After auditioning and being turned down for Survivor twice, the third time was the charm for Stephannie Favor.

She says, it probably had less to do with luck than it did with the show's controversial format this year -- dividing the tribes by race.

"It was just a good opportunity for me," says Favor, an African-American.

And she doesn't buy CBS' argument its past seasons of mostly Caucasian casts were a reflection of the low number of minorities who tried out for the show.

"I know at the previous casting calls I had gone to, there were just lines and lines of people that were very diverse. There were quite a few African-Americans there."

While Favor, a married mother of two and Desert Storm veteran, had no problem with the tribes initially being drawn along racial lines, it didn't seem to help her on the island.

At first, she thought her strategy of staying low-key might carry her to the US$1 million prize. But her comments about craving mashed potatoes and being the weakest link combined with trusting in fellow tribemate Nathan Gonzalez, got her booted.

"When I said that (I was the weakest link), I was extremely frustrated by losing the fire-making challenge.

"I wanted it so badly and when it didn't happen, I vocalized it -- not in the way it aired -- I whispered it to Nate.

"I was just hoping for some encouragement, but obviously it turned out to be a very wrong move for me. It came back and bit me in the butt."

Favor also believes her comment about wanting some potatoes for dinner, was taken out of context.

"We all talked about food every second of the day. So, when I made the comment we were joking, but Nate took it and ran with it.

"I have no malice towards him.

"In this game you are always looking for any opportunity or reason to get rid of somebody other than yourself. I felt like he was just playing the game."

Aside from not winning the money, Favor says the biggest disappointment of the show was not making it onto the jury.

Not only did she want to help determine who wins Survivor, but the players are expected to get their luxury items when they merge.

"I didn't get a chance to bring it into the game because I didn't stay long enough, but it was my university flag," says Favor, adding she wasn't allowed to bring a toothbrush.

"I guess they think you're not really surviving if you have a toothbrush."

Survivor: Cook Islands airs on Global and CBS at 9 p.m. tonight.