Was Jasmine Smart For Voting In Cara Maria?

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Jasmine has power over Cara Maria, but on All Stars 4, we saw it.

After losing the Unbraided: Reloaded challenge, Cara Maria was in the bottom with many of the strong female competitors. But the middle group, consisting of Jasmine, Jay, Brandon, Tina, and Averey, had the power to send two losing girls into The Arena.

For a period of time, Cara Maria felt safe, because she thought Brandon, Jasmine, and Jay would have her back. In reality, Jay was the only one who did. Jasmine and Brandon both voted Cara in The Arena.

While Brandon’s vote was the bigger gut punch to Cara Maria, Jasmine’s game was more directly impacted by this elimination. So it makes sense that she wanted to seize the opportunity to remove a threat from the game.

And, as a viewer, it’s a bit confusing why Cara was so confident in her relationship with Jasmine. Not that they’ve ever had any serious beef, but Jasmine even stated that they hadn’t spoken for years before this season. This doesn’t mean they aren’t friends, nor does it mean they can’t form an alliance, but it’s hard to see a reason why Jasmine wouldn’t take the opportunity to get rid of a strong player.

Many viewers of the show were upset that Jasmine made the votes that got Cara Maria and Rachel into The Arena. But, let’s be honest: Jasmine has to play a strategic game if she wants to win. Based on size alone, she will be an easy target for any elimination. Other Challengers would want to face her in The Arena, because they’d have an advantage in a physical game.

Jasmine’s self-aware enough to know she needs to make these moves. She’d rather not face Cara Maria or Rachel in The Arena, and she’d be foolish not to vote for an elimination that guarantees one of those girls leaves.

Then, Jasmine was gifted a star by Cara Maria. Based on Cara’s statements, she wanted Jasmine to have the star because it was a “starget” and other players will try to steal it. But was this really a good move?

It’s hard to say, but there’s definitely logic behind her decision. The next time a girl wins in The Arena, they’d likely steal Jasmine’s star rather than Cara Maria’s star. Not only would Jasmine be an easier foe to deal with, but there’s an easy excuse to take her star because she didn’t earn it.

But, let’s not avoid the obvious: Jasmine already had a target. Almost any girl would jump at the opportunity to compete against Jasmine in a Hall Brawl or a Pole Wrestle. Now, conceivably, Jasmine could find a way to skate to the end without seeing an elimination because she already has a star.

So, it’s hard to argue that Cara Maria made Jasmine a bigger target. However, Cara did make a move that could temporarily shield her star, so it may have benefitted both girls.