In an exclusive interview with TV Insider, before officially hitting the marooning beach, our 24 Survivor 50 castaways—half of which are the first new era returning players—disclosed why they deserve this second (or for some third, fourth, even fifth!) chance at playing the game.
It’s not a secret that there was a lot of chatter around the players chosen to return—both positive and negative—and the fans have been very open about who they believe does and does not deserve to be here. But now the script has been flipped, and we’re finally getting the chance to hear it directly from those who have experienced the game themselves first-hand. And some of the answers might surprise you.
Angelina Keeley
Survivor: David vs. Goliath
“I was a big personality, but I didn’t expect to be here…I think I’m here because I had some memorable moments. I am known for my tenacity, and I think they want to see how the seven years and life could bring all those things to bear again on the island.”
Angelina was definitely one of those Survivor “meme” moments people still reference today, but she also managed to make it to Final Tribal Council. All she needed were a few more defining plays to help her stand out from the “David” and “Goliath” at the end, and she might have won. And with a member of both those starting tribes returning with her, this could be her chance.
Aubry Bracco
Survivor: Koah Rong, Survivor: Game Changers, Survivor: Edge of Extinction
“I don’t think anyone ever deserves it. They earn it, and they’re lucky. That's what Survivor’s all about. I think I deserve to be back because I don’t stop.”
With answers like this, Aubry continues to define herself as a core player in the Survivor Hall of Fame. While she’s never won, she’s always had a drive to play that mirrors what most fans at home believe they would have if they were on the show. She understands the heart of the game and absolutely deserves to be back.
Benjamin “Coach” Wade
Survivor: Tocantins, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Survivor: South Pacific
“I’ve never really been replicated. Survivor’s tried, but they’ve never gotten that recipe right…So it’s my gift to you guys. Here you go, I’m back for a fourth time.”
Coach is Coach, and there was never any question why his name was on this list. Deserve? Who knows. But as long as he’s on our screen, he’s always been entertaining and chaotic and the fans love him for that.
Charlie Davis
Survivor 46
“Deserve is a funny word. Do I think I am uniquely qualified to be here? Maybe not. But I think I came real close to the win, and as a fan, I like watching people who got real close have another shot. That’s why I think I’m here.”
There’s no doubt this is Charlie’s redemption season, and the fans support it, 100%. The ending of Survivor 46 surprised us all and we’re so happy to see Charlie back for his second chance to prove he can play a $1 million game.
Chrissy Hofbeck
Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers
“I showed in my first season that I never gave up. We have had fans complaining about the final four fire-making for the last eight years. I think some will be happy that I’m finally getting my redemption.”
The first victim of the final four fire-making twist, Chrissy played a game worthy of the title Sole Survivor. After winning the last immunity challenge she was surprised to learn she had to put two of her fellow castaways against each other in fire to fight for a spot in the finale. Trying to get Ben Driebergen out, she put him to the test, but his winning fire is ultimately what led to the majority of the jury voting for him to take home the $1 million. We’re excited to see her get her second chance.
Christian Hubicki
Survivor: David vs. Goliath
“I brought an analytical side and an emotional drive and openness, and married those two things in a way that isn’t often seen on the show…I am worth bringing back for this landmark 50th season…I am lucky, but I also did earn it.”
Christian absolutely earned his spot in Survivor 50. Arguably the most memorable player from his season, we’re excited to see if he’s learned to shift his gameplay just enough to keep suspicion off of him after being too good at the game last time around.
Cirie Fields
Survivor: Panama, Survivor: Micronesia, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Survivor: Game Changers
“The standout reason is because there’s always some old hokey pokey involved in me leaving. Who leaves with zero votes?! Am I entitled to anything because of that? Yeah!”
If anything, Survivor 50 is specifically a chance for Cirie to redeem her time on Survivor: Game Changers. That would have been the perfect finale season for her, but alas, it ended brutally when she was the first player ever to be eliminated from the game on a technicality. This time around, if she’s going home, it’ll be because her name was written down—either to be voted out or to win $1 million.
Colby Donaldson
Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: All-Stars, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
“The only category you could put me in the front of would be ‘the first guy to play it as a hero…’ I’m proud of it. I don’t back down from that qualification.”
Colby has played three seasons under the guise of being Survivor’s original “golden boy,” and it’s more or less true and probably the reason he’s back. But he’s backed up that personality with strong challenge wins, and he’s finally ready to show he’s got the social and strategic game he needs to win as well.
Dee Valladares
Survivor 45 - Winner
“I represent a lot of women, especially dominant women by nature, and I think that’s exciting because we’re taught to be less than, and I’m not like that…I’m here to be like, ‘No, watch me do it. Watch me do it again.’”
Dee won the first time she played because she’s savvy and can read a room. No doubt she’s ready to prove that it doesn’t matter who she’s playing against, she has what it takes to win every time she’s in this game.
Emily Flippen
Survivor 45
“I don’t really feel I do. I’ve been struggling with that… The best thing I can do is just be me. That is the reason I was asked back, because there’s a selection of people that can’t help but just be themselves, even if they don’t want to.”
While Emily’s Survivor journey started pretty rocky, she really discovered herself as a player during her season and her return has fans eager to see if she’ll approach the game any differently this time. It was her confidence gain that became her undoing, so maybe keeping to her original, sidelines strategy will be what gets her to the end this time around.
Genevieve Mushaluk
Survivor 47
“There’s more game left to play…I have spent time reflecting so that I can come back and perform better than I did last time.”
Even Genevieve realized her game had to change while she was in the middle of playing last time. And while she managed to make the shift and get farther than her fellow castaways would have liked her to, some early social mistakes kept her from the $1 million. She’s spent the last couple of years waiting for this chance to right her wrongs and get her gold this time around.
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty
Survivor: Borneo, Survivor: All-Stars
“You can’t tell me the season 1 [player] that does a heel turn—makes it to the finals, and if there had been a final three, would’ve won—can’t come back for 50 and deserve her spot.”
As an original castaway whose first shot at redemption ended with her just barely missing her chance to plead her case at Final Tribal Council, Jenna absolutely deserves to be back. Considering the two people who beat her at All-Star both ended up redemption season winners, maybe this is her season!
Joe Hunter
Survivor 48
“I struggle with that question because I didn’t know the answer for a little bit. Do I deserve to be here? Did I play a game that a lot of people are proud of, and a lot of people can get behind and root for? I look at the feedback I’ve gotten. The answer to that is yes.”
Fans saw Joe come into Survivor 48 as a physical threat, challenge beast and watched him leave as a heart-on-your-sleeve man with a story who inspired so many. He played a game with a code of loyalty unless betrayed, but in Survivor, that’s not always the name of the game. So now that he’s proven the man he is, this could be his chance to show he’s also not afraid to get a little dishonest in the game to win $1 million for his family back home.
Jonathan Young
Survivor 42
“I did the best physically that they’ve seen in a long time—some challenges that no one had ever seen.”
There’s no doubt that Jonathan was a physical challenge beast when he showed up for Survivor 42. I’m not 100% sure what he’s talking about with “the best in a long time” considering he only won two of the eight individual immunity challenges he competed in and a mere four years earlier his fellow Survivor 50 castaway Chrissy tied the female challenge record. But he did contribute a lot to team challenges, and we’re excited to see him up against some other great returning physical players.
Kamilla Karthigesu
Survivor 48
“I had a pretty good run on 48. The entire jury said they would’ve voted for me to win and that they were upset they had to choose between one of the other three. I just couldn’t make fire.”
Kamilla and Survivor 48 winner Kyle Fraser were operating the same vehicle the entire game. The only difference was Kyle was driving and Kamilla was giving directions. If she’d made it to the finals, her resume might have had an edge to his which means she’s ready for a second chance to light a $1 million fire.
Kyle Fraser
Survivor 48 - Winner
“I’m probably one of the more well-rounded winners…It would be really cool to see me in a season with all these awesome players.”
I truly believe Kyle played a perfect game in Survivor 48. Similar to Dee, returning for Survivor 50 might just be him wanting to prove that his win wasn’t circumstantial, that he is a master of this game and can win again, even against the best. Or maybe he just wants to give the fans a fun show by giving some of the best players a run for their money. Either way, we’re here for it!
Mike White
Survivor: David vs. Goliath
“If I stay in the game, I’ll be an interesting player…I want to keep the iconic players in the game. This is Survivor 50. It needs to live up to the hype.”
With a slew of awards under his belt, it’s clear Mike understands how to make enticing TV. So if he’s here for nothing more than to be the in-game showrunner, making sure the fans get the best experience possible (even if it’s not best for his game in the long run), I don’t mind it one bit.
Ozzy Lusth
Survivor: Cook Islands, Survivor: Micronesia, Survivor: South Pacific, Survivor: Game Changers
“I really feel in my bones I’m one of the best to ever play… I can see the hacks in every single challenge and give us that advantage. I’m going to do the same thing this time, but I’m going to play much different.”
No lie, Ozzy is one of the best Survivor players ever, which is why he hasn’t ever won the game. He’s too good and everyone knows it. At this point, he walks into the game with a target on his back, and there’s really no way to avoid how he’s perceived, there’s only what he can do once he’s in the game. I would love to see Ozzy finally win and this might be his season, but it’s going to take a lot on his part to make it happen.
Q Burdette
Survivor 46
“I believe I bring something to the table that only I can bring…I keep them on their toes.”
Similar to Coach, Q is a character. But his real return now is more like James Clement’s shot at redemption in Survivor: Micronesia after being blindsided with two idols in his pocket in Survivor: China. Q didn’t listen to his ally and didn’t play his idol, despite the fact that the three players who went home before him left with idols in their pockets. He became the fourth, but Survivor 50 might be his chance to reclaim his game.
Rick Devens
Survivor: Edge of Extinction
“My whole endgame in Edge of Extinction was providing uncertainty… Real or fake, you give me the time and opportunity, and we’re going to get something going.”
I often forget that Deven was only on one season of Survivor because of how many moves he made in that single season. Whether fans voted for more twists or less twists, as long as Devens is around, Survivor 50 is going to be exhilarating, which is exactly why fans think he deserves to be here.
Rizo Velovic
Survivor 49
“I left a mark worth coming back…I always wanted to come out to Survivor not only to be on the show, but to be one of the best to ever play. Being on Survivor 50 allows me to do that.”
It’s really impressive that Rizo can say he had a known idol in his pocket for every single Tribal Council he attended and never once had to use it—either for himself or his closest ally, both of whom were on the “bottom” for most of the game. His ability to talk everyone into voting for anyone but him is a talent, and we’re very interested to see how it works on the old school players…
Savannah Louie
Survivor 49 - Winner
“My answer is going to be ‘self-explanatory.’ That’s it. Self explanatory. No explanation needed. You watch my season; you’re going to know.”
From day 1 of Survivor 49, there was no doubt that Savannah was in it to win. So when given the chance to come back, obviously she’s going to grab it and run. She’s ready to shake up the game once more and bring a little chaos to her smart strategy.
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
Survivor: Palau, Survivor: Guatemala, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
“I’ve proven what it takes to be a true survivor… Mentally, physically, emotionally, I’m pretty unbreakable unless I get severely injured and you have to pull me out of the game.”
Stephenie’s truly been through it all in this game, which probably makes her one of the few old school players most likely to handle the new era formatting the best. She’s been deeper than the bottom of the lowest lows most people have hit in this game and still managed to give it her all. We’re excited to see this fighter back for more.
Tiffany Ervin
Survivor 46
“I’ve earned my spot by being thoughtful, vulnerable and just leaving it all out there on the floor…When you see little parts of yourself in people who play Survivor, it incentivizes them to want you to come back.”
Tiffany was a strong social and strategic player the last time she appeared on our screens, but was the victim of an ally gone rogue. It’ll be interesting to see how she navigates her second chance considering that ally, Q, is back in the game as well…
Watch Survivor 50 starting Feb. 25 on CBS and Paramount+.