At Chicago’s C2E2 2020 pop culture convention this weekend, the star of several CW properties’ Green Arrow re-iterated his desire to compete in Survivor.
As many of you know, for most of Survivor’s history on television, only American citizens had been able to compete on the show. Before the “floodgates” opened up this past fall in Island of the Idols with the introduction of Brampton’s own Tom Laidlaw, the only Canadians who could play were those with parents born here (like Todd Herzog) or had spent formative years in Canada (like Kel Gleason).
Celebrities, in contrast, have been on Survivor multiple times, although often are known for athleticism back in their heyday. One writer, actor, and director even managed to go far in their season, as David vs. Goliath is one of the greatest seasons in the show’s history! Combining Canadianism and acting celebrity together would be the most magical of combinations.
Stephen Amell, best known for portraying Oliver Queen / Green Arrow in The CW’s Arrow series (as well as playing the character across several superhero programs), was at Chicago’s C2E2 2020 convention this past weekend and was asked about his interest in competing on the reality program.
“Oh, of course, absolutely,” Amell told Comicbook.com. “I’d get voted off first or win, I’m not sure. I’ve become pretty good friends with my friend Danielle (DiLorenzo) and her husband Ryan, and she finished second on Survivor, and every once in a while I mention that I’m a fan of the show and her husband goes ‘but would you be a bigger fan if my wife was a winner?'”
A local in Tahiti just invited me spear fishing... this is the closest I’ll ever get to being on Survivor, so I’m going.
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) December 20, 2017
I'll forgive the Facebook Friend who posted on the page asking me if I was caught up on Survivor by complaining about the winner. Eventually.
Posted by Stephen Amell on Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Though his show, Arrow, has finally come to an end, being physically in shape is paramount to Stephen Amell’s career. He later went on to speak about an injury suffered when competing in American Ninja Warrior’s Red Nose Day appearance, as the man infamous for beasting through the salmon bar exercise developed compartment syndrome in his arms.
Thankfully, Survivor isn’t that physically demanding when it comes to challenges, although a completed season would likely vastly reduce muscle mass for a Stephen Amell type. However, an actor’s availability for a full 39-day season (in addition to the week or so to fly out to Fiji and prepare for the game), plus the possibility of being recognized, might make it impossible for the stars to align.
Maybe we’ll get him on a Celebrity Survivor kind of season in the future? We’d love to see more Canadians accepted for the show, regardless of celebrity status.