to lose.
Peih-Gee tried to convince James to join them after the merge, pointing out that they sacrificed on of their allies to save him, but he wasn't interested. Based on where Todd told him where the idol was, James went to retrieve the other idol. James pulled both plaques down and rushed to place the idol in his bag. He later noticed that the blank plaque was gone and wondered in delight if Jaime had took it thinking it was a Hidden Immunity Idol. On Day 20, The tribes merged and enjoyed an feast with entertainment provided by Chinese performers. The next day, the Immunity Challenge was held at camp, which was won by Frosti. At Tribal Council, James's suspicions was confirmed when Jaime attempted to play her idol, only for it to be revealed to be fake and she was voted out in a 7-3 vote. James felt he was in a good position because his alliance gets along despite the differences. However, James having two idols earned the ire of Todd and Amanda who wanted him out because of threat status. At the Reward Challenge, Jean-Robert picked James, Todd, and Amanda and they won a tribe to a 1000 year old village. James was impressed with the history of the village. James clashed with Jean-Robert twice, first when it to James eating more rice and second was when the latter interrogated the former about the idols. At Tribal Council, James was spared and Jean-Robert was voted out in a 5-3-1 vote.
James was shaken by nearly getting voted out. He woke up the rest of the tribe by singing "Good Morning" in an obnoxious voice. Denise also came to James about being left out of the Jean-Robert blindside because she felt like she was on the outside. At the next Reward Challenge, Peih-Gee picked James to be on her team. James picked Todd who picked Denise. The team struggled in the challenge and lost the river cruise. James and Peih-Gee argued about the loss of challenge. At The next Immunity Challenge, The castaways were given the choice of competing or eating burgers with all of the fixins, fries, and sodas until the challenge ended. James chose to eat and Peih-Gee won immunity over Frosti. At Tribal Council, Frosti was unanimously voted out over Erik.
After Frosti left, The final seven were quizzed on facts for a trip to a xiaolin temple. Peih-Gee won and took Erik and Denise with her. When they returned, Erik tried to convince James into an final four alliance with him, Denise, and Peih-Gee. James wasn't interested, feeling secured in his five-person alliance and liken flipping to eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. However, Amanda deemed James the biggest threat and felt this was the best chance to blindside him if he didn't win immunity. At the Immunity Challenge, James made it to the final round but failed to score with Erik winning immunity much to the relief of Amanda, Todd, and Courtney. James was set voting out Peih-Gee. At Tribal Council, James didn't use his idols and was blindsided in a 5-1-1 vote.
At Final Tribal Council, James congratulated the finalists and told them that he wasn't upset with them for blindsiding him. James asked Courtney about one good time on Survivor. Courtney said during the first challenge of the season because she claimed the pole was heavy and was excited when they won because she wasn't going to be the first person voted out of the season. When asked by Jeff why he asked that question, James claimed it because he wanted to give the finalists an easy one. In the end, James voted for Courtney (originally stated to be Todd) to win, who lost in a 4-2-1 vote.
Voting History
Episode |
James Voted For |
Voted For James |
3 |
Leslie Nease |
--- |
5 |
Peih-Gee Law |
Aaron Reisberger |
7 |
Jaime Dugan |
--- |
8 |
Jean-Robert Bellande |
Erik Huffman, Jean-Robert Bellande, Peih-Gee Law |
9 |
Frosti Zernow |
--- |
10 |
Peih-Gee Law |
Amanda Kimmel, Courtney Yates, Denise Martin, Erik Huffman, Todd Herzog |
13 |
--- |
Survivor: Micronesia
James returned as one of the ten favorites who would compete against a tribe of die-hard Survivor fans. James quickly sparked a relationship with Parvati Shallow. They rallied in another couple, Ozzy Lusth and Amanda Kimmel, to form an alliance, and soon recruited Jon Dalton as a fifth member. Losing the first Immunity Challenge, Malakal was sent to Tribal Council first, where Dalton shocked everyone by requesting that they vote him out so that he could be with his expectant girlfriend. In return, James and the rest of the Favorites unanimously sent the villain home.
James's "couples alliance" faced opposition from an alliance consisting of Yau Man Chan, Ami Cusack, Eliza Orlins, and Jonathan Penner. The two factions tried to secure the trust of Cirie Fields. Any strategies were put on hold, however, as the tribe of Favorites secured victory in the second Immunity Challenge.
After losing the third Immunity Challenge, Cirie agreed to join the couples alliance if they helped her eliminate her biggest threat, Yau-Man. At Tribal Council, James's alliance followed Cirie's lead, sending Yau-Man home. James and Ozzy immediately regretted voting off Yau-Man instead of Eliza, who started to get sick.
James would be safe for the next cycle, as Malakal won the fourth Immunity Challenge. Ozzy revealed that he had successfully obtained the Hidden Immunity Idol, bringing forth a higher degree of power to the alliance. However, the celebration was short-lived, as the alliance was split in half during a tribe switch, which sent James and Parvati to the rival Airai tribe, while Amanda and Ozzy stayed as Malakal members.
The new Airai tribe managed to win all of the Immunity Challenges leading up to the merge, only losing Jonathan Penner and Kathy Sleckman. Penner was medically evacuated over a severely infected wound, and Sleckman quit due to depression and boredom.
When the tribes merged on Day 22, the couples alliance regrouped, but Parvati had plans to form an entirely new alliance consisting of herself, Amanda, Cirie, and Fans Alexis Jones and Natalie Bolton–the "Black Widows Brigade". At the first Dabu Tribal Council, James voted with the majority to eliminate Eliza Orlins, who was on the outs.
With nine remaining, Jason Siska was assumed to be the next to go. However, the Black Widow Brigade (minus Amanda) and Jason blindsided physical threat Ozzy, who left with an idol in his possession.
Following Ozzy's elimination, the Black Widow Brigade decided it was best to split the vote between Jason, who was in possession of a Hidden Immunity Idol, and James, just in case Jason played the idol. At Tribal Council, James cast his vote towards Parvati, disappointed with her betraying the couples alliance. Jason ultimately did not play his idol, and was sent to Pondersoa.
On Day 31, James was examined by the medical team for a cut finger which had become infected. On the grounds that the infection could spread and cause severe damage to his joints, James was pulled from the game, placing in 7th and as the 4th jury member.
As a juror, James cast his vote for Amanda to win the game, who lost in a 5–3 vote.
James's "couples alliance" faced opposition from an alliance consisting of Yau Man Chan, Ami Cusack, Eliza Orlins, and Jonathan Penner. The two factions tried to secure the trust of Cirie Fields. Any strategies were put on hold, however, as the tribe of Favorites secured victory in the second Immunity Challenge.
After losing the third Immunity Challenge, Cirie agreed to join the couples alliance if they helped her eliminate her biggest threat, Yau-Man. At Tribal Council, James's alliance followed Cirie's lead, sending Yau-Man home. James and Ozzy immediately regretted voting off Yau-Man instead of Eliza, who started to get sick.
James would be safe for the next cycle, as Malakal won the fourth Immunity Challenge. Ozzy revealed that he had successfully obtained the Hidden Immunity Idol, bringing forth a higher degree of power to the alliance. However, the celebration was short-lived, as the alliance was split in half during a tribe switch, which sent James and Parvati to the rival Airai tribe, while Amanda and Ozzy stayed as Malakal members.
The new Airai tribe managed to win all of the Immunity Challenges leading up to the merge, only losing Jonathan Penner and Kathy Sleckman. Penner was medically evacuated over a severely infected wound, and Sleckman quit due to depression and boredom.
When the tribes merged on Day 22, the couples alliance regrouped, but Parvati had plans to form an entirely new alliance consisting of herself, Amanda, Cirie, and Fans Alexis Jones and Natalie Bolton–the "Black Widows Brigade". At the first Dabu Tribal Council, James voted with the majority to eliminate Eliza Orlins, who was on the outs.
With nine remaining, Jason Siska was assumed to be the next to go. However, the Black Widow Brigade (minus Amanda) and Jason blindsided physical threat Ozzy, who left with an idol in his possession.
Following Ozzy's elimination, the Black Widow Brigade decided it was best to split the vote between Jason, who was in possession of a Hidden Immunity Idol, and James, just in case Jason played the idol. At Tribal Council, James cast his vote towards Parvati, disappointed with her betraying the couples alliance. Jason ultimately did not play his idol, and was sent to Pondersoa.
On Day 31, James was examined by the medical team for a cut finger which had become infected. On the grounds that the infection could spread and cause severe damage to his joints, James was pulled from the game, placing in 7th and as the 4th jury member.
As a juror, James cast his vote for Amanda to win the game, who lost in a 5–3 vote.
Voting History
Episode |
James Voted For |
Voted For James |
1 |
--- |
|
3 |
--- |
|
9 |
--- |
|
10 |
--- |
|
11 |
||
14 |
For Sole Survivor: Amanda Kimmel |
--- |
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
Due to his kind nature and "gentle giant" persona, James was assigned to the Heroes tribe. This season, James became frustrated and angry at his tribe mates over time for their lack of team work when it came to competing against the Villains, and during the Tribal Council when Stephenie LaGrossa was eliminated, this sudden change of attitude was not well received.
At a Reward Challenge, James once again injured himself and was treated by the Medical Team. With the tribe unaware of whether or not he'd return, several people contemplated his return to the game and whether or not it would benefit them. James returned later on that day with his leg in a cast. Although still mobile, he was weakened and could not commit to his usual work ethic.
Losing consecutive challenges, James knew he was on the chopping block, but attempted to show he was still a valuable asset by racing J.T. Thomas, though he lost badly. Ultimately, it came down to "banana etiquette" as he was voted out on Day 15 for being too much of a liability to his tribe.
At a Reward Challenge, James once again injured himself and was treated by the Medical Team. With the tribe unaware of whether or not he'd return, several people contemplated his return to the game and whether or not it would benefit them. James returned later on that day with his leg in a cast. Although still mobile, he was weakened and could not commit to his usual work ethic.
Losing consecutive challenges, James knew he was on the chopping block, but attempted to show he was still a valuable asset by racing J.T. Thomas, though he lost badly. Ultimately, it came down to "banana etiquette" as he was voted out on Day 15 for being too much of a liability to his tribe.
Voting History
Episode |
James Voted For |
Voted For James |
1 |
Sugar Kiper |
--- |
2 |
Colby Donaldson |
--- |
4 |
Tom Westman |
Colby Donaldson, Tom Westman |
5 |
Colby Donaldson |
Amanda Kimmel, Candice Woodcock, Colby Donaldson, J.T. Thomas, Jr., Rupert Boneham |
6 |
Trivia
- James was cast on the show at the advice of Boo Bernis from Survivor: Fiji. James and Boo are both natives of Lafayette, Louisiana, and played football together at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. They had known each other for about 10 years.
- James has played all three seasons on the same starting tribe as Amanda Kimmel, and she has placed higher than him all three times.
- He and Amanda are the only contestants to be on the same original tribe in back-to-back seasons.
- In their profiles for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, both James and Amanda listed each other as the previous Survivor castaway they respect the most.
- They are one of two pairs of contestants to appear in three seasons together, along with Jerri Manthey and Colby Donaldson.
- James and Frosti Zernow are the only contestants to be members of all three Survivor: China tribes.
- James is the first contestant to be in possession of two Hidden Immunity Idols at the same time. He would later be followed by Parvati Shallow, Malcolm Freberg (who did so twice), Tony Vlachos, Jeremy Collins, and Tai Trang.
- James is the first contestant voted out while having a playable Hidden Immunity Idol in his possession.
- He is the only player to be voted out while in possession of two idols.
- One of his idols was featured in Survivor: Ghost Island, where it was found at Malolo camp by Michael Yerger.
- James was the first African-American male to return for a second season of Survivor.
- Having finished 7th in his first two seasons, James is the first castaway to finish in the same position twice. He was followed by Candice Cody, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Jonathan Penner, ad Erik Reichenbach.
- After finishing in 7th place twice, he was the 7th person voted out of Heroes vs. Villains.
- Coincidentally, James placed 14th in Heroes vs. Villains, the same number as his first two placements combined.
- James was the 4th jury member both times he finished in 7th place.
- James is one of three contestants to win the Fan Favorite Awardtwice, with the other two being Russell Hantz and Ozzy Lusth.
- James is one of two contestants to win the Fan Favorite Award in consecutive seasons, with the other being Russell Hantz.
- James is the first evacuee to play another season post-evacuation and one of the five contestants to ever do so.
- He was followed by Michael Skupin, Russell Swan, and Jonathan Penner in Survivor: Philippines, Colton Cumbie in Survivor: Blood vs. Water, and Caleb Reynolds in Survivor: Game Changers.
- James's luxury item in Heroes vs. Villains was one of the two idols he did not use in China.
- Despite his being regarded as one of the strongest players to play the game, James never won an individual challenge of any kind.
- Currently, he is one of only two male three-time contestants to never win an individual Immunity Challenge, the other being Jeff Varner.
- He is also one of only four contestants overall who have played at least three times and never won individual immunity; the other three are Jeff Varner, Cirie Fields, and Tina Wesson.
- Currently, he is one of only two male three-time contestants to never win an individual Immunity Challenge, the other being Jeff Varner.
- Two of James's three eliminations involved injuries. He was medically evacuated from Micronesia and was voted out due to his leg injury in Heroes vs. Villains.
- James wore seven buff colors during his three seasons and never the same color twice.
- Both times James was on the jury, he voted for the eventual runner-up.
- James along with Amanda, Stephenie, Cirie, and Parvati, are the first castaways to play in seasons with all new castaways, season with both new and returning players, and all returning castaways. They were followed by Rob Mariano, Russell Hantz, Coach Wade, Tina Wesson, Rupert, Candice Cody, and Tyson Apostol.