EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I Weakened Them” — Outlast Season 2 Star Bayo Hernandez Reveals Strategy Against Team Bravo

On September 11, 2024, Netflix’s thrilling competition series Outlast wrapped up its second season. In this season, sixteen survivalists faced the rugged challenges of the Alaskan wilderness as they vied for a massive $1 million grand prize. After enduring grueling competition and harsh weather, Drew and Drake from Team Bravo claimed victory, each earning $500,000.

While some contestants emphasized fair play, others, like Bayo Hernandez, focused on outsmarting their rivals to secure a competitive edge. Bayo’s strategy was not only to bolster his team’s performance but also to sabotage his opponents.

In the very first episode, Team Alpha’s Bayo and Zach visited Team Bravo to assess their progress. However, their visit quickly turned hostile when Bayo stole Team Bravo’s cooking gear and water containers, aiming to diminish their supplies. This unexpected act left Team Bravo feeling blindsided, prompting them to push for Bayo’s self-elimination.

Bayo also shared insights regarding Zach’s leadership, Team Alpha’s overall performance, the triumph of Drew and Drake, and his personal experience on the show.

Reflecting on his tactics against Team Bravo, Bayo admitted he aimed to eliminate competitors early by compromising their resources. He stated:

“The act of surprise works a lot better when you are in the proceed of a mission. And we surprised them. I told you from the get-go that everything was exposed, everything was laid out outside and I took the opportunity to take all the drinking tools — to boil, to drink, and to hold something; and the big pot that was the cooking pot.”

He continued:

“Everything in Alaska, you have to cook, except the plants. Even the plants you have to cook sometimes. I weakened them. I know, for sure, I did.”

Outlast Season 2 Star Bayo Claims Zach Handed the “Winning Ticket”to Team Bravo

Q) What motivated you to join Outlast?

A) You have to go through an audition process, answering questions honestly. We’re not celebrities; we are just regular members of society, and we got chosen.

Q) What was your game plan going into Outlast?

A) There was a rule stating that you could take anything around the shelter that was exposed. That’s what I did. However, you needed to respect what was inside the shelter; you could only look at it. Everything I took was exposed. That was a rule Team Bravo didn’t protect.

Q) If you could select your own team of four, who would you choose?

A) Definitely Mountain Man, Tre, and I’d pick Joseph for sure.

Q) Which team did you view as the strongest and the weakest in Outlast?

A) Delta was undoubtedly the strongest. Those guys could have outlasted everyone else. As for the weakest, that title goes to Charlie, without a doubt. It was evident from the beginning.

Q) Experiencing the harsh realities of Alaska, what was the toughest part for you?

A) Everything was challenging. We faced cold with insufficient fire, warmth, and food. Water was manageable; we sourced it from a nearby stream and collected rainwater, which we boiled. But lacking enough calories was tough on our bodies.

Q) You mentioned on the show that “Nothing gets away from Trapper Bayo.”How did it feel to provide food for your team before Zach?

A) It felt incredible. I felt productive and satisfied bringing food to my team because we desperately needed protein. I have no doubts about my hunting ability; I felt it was much better than Zach’s.

Q) What’s your assessment of Zach’s leadership on Outlast?

A) It was quite weak. In team settings, like a baseball game, when one person takes action, the others follow. That’s how a real team operates. After I made the first kill, Zach seemed threatened, feeling “I’m not the hunter I thought I was.”

Q) Do you believe your team made a mistake forcing you to flare out? Did it impact their gameplay?

A) Absolutely. We could have potentially outlasted Bravo and Delta, but certainly, Charlie was on a downward spiral. They eliminated one of our strongest members. Tre and I would have won for sure if the game continued as we had the strength, but a team member undermined me, influencing everyone else. That’s not a wise move in competition.

Q) If you had another chance, would you do anything differently?

A) No, I would stick to the element of surprise. If they take away your cooking and drinking implements, it’s game over unless you’re extraordinarily lucky. Team Bravo came out on top because, controversially, Zach’s decision made them stronger. In a game like chess, alliances have no place.

Q) What do you think about the reactions of other Outlast cast members to your elimination?

A) Their reactions stemmed from Zach’s influence as the supposed leader. He acted as the decision-maker, but his leadership failed when it mattered.

Q) Do you see Tre’s decision to flare out after Tonia as correct?

A) He had the opportunity to switch camps, especially since he returned the pots to Team Bravo. This gave him unique leverage over others. I’d say he made a mistake by choosing to flare out.

Q) With regard to the winners, Drew and Drake, do you think they deserved their victory over Team Delta?

A) I believe that Team Bravo rightfully won. They are tough competitors, just like others. However, I maintain that they were fortunate because Zach handed back their tools, which was essentially their “winning ticket.”Without that, their victory wouldn’t have been secured. The competition was incredibly close, with Delta having slightly more members, but they also faced challenges like illness among their team.

Q) Do you think the Outlast winners made the right decision in convincing Sammy to flare out?

A) In this game, it’s about survival. Sammy was reportedly unwell, but the Bravo team’s strategy paid off. They did what they had to do to ensure their victory.

Q) Are you still in touch with other members of the Outlast cast?

Bayo from Outlast (Image via Instagram/@florida_state_hunters)

A) I do keep in contact with everyone except Zach. Frankly, I don’t care to. He made crucial mistakes that affected our game, handing Team Bravo their path to victory.

Outlast is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix.

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