The season finale of Survivor 50 is almost here and it’s been a whirlwind journey to the end for our five finalists. But their gameplay during this anniversary season might not be the only things our jury considers for those who make it to the Final Three. On a season for all returning players—especially one as important as the 50th season—it’s likely impossible that prior strategy and dedication to the game is taken into account when crowning the Sole Survivor.
But which of our contestants deserves the win the most, if that’s the case? We look back at all our finalist’s past seasons, how far they made it, and which one of them deserves the title from a jury stand-point.
Tiffany Ervin
On Survivor 46, Tiffany secured 8th place in the game and a spot on the jury after her ally Q Burdette turned on her, telling everyone about her immunity idol and getting her blindsided with said idol in her pocket on the way out. But the reason for the blindside was not only because of the idol, but because she was proving to be a really smart player who understood strategy and was dominating the social game.
This time around, Tiffany’s proving nothing’s changed as far as her gameplay goes—she’s still a strong strategist who’s developed relationships and won a handful of immunity challenges that are keeping her locked in. And when the jury looks at her, they’ll see all of that as well as a player who has something to prove. As the lowest ranking returning member left in the game, she clearly has something to prove just by making it to the end of the game. And if she does, there’s a handful of jury members who might vote for her to win.
Potential Jury Votes: Dee Valladares, Christian Hubicki, Emily Flippen, Ozzy Lusth, Rick Devens, Cirie Fields
Jonathan Young
Jonathan made it to the Final Four of Survivor 42 before he lost the fire-making challenge to his closest ally and season runner-up Mike Turner. As the final member to join the jury, Jonathan was the only player to vote for Mike against eventual winner Maryanne Oketch, which is likely the origin story of his desire to join the “honor & integrity” alliance.
Unlike last time, Jonathan has been actually less involved in this season’s strategy—though he definitely sees it differently. While Jonathan was a key factor in eliminating some of his top competitors in his first season, every blindside he’s taken credit for so far this season has been orchestrated by someone else. He’s won one individual immunity challenge this season, so his resume really isn’t stacking up the way it could have last time—though he still would have lost to Maryanne.
Potential Jury Votes: Chrissy Hofbeck, Coach Wade, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
Rizo Velovic
Just as he likely will this time, Rizo used his immunity idol to make it to the Final Four where he went up against his closest ally—and future winner—Savannah Louie in the fire-making challenge and lost, making him the last member of the jury. A trajectory not unlike Jonathan’s except Rizo didn’t win any individual challenges in his prior season.
And even if he makes it to the Final Three, he played such an under-the-radar game that the only jury management wasn’t very top-of-mind. If he wants to win jury votes, the best way he’ll do it is by having his two closest allies in the game (both of which he helped vote out) campaign for him at Ponderosa. He’ll need to be sitting in a very specific three in order to have a chance to win.
Potential Jury Votes: Ozzy Lusth, Cirie Fields
Joe Hunter
On Survivor 48, Joe was known for being the social leader of the tribe and a physically dominant player in challenges. But as Kyle Fraser took him to the end after winning the final immunity, Joe received only one vote, landing him in third place as he sat with his jaw on the floor as he learned one of his closest allies played the entire game behind his back.
Joe came into this season with a lot of trauma—not unlike many of our other returning players. While he made it to the end, he was blindsided by better gameplay and was shocked to find out he didn’t play the winning game he thought he did. And this time around, he had a chance to prove himself, changing his strategy and showing the jury he’s earned the title of Sole Survivor. But he just…didn’t. He kept to the loyalty plan that didn’t work for him last time and unfortunately, it will likely work even less for the players voting for a winner in the finale.
Potential Jury Votes: Chrissy Hofbeck, Coach Wade, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
Aubry Bracco
Aubry is the only returning player left who’s participated in more than one season—and not within the last 5 years. In all three seasons she’s been a part of, she’s previously always found herself at Final Tribal Council, earning second place her first time around on Kaoh Rong and making the jury on Game Changers and Edge of Extinction. This is her fourth time playing and her fourth time she’s made it to the finale.
This fact alone makes Aubry the biggest threat still in the game. While she might not have come out the gate swinging, she knows exactly how she previously misplayed the game and is recalibrating this season to course correct her to the winner’s seat. And her drive and dedication are going to be impressive resume additions on top of the social and strategic player she’s maneuvered in the last couple of weeks. She has a lot of favor with the jury because of this and has the highest potential to win if she makes it to the Final Three.
Potential Jury Votes: Dee Valladares, Chrissy Hofbeck, Christian Hubicki, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Emily Flippen, Ozzy Lusth, Rick Devens, Cirie Fields
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