Rick Devens became a legend in his first season of Survivor as the personification of “never give up.” Fans around the world immediately fell in love with his mischievous gameplay thanks to the heart of gold that sits at his core. And when he returned for Survivor 50, he won a million more hearts—and a genuine appreciation from his fellow castaways—when he took a chance and flipped the MrBeast Super Beware Advantage coin.
Most people also know Devens was a news anchor before joining the long-running series for Survivor: Edge of Extinction, but even more than that, he was a dad. During the loved ones' visit that season, we met his wife, Becca Devens, who mentioned their 4-year-old son was home, not understanding where Rick was, and asking about him. Devens said while hearing that a few days ago might have broken his heart, so late into the game he’s excited for his son to one day see everything he’s accomplishing on the island.
Now, in an exclusive interview with People, Devens revealed that after his latest venture back to Fiji, his son Jackson, 12, and daughter Juliet, 8, are ready to “get out and play.”
“Oh, as soon as they turn 18, they’re going to be turning in [audition] tapes,” Devens shared, full chest, adding that his kids are, “hoping for a Blood vs. Water season,” the popular loved one vs. loved one theme that made seasons 27 and 29 some of the most favored by fans. We haven’t gotten one in over a decade, and if there was ever any reason for Jeff Probst and the Survivor team to bring it back, it would be for their favorite returning player, Devens’ kids.
Devens continued to say of his kids, “They’re little Survivors at heart,” knowing they’d make great contestants one day because, “They’re both funny. They both have very sunny dispositions even when things get tough, and they’re both competitive—secretly very competitive.”
And because his kids were so young when he was first on the show, he’s basically been the Survivor dad their whole lives. “All their memories are of me being the guy who was on Survivor,” Devons explains. “They don’t even know what it’s like to not have a dad who’s a reality TV person. They love it.”
And I’m sure his family was heavily consulted before he joined the Big Brother house this summer—considering 90 days is a much larger commitment than the original 39 days and now 26 days of Survivor. But based on everything Devens says about his kids, they’re surely his no. 1 fans, rooting for him at home.
“It’s given me a chance to very clearly show my young kids that you can do anything you want. Chase your dreams. Have fun with it,” Devens shared of his time on reality television. “The worst that can happen is you flop and you go back to a great life. That’s not a bad thing. So it’s been the gift that keeps on giving.”
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