Photo by Xander Angeles.

At a time when wearing two or more hats is de rigueur, Solenn Heussaff, 25, stands out as a painter, singer, model, fashion designer, makeup artist, stylist, reality show star, and VJ. The French-Filipino celebrity is the first Heussaff to join showbiz, but you may have heard of her brother Erwan, who’s dating her friend, host-actress Anne Curtis. Heussaff and Curtis belong to the same circle as stylist Liz Uy, supermodel Georgina Wilson and model Isabelle Daza. Always tagged as Derek Ramsay’s girlfriend (and then ex-flame) before, Heussaff is now making a name for herself--though romantic rumors aren’t far behind (see: Richard Gutierrez).

SPOT.ph chats with the new It girl in town about her Survivor tactics, artistic pursuits and dating preferences.

Photo by Paolo Pineda for Metro magazine. Click for more photos.

What was the most difficult thing you accomplished in Survivor?

It would have to be battling the cold and mosquitoes at night while sleeping in wet clothes with no blanket.

How did you deal with the homesickness?

I don’t really get homesick since I have already lived away from my family several times. It was just hard to have zero contacts and not know what was going on back home.

How did it feel like when you lost the scorpion-eating challenge?

I felt bad because our team had already gone to so many tribal councils. But I did my best, and it was a close fight. I chewed all the insides already but I could not swallow the skin of the scorpion.

The Survivor scorpion-eating challenge

We read that you now sleep with a bunch of pillows because you got used to sleeping side by side with your fellow castaways. What other quirks did you pick up from the show?

Yes, every night we slept so close to each other. Our shelter was really small, and it always rained so we were like sardines in a can. Now, when I sleep, I have pillows all around me. I sleep with five to six pillows. Don’t have that many quirks anymore but the first month I got out, I had a hard time socializing. I felt like a cave man brought to 2020. Seeing people talk made me paranoid and think they are talking about me. If I forgot to brush my teeth, I didn’t really mind anymore. (Laughs)

In an interview, you said that before Survivor, you ate rice only once a month. But during the taping, you ate it every day. What is your diet like now?

Yes, I stopped eating carbs when I started doing yoga. I would eat brown rice very rarely and if I did, it’s like only a fourth of a cup. But on Survivor, that was our only source of energy so I had no choice. I ate about two cups a day! Now, I just eat meat, fruits and veggies. Sunday is my cheat day when I can have fried food, big meals, softdrinks, etc.

Solenn Heussaff's "Solennisms" on Survivor.

Would you go for another reality show stint? What kind of reality show would you like to do?

I’d love to join Amazing Race next year with my brother. And if Survivor asks me to join in two years, I would definitely do it and play nasty. (Laughs)

What tips can you give to Survivor aspirants?

Don't trust anyone. Don't be too sensitive, and remember that at the end of the day, it’s just a game (for all the haters out there). Don't worry if you smell like rotten eggs because everyone does. Don't get too close to the cameras; they might see armpit hair. (Laughs) Remember there are cameras around 24/7 so don't say anything you wouldn't want people to know about. Prepare yourself mentally and physically. Think of a strategy. At the end of the game, smile and be happy for this once in a lifetime experience. Not everyone comes out with the cash prize but everyone’s a winner for doing the whole thing.