5 best new era Survivor players who never won

Every winner of Survivor is valid; if you get the votes to win, then you deserve it. But somehow, every single season, the internet is up in arms over who they thought should have won, or even more peculiar, who they thought was going to win based on the edit. Survivor fans are as invested as any Reality TV fan base, and seeing your favourite player flounder at Final Tribal never feels good.

Even more heart-wrenching is seeing your favourite player not even get a chance to plead their case. Over the years, we've seen that the players themselves might be more salty than the fans. This list is for all the players in the new era we love, those who felt like winners but never earned the right to be called the Sole Survivor.

5. Joe Hunter (Survivor 48)

“Only One of Yous Can Win” – The $1 million dollars is closer than ever as the remaining castaways enter the final stretch of the game. A major come-from-behind win earns one person a trip to the sanctuary and a spot in the final four. Then, a tumultuous fire-making showdown determines the final three. One castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $1 million prize, on the season 48 finale, followed by the After Show, hosted by Jeff Probst, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, May 21 (8:00-11:00 | CB

The leader of the infamous ‘Integrity Alliance’ seemed like the frontrunner to take home the $1 million through most of Survivor 48. Joe Hunter was one win away from tying the all-time Survivor record of five immunity challenge wins. He was a large figure in the game since the merge, and even though he felt like the clearest threat, he was able to thwart every attempt at his name.

His relationship with Kyle Fraser was a key part of making it to the Final Three. Kyle opted out of having Joe make fire and chose to take him to the final three, basing it on the depth of their friendship. His game feels already underrated, especially by him.

Joe was just named as one of the 24 Survivor players competing in Survivor 50.

4. Ricard Foyé (Survivor 41)

The Final Five has been the spot where the most significant threat has been voted out in the new era. Ricard was the first. He and Shan Smith had a chokehold on the game from the beginning, and once he blindsided her, he became the clear frontrunner. He was also a challenge threat, winning two individual immunity challenges and two rewards. One of the great examples of dominating the game without entering the merge with the majority.

3. Genevieve Mushaluk ( Survivor 47)

“Bob and Weave” – It’s double the immunity challenges and double the tribal councils in part one of the two-part season 47 finale. Castaways must do damage control after Operation Italy’s success. Then, one castaway tries spying to get some key information to further their game, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, Dec. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ | CBS

One of the most beloved contestants of the new era, and another victim of the infamous Final Five vote-out, we have Genevieve Mushaluk. Her rivalry with Rachel LaMont (The winner of Survivor 47) had Twitter set on fire. They made the season feel like a two-person race, and whichever one of them made it to the end was a shoo-in to be the winner. She built great relationships with a lot of the cast members who became the jury and were a part of the biggest move of the season (Operation Italy). Extremely beloved and a massive threat if she ever plays again.

Luckily, she is! Genevieve is returning for Survivor 50!

2. Charlie Davis (Survivor 46)

“Mamma Bear” – In one of the most emotional reward challenges of the season, castaways fight for their chance to win letters from home. Alliances begin to crumble and individual plans emerge after players compete in a race of balance, speed and puzzle skills to earn immunity and a spot in the final five, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, May 15 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for | CBS

For most of his season, Charlie Davis and Maria Shrime Gonzalez seemed like the dynamic duo that could not be beaten. But like many of Survivor’s favourite duos, they aimed at one another with Charlie taking her out at the Final Six. Aside from getting rid of his strongest ally, he orchestrated several blindsides. Heading into the Final Three, he was seen as the favorite to take home the $1 million. As we all know, he lost to Kenzie Petty in a 5-3-0 vote with the aforementioned Maria voting for Kenzie.

Charlie will get another chance to win Survivor when he returns for Survivor 50!

1. Jesse Lopez (Survivor 43)

He is widely considered one of the best strategic players in the new era. His alliance with Cody Assenmacher was dominant, and they entered the merge as swing votes and maneuvered expertly towards the end of the game. Jesse used Cody’s own idol for a blindside at the Final Six, and it was one of the most heart-wrenching moves in Survivor history. He made it past the Final Five curse to lose to Mike Gabler in a record-breaking fire-making challenge. Lopez played one of the best games in Survivor history and definitely one of the most memorable.

Honorable Mentions

Xander Hastings from Survivor 41, who grossly underestimated his fellow tribemates.
Austin Li Coon from Survivor 45, who like most of us was under Dee's spell for most of the game.
Carolyn Wiger from Survivor 44, whose emotional gameplay made her one of the most memorable players of the new era.