by Ashley Weitzel
JR Cook is a 28 year old lawyer who lives in Tennessee. He most recently was on Syfy’s hit show Opposite Worlds where he came in 2nd place.
Continue reading for our interview with him!
1. Could you introduce yourself?
My name is JR Cook and I am 28 years old. I grew up in a small town Pineville, West Virginia, and am the oldest of four kids. I am engaged to my beautiful fiance, Jessica and we reside in Knoxville, TN.
2. How did you find out about the show and what made you audition?
I can’t exactly remember how I find out about it. I think I saw it on a banner on a website saying something like “The Fierce Competitor, Casting Now”. I am a really competitive person and always been a fan of reality competition shows so I figured I would fill out the application just to see what happens.
3. Going into the show did you know anything about it or was it it all surprising?
No! It was all a total surprise! I auditioned for a show called “The Fierce Competitor” which I now know was just a trick! haha The second I opened the doors to the Past and walked in that cave I knew I was NOT on a show called The Fierce Competitor. When the curtain dropped and I saw the Future side, I definitely knew I was in for a crazy ride.
4. What was it really like to be in the past? Was it as hard as it looked?
It was awful! It was probably worse than it looked. The crazy weather made it even more difficult. If the days and nights were cold we would struggle to keep a constant fire going just to stay warm and cook food and if the days were warm we would be fighting mosquitoes constantly! The lack of food was brutal, too. I lost 16lbs living 3 consecutive weeks in the Past.
5. Who were you the closest to in the game?
Initially, I was close to Lauren and Samm. We are the same age and had similarities and also formed an alliance together. Once Steve entered the game I became close with him as well. We strategized A LOT together and bonded. Also, once Epoch stole Frank from Chronos I connected with him as well. Frank and I started working together very early in the game even though we were on opposite sides. Jeff and Frank were in an alliance and Jeff and I were in an alliance so Frank and I had been working together via Jeffry since basically Week 1 or 2.
6. What made you align yourself with Jeffry from the other team? Do you think it worked out for you?
I am a fan of reality competition shows so I know how to strategize. I knew that it would be beneficial for me to align myself with someone else from the other team. Jeffry gave me food and also gave me information regarding who Chronos was nominating each week for the Duel of Destiny. It absolutely worked out for me considering I made it to the Finale and got 2nd place.
7. Looking back do you have any regrets about your game play?
I can’t say I have any regrets but sometimes I wonder how the game would have been different if I would have voted Lauren out instead of Steve. Also, if I would have taken Jeffry’s deal and dropped the ball during the last Worldly Challenge.
8. Are you still close to anyone from the show?
Definitely. I talk to Steve, Samm, Jeffry, and Frank almost daily whether its via texting or twitter. I hold no grudges against anyone. It was just a game and I played the game.
9. What was your favorite challenge in the game?
I love competing so I was always excited for the Worldly Challenges! I don’t know that I have one favorite though. I like different aspects about each challenge.
10. Overall what was the best part about this experience?
The best part of this experience was pushing myself. I had to push every day whether it was physically, mentally, or socially. The game entailed all of those qualities so I was constantly pushing myself. I came out a stronger person.
11. What was the first thing you did when you got home?
After my fiance picked me up from the airport I got home and loved on my dog (who is like a child to me — its crazy) and went straight to the kitchen! Gotta put those pounds back on that I lost! My fiance and I got engaged right before I left for the show so now we have lots of wedding planning to do.
12. What has the response from your family/friends been?
They all have been extremely supportive! It’s been amazing to hear about how my friends and family were tweeting and voting like crazy. I knew they would be supportive of me but I didn’t realize the extent they would go to support me. It feels great!
13. In your opinion, what was it those first few episodes that Chronos just kept winning? You guys had the drive it just didn’t pan out those first few weeks.Team Chronos was a strong team. Frank was the driving force of that team and I think he played a large role in them winning challenge after challenge. Also, Team Epoch had too many cooks in the kitchen at times so once our team became smaller (Myself, Steve, Lauren, and Samm) we won the very next challenge and moved to the Future! Myself, Steve, Lauren and Samm worked very well together.
14. What was it like going into the future the first time for you?
Freaking awesome!! I was excited to get a hot shower, a real toilet, good food and a comfy warm bed!
15. How hard was it to have an injured ankle for part of the show?
It was really tough, especially when I had to return to the Past with it; however, I was fortunate enough to have a really supportive team. I have never been one to quit so I was not going to let an ankle injury stop me from moving forward in the game. It was going to take more than an ankle injury for Team Chronos to get rid of me! 🙂 The ankle is still injured. There is some tendon/ligament damage so its taking a little longer to heal than I initially expected.
16. What should we expect from you now that the show is over?
I plan on going back to my everyday life with my friends, family and fiance. However, I am a huge Big Brother and Survivor fan so I would love be able to commentate on after shows. Also, I think I am in a great position to really help out others so I would love to get involved in a Charity. Reality Rally is in April and it’s a charity event where cast members from various reality shows come together to raise money for breast cancer. I think it would be great to get involved with that.
17. What would you like to say to everyone who voted for you? Your fans/supporters?THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! I feel like America played the game with me from their homes. All the tweets and votes were amazing and I am so grateful to have so much support. I am also thankful for Eyeworks, NBC Universal, SyFy, and all the producers and staff that worked so many hours on the show. It has been an all around great experience!
Be sure to follow JR on Twitter @TheRealJRCook
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