It's finally here! The Survivor 49 premiere is about to reveal what we've all been wanting to know: Who actually is the Rizgod? But really, a new season means a new chance to make some pre-game predictions! First, let's see how previous red winners have made their mark so we can decide how our latest red tribe might follow in their footsteps—or not.
In 48 seasons, seven winners have been marooned on red tribes:
- Amber Brkich (Survivor: All-Stars)
- Chris Daugherty (Survivor: Vanuatu)
- Todd Herzog (Survivor: China)
- James "J.T." Thomas Jr. (Survivor: Tocantins)
- Sandra Diaz-Twine (Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains)
- Tony Vlachos (Survivor: Winners at War)
- Dee Valladares (Survivor 45)
With both of our two-time Sole Survivors claiming the title on seasons they started on a red tribe, it's very possibly a lucky color. Will the luck continue in season 49?
Meet our players in a first look at Survivor 49 to see if anyone sticks out this season and read on to discover my first impression of the Uli tribe.
Jawan Pitts
"I feel like I'm living proof that you should never give up..."
Age: 28
Hometown: Salem, N.J.
Current Residence: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Video editor
My Prediction: I could see Jawan adapting a soft-spoken, caretaker role on the island, but in the beginning, that has high potential to put him on the outs with his tribe mates who all appear a little more boisterous and social. Unfortunately, I could see him being one of the first people going home just due to the dynamics of the tribe he was placed in.
Nate Moore
"My youngest daughter said to me before I left, 'I hope you don't make the merge so you can come home early.'"
Age: 47
Hometown: Clovis, Calif.
Current Residence: Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Occupation: Film producer
My Prediction: I love that Nate is approaching Survivor with the same strategic yet compassionate fight that T'Challa, the Black Panther, would! I think that analogy suits new era gameplay very well. However, what doesn't fit new era gameplay is "celebrity" and unfortunately lightning rarely strikes twice and I have a feeling the season 49 castaways are not going to embrace Nate's connection to the film industry the same way the season 37 players kept around Mike White. He needs to keep his job under wraps if he wants a chance, otherwise he might be seen as someone who doesn't need the money and people won't feel bad about eliminating him from the game early.
Rizo Velovic
"I want people to watch this season and say, 'wow, that Riz God kid left an impact on Survivor.'"
Age: 25
Hometown: Yonkers, N.Y.
Current Residence: Yonkers, N.Y.
Occupation: Tech sales
My Prediction: I'm sure we've all felt some kind of way about Rizo since the season 49 teaser played after the Survivor 48 finale and he introduced himself as the "Rizgod." Nevertheless, I think he'll bring an energy to camp that people don't mind being around. If his nickname comes with a special persona, there's a very high likelihood that he'll be brought in as a number at the beginning and used for a while, inevitably being cast aside towards the end when he is no longer needed. But I do expect we'll see a good amount of Rizo this season—at least a few episodes past the merge.
Sage Ahrens-Nichols
"Once I set my mind to something, I don't give up."
Age: 30
Hometown: Roxboro, N.C.
Current Residence: Olympia, Wash.
Occupation: Clinical social worker
My Prediction: A military background never fails to be an asset on Survivor as far as camp life goes. Uncertain day-to-day conditions are not going to phase Sage, nor will sharing close quarters with a group of unique people. Where I do see a possible Achilles' heel for her is a need for order and leadership and if she's going to be the one who it comes from, how will her tribe mates respond? Especially if she's bouncing between being goofy and being in charge. It might start to rub people the wrong way. If she plays her cards right though, she'll make it to the merge, but I don't know if she'll make if much farther beyond that.
Savannah Louie
"I'm gonna create as stressful of a situation as possible, even for my allies..."
Age: 31
Hometown: Walnut Creek, Calif.
Current Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Occupation: Former reporter
My Prediction: One of the key differences between old/new school players and new era players is the confidence to be "the villain." So far there have really been no new era players who came into the game boldly claiming to play a two-faced game, stirring drama in order to reap the benefits for your own gameplay—and there's a reason for this. So to have Savannah so blatantly declare her plans to induce paranoia in her tribe to ensure she's in charge of the game makes me believe she's going to have a lot of power in the game. Villains historically perform very well and I don't see this season going any differently, especially if people don't expect there to be a "villain" in Survivor 49 after there hasn't been for eight new era seasons. I could see her winning it all!
Shannon Fairweather
"My parents always said, 'Shannon, the world doesn't revolve around you,' and then I realized, like, yeah it actually does, I create my own reality..."
Age: 28
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.
Current Residence: Boston, Mass.
Occupation: Wellness specialist
My Prediction: Shannon's going to bring some good energy to her tribe at the beginning of the game, but based on the personalities of her fellow tribe mates, I don't know how long her positive energy is going to be seen positively by everyone else. If she does make it to the merge, I wouldn't be surprised if her tribe offered her up as someone they're willing to part with in order to secure a stronger alliance with another tribe. Unless Boston Rob gave her some game-changing tips that will truly help her win it all, I could see her competing to earn the merge, but possibly just falling short of actually making it.
Survivor 49 premieres on CBS and Paramount+ on Wednesday, Sept. 24.