On MTV's new reality competition Stranded With A Million Dollars, ten adventurers are dropped on a remote island for 40 days with nothing but the clothes on their backs and $1 million in cash.

They can buy all the supplies and creature comforts they want, but the prices are insanely expensive. (Like, $15,000 for a hamburger expensive.) And all purchases must be approved by a majority vote, since the cost comes out of their shared prize money.

Michael Schuur, 18, was scouted for Stranded after a casting director spotted him on Model Mayhem. The Northern California native has endurance and training on his side—he once kayaked 300 miles from Canada to the U.S. Growing up in a well-off family, Schuur says he didn't experience racial discrimination—but he did face bullying because of his bisexuality.

Below, we talked to him about the show, his American Idol audition and what he'd do with a million bucks.

Besides giving up your privacy, what were some other challenges of being on the show?

Having to deal with some of the contestants, to be honest. I knew there were going to be different personalities, but some of the personalities I just couldn’t get along with. Going to the bathroom was uncomfortable because you never knew if there were going to be cameras there. Also, you don’t really know where you’re going to the bathroom at night because we didn’t have flashlights.

At one point you give into temptation and eat a hamburger, which cost you $15,000. What does a hamburger that expensive taste like?

Oh, gosh. It was soggy and a little raw. It was not the best hamburger, but it was better than raw coconut. Not much better, though. Maybe one step above it.

It had just started raining and all the food was drenched and there were flies all over it. It wasn’t worth $15,000, but it was better than nothing.

There are hints of a bromance going on between two of your cast mates, Chris and Codey. What did you make of that?

I sensed that right away when we were on the island and Chris arrived. Right when they met each other, I could see that flourish. Actually, I wouldn’t say it’s a bromance—it’s more like Codey is the master and Chris is the dog. You’ll see why I think that later on.

You were in the Boy Scouts before it allowed gay members. What was your experience like?

When I was younger I didn’t have any problems within the Boy Scouts. A lot of people were very supportive. I wouldn’t say I was really "out," but I wasn’t in the closet either. I don’t think you need to validate your sexuality in public, but you could probably tell I was more interested in men, although I never advertised it.

All my fellow scouts were really supportive. I didn’t have any problems. I liked being different from everyone else.

Before you were cast on Stranded, you made it through a few rounds of American Idol. What was your audition song?

I sang “Rehab” and “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse. I was 15 when I auditioned, but didn’t end up making it on the show. I got to meet Ryan Seacrest, though. He’s so much shorter in person.

Did you feel like you had to represent the LGBT community on Stranded?

I didn’t feel like I had a giant responsibility, but at the same time I caught myself watching how I presented myself, and also what I said, to put a good image out there.

On your Instagram, you describe yourself as a combination of Ryan Reynolds, Michael Ely and Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass. Do you really get compared to them?

My friends always say that. I’m very different than I was on Stranded. Now I have this very luscious beard, like Ryan Reynolds’ beard.

I get Michael Ely because the ethnicity and my eyes. People say I’m suave like Chuck Bass. [Laughs] I think it’s just a funny little line. I look more mature with the beard now. On the show I look so young.

Who are some of the queer celebrities who’ve had an impact on you?

There are a lot of drag queens: Mama Ru is a big idol for me. I love her. Bianca Del Rio is one of my favorite people because she’s so authentic and doesn’t care what other people think. She’s an advocate and she’s fucking funny. I wish I could be that funny. I’m pretty sure I repeated a couple of Bianca’s jokes while filming because I love her so much.

Violet Chachki is my fashion icon, but my man crush is Colton Haynes. He’s very, very hot. He’s gold. He’s handsome and funny and kind of shy, which is cute in a guy. He’s not cocky. I think he’s real.

Without spoiling anything, what would you do with a million dollars?

I’d invest part of it, like the business major I am. Then I’d probably go on a shopping spree. I’m kind of a fashion snob and like nice designer clothing. I’d go to Burberry and get a couple of coats and Gucci and get a bag. I’d also give a portion to charity. I really want to start a non-kill shelter later. That’s really far away, though—like when I'm 45 or 50.

Stranded with a Million Dollars premieres February 21 at 10/9c on MTV.