Survivor season 47 premiere honors Kijiana "Aunt Kitty" Taito (Dedication explained)

Another season of Survivor is officially underway and the season 47 premiere definitely has us excited for what’s to come this season. The premiere laid the groundwork for what promises to be an incredible season with a lot of fun personalities to root for and the hope for a season that will result in some amazing gameplay. 

As excited as we are for the upcoming season after watching the premiere, the season opener ended on a bit of a somber note in the form of a dedication card designed to honor a late member of the Survivor family. 

"In loving memory of Kijiana 'Aunt Kitty' Taito,” read the dedication card at the closing of the season 47 premiere on Sept. 18. The card was included as a way to honor the late Taito, who sadly passed away this summer, and to celebrate the beloved member of the Survivor family.

According to a social media post, Taito passed away at the age of 55 on July 23, 2024. A celebration of life ceremony was hosted days later, with many of Taito's friends and former colleagues using the event to reflect upon the impact she had on their lives.

"Rest in Peace kitty, you touched us all and will be sorely missed. We are blessed to have known and worked with you," read the tribute of a former colleague on social media celebrating Taito. "Kitty your light will still shine so bright. You touched my soul and I will always hold you in my heart. I am sending your family a hug as big as you used to give me. May your soul fly free," added another loved one.

Fans at first wondered whether Taito was perhaps a former contestant, but Surviving Tribal can confirm Taito was one of the many hard-working individuals who worked behind the scenes of the series. 

According to her IMDb page, Taito worked as an assistant accountant on the show since 2016 with over 100 episodes credited to her name. She began working on the show in season 33, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, and is credited for working on nine additional seasons of the show, most recently working on the back half of Season 46. 

While it’s unclear what Taito’s exact responsibilities on the show entailed, assistant accountants often help with keeping accurate records of how a show is spending its budget. Her job on the show is one of the many that often go unnoticed by the fans, but plays a crucial role in helping make the show we all know and love happen. 

Outside of Survivor, Taito is also credited for working on the short-lived Amazon original series, World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji which aired back in 2020.

On behalf of the Surviving Tribal team, our thoughts and condolences go out to Taito’s family, friends, and loved ones as well as the entire Survivor community.