Blake Kaminer of Extracted on Thriving in the Wild and Navigating Social Media Fame

FOX’s latest reality competition series, Extracted, showcases 12 novice survivalists who lack formal training and are left in a secluded forest, where they are monitored by surveillance cameras around the clock. Meanwhile, their families observe their every move from a distance.

As if the premise wasn’t intense enough, the survivalists can only carry the clothes on their bodies and must face unpredictable weather, along with limited access to food, water, and shelter. Back at the headquarters, their families must collaborate to determine the essential supplies necessary for survival in the wilderness.

What’s at stake? A whopping $250,000 cash prize.

Executive produced by Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone, this series sees the survivalists testing their limits, while their family members possess the ability to withdraw them from the competition at any moment by pressing the extraction button.

Us Weekly speaks with one of the show’s standout contestants, Blake Kaminer, about what it takes to endure in the wild and navigate his newfound popularity in the realm of social media.

Your father Woody, a retired police officer, mentioned that you are more outdoorsy than he is. Did you always aspire to be the survivalist?

Absolutely, I wanted to be the survivalist. My teenage years were filled with outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, building fires, and creating forts. Being comfortable in that environment definitely gives you an advantage in this type of competition.

You’re a boat captain and mentioned on the show that you have experience trapping and hunting animals. Would you say you’re more suited for HQ or out in the wild?

At first, I thought I’d be more effective in the wild, but as the competition began, I realized I was better off in HQ. Getting quality supplies, even with less experience, is more beneficial than having great experience but lacking good resources, which makes it great to have my dad’s support.

Do you still believe you would perform better than your dad?

I can’t say I would perform better than my dad. At the end of the day, I know he’s giving it his all, which is exactly what I would do.

Strategic alliances are vital in survival games. How do you approach forming alliances, and how challenging was it to make strategic decisions on the fly with your cousin Collin?

In competitions like this, it’s crucial to stay alert and assess who can and can’t be trusted. However, Collin and I have a strong enough relationship that we can work together and make key decisions under pressure.

Who do you think you will ally with moving forward? Are there any competitors you are cautious of?

Each day in HQ is unique, so you’ll have to watch and see. But I trust Cousin Collin completely.

What were your thoughts on Anthony being the first person extracted? Were you surprised? How did it feel to watch his behavior from HQ?

It was tough watching Anthony get upset with his parents. Knowing they were doing everything possible to provide him with the best supplies was hard. Given his situation, I was surprised he was extracted so early in the game.

What about Davina being the second survivalist extracted? Did that catch you off guard?

I thought Davina performed exceptionally well in the wild, especially considering her experience outdoors. She lasted longer than I thought she would, so that was impressive.

What is the most challenging part of observing your loved one from HQ? Did you ever wish you could switch places?

The hardest part of watching my dad from HQ was seeing him struggle without being able to assist him. I remember the moment my dad got the bow drill, and all I wanted was to reach through the screen and help him. It was incredibly frustrating! There wasn’t a day I didn’t want to switch places.

Survival is key. From what you’ve seen and experienced so far, what are your survival tips for the wild? What lessons have you learned?

My survival tips would be to prioritize finding water, building shelter, and starting a fire. Securing those three elements can make the difference between survival and not. One major takeaway is to keep your clothing dry, especially your shoes. Getting trench foot in the woods leads to a miserable experience.

What have you learned from other survival reality shows before participating in one yourself? Are there any that you particularly enjoy?

The most crucial lesson I’ve picked up from watching other survival shows is to avoid drinking lake water! My favorite show is Man vs Wild because I’ve always admired Bear Grylls.

You star in an authentic survival show, but did anyone prepare you for the reality of social media fame? Has it been an exciting journey?

So far, it’s been a fantastic experience connecting with everyone and responding to their inquiries about the show. I didn’t have any preparation for this, but I’m eager to see what lies ahead.

Have there been any celebrity fans of the show that you’ve been thrilled to hear from?

I’m incredibly excited that Stallone is involved with this production. He’s a household name and extremely well-known, which makes it even more special to have his support.

Be sure to tune in for an all-new episode of Extracted on FOX, Monday, March 10, at 8 p.m. ET.