"It’s always easy to deflect"— Deal or No Deal Island's Luke Olejniczak comments on Seychelle blaming him for team's fate

Luke Olejniczak became the first contestant to be eliminated from Deal or No Deal Island season 2, which premiered on January 7, 2025, on NBC. In the premiere episode, Luke teamed up with Survivor Australia alum David Genat and Seychelle Cordero to venture on a quest to locate the elusive red cases.

However, their discovery ultimately placed their team in jeopardy. Luke finished the episode with the least amount in his briefcase and was eliminated. Seychelle had blamed him for the team's downfall in the daily challenge, citing his decision to select the case as the pivotal mistake.

Following his elimination, Luke responded to Seychelle's criticism in an interview with TV Insider on January 8, 2025. Luke acknowledged Seychelle's criticism, noting that it was easy for others to deflect responsibility.

While he admitted that his decision led the team to their predicament, he expressed disappointment that Seychelle didn’t share in the accountability, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in such situations.

"That’s fine. I mean, it’s always easy to deflect, right? At the end of the day, it was my action, but she certainly didn’t do me any justice by taking any of the heat off me by saying, 'No, this was our team’s decision.' She knows that, but it’s fine. I have big shoulders. I’ll take the blame," he said.

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Deal or No Deal Island star Luke Olejniczak reflects on his performance and elimination

Further in the interview with TV Insider, Deal or No Deal Island contestant Luke Olejniczak reflected on his performance during the premiere episode and the road to his elimination.

Luke's Deal or No Deal Island season 2 episode 1 teammate David Genat won Australian Survivor: All Stars in 2020. During the interview, he was asked if he was aware that his teammate was a seasoned reality star.

The contestant admitted that he had no idea about any of his fellow cast mates' backgrounds and also revealed that he didn’t recognize the show’s host, Joe Manganiello.

"No, I didn’t know David’s background and I didn’t know Parv’s. I don’t really watch a lot of TV, Amanda, unless it’s college football or the NFL," she added.

Later in the interview, when Luke was asked if he had any conversation with David regarding taking that deal on the offer that was made by Sydnee Peck, he said no.

The Deal or No Deal Island star explained that he and Seychelle were the first ones waiting on the island because the trio already had a predetermined plan and it was set in motion. However, David later came up with a whole new plan without any prior discussion with his teammates.

In episode 1, Luke's team was on the brink of elimination, and in a bid to change their fate, he volunteered to go to the temple and try his luck. Unfortunately, his gamble resulted in his elimination. When asked if he regretted the decision, Luke confidently replied that he had no regrets.

"Absolutely not. You know what would have been worse than having the outcome last night? Having Seychelle or David go up there and just watching my fate happen in front of me, that would have been even worse. So, no, I have no regrets at all. I’ll be remembered for something. I guess that’s worth something, right?" the Deal or No Deal Island star explained.

Luke further shared that, after his elimination, he was rooting for Rock Carlson to win the show. He called Rock a "good guy" noting that he was one of the contestants whom he felt at ease with.

"You need to be of your word and you are who you say you are, right? I see a lot of snakes on the island. Rock was not one of them. I really wish Rock the best," he concluded.

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Deal or No Deal Island season 2 episode premieres every Tuesday on NBC.