Yahoo Lifestyle Meet the 'Survivor 48' Cast! Music Executive Thomas Krottinger Wants to Make a Rival to Lower His Threat Level (Exclusive)
Working in A&R, Thomas Krottinger is responsible for scouting out new artists to compose his label's music. And he's hoping he can compose a hit blindside or two as he shoots his way up the charts on Survivor 48. While a relative latecomer to the show, Thomas believes his experience in the "viper pit" of the music industry has prepared him for the snakes and rats to come on the beach. And while the 34-year-old is a self-proclaimed social butterfly, he's debating clipping his own wings when he talks to me, to the point of possibly forcing a rivalry with another unsuspecting player.
Read on for my interview with Thomas, and check in with Parade.com daily for interviews with this season's contestants and other tidbits. Survivor 48 premieres on Feb. 26 with a two-hour premiere on CBS.
Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor 48
Interview with Thomas from Survivor 48
To start, give me your name, age, and occupation.
My name is Thomas Krottinger. I'm 34, and I am a VP at A&R. I work at a publishing company, so not a record label. So we're kind of like the secret underground part of the music business. I could bore you with composite, the difference between a recording and the underlying composition. It's a whole thing. Like, when you hear the song "Hello" by Adele, you think of the recording of "Hello" by Adele that Columbia Records owns. But inherent in that recording is an underlying composition, which is the song itself that was written by Adele and Greg Kirsten. And so I am on the composition side of things. So my job is to find people that make music and help them make music. I'm definitely behind the scenes, in the DNA of songs, as opposed to the marketing, the music video, creative direction, that part of the business.
How long have you been in the industry? Is that something you've always wanted to do?
I originally wanted to be an actor. And that's why I came to LA. That's why I moved out west. And I quickly realized, when I was talking about sales figures and charts positions in rehearsal, that no one cared. And I needed to find somewhere to water that garden. So, I took a music law class in college and fell in love with the music business. And then I just interned all around town and got some really amazing mentors. And then got my first gig at an agency, and then kind of tricked my way into A&R because I had no experience. And ever since then, I just kind of conned my way up.
Well, let's talk about what brought you from music notes to treemail notes. What made you decide to get in the proverbial booth with Survivor?
Oh my god. Well, I started watching the show during the pandemic. So I started watching it in 2022, and I mainlined 42 seasons in nine months or something. I would watch while I would cook. And so I fell in love with the game. And there was a part of me that was like, "You should apply. You should go do this." I tell all of my writers, my artists, "Be vulnerable, chase your dreams." I encourage my husband to do his thing; my friends to go after what inspires them. And so I was like, "What if I went after something I loved?" And then I got the call that it was happening, and I was like, "Oh my god, I'm doing it." It was like instant terror. But honestly, that's the reason I'm here. I feel like my job and my role and the way I function is kind of cheering other people on. And now this is kind of a moment for me to do something that I love and take time for myself, which is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
It's like you're that composer who ghostwrote for everybody. And now you're being pushed into the spotlight.
I can't believe we're talking. Do you know what I mean? This is weird.
Well, let's look back through your recent blitz through Survivor. Give me one winner and one non-winner who you identify with the most.
I would say winner is Sophie Clarke, hands down. I'm obsessed with her. She is a queen. I feel like she needs to be in the all-time greats. Don't get me wrong, I love my Parvatis; I bow at their altar. But I think I just see more of myself and Sophie than Parvati. And then a nonwinner, who I think is great, would be Mike White. I love him. I think he's kind of the reason that gave me permission to do it. Because has such an amazing career and is taken seriously, but still loves the game. And he said something about, "You have to be open to making a fool of yourself, or being vulnerable or something, to play this game." And so he did it. And I was like, "Interesting. I could do that." And I'm not saying that I am Mike White. The man wrote School of Rock and The White Lotus. He is on another level. But I think just someone working entertainment and not being afraid to put themselves out there. It kind of was like opening the gate and saying, "You can do this. Here's the blueprint."
What's one life experience you feel has prepared you the most for the game?
So I don't know if it's one life experience, but I would say it's just my career in general. So I have a very good friend, she works at a record label. And early in my time as an A&R person, I realized that someone else on my own team was kind of sneaking me. And I remember texting her and being like, "I work in a viper pit." And her response, "We all work in a viper pit." And I was like, "You're right. This is the music business. Keep your friends, your enemies closer." That whole thing is true. Because even though I'm on a team, we all row together, we have healthy competition internally. And we push each other to be better. But I always have to be on guard, because I still want to be the person that signs the big artists, not my teammate. But if they do that is great, and I love that for us. But you both want to be pushing the company forward and bringing value to the table.
I love that because it's so representative of Survivor. It's collaborative, but also competitive. Because only one person's gonna win.
Only one person has the number one. And you want to have the number one. The good thing about the music business and the team that I'm on is that we can take turns doing that, and it's all gravy. The difference is here it's one person gets number one for the season and it's done.
And then you're also relying on the team members you fired to pick who the best employee is out of the last three remaining on the team.
Could you imagine working a label and the artists you drop have to declare you the winner or something? Like the deals you passed on have to decide that you're the best. Yeah, I love it.
What was your prep once you got the call that you would be coming out here?
I went silent when I got the call. They were like, "How do you feel about being on Survivor 48?" And I was like, "I need you to explain that. Give me the words 'you are in the cast.' I need you to go there, and then I can react."
So then, how did you prep once you actually heard those words?
It's weird. I have one of my best friends at work, the day I was like, "I'm applying for Survivor." She literally rolled her eyes. And she was like, "This is so annoying. You're gonna get it, and then I'm gonna have to cover your entire roster for weeks while you're gone." And I was like, "Okay, that's whatever." In that moment, it kind of made me think, "I should have a plan. Because what if this does happen?" And she's never seen an episode of the show, so she wasn't able to help me plan,
But basically, I stopped drinking. Which, in the music business, is harder than it sounds. But then I kind of came to love it. And I was like, "Oh, why is everyone drunk at this mixer? Oh, that's normal." I gave up caffeine, which is…I'm gay, so we live for cold brews. It's part of our natural diet to stay alive and stay powerful in our gayness. I go to sleep thinking about the cold brew I'm gonna have the next morning. I love it.
So when they offer a coffee reward, are you dropping everything to make sure you get it?
I'm not doing it. Are you kidding? I'll mentally be broken afterward! I look at a Diet Coke, and I'm like, "No," even though I love Diet Coke. But I gave up caffeine, I would [usually] have two cups of coffee in the morning that I brewed, and then a cold brew too. It was nuts. Giving up caffeine, my withdrawal was textbook. Not only was I lethargic; I was wanting to fall asleep in meetings. But I had anxiety and mood swings. I was like, "This is good that I'm giving it up." I'm going to bring it right back, just for the record.
So alcohol, caffeine. And then I called up my trainer from our wedding. And I was like, "Hi, can you work me out hard, but not crazy hard? I just want to be really tight and strong". She's like, "What?" I was like, "Stop asking questions." [Laughs.] I was like, "I leave in however many weeks. We need core, we need back, we need legs, and we need grip strength." So then I started working with her. Her name's Shannon; she's the best. And then I started going to physical therapy, tune-ups. I'm 34, I don't know. I look at all these kids and I'm like, "How am I the old one?" I used to be the young pup with a bushy tail and could conquer the world. And now I'm like, "You look like you're 22 years old." So I was like," I'm gonna go to physical therapy." So that's kind of what I did.
Give me your biggest superpower and your biggest piece of kryptonite when it comes to this game.
My biggest superpower, which is also my kryptonite, is that I really love people, and I have a tendency to make people feel like we are closer than we actually are. So it's great, because I think it's gonna serve me in the game where we can all get along. But that will probably cost me, because I think I'll probably look like the biggest backstabber and liar, if that makes sense. So jury management will be hard. My other kryptonite is that I'm very emotional and quick to react.
You wrote in your bio that you "have no patience for fools." And not to say Survivor is a fool's game, but I'm sure there will be instances where people will do things that you deem foolish.
Oh totally. I'm down with some fun. But I'm not down for stupidity. Especially if we're aligned.
How do you think you'll be perceived in this game?
My goal is to have a lot of fun while playing this game. And I want the people I'm playing with to have fun, too. But I also don't want to be the social butterfly. Because look at recent winners: Yam Yam, Kenzie. Those people had social game. And I'm on the purple tribe. So I'm like, "Stop it." Do you know what I mean? I was like, "Number one, I need flint. And number two, can't be Mr. Personality." So, in the back of my mind, I'm like, "Okay, I'll get along with everybody. And then I'll pick one person to have conflict with."
Will they be aware of that?
I don't know! I don't know, I don't know. And I'm looking at everybody, I'm like, "I kind of like you all. But I have to pick one of you to have an issue with." Maybe it'll come naturally with my short temper.
There might be a fool! So let's talk about some of your assessments of the other players. Who are you getting a good read from right now?
I love this blonde woman with curly hair. I'm obsessed with her. She has fun nails. I love her hair. I love her glasses. She was reading a Michael Crichton book. I was like, "What's going on?" I like that she's wearing a shirt that said San Antonio. And I was like, "Are you from Texas? Or do you just like Texas?" Because I'm from Texas. I don't know. I really like her. I really, really like her. That would be best-case is we get on the boat and it's us in purple.
What about on the other side? Anyone you're not picking up good vibes from, or can't read?
Here's the thing. I know that they have no idea that I have a personality right now. I know that I'm judging a book by its cover. That's what freaks me out. What if I'm like, "I don't like you," and then it's literally like, I'm marrying you in 10 years. I officiate weddings; I've done three.
Jeff might have some competition! He officiated Jenna Fischer's wedding because she's a huge Survivor fan.
Unreal. That's also freaky to me, Mike. These people are Survivor fans. Sarah Michelle Gellar is a Survivor fan. Buffy is the greatest show ever made, other than Survivor. The fact that there is a world in which she and Freddie Prinze sit down, and they're like, "Oh, Season 48, let's start." And then it's like, my dumb face, that's nuts. I keep forgetting that people are gonna get to watch this.
Getting back to the topic at hand, any red flags you're getting from anyone?
There is a young gentleman with long hair, JP. And I cannot get a read on him. His books are covered. I can't quite crack the code. So I'm just intrigued. I'm like, "Who are you?"
How are you approaching idols and advantages? You say you're a social butterfly. Would you risk some of that socializing to go hunting in the jungle?
I feel personally like advantages are incredible, if you can keep them to yourself. I feel like new era chaos comes from thinking to tell one person about it. I'm old school. I'm like, "Idol in my underwear. We're never speaking about it." Also, not leaving it in my bag. My plan is [to] just kind of hopefully try and figure out where they are and weaponize that information. Or maybe, if I come across one, lead someone to it so I know they have it. And then I can use that against them down the road. I don't want a Beware Advantage, okay? I don't want it. I want to know who has it, and I want to tell everyone else that they have it. Watch me find one tomorrow.
That's the fun of this! You make these claims, and sometimes they come to fruition, sometimes they don't. Especially after watching four people go home with idols in a row.
Literally, my husband was like, "You get an idol, you f–king play it." I was like, "I don't know, babe. Okay, fine."
Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 48
[Laughs.] Let's talk about number ones. You said there was someone you wanted to confide in–
Watch me hate her. That'd be so sad. She has such a good vibe.
You never know! But is there a particular quality you value in an alliance?
So, there's two different types of alliance partners in my brain. There's number one, my real number one, the person that I feel like I can trust, who trusts me. We share information. I feel like we are actually tight. And it's like a Dee/Julie situation, not a Dee/Austin situation. That is the holy grail. The other part of an alliance is I'm looking to align myself with big threats. Because I want to know, if the tables start turning and shots are coming our way, I'm not the first target. I want it to be my man with the muscles, or my puzzle guy. I don't want it to be me. I want the warning shot to be someone else's blood on the battlefield.
What's your main takeaway from Seasons 45 and 46 that you're bringing into your gameplay?
Yeah, I was like, "She's wearing shoes in the water. He's not. She's changed for this challenge. He hasn't." Stuff like that. But that's not the real question. From the recent seasons, people really care about their resumés. I think that has become such a storyline. And they really care about taking out their number one, being the first person to take the shot. Not my vibe. I feel like if people are caring about their résumés, I think that's something to use against other people to get me to the end and pit people against each other. I am not taking out my number one ally just to put it on a réesumé.
I mean, yeah, if I'm looking at Final Three, and I think my number one will beat me, yes, I will slit their throat in the middle of the night. And I hope they forgive me, and we can be friends. They do that to me, I will be devastated. But good game. But also, I'm a very loyal person. If you're a real one, you're a real one. And I would love to go to the end with my number one. And I feel like that's not the norm right now, and people aren't into it. And so part of me kind of wants to buck the trend and be like, "Old school has returned. It's like Parvati and Amanda, we are sitting there." That's my vibe.
What's your hottest Survivor take?
That the "Advantage-Palooza isn't a bad thing." I feel like people are really hung up on old school, new school, new era, and all the differences. And I think the literal point of Survivor is to be adaptable and figure it out. And if there are ten Advantages in the game, I think that's part of it. I mean, do I think it's a little crazy when you see someone's name, it's like, all the things? Yes, but I do feel like you have to try things out in this game to see what works and what doesn't. And I think that if you have captivating, interesting people playing the game, that's really all that matters, no matter what gets into the nooks and crannies of the game. So I'm a person who I don't think the advantages are bad. Let's just see what happens. Watch I'm like Cirie in Game Changers, and I'm the only person without one, and go home. I'll be like, "I have a new opinion." [Laughs.]
Speaking of past seasons, what's your favorite moment in Survivor history?
[Groans, then pauses.] When the Black Widow brigade takes the necklace from Erik. Here's my thing. I love that women are winning in the new era. I love that it's four-two right now. We're gonna even that up this season, but it's gonna be another gay man, so it's kind of the same. I think what's really cool about that moment, on a couple of different levels, is that it was obviously women coming together, which everyone's so scared of. And then you look at how many female alliances have actually worked. It's this boogeyman–boogiewoman–that makes no sense. But I love that they came together and there was a newbie involved. I love that Natalie was a part of it. I love that moment. I think that's probably my favorite season.
I also love when Sophie Clarke won her season. I thought she really deserved it. She's probably the player that I think I'm most similar to out of everybody. So I loved her win. Literally, I was watching that. I don't remember if I was cooking Bolognese or something. And I remember just being like, "This bitch doesn't take the W, I'm gonna lose my mind." She played so hard and so well. But yeah, probably Parv and Sophie. "Parv," as if she's my [friend].
Well, you talk about Sarah Michelle Gellar. Chances are Parvati is going to be watching this too!
And now she's part of the tribe, the community. Welcome!
Exactly! She welcomes you into the Survivor tribe, and you do the reverse.
Yes! I love that. We should have a dinner.
You talk about celebrity fans. What celebrity or fictional character would you bring out for a Loves Ones visit? Would it be Sarah Michelle Gellar?
Oh, holy night. Sarah, no, but I love you. It would just be too on the nose, right? No, let's get a little creative. I would bring Dorinda Medley from The Real Housewives of New York.
And recently The Traitors!
And recently The Traitors! I think people are going to be underestimating Dorinda on The Traitors. [Editor's note: Tragically, Dorinda would be the first person eliminated from The Traitors Season 3.]
I'm not a huge Housewives person. But I've seen some Dorinda clips.
"Clip!" "I made it nice." "How you doing? Not well, bitch." She's pretty iconic. The thought of seeing Dorinda Medley on an island, and me being disgusting, I would hope I'd win. And she had to stay at the camp for a night. And I'd be like," I made it nice!" It would just be fun. We'd have a great time.
Lastly, how are you going to make your mark on Survivor 48 to make sure you return for Season 50?
Okay, here's the thing. I feel like, if I go down this road, I'm playing in a bad way. I'm gonna make my mark by playing the best possible game that I can right now, without thinking about 50. Also, that's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. I'm just really focused on experiencing every moment of this opportunity. Playing my heart out, taking risks, not being afraid, and knowing that if I don't win, I gave everything I had. But also, if you want some fun Real Housewives references, I'd like to come back. You want fun pop culture moments. I'm planning to be really gay and having a great time.
Next, check out our interview with Survivor 48 contestant Star Toomey.
