Sandra Diaz-Twine became the first two-time winner in Survivor history back on season 20, when she beat out Russell Hantz and Parvati Shallow in Heroes vs. Villains. Since that time, she has been known as the Queen of Survivor. She has played the show twice more in the US, acted as a coach of sorts on Island of the Idols, and even played alongside her daughter on the Australian version of Survivor. Outside of CBS, she has also made appearances on reality shows, including The Traitors.
Clearly, Sandra knows what it takes to win a game like this, especially coming in against a group of other all-star caliber players. Her strategy of anyone but me worked wonders for a long time, until her winning simply made her too big of a threat to overcome. Still, when the Queen talks, people should listen. In a recent interview she gave on The Things, she voiced her opinions on the cast, including two players she says have no chance.
Sandra claims the winners are in trouble in Survivor 50
Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladeras and the most recent champion, Survivor 48 winner Kyle Fraser, may be sweating after hearing Sandra's interview. She was asked if she believed that a third player would be joining the two-time winner club with her and Winners at War victor Tony Vlachos.
“It’s not gonna happen,” said Sandra. “I would bet money that it’s not gonna happen.”
Sandra did not mince words, but she did explain her logic.
“They’ve already won. They’re gonna be held to a higher standard. People are gonna be jealous of what they’ve already achieved their first time around versus someone who’s playing for the fourth, the fifth, the sixth time. You know? So when it comes to sending them packing or looking for a reason to vote someone off, being a winner is just the simpler version. You’re a threat. You’ve already won before. Let’s not get wrapped up around it. Let’s just get them out. And that’s what’s gonna happen. They’re gonna go.”
Meanwhile, she did have an opinion on who she believes will win the season, and she has her eyes on some of the new era castaways.
“Emily. Because I think she has what it takes. Kamilla. But,I think they’re gonna be scared of her. They’ve seen her play. And Genevieve. I mean, there’s so many good new school players that are out there that had the potential to go, you know, to win the season,” said Sandra.
For old school players, Jenna Lewis-Doughtery is in the mix as well.
Ultimately, Sandra has explained that the players that have the best shot are those that do not have the massive target on their back to start, which removes both winners as well as many of the super famous, multiple season legacy players with a massive reputation like Coach Wade, Cirie Fields, Aubry Bracco, Ozzy Lusth, and Stephanie LaGrossa Kendrick.
Instead, it will be a player that has a more under-the-radar profile, but the strategic and social chops to still be a powerful player in the game overall. Time will tell whether she has nailed it here or not. Survivor 49 and 50 have already wrapped filming and will air in the fall and in the winter/spring, respectively, on CBS and Paramount+.
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