She’s slated to win this year’s Australian Survivor, and Aussie actress Pia Miranda has finally opened up about the cheating controversy that could cost her coming out on top.
During the episode aired last Monday, the Looking for Alibrandi star won her first individual immunity challenge. However, fans of the Ten reality show were quick to criticise the star for apparently cheating.
WATCH the moment Pia Miranda wins Survivor challenge using two hands to hold on
The contestants were challenged to hang onto a bar for 90 minutes, first with both hands, then with two. In the final moments, Simon slipped off taking himself out of the challenge and soon after Luke did the same. However, in-between Simon and Luke bowing out of the challenge, eagle-eyed viewers spotted Pia appearing to grip the bar with both hands.
Taking to Instagram, Pia - who recently opened up about the shock medical condition she was diagnosed with during filming - attempted to clear up the controversy.
"In regards to the edit showing me apparently changing arms," she wrote, "I was changing them throughout the challenge when it was 2 arms to give each one a rest. I can only assume vision came from that period of the challenge."
"As for me grabbing the bar with two hands at the end of the challenge," the caption continued, "it was a complete surprise to me as I would never intentionally cheat to win, I love the game too much.
"The boys told me the challenge was mine and that they were dropping out, so on their call to drop I then grabbed the bar in excitement. I was declared the winner on the day and was so thrilled about it so it was a shock to me that there was any controversy.
“Honestly, I wasn’t tired so I had no reason to cheat. After so many days in the game and over 90 minutes hanging in a challenge I would hate for my whole experience to be defined by a debate about a split second as I respect and love the game of Survivor so much.”
After the show aired, Australian Survivor producers issued a statement defending the actress.
"Pia was the winner of the challenge. All that were there saw the win play out this way."