‘Survivor 50’ Cast Reveals Why They Deserve to Play Again (PHOTOS)
Everyone on Survivor 50 has something to prove. Even former winners. Jeff Probst shared a bold declaration from Season 45 winner Dee Valladares‘ casting interview with TV Insider on set in Fiji.
“Dee said, ‘What I’m here to prove is I’m going to be the first back-to-back winner,'” Probst revealed back in June. Other players told us they have a score to settle with themselves.
Alums such as Colby Donaldson and Ozzy Lusth want to shed their “hero” characters and play as their authentic selves. Aubry Bracco wants to love the game again after a difficult run in Edge of Extinction. Rizo Velovic, who came back to Fiji 10 days after Season 49 wrapped filming, noted when he was asked to return that he wants to become a legend. Mike White wants people to see that Survivor is still iconic TV. Cirie Fields wants to prove she can finally win.
On set in Fiji, before the game began, we asked them all to tell us why they deserved to be back for this milestone moment. Here are their pitches.
Survivor 50, Premieres Wednesday, February 25, 8/7c, CBS
For more inside scoop on Survivor 50 from the set, pick up a copy of TV Guide Magazine’s Survivor at 50 Special Collector’s Issue, available for preorder now at Survivor.TVGM2026.com and on newsstands on February 6.
Vatu Tribe
Colby Donaldson, Rizo Velovic, Quintavius “Q” Burdette, Kyle Fraser, Genevieve Mushaluk, Angelina Keeley, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Aubry Bracco
Rizo Velovic (Survivor 49)
R-i-z-g-o-d, Rizgod, baby! Rizo was an early standout in 49 because of that mantra. People doubted the young tech salesman could live up to that confidence, but he was a master strategist. His Tres Leches alliance with winner Savannah Louie and runner-up Sophi Balerdi wasn’t impossible to beat, but their combined power made everyone too afraid to even try. The majority planned to vote him out weekly, but he talked them out of it every single time, despite his idol being public knowledge. Only the fire-making challenge could beat Rizo in the end. Probst invited him to return the day after 49 ended while he was still in Fiji.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I left a mark worth coming back. As a superfan, I always wanted to come out to Survivor not only to be on the show, but to be one of the best to ever play. Being on Survivor 50 allows me to do that. [Jeff] giving me another opportunity [means] they believe in me as I believe in myself to allow me to etch and leave my mark in Survivor history.”
Kyle Fraser (Survivor 48 Winner)
The Season 48 winner is back with two players from his final four: Joe Hunter, whom Kyle
brought into the final three, letting the firefighter bypass the fire-making challenge, and
Kamilla Karthigesu, who lost the fire challenge against Eva Erickson, Survivor’s first openly autistic player. Kyle and Kamilla’s secret alliance pulled the puppet strings post-merge. They were so stealthy in their schemes that Joe and Eva were completely blindsided in the final tribal council. Through an assist from Kamilla, Kyle revealed that one of Joe and Eva’s biggest moves, the vote against Shauhin Davari, was orchestrated by him. The Brooklyn defense attorney knew how to work a jury. Now, he’s eager to see how his skills compare to the old era.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I’m probably one of the more well-rounded winners. My game was complete in a lot of aspects. It would be really cool to see me in a season with all these awesome players. My game was adaptable, and it would be cool to see somebody as adaptable as I am adapting to 24 insanely great players and see what that looks like.”
Q Burdette (Survivor 46)
Q was 46’s most anarchic player. His tribe, which included Tiffany Ervin (on Kalu in 50), didn’t win a challenge until day 11, and his emotions frequently got the best of him. Post-merge, he helped stage blindsides against people with idols. It backfired. Q was the fifth player voted out with an idol in their pocket. And here’s one potentially backfiring fact for Q in 50: He voted out Moriah Gaynor in 46 because Aubry Bracco was her favorite player. Now, Aubry is on Q’s tribe in 50.
“When I saw Aubry, I immediately was like, ‘God dog it, why did they [do that]?!’” Q told TV Insider. “It’s one of those things where I go back and say, if Moriah went home for liking Aubry, shouldn’t Aubry go home for being Aubry?”
Why do you deserve to play again?
“Maybe some of these leg ends deserve one last shot to play the new-era game, but for someone like myself, it’s more about where do I fit in this bunch? I believe I bring something to the table that only I can bring. These players now have to adapt their game just slightly to say, ‘How do we counter this if this happens?’ I keep them on their toes.”
Aubry Bracco (Kaoh Rong, Game Changers, Edge of Extinction)
The digital marketer debuted in Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, and returned for Game Changers, finishing second and fifth, respectively, and being celebrated for strategic prowess. But her Edge of Extinction run was rough and short-lived: Newbies targeted returning players, and Aubry was unanimously blindsided in Episode 5 with an idol and an extra vote in her possession. She chose exile but “flopped hard,” she told us in Fiji. This season is about reconciliation: “I stepped away from the Survivor community to take a break and return to normal life. I did a lot of personal work. Now I’m back to play.”
Aubry also watched 46. She knows that “Q has a wanted poster of me plastered to his kitchen wall.” She told us: “[When] I heard he was on 50, I’m not going to lie, I was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ But it all makes sense. I do think Q and I could find common ground, though I would never trust him…I’m in Q’s crosshairs…I want to get him out before he gets me out.” That could happen fast, now that they’re on the same tribe.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I don’t think anyone ever deserves it. They earn it, and they’re lucky. That’s what Survivor’s all about. I think I deserve to be back because I don’t stop. I’m not afraid to be vulnerable and open to the world and to myself.”
Genevieve Mushaluk (Survivor 47)
The Canadian corporate lawyer didn’t let opportunity pass when 47 began. She staged major blindsides against two allies and accomplished both in one afternoon of politicking. Fans loved her strategic prowess, but it made her dangerous. Genevieve struggled to mend fences; even telling the truth about her fake idol scheme was met with distrust, and she was voted out in the final five tribal council. She wants redemption.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“There’s more game left to play. It took me a while to find my footing in 47. I learned a lot by trial and error. Mostly error. I think I deserve to be back because I have spent the time reflecting so that I can come back and perform better than I did last time. It’s not just going to be a rerun of the greatest hits. It’s going to be new-album Genevieve, the player, and see what she’s got.”
Angelina Keeley (David vs. Goliath)
The financial consultant delivered one of the most hilarious scenes in Survivor history in 2018’s David vs. Goliath when she asked, “Natalie, is there any way I could have your jacket?” as Natalie Cole got her torch snuffed. The request was downright ignored. Angelina told us that “the jacket wasn’t the first mistake” she made that season, but truly, her performance reviews differ based on who you ask. She was bold (and cold) from the start, but no one can deny she’s one of the show’s greatest characters.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I was a big personality, but I didn’t expect to be here. It’s been a long time since my season was on. It’s been seven years, and so many new seasons. I even told my husband my time might have passed. I might be old news. The reality TV cycle is so quick. And then I got the call last August; I was pleasantly surprised but ready to go. I think I’m here because I had some memorable moments. I am known for my tenacity, and I think they want to see how the seven years and life could bring all those things to bear again on the island.”
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs. Villains)
No one’s had a Survivor experience like Stephenie’s. In Palau (Season 10), she became the first player to ever become a tribe of one, setting the standard for what has become known as the “cursed” Survivor tribe. Stephenie’s perseverance through this adversity made her a popular player, and her icon status was cemented in Guatemala (Season 11), where she played a little more like a villain, and Heroes vs.Villains (Season 20), where she was cast as a hero. She was voted out on Day 30 in Palau and was the runner-up in Guatemala. She dislocated her shoulder in the first Heroes vs. Villains challenge and was called a tribe “curse.” She was voted out on day six. Stephenie’s back to remind viewers what it really looks like to survive.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I’ve proven what it takes to be a true survivor. I encompass the whole identity of what the ultimate survivor and the last one standing can be. I pose a physical threat. I play an amazing social game, and emotionally, I can handle it. Mentally, physically, emotionally, I’m pretty unbreakable unless I get severely injured and you have to pull me out of the game.”
Colby Donaldson (Australian Outback, All-Stars, Heroes vs. Villains)
People named their kids Colby once The Australian Outback (Season 2) aired. His popularity led to a memorable guest star role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the most notable part of Colby’s Survivor history is who he brought into Season 2’s final two: Tina Wesson, the winner. Had Colby not protected Tina, he likely would’ve won. Colby returned in the first All-Stars (Season 8) and the fan-favorite Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), where he competed against Richard Hatch, the first winner, whom he credits with helping his reputation.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“The only category you could put me in the front of would be ‘the first guy to play it as a hero.’ I got put in that category not because I was heroic in any way, but because the fans had just watched Richard Hatch win. There was no help from villainizing him. I benefited from coming after Richard, playing a very different game, sticking to my word and my alliance, and therefore, some perceived it as heroic, so I got cast as that. I’m proud of it. I don’t back down from that qualification.”
Kalo Tribe
Jonathan Young, Dee Valladares, Mike White, Kamilla Karthigesu, Charlie Davis, Tiffany Ervin, Benjamin “Coach” Wade, Chrissy Hofbeck
Benjamin "Coach" Wade (Tocantins, Heroes vs. Villains, South Pacific)
The iconic personality and soccer coach was labeled a villain for his behavior on Tocantins (Season 18), which included melodramatic claims about playing with “honor” that were contradicted by his lies. “The Dragon Slayer” had an iconic run in exile that season. In Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), his alliance with Jerri Manthey led to Boston Rob’s elimination, but was quickly followed by his own. On South Pacific (Season 23), he was dubbed the “cult leader” thanks to his entrancing social game. His spell worked again on players in 50. Several of them cited Coach as a player of interest in our on-set interviews.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I’ve never really been replicated. Survivor’s tried, but they’ve never gotten that recipe right. They’re always trying to cast the eccentric wild card. The eccentric, can you take him for real? Is he serious? Is he just a character? Does he believe what he’s saying? He’s been down to the Amazon, but has he really? There’s only one person like that, and that’s me. So it’s my gift to you guys. Here you go, I’m back for a fourth time.”
Mike White (David vs. Goliath)
Mike was already famous for writing School of Rock and more by the time he was a Goliath on Season 37. Since then, he’s won multiple Emmys for The White Lotus, which has featured cameos from his Survivor friends. (His fellow 50 players Angelina Keeley and Christian Hubicki were both featured.) Mike downplayed his threat level in David vs. Goliath, but one of his biggest moves was blindsiding Christian. Mike was the runner up, but he wants the same thing for 50 that he did for Season 37 and The White Lotus: good plot.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“If I stay in the game, I’ll be an interesting player. I want more than anything for this season to be iconic. I want to make decisions that will make the season great. Maybe some of my choices will be counterintuitive to a lot of the other players, who are going for big targets right away. I want to keep the iconic players in the game. This is Survivor 50. It needs to live up to the hype.”
Kamilla Karthigesu (Survivor 48)
Kamilla was the architect, and Kyle was the closer in their secret alliance in Season 48. The Canadian software engineer fears the Season 50 cast will lump them together, making him a foe this time around.
“When I saw Kyle [on the cast list], I was like, ‘Well, great. Thanks, Jeff,’” Kamilla told us. “When you called and said, ‘Kamilla, do you want to do 50?’ You should have also said, ‘By the way, Kyle is going to be here,’ because then my answer would’ve been different.” It’s nothing personal, she said. Kyle is just “a heavy weight” on her game.
“I would’ve told Jeff, ‘Call me back for 51, 52, 53, any other season,’” she explained. “Let Kyle have this one. I’ll do another one.”
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I had a pretty good run on 48. The entire jury said they would’ve voted for me to win and that they were upset that they had to choose between one of the other three. I just couldn’t make fire. I deserve to play again because I played great the first time. I had fun. People really liked seeing me as the little bus driver without a driver’s license run over people. I’m excited to do that again.”
Tiffany Ervin (Survivor 46)
Tiff, Q, and Kenzie Petty survived the Yanu disaster tribe in 46. But Q’s unpredictability blew up Tiff’s game. He threw tribal council into chaos post-merge by admitting he was trying to get the New Jersey creative producer out, then asked everyone to eliminate him instead. This exposed Tiff’s idol, and she got blindsided, idol in her pocket, in the next episode. She’s not surprised that Q is also returning.
“There wasn’t a world where I got put back on another Survivor beach where Q was not there,” she says. “The first question people ask me is, ‘Are you and Q cool again? If you got back out there, what would you do?’” We’re about to find out.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I’ve earned my spot by being thoughtful, vulnerable and just leaving it all out there on the floor. When it comes to 50, they want people the fans can relate to. I’ve been told by many fans that I was open, and they appreciated that about me. When you see little parts of yourself in people who play Survivor, it incentivizes them to want you to come back.”
Chrissy Hofbeck (Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers)
After a blindside put her at the bottom post-merge in Season 35, Chrissy tied the record for most individual immunity wins by a woman. The actuary needed to beat Ben Driebergen in the final four immunity challenge, and she did. But the fire-making challenge was introduced as a surprise, and Chrissy sent Ben to do it. He won, paving his way to the $1 million. Some fans feel she was robbed.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I showed in my first season that I never gave up. We have had fans complaining about the final four fire making for the last eight years. I think some of them will be happy that I’m finally getting my redemption.”
Charlie Davis (Survivor 46)
Charlie and Maria Shrime Gonzalez were each other’s No. 1 allies for the entire season. Three of the record-setting idol reveals were the result of blindsides they staged together. They knew they’d have to split one day. By the final five, it was time to pull the trigger. Charlie, now a Boston lawyer, and Maria both voted for each other at tribal council, but Charlie was in the majority. Maria joined the jury and Charlie made it to the end. In the final three, Kenzie Petty got five votes, Charlie got three, Ben Katzman got none. Maria flipped on Charlie and voted for Kenzie in what fans felt was a vindictive move that cost him the game. Ben said that had Maria voted for Charlie, and it came down to his tie-breaking vote, he would’ve gone for Charlie. It’s arguably the most iconic betrayal of the new era.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“Deserve is a funny word. Do I think I am uniquely qualified to be here? Maybe not. But I think I came real close to the win, and as a fan, I like watching people who got real close have another shot. That’s why I think I’m here.”
Dee Valladares (Survivor 45 Winner)
Considered one of the best winners of the recent era, Season 45’s victor succeeded by insulating herself with a strong alliance comprised of players from her original Reba tribe: “Mama J” Julie Alley (her ride-or-die), Austin Li Coon (her showmance), and Drew Basile. The Florida entrepreneur’s core alliance, plus her ability to befriend just about anyone, gave Dee plenty of people to lean on and target throughout the season, and she had a noteworthy physical performance as well. Dee won when she revealed that she’d intentionally kept Austin out of the loop in an earlier vote. Dee wants to be the first person to win back-to-back.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I represent a lot of women, especially dominant women by nature, and I think that’s exciting because we’re taught to be less than, and I’m not like that. I think I can represent that group of women and kids all over the world, people that have been told they can’t do something, and I’m here to be like, ‘No, watch me do it. Watch me do it again.’”
Jonathan Young (Survivor 42)
Jonathan is an indisputable challenge champ. In one memorable water contest, he literally carried his entire team through a powerful tide while the other two tribes struggled to move at all. The Alabama native’s social and strategic games were strong enough to bring him to the final four, where he lost against “Hoboken” Mike Turner in the fire-making challenge.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I did the best physically that they’ve seen in a long time — some challenges that no one had ever seen. This go around, I’ve had Mr. Boston Rob helping me through a way to play a more strategic game. I played a strategic game last time, but it wasn’t shown, which is so good for me because I can play some of the same things.”
Cila Tribe
Joe Hunter, , Savannah LouieChristian Hubicki, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Emily Flippen, Rick Devens, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty
Cirie Fields (Panama, Micronesia, Heroes vs. Villains, Game Changers)
Cirie is widely considered the best player to never win. If the Connecticut nurse conquers 50, she could earn her spot on the Survivor Mount Rushmore of the greatest players of all time. Cirie came in fourth in Panama (Season 12), third in Micronesia (Season 16), 17th in Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20) and, most controversially, she was eliminated on day 36 in Game Changers (Season 34) after an avalanche of advantages left her the only player eligible for votes. There was no voting that night.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“The standout reason is because there’s always some old hokey pokey involved in me leaving. Who leaves with zero votes?! Am I entitled to anything because of that? Yeah! Prior to that, Micronesia was my season. My only goal was to make it to final three. I got there, and then it was snatched away from me because of the injuries. Those two reasons alone would qualify me, but also, regardless of how it ends up, regardless of how I look, I expose myself to the world 100% when I come and play these games. I’m not holding anything back.”
Ozzy Lusth (Cook Islands, Micronesia, South Pacific, Game Changers)
With several records under his belt, Ozzy is considered one of the great challenge competitors. He was a strong tribe provider, and he was runner-up behind Yul Kwon on Cook Islands (Season 13). He had a memorable showmance with Amanda Kimmel on Micronesia (Season 16), although her iconic “Black Widow Brigade” allies Cirie Fields and Parvati Shallow blindsided him. He placed fourth in South Pacific (Season 23) and was the 12th booted off Game Changers (Season 34). The vinyl bar owner wants to shed the Ozzy “character” in 50. “I’ve never played as Oscar,” he says. “I’m going to let Ozzy sit on the bench a little bit longer.”
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I really feel in my bones I’m one of the best to ever play. I haven’t had the most immaculate social game, but I still think I’ve had a pretty good social game. When it comes to everything else, that I’ve got on lock. I can see the hacks in every single challenge and give us that advantage. I’m going to do the same thing this time, but I’m going to play much different.”
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty (Borneo, All-Stars)
Jenna represents the very first season, Borneo (where she was the ninth to go home), and the first All-Stars outing (Season 8). The realtor made it to the final three with Boston Rob and Amber Mariano on All-Stars, but was snuffed when only Rob and Amber made it into the final tribal council. They wound up getting engaged at the All-Stars live reunion.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I did a huge turn from Survivor 1 to All-Stars. We didn’t get our sh*t together quick enough as the Pagong tribe [in Season 1]. I learned my lesson, and I ran All-Stars from the second I landed. I never went to a tribal council without knowing if I was going home. Once Rob, Amber, Rupert [Boneham], and I got together, I never doubted it. But even on my beach before [the merge], I had Rupert around my finger. I had voted Tina Wesson off and Rudy [Boesch]. I was queen sh*t of that island. You can’t tell me the Season 1 [player] that does a heel turn — makes it to the finals, and if there had been a final three, would’ve won — can’t come back for 50 and deserve her spot.”
Christian Hubicki (David vs. Goliath)
Christian was a memorable personality from the moment he solved his first puzzle in David vs. Goliath’s (Season 37) marooning challenge. His natural likability and sweetness made the Florida robotics specialist easy to connect with; he was a smart talker who could find in-roads with anybody. He had notable challenges and strategic performances and both Mike White and Angelina Keeley tried to vote him out during Season 37. Mike eventually succeeded.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I brought an analytical side and an emotional drive and openness, and married those two things in a way that isn’t often seen on the show. Both are important to winning, but one of the greater crimes that you can commit is be boring onscreen. I didn’t come out to be a big character, but just by being me, I realized I am good at this. I am worth bringing back for this landmark 50th season…I am lucky, but I also did earn it.”
Joe Hunter (Survivor 48)
Joe was one of the most emotionally moving players in the show’s history. After Eva Erickson entrusted the California fire captain with her autism diagnosis, they became ride-or-die allies. This fan-favorite duo made Probst cry on-camera for the first time ever after Joe helped Eva come down from a meltdown in a challenge, and they refused to betray their alliance in the final three. Joe competed in honor of his late sister, who was a victim of domestic violence. He played a fiercely loyal game, but he was blindsided by the reveal of Kyle Fraser and Kamilla Karthigesu’s secret alliance. He was still angry about that when we talked on set.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I struggle with that question because I didn’t know the answer for a little bit. Do I deserve to be here? Did I play a game that a lot of people are proud of, and a lot of people can get behind and root for? I look at the feedback that I’ve gotten. The answer to that is yes. Talking about my sister, being vulnerable about that, sharing that moment with Eva, those are things that many haven’t seen before on this show.”
Rick Devens (Edge of Extinction)
Rick was voted out of Edge of Extinction (Season 38) early but clawed his way back from exile to play more aggressively. The Georgia communications specialist saved himself with four immunity wins and still holds the record for most immunity idols played in one season at four. He lost the fire-making challenge to fellow former exile Chris Underwood. Fans voted on whether to include idols in 50 and the results will be revealed in-season, but the trailer hinted at wild idols, or perhaps fake ones, tied to celebrities. Rick says in the trailer, “It’s a Billie Eilish boomerang idol,” whatever that means! Rick may be primed to throw everyone’s games into chaos when capitalizing on these twists.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“My whole endgame in Edge of Extinction was providing uncertainty. ‘Does he have an idol? Is it real?’ I thrive in that, so I started thinking about that. There might be a lot of advantages. There might be none. But how am I going to bring advantages into the game? And I am. Real or fake, you give me the time and opportunity, and we’re going to get something going.”
Emily Flippen (Survivor 45)
Emily came in piping hot in the marooning challenge on 45, sharing her abrasive take on Bruce Perreault. This first impression, plus her pessimistic demeanor early on, made her an easy target. That the Maryland investment analyst recovered from this major snafu is a credit to her ability to change, as well as to the guidance from her ally, Kaleb Gebrewold. Emily was apprehensive about returning to Fiji.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“I don’t really feel like I do. I’ve been struggling with that. It’s hilarious because my endgame of 45 was crippled by insecurity, which led to me losing agency. I hate the idea that I’m coming into 50 still feeling a lot of that insecurity. I’m competing against some of the most physically, socially, strategically dominant players that Survivor has ever seen. I wouldn’t categorize myself as any of those things. The best thing that I can do is just be me. That is the reason I was asked back, because there’s a selection of people that can’t help but just be themselves, even if they don’t want to.”
Savannah Louie (Survivor 49 Winner)
Savannah won individual immunity challenges at the most opportune moments in 49. She also tied the record for most individual immunities won by a woman (four). Savannah’s physical performance, strong, direct personality, and strategic skills made her a weekly target, but she had rock-solid alliances, and she deployed her advantages well. She and Rizo were so dominating, players voted against their own interests to avoid their retaliation. Their Tres Leches alliance with Sophi brought some old-era spice into the new, injecting some good entertainment into a season with a slow start. Sophi Balerdi forced Savannah and Rizo to make fire in the end. Savannah used a challenge to save her game one last time, and then she won the whole thing. Like Rizo, Probst invited Savannah to be on 50 the dayafter she won the $1 million.
Why do you deserve to play again?
“My answer is going to be ‘self-explanatory.’ That’s it. Self-explanatory. No explanation needed. You watch my season; you’re going to know.”
The Tribe Has Spoken
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