Every winner ofSurvivoris 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.Survivorfans 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)
The leader of the infamous ‘Integrity Alliance’ seemed like the frontrunner to take home the $1 million through most ofSurvivor 48. Joe Hunter was one win away from tying the all-timeSurvivorrecord 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 withKyle Fraserwas 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 inSurvivor 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 andShan Smithhad 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)
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 withRachel LaMont(The winner ofSurvivor 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 forSurvivor 50!
2. Charlie Davis (Survivor 46)
For most of his season, Charlie Davis andMaria Shrime Gonzalezseemed like the dynamic duo that could not be beaten. But like many ofSurvivor’s favouriteduos, 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 toKenzie Pettyin a 5-3-0 vote with the aforementioned Maria voting for Kenzie.
Charlie will get another chance to winSurvivorwhen hereturns forSurvivor 50!
1. Jesse Lopez (Survivor 43)
He is widely considered one of the best strategic players in the new era. His alliance withCody Assenmacherwas 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 inSurvivorhistory. He made it past the Final Five curse to lose toMike Gablerin a record-breaking fire-making challenge. Lopez played one of the best games inSurvivorhistory and definitely one of the most memorable.
Honorable Mentions
- Xander Hastings fromSurvivor 41,who grossly underestimated his fellow tribemates.
- Austin Li Coon fromSurvivor 45,who like most of us was under Dee's spell for most of the game.
- Carolyn Wiger fromSurvivor 44,whose emotional gameplay made her one of the most memorable players of the new era.
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