For Ugo from “Koh Lanta”, “Claude and Laurent remain great adventurers” despite the controversy

If he finished in third place in “Koh-Lanta: the legend”, Ugo is for many the big winner of this all-star season marked by several cheating cases. The decision not to pronounce a winner, the rumors surrounding Claude and Laurent, his eventful journey in Polynesia … He confided with sincerity to LCI.

How did you experience this final without a winner?

In a particular way, necessarily. Afterwards, we suspected that all this needed a way out and I think there was no other possible solution. I am happy that the funds are donated to the Bertrand-Kamal Foundation. I read that the vibe wasn’t great on set, but frankly, from the inside, I didn’t feel it like that. Maybe it comes from my character: I talk to everyone and I enjoyed seeing everyone with whom I had this adventure. I enjoyed talking to people from the production. I really enjoyed it!

So, for you, was not claiming a winner really the best decision?

Yes, already because the money goes to a good cause. Then because there are facts, noted by a bailiff, the production has played its card on the table and it is in my opinion the best decision.

Denis Brogniart spoke of “breaches of the code of honor” of the show. Did you see them on the set?

I clearly saw nothing. Like all the other adventurers, I was made aware of the production at the time of the first cheat concerning the delivery of food to the camp and which resulted in the exclusion of Teheiura. The rest, I find out through the media. And it’s tricky because it describes something that I didn’t see while I was there. After decisions have been made and I respect them completely.

Even if the names of Claude and Laurent were not mentioned by Denis, they are clearly pointed out by the press. Have the revelations of the last days change your outlook on these two adventurers?

My adventure ends as we saw in the show. I stay on what I experienced and what I saw. And, clearly, I fell from the posts before Laurent. It is he who wins this test. When I am asked to vote, during the final jury, I vote for Claude. Period. You know, that’s what we experience on a show like that. We live crazy things. Maybe I don’t know everything that happened, but I like to stick with my feeling of being human. I experienced strong sensations. And I’d rather stay on that than judge other people. It’s not my type. And then for now, there is no proof, there is nothing.

Both are heavily criticized on social networks. Do you want to send a message of appeasement now that the adventure is over?

Sure. What is problematic with all these nicknames is that you never know who you are talking to. It’s a lack of education, in fact. I have the right to disagree, to express my opinion. But I don’t insult people in the street, let alone on social media. I also think that there is a lot of work to be done with all that is “fake news”, including coming from sites considered serious. Regarding Claude and Laurent, I think they also have very good feedback, even if it is the bad ones that are being highlighted at the moment. A lot of people recognize them as great adventurers and it will continue afterwards.

As far as you are concerned, we could have renamed this season “Koh-Lanta: the survivor”, right?

Yes even if I did not expect it when I set foot there! As I told Denis on Tuesday, I see my career building as it goes, but I don’t really realize it. We advance, step by step, and suddenly we realize that the next day, it is the posts. Me, I was not looking to be chosen by someone else. I wanted to win this event to have my place in the final, but I missed that step. Never mind !

What’s crazy is that this is the most anticipated event. And, in the end, we have the impression that this is the one for which the candidates are the least prepared …

Because it’s impossible to fully prepare for it. You can train at home for ages, it will never be in the same conditions. There we take a storm on the corner of the head, we are hungry … I was afraid of the orientation, which went well, but the posts, it hurts! Pain in the feet, pain in the head. Even if we have a crazy mind … In the images, we see me stoic, but in my head, it’s a war! When Claude falls, I say to myself ‘there is only one left’. And then I see Laurent moving in all directions… I thought he was going to fall, but no. I built my career by winning duels. And this one I missed.

You are less “media” than other candidates. Has “Koh-Lanta” changed anything in your life?

Me, I did not return to “Koh-Lanta” to be a legend, but to be Ugo. The principle that I love in this show, and which remains the same with former candidates, is to take people out of their daily lives to put them in a situation where they will starve on an island and fight for survival. . For the rest, I am far from taking myself for a star. Afterwards, if it can open doors for me to extraordinary things in life, projects that could be offered to me, we’ll see what comes up.

For you, the show remains attractive despite the controversy?

Yes. I have lived it twice. The first is when we discover the backdrop, where we put ourselves in the shoes of the people we saw on TV. In addition, it went well since I won it. And even after the second, I would still say it’s still magical. Because it’s an adventure before it’s a TV show.

What if we offer you a third adventure?

If it leaves tomorrow, no! I’ll wait a bit. I never close the door, it’s a program that still pleases me. But the feeling of hunger, I don’t want to feel it right away. If the production calls me, I’ll let it ring for a while. But one day I will drop out!