Star Toomey is a big dreamer.
In the first installment of this two-part interview with The Blast, the fan-favorite from Season 48 of “Survivor” spoke about how her father’s life and death continue to fuel the burning ambition that drives almost everything she does.
In this follow-up, she opens up about her faith, her bold apparel brand “Not a Hoe,” and her dreams of ultimately returning to the game, this time to play alongside her son.
Toomey also addresses stereotypes surrounding her Liberian roots. At the same time, she shares her plans to give back to her birth country and also makes one thing very clear: “Liberia has the best jollof rice!”
Star Toomey’s Son ‘Inspired Her’ To Chase The ‘Survivor’ Dream
When Toomey first decided to heed Jeff Probst’s famous call to “apply to be on ‘Survivor,” she was holding her then newborn son and watching the longtime host ask viewers whether they had what it takes to compete on the show.
“I looked at my son. I looked at Jeff. I looked at my son, and I said, ‘Yeah, Jeff, I think I do have what it takes to be on ‘Survivor,'” Toomey recounts in her usual, exuberant style. “Next thing I know, I’m seeing Jeff, and I’m on the island, and now we’re playing the game.”
The former college basketball star has clear memories of her father encouraging her to pursue her dreams. Today, she does the same to her son, Silver-Mars, now two years old.
“When I looked at my son, I said, ‘Son, [Survivor] is what we’re going to be on,” Toomey says. “Chase your dreams. Even if you don’t want to do what I’m doing, you’ve got to go back and win the gold.”
Toomey Turns Pain Into Purpose With Bold ‘Not A Hoe’ Brand
Toomey went on “Survivor” as one way of chasing her dreams, something she has continued to do as a daring entrepreneur off the show.
The 29-year-old is the founder of “Not a Hoe,” an apparel business with a strong advocacy mission at its core.
“It stands for the people who have been hurt, the people who have been taken advantage of,” Toomey says, explaining the mission behind the brand. “The little kids in the street that are homeless, that are sitting in places they don’t belong, and they need that love.”
She is proud of the name she chose, seeing it as a way to encourage people to reclaim their narrative. Even so, she appreciates that the name can also be a barrier, and is actively working on a rebrand.
“For the people who still want to represent, [but] it’s a little too out there, it’s a little too bold, we’ll hook you up,” she explains. “So, we’re doing a rebrand for people for that.”
Star Toomey Gets Real About Faith: ‘You Can’t Dim My Light’
On her Instagram bio, Toomey introduces herself as, among other things, an “ordained minister (weddings).” In her conversation with The Blast, the reality star explains how her faith shapes her mindset and approach to life.
“You can’t dim my light, because I believe in myself,” Toomey insists. “And this is what I piggy-back on with my ministry, is God.”
Toomey goes on to explain how that belief connects every part of who she is.
“It’s the God in me,” she adds. “The God in me that represents my heart, my soul, my love, my heritage, my ancestors, the people that came before me that instilled this greatness that is in me.”
The ‘Survivor’ Star Confronts Stereotypes And Speaks About Giving Back To Liberia
It’s been nearly three decades since Toomey last set foot in Liberia, but she says she still feels deeply connected to the country: “I have family in Liberia. I want to go back; I’m prepping on it.”
A portion of all proceeds from “Not a Hoe” purchases goes towards charitable causes, and Toomey hopes that her philanthropy will one day extend to Africa.
The “Survivor” alum is also giving a special shoutout to streamer IShowSpeed for helping challenge stereotypes during his recent tour of the continent.
“That’s why I appreciate my content creators like IShowSpeed,” Toomey says. “He went to Liberia and showed people we’re not living in huts. We’re building it from the ground up. We got everything over there!”
Star Toomey Would Play ‘Survivor’ Again ‘Ten Times, A Billion Times’
Another dream that Toomey continues to hold on to is a future return to “Survivor.”
“I would play ten times, a billion times, and a million times more,” she says. “Even winning, even when not winning, even with going on the island and getting booted off Francesca-style!”
Those hopes might have to wait, however, with Probst recently suggesting there likely won’t be another returnee season anytime soon. Toomey has a different view.
“You’ve got to show love to the people who play the game and the legends,” she insists. “Bring the people back who deserve a second chance. Bring the people who want to play. Bring our favorites back!”
When asked which classic “Survivor” theme she would most want to be part of, Toomey names three.
“I would definitely do a ‘Heroes vs. Villains,” she says. “I would also do ‘Blood vs. Water’ for [my son,] and I would also do ‘Exile Island.”
You can also follow Toomey on X. “Not a Hoe” is on Instagram as well.