Fox’s Extracted is the latest in reality survival shows and features 12 untrained competitors attempting to survive extremely grueling and wildly dangerous conditions (including predators!) in the Canadian wilderness. All the while, their family members are locked down at a secluded headquarters watching them via a 24/7 live feed.
At any point in the game, if one of the family members thinks they have had too much, they press the ominous “Extract” button (hence the title of the series) to remove their loved one from the competition and take them out of the running for their family to win $250,000.
Recently, Extracted contestant Rose Hyak was taken out of the competition but tells GLAAD she hopes this is only the beginning of her reality TV competition journey.
Hyak spoke to GLAAD about what it was like to compete in this one-of-a-kind survivalist competition series and the importance of LGBTQ representation in reality TV.
Did you ever in your wildest dreams think you would be on a show like Extracted?
Yes and no! Wild answer right? When I was a little kid I was introduced to shows like Survivor and The Challenge and always wanted to compete and test myself. I feel like I was always discouraged from trying out or was told that there was no way I, amongst everyone else, would get selected. But I am resilient and also stubborn as hell, so there was a part of me that felt like I was going to make it happen at some point in time. Little did I know, it would be right after starting a new decade off, dirty 30 and it would be a show called Extracted!
What was one thing that surprised you about yourself while competing on Extracted?
First and foremost, confidence and trusting your gut IS IN in 2025. I went into the game studying major players in the competitive reality space – making note of the most critical survival tactics that I needed. I made a plan of attack and when I got there that went out the window and I just needed to trust myself… I knew exactly what to do and actually could do it. Once I got out of my head, I was shocked at all that I accomplished… and the wildest part is that I already had it inside of me.
What were some of the unexpected challenges you had to face while on the show?
Honestly, no one tells you how hard it is to be by yourself in the woods, trying to make enough good choices to survive. I am so lucky to have such a good support system in my personal life and to not be able to communicate with them and get their advice in such critical moments was really eye opening and forced me to trust in myself and my decisions.
What were you thinking during the episode and the moments leading up to your exit from the show?
Damn this is a loaded question! (laughs) I feel like within the realm of the show Extracted there are three versions of me: the pre, the during and the post show. And in this post version I have so much more confidence, knowledge, trust and respect within myself. So on the one hand, I watch this and wish I would have done things differently or had a different outcome. I mean at the end you can hear me say “I’m definitely disappointed in myself.” On the other hand, I watch this and almost see a different person on the screen then who I resonate with today. I can therefore watch it with so much compassion and care for the person out there struggling.
I remember at the time, all I wanted was a hug and someone to tell me they were proud of me. Watching it back I was able to do that for myself… and mean it! I mean “Hey, I BUILT A BED WITH LOGS AND ROPE AND IT WAS COMFY!” What?! That’s so cool. I’m so proud of that version of me.
What did it mean to you to represent the LGBTQ on a show like Extracted which is on broadcast TV?
It is an honor of a lifetime! I came out as a lesbian 10 years ago and every year I grow a stronger sense of pride and gratefulness to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a strong and resilient community with so many amazing individuals, I consider myself so lucky to be in this position.
What would it have been like to see someone like you competing on a show like EXTRACTED when you were younger?
So impactful! I know the young version of me, who was struggling with her sexuality as a teen, would be so proud. I’m 30, so growing up we didn’t have much queer representation in the media, especially on reality TV. I remember as a kid watching The Challenge on MTV and anytime Evelyn, Rachel or Aneesa would come onscreen I would hang onto every word they said. It made all the difference to have queer women on the screen, seeing them be themselves and live so openly is actually what helped me to realize that I was a lesbian! Even now seeing women like Parvati and Carolyn from Survivor or Gabby from The Traitors be their most authentic selves on screen is not only inspiring but NECESSARY for our community. I can only hope that my younger self would have resonated with a lesbian surviving in the Canadian wilderness who showed both physical and emotional strength in a very hard situation.
The show is literally about survival. How do you hope it speaks to LGBTQ audiences?
Our community is going through a lot right now and I know everyone is scared. The survival in the show is obviously very different, though I think there is a common thread around the isolation and fear that stems from it as well digging deep to fight for yourself every day. I know that even as a lesbian I hold a lot of privileges and cannot speak for other members within the community. I only hope that seeing more queer representation on screen, especially on a brand new survival show, continues to reinforce the idea that we as a population are not going anywhere and are going to continue to be loud and confident in who we are and stand strong alongside each other.
What is the one moment about this season that you will remember forever?
Flying away in the helicopter after giving my aunt and cousin a huge hug goodbye. Not only was that the moment that the show started for me, but that was the moment that my life changed forever. Watching them get smaller and smaller as we flew away, knowing that I was about to face the unknown and go through one of the biggest challenges in my life was TERRIFYING!! And yes it didn’t turn out how I wanted it to, I would have loved to win, but I have been forced to work on myself since coming home and I am so proud of the woman I am today.
Would you compete on another reality series again? If so, which one?
YES!!! I want another chance at this so bad! Here’s the thing.. I am a social person! I live in Denver and am a lesbian. There is so much going on at all times and I thrive in that environment. I would love the chance to get to play a social and physical game and show everyone my personality, cause she is BIG! I would love the chance to go on Survivor, Big Brother, and especially The Challenge. Put me in a situation where I can build alliances, screw people over, and have a head to head in a “Hall Brawl” type of game. I’m ready and this time I will not lose!
Extracted airs Mondays at 8pm/7pm CT on Fox.