For Kellee Kim, Survivor is just another page in this new chapter of her life. The 29-year-old comes to the island having just entered business school, which she, in turn, enrolled in after pursuing a career in medicine. Kellee has been spending her time before the game poring over fantasy novels and is planning to be an open book herself to her competitors. And that apparently started with a unique choice in wardrobe on the plane ride to Fiji.

Read on for my chat with Kellee, and make sure to check in with Parade.com every day for interviews with this season’s contestants and other on-set tidbits. Survivor: Island of the Idols premieres on September 25 with a special 90-minute premiere on CBS.

Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor Season 39

Tell me about yourself.

I’m an MBA student at Wharton University. I’m living in Philadelphia but I’m originally from Southern California. I studied History of Science in undergrad and pursued a pre-med track. I took the MCAT and everything and decided not to go.

What prompted that pivot to business?

I don’t even know what it was exactly. I ended up at a biotech-focused investment fund right after school. I was doing diligence on companies and leading doctors and researchers. And I thought, “I like talking to you but I don’t want your life.” (Laughs.) So I realized medicine was not the right track. I’m actually switching careers to real estate.

And you decided to throw some Survivor on top for good measure!

(Laughs.) Exactly. I’m not a reality TV person in general. When Survivor came out, I was in middle school and was like, “This is so dumb.” I started watching during Millennials vs. Gen X because Adam Klein is a friend of a friend. I watched Mari get blindsided, and that got me addicted. It was interesting rewatching having seen so many seasons and listened to so many podcasts. At the time, it seemed like Michelle had switched Hannah’s vote. But really, Hannah was voting on the right side of the numbers. I have a very addictive personality. Once I get into something, I’m all in. Survivor has been that for the past couple of years.

So what made you decide to actually come out and play instead of just watch?

(Pause.) I don’t know. (Laughs.) It was April or May before I was going to start business school. And I thought, “You know what would be perfect? If I happened to get a last-minute spot right before business school.” I applied but didn’t get a call until September or October. It took another year for me to get to the finals, and now here I am!

You played on the varsity soccer team at Harvard. How did you get involved with that?

I’ve been playing soccer since I was 10. I got recruited for soccer, which is not a great thing to say in this day and age. I was one of the later recruits. I went with the school to meet with the team, but it wasn’t an official recruiting visit. The team ended up really liking me. There was a girl who was supposed to go to Harvard who ended up going to Stanford instead. So I got the last spot!

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What do you think people are going to perceive you as?

I’m concerned about that due to my pedigree. I’m Asian-American, and I can’t help that. I’m worried they’re going to perceive me with the stereotypes of being smart, anti-social, and manipulative. Those are factors that serve you well at the end of the game, so you have to get there first. I’ve been doing a lot in the pre-game to “be different.” (Laughs.) Everyone has been doing puzzles, and I haven’t done a single one. It would be adding to the stereotype that I don’t need to add to. I’ve been reading a lot of young adult fantasy novels. Specifically Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass. I’ve read it before, but I wanted to be able to lose my mind in it. I want to give off the impression that I’m kooky and not your traditional Asian-American.

On the plane, I had what I thought was this great idea. I was wearing a green sweatshirt, but under it, I had a tie-dyed cat t-shirt. There are some holes in the armpit. I bought it at a thrift shop for a party for $2 or $3. I thought it was going to be really funny, but then I got really nervous about taking it off. But I was sweating so much that I had to take it off. And I could tell everyone was like, “What the [expletive] is that girl wearing?” (Laughs.) I’m a little weird, but am I tie-dye cat t-shirt weird?

Give me a Survivor winner and non-winner you want to play like.

That’s pretty hard for me to say. I’m sure a lot of people have studied the game more than I have, just because I’m so new at it. At the end of the day, I fundamentally have to play like myself. So which winner is that? I’m really not sure. But in terms of non-winners, I do think I’m a combination of Angelina, Alison, and Wentworth. It’s a weird mixture.

What do you desire in an alliance partner?

Obviously loyalty. But I want someone fun, someone who can bring the humor out in the game and recognize that it’s going to be miserable out there. Even in the darkest of times, they can find a place to laugh. That’s pretty important to me. I like to laugh and be around people with a good sense of humor. I’m an open person, so I definitely want that in an ally as well.

With that openness, how much authenticity are you going to bring to your game?

That’s going to be my entire game, for better or for worse. (Laughs.) I’ve thought about it and realized I might be [expletive]. I’m going to try to be as honest as possible, especially in my relationships. You have to lie at some points, even if it’s a lie by omission. However, it would be fun to be a little devious and play tricks. I loved Nick stealing Alison’s vote, partially because he thought it would be funny.

What’s your biggest Survivor fear?

I don’t really let myself get there. That’s not a good place to go. A lot of crazy, horrible things can happen out here. I try really hard to repress those things. That’s how I generally work. But you can’t really make friends like that, because they’ll think, “Her life is perfect. I’m suffering here, and she’s dandy over there.” So I need to be able to open up and use my insecurities and vulnerabilities to connect in a much deeper way. I can do that with my friends and my boyfriend and my sister. I can probably do it with nineteen strangers.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Survivor Season 39

When your tribe visits Tribal Council, would you rather vote on strength or loyalty?

I’ve been tossing this question over in my mind as I look around. It’s a really tough balance. It probably depends on where we are. I can make an argument for both.

Now you’re like Hannah in the voting booth!

(Laughs.) I know! I’m overthinking things like Hannah too. I can give you an argument for both. What do you want to hear?

How about loyalty?

If you’re going into the merge, loyalty is top on the list. You don’t want people that are going to be stronger than you, who can beat you in challenges. Loyalty is what gets you to the top. We’ve seen time and time again people who have the most loyal allies get to the end. You want to keep these people around you. There’s also something about going to Tribal over and over again. It makes you closer.

What about strength?

I’m concerned I’m going to come off as a really strong person who’s too smart. I like to be loud and dominate social situations. That might be too strong for the game. Keeping strong people around might not only help you win challenges but also be meatshields for you.

When you’re at your lowest low, what’s one memory you’ll pull from to boost your spirits?

A few things. I’d go to my young adult fantasy books and try to lose myself in them. I might try to sing a song. Music tends to help me get through things. I’ve been singing a lot of Hamilton, even though I’m a terrible singer. My mom and my sister also wrote me letters that I’d try to mentally go back to. My boyfriend wrote up some note cards that said, “Notes from a Not-So-Secret Admirer.” He would write a phrase on the top and then why that describes me. It was a sweet, funny way to show he may not be out here with me, but he understands the game.

If you could bring one celebrity or fictional character out as your loved one, who would you pick?

Probably Dumbledore. I feel like he’d be wise, the Cochran of the Harry Potter world. I’m hoping he can wave a wand and change some minds in case I need it. Or he’ll summon an idol to me. (Laughs.)

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