With the season premiere of Survivor 47 heading our way next week, the Inside Survivor team got together to draft its teams and assess the new crop of castaways about to battle it out for the $1 million prize and the title of Sole Survivor.
Taking turns in a snake draft, decided by random draw, the Inside Survivor contributors picked their winner candidates, big characters and personal favorites to assemble their teams. Read on to hear their first impressions and predictions for each castaway…
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GIA’S FIRST PICK
AYSHA WELCH
Come on, there was never going to be another person I would pick first in this draft other than the incomparable Aysha Welch. Aysha has already made a name for herself in the Survivor community as a revered podcaster on RHAP, something at least one other contestant this season already knows her for. But Aysha’s strengths do not begin and end behind a microphone, and I’m more than confident that she will be able to turn her social capital into gold with her competitors.
Aysha’s win equity is not limited to her Survivor knowledge but her resilience in everyday life. Her experience living through Hurricane Harvey already makes her a survivor in more ways than one, and her competitive spirit is sure to get her through the worst of times. Even if the game trajectory does not go her way, the cast would be severely mistaken to underestimate her. I have full faith in Aysha’s game, and I can’t wait to see her forge her own path.
MARTIN’S FIRST PICK
RACHEL LAMONT
As the Survivor 46 alternate, Rachel enters Survivor 47 with a point to prove. This user interface designer from Southfield, Michigan, is here to show why she should have been a first-ballot pick the first time around. And with that attitude going in, I expect Rachel to make the most of her experience, which should make her one of the players to watch.
In her Parade interview with Mike Bloom, Rachel name-checked Omar Zaheer and Survivor South Africa’s Dino Paulo as players she’d like to emulate. In both cases, Omar and Dino were self-aware castaways who played to their strengths, knowing when to take charge and when to quietly dictate moves from the sidelines. I think between her upbeat, welcoming personality and knowledge of the game, Rachel has a strong chance of following this model of gameplay.
She says she’s good at connecting with all sorts of different people, and her background of moving to the US from Thailand as a child and having to learn to assimilate is great life experience for a game like Survivor. I think Rachel will be fast to make friends out on the island and will be someone others are quick to trust.
If there is any concern, it’s what she told Parade about being “a little bit controlling” and wanting to know what’s going on at all times. That can be dangerous on Survivor because a need to know can easily be perceived as paranoia, which can be offputting to potential allies. However, the fact Rachel is aware of this flaw hopefully means she can rein it in a little.
ROB’S FIRST PICK
ANDY RUEDA
Andy is a 31-year-old AI research assistant, and while this isn’t the reality show currently being run by AI (shoutout to Big Brother 26), I don’t see Andy having a hard time getting his footing in this game. He comes across as extremely likable and personable without being over the top.
Overall, the Gata tribe seems like the most regular and even-keeled of all the tribes (with the glaring exception of Jon Lovett), and I can see Andy and Sam Phalen aligning and leading the Gata tribe to many victories. He’s not an obvious candidate for an early boot, but you never know what could happen in the new era. Andy said that he prepared by doing puzzles like Carson, but he also saw a flaw in Carson’s game, which included his inability to make fire, so Andy learned how to make fire.
He compares himself to Yul and Omar, and if he’s able to be smart and sociable while managing his threat level like Yul and Omar managed to do, then he could make it very far. After being a finalist for 46 and not being chosen until this season, I feel like he will come in with something to prove. Despite the obvious comparisons you can make to Austin, I feel like he’s going to be much more game savvy, would want to choose an advantage over a sandwich, and wouldn’t give an idol to someone for “safekeeping.”
If he’s able to keep the target off of himself and perform well in challenges and at camp, I can see Andy going very deep into this game and potentially coming out at the end with a win.
CHRISTINE’S FIRST PICK
TEENY CHIRICHILLO
Bitter Jurors hive, RISE! I’ve been rooting for Teeny since the first promo, and I’m not getting off the Teeny Train any time soon. They’re the first openly non-binary player, the youngest of the season, and a Bitter Jurors Twitter follower. They might even be a podcast listener, but I’ll stan them regardless, even if they just like our tweets and don’t actually listen.
The 24-year-old freelance writer and Survivor superfan has been highlighting their social game in preseason press. Growing up visibly gender non-conforming and working in the male-dominated tech industry, Teeny has had to fit into spaces where they might not otherwise belong. That’s a skill that’s invaluable in Survivor.
Teeny’s bio says they plan to play “like Mike White with a dash of Fabio and a sprinkle of Courtney Yates.” First of all—what a combo! Sign me up! Not only does that promise some serious entertainment, but it’s also a refreshingly honest self-assessment. Not every player is a Parvati, Cirie, or Tony, and Teeny’s choice of inspiration feels aligned with their personality and strengths.
As a younger superfan who’s very plugged into the community, there’s always a concern that Teeny might play too hard early on and burn out. But, as long as they focus on their social game and use that base to strategize while hiding in plain sight, they could be a real contender.
MARIANA’S FIRST PICK
GENEVIEVE MUSHALUK
I found Genevieve’s honesty pretty refreshing, which is why I chose her first in the draft. During a pre-game interview, Genevieve recognised that one of her strengths is her commitment to the game. She explained how she applied herself to learn basic survival skills even when she was not entirely comfortable amid nature. As a tough-as-nails corporate lawyer, Genevieve also exudes confidence and self-awareness, which hopefully will help compensate for her lack of outdoor experience. Genevieve also shared an exciting plan regarding the beware advantage and how she plans to sabotage said advantage depending on her position in the game.
In addition, Genevieve revealed she’s the type of person and player who is highly empathetic to those around her and considers herself an “older sister” who takes care of others. However, Genevieve is also not afraid of being cutthroat with her fellow castmates in order to win and will hide her killer instinct behind her smile and dimples.
When asked which past winner she identifies most with, Genevieve mentioned Maryanne Oketch from Survivor 42, and anyone who mentions Maryanne already has a plus in my book. Lastly, I personally related to Genevieve, as I am a lawyer as well, how our moods change depending on our food/sleep schedule, and she also cites Dumbledore as a source of wisdom. Potterheads, unite!
CORY’S FIRST PICK
TIYANA HALLUMS
All it took was one look at Tiyana’s occupation to make her a top pick in my book. Flight attendants have one of the best track records when it comes to making deep runs and even winning the game. Tina Wesson and Todd Herzog have claimed the title in the past, while big players like T-Bird Cooper and Ricard Foye came close with respectable fifth-place finishes. It’s a job that requires incredible people skills and stress management around the clock, so I have no doubt Tiyana will have the social game on lock and put her experiences to good use.
But she’s also sporting an impressive physical game, being a Division 1 athlete who played volleyball at both of her universities. She’s remained physically fit through consistent workouts and yoga, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her dominating challenges before and after the merge. And let’s not forget she’s our first Native Hawaiian player, which gives her a huge advantage in terms of adapting to the elements of tropical Fiji, similar to Yam Yam’s experiences in Puerto Rico preparing him for the hardships of survival in Survivor 44.
And strategically, I think she’s got a sound mind for the game. She understands the nuances of people and knows building bonds is the key to any great Survivor game. She cites Parvati and Gabler as her two biggest inspirations for her playstyle, wanting to grab Parvati’s well-rounded, jack-of-all-trades style and mix in some of Gabler’s stealthy patience to create a winning narrative for herself. But she’s still down to play hard, cut throats, and spend sleepless nights looking for idols, so whether she has to play from the bottom or the top, I think she’ll be soaring to the winner’s circle regardless.
CORY’S SECOND PICK
SOL YI
Sol is one of the bigger question marks in this cast for me. Mostly because his bio answers were short and sweet to almost a fault, but even his video interviews paint a picture of him as this reserved, laid-back guy with a hint of mystery. Someone you can’t really pin down one way or another. He’s chill, but he’s got some serious charisma when he stops holding back. He’s the oldest man in the cast, but he acts a decade younger than 43, which can only benefit him in a cast of mainly people under 35. He’s a medical salesman with people skills, but he’s also a poker player, and we all know how poker players tend to do on this show.
But I just can’t help but feel confident in Sol’s chances. He’s the kind of smart, personable guy who can use his life experiences to advance himself without putting a huge target on his back from the jump. He’s not so clearly out in front of the pack like a Kaleb from Survivor 45, but he’s not so obviously out of his element like half the Yanu Tribe from last season that you can’t imagine him making a solid run on most seasons. He’s in the perfect spot for the New Era: smart, self-aware, grounded, and with solid social skills.
And looking at his tribe, I think he’s got options to work with. The more laid-back cerebral players can appreciate his similar outlook on the game, but he can also turn on the bigger aspects of his personality to appeal to quirky characters and have some honest fun. But he’ll need to find balance. Lean too hard into the reserved side and the strategic ship might leave port without him. Come out of the gate too strong and he might alienate people or at least make himself an early target when he should be in a very safe spot.
MARIANA’S SECOND PICK
ROME COONEY
Rome’s excitement for playing Survivor is palpable through his interviews and overall demeanour as he shares that even though he’s a new fan of the show, he binge-watched every single season in the span of four months. Though it’s been a popular thing to cast super fans as of late, particularly in the New Era, I find Rome’s joy for the game contagious, and hopefully he’s one of those fans who will be able to translate his knowledge to his actual gameplay.
He was also honest when it came to one of his biggest potential roadblocks, which is his overconfidence in his everyday life. He knows how important self-awareness is in Survivor, so hopefully he does exactly that. Rome also mentioned that during the pre-game, while others read books and did crossword puzzles, he listened to an audiobook called “How to Make Friends and Influence People.” I might be reaching here, but I took it as a reference to Chaos Kass, who happens to be one of my favourite players, so that certainly helped Rome’s score.
Another thing I liked about Rome was that he praised Todd Herzog and his masterful final tribal performance. If Rome gets to the end, he knows what worked for Todd, which could help him with his own jury management. As an avid gamer, Rome said he needs little sleep to function as it is, so he plans to use this to his advantage to search for idols while others are sleeping.
On the other hand, there were two red flags in Rome’s answers that made me hesitant to pick him. Firstly, Rome mentioned he has “probably the biggest move in Survivor history” up his sleeve, which is a very cocky thing to say. But as his own fiancé mentioned, Rome actually needs to pull this move off before it is considered as such. But hey, if Rome is right and is successful, I’m certainly sat and ready for the fireworks.
Secondly, Rome added Russell Hantz should’ve won his season, which I wholeheartedly could argue against to the ends of time. However, I decided to focus on the positives, and can’t wait to see if Rome manages to pull off everything he says he’s going to do. Let’s see what you got, Rome!
CHRISTINE’S SECOND PICK
ANIKA DHAR
Anika is beyond ready to play this game. The 26-year-old marketing manager began watching Survivor during the pandemic, explaining that watching Cagayan on Netflix activated an “instinctual need” to play. She cites the loss of her family’s home in a wildfire as a hardship that showed her she can “live with nothing.”
Anika comes across as a direct and strategic player. She’s outgoing and a self-described planner who calls the shots in her personal and professional life, and it’s likely those qualities will spill into her Survivor gameplay—even if she’s aware of the risks of being seen as a shot-caller.
Her aspiration to play like Sarah Lacina raises a slight concern. It’s a bold claim for a first-time player, and that style comes with risks, especially when she’s also namechecking Parvati, Sandra, and Wentworth. It’s not a bad aspiration, but it does give me pause when first-time players aim for such iconic figures with big reputations.
If Anika can draw inspiration from those players without focusing too much on making big moves, her skills as a project manager could put her in a strong position to navigate complex group dynamics and get her desired outcomes.
ROB’S SECOND PICK
CAROLINE VIDMAR
Welcome to the team, season 47’s Hide and Seek champion (aka the last cast member that Martin was able to find), Caroline! One of the big reasons why I picked her, and why I think she’ll be good in the game is that she comes across as very genuine and someone who will try and work with anyone she can while forming a bond with them. This is a huge asset on Survivor and has been a winning move for many players. She won’t be a slouch in challenges either, and will probably surprise a lot of people with her determination and tenacity.
She compares herself to Tori and Emily, with a bit of Dee thrown in. She’s worried that her bluntness might be a detriment, and as we saw with Emily in season 45, she started out rough at the beginning of the game. It ended up working out for Emily when she switched up how she dealt with people, and if Caroline can keep her directness at bay, she won’t have to overcome the same hump that Emily did in the pre-merge of her season.
I think there will always be people with bigger targets than Caroline and she will be able to let her social game carry her far this season. I’m looking forward to watching her navigate this game that she loves.
MARTIN’S SECOND PICK
TERRAN “TK” FOSTER
TK might be a new fan to Survivor, but he immediately won me over with his appreciation for the old-school game. It appears TK is putting a lot of stock in the social game, which any true fan knows is the most important aspect of the show. This is a man who thrives on meeting new people and forming quick bonds. I think TK will be someone his tribemates gravitate to early on, which should put him in a powerful position.
His job as a marketing manager with the NFL Players Association also means he knows all about negotiating and making deals. I feel like TK will be able to sell people on an idea, even if it’s not necessarily in their own best interest. There’s obviously a worry that between his job and big personality, he’ll be perceived as a threat, so it will come down to how TK navigates those potential pitfalls.
What I like about TK most of all, though, is how he wants to have fun. This is someone who battled and overcame kidney disease as a child after being told he wasn’t going to make it. He carved a career for himself in the NFL despite his professors telling him that 70% of the kids who study sports management don’t end up in sports. He is a fighter who is ready to soak up the experience and make the most of every moment, and that should make him a pleasure to watch.
GIA’S SECOND PICK
SAM PHELAN
Sam’s personality was already shining through in the pre-season press, but let’s be honest, he won me over when he said Winners at War was a mid-tier season at best. The beat reporter describes himself as a hot takes guy when it comes to Survivor, and it’s hard for the superfan in me not to cheer for him as he navigates the game. Above all else, it seems that he has a strong respect for Survivor and the players who have endured all of the highs and lows that come with it.
Sam is well aware of his strengths as an individual and how that will translate into an effective Survivor player, which is always great to see. His ambition could make him a fan favorite, and I could definitely see him becoming a valuable member of his initial tribe. As long as he knows how to manage his threat level, I’d say he’s going to be there for the long run.
GIA’S FINAL PICK
GABE OTIS
As a fellow curly-haired individual, picking Gabe to be on my draft team just made sense. Game recognizes game, and all that. The radio show host was inspired by the new era of the show and wanted to be a part of Survivor’s history as a result. I am so excited to see him get to live out this history in real-time.
His array of jobs throughout the years has made him accustomed to selling people on him, an important skill that will translate well into the game. He also made it a point to let us know that if he has an idol, he’s playing it, so hopefully, that puts the Gabe stans at ease a little bit. I hope to see him become the icon he wants to be, but at the very least he was a standout to me in the pre-game press.
MARTIN’S FINAL PICK
SIERRA WRIGHT
Unlike a lot of this cast, who seemed to discover Survivor during COVID, Sierra is an old-school fan who grew up watching the show before falling away from it and finding her way back in recent years. Her excitement and enthusiasm for the show shine through in her interviews, as this is clearly something she has wanted for a long time.
In her pre-game press, Sierra talked a lot about her strong intuition, and it seems she is going to rely on that a lot in the game. I get the vibe that Sierra is the type of player who will form her allies and plans based on good vibes and social connections rather than intricate strategic plots or deceptions. That kind of genuineness should serve her well.
The concern is that she often calls herself “gullible,” though she says she is “smart gullible,” whatever that means. Her plan appears to be to let others underestimate her as the “gullible, smiley blonde” girl, sort of a Natalie White strategy. However, I’m not sure players can get away with that approach so much in this fast-paced era where everyone is considered a threat.
ROB’S FINAL PICK
KISHAN PATEL
My final draft team member is Kishan Patel from San Francisco. He is an ER doctor who thrives in chaos, and I can’t think of a more perfect environment for a Survivor player to have as a background. He’s used to thinking on his feet at almost every moment in his day, and the new era is a game full of having to make on-the-spot decisions and keep yourself open to the many twists, advantages, and changes that are implemented in the game.
Kishan seems like an authentic person and will be able to fit in well with the other players. I don’t see him getting easily frazzled, but instead, he’ll be able to keep himself calm and go with the flow of whatever is happening. He’ll be able to keep things to himself while also sharing what he needs to with his alliance members and other members of his tribe. Kishan can play to his strengths and fly under the radar while keeping his composure and being an influential member on his tribe. He won’t be a leader, but he also won’t passively let the game happen around him.
He is concerned that his empathy will be seen as a weakness, and it very well could be if it leads him to make a decision based on his heart vs his head. I do, however, think being out there with other players who are struggling, an empathetic person could be seen as the reason to keep someone around. We saw it last season with Ben and Kenzie, where she was very comforting to him and it further deepened his bond with her.
One thing that could be concerning is that in his Parade interview, the two people he said he wasn’t vibing with during the pre-game (Aysha and Teeny) are both on his tribe. Hopefully, this is just some pre-game nervousness and jitters, and not that he’s giving off bad vibes, because I think it’s hard for players to change people’s perceptions even when the game hasn’t started yet.
CHRISTINE’S FINAL PICK
KYLE OSTWALD
As we neared the end of the draft, I went with 31-year-old construction worker Kyle Ostwald as my wildcard pick. Initially, I was drawn to him because his height gave me “close enough—welcome back Ian Rosenberger!” vibes. While the similarities probably end there, Kyle’s pre-season press reveals a desire to treat his castmates well and play with honor and integrity—an Old School approach to Survivor.
If Kyle can combine that Old School mindset with a New Era adaptability to the game’s twists and turns, he could be a serious threat. Recent New Era winners have shown that likability and a strong social game are crucial to winning. The most aggressive, cutthroat players rarely make it to the end, and even the more level-headed strategists often struggle if they lack that essential social charm.
With this approach and a strong emotional motivation to play for his family, Kyle has what it takes to position himself for a deep run and make a strong case to win. He cites JT as his inspiration, so let’s just hope he channels Tocantins JT and not his later versions.
MARIANA’S FINAL PICK
JON LOVETT
I must be completely honest when it comes to Jon. I had no idea who he was, and he’s only in my draft because he was one of the last two options. Having said this, once I dug into Jon’s interviews, I saw that he is passionate about Survivor and has a deep respect for the game, which, in turn, made me like him a bit more.
Due to his high profile in the podcast world, Jon intends to be honest regarding his profession, and I agree with this strategy, as anyone who delves in politics and/or podcasts, might recognise his voice or face. Jon also considers a good strategy to know not only how to overcome advantages or other people in the game but also one’s shortcomings and adversities, including how one faces one’s own frustrations and low moments and not let these moments make themselves their last. It’s something I think other people overlook while preparing for Survivor and even in the game itself, so that’s an advantage for Jon if he carries what he has learned to the game.
Jon’s hottest Survivor take is people taking unnecessary risks to build up their resume for the jury as he feels it’s performative. He adds an example of how, in a war, people don’t fight an extra battle just for the sake of it. I agree with this take, as ever since the final four fire-making twist was introduced, players have taken it upon themselves to “show off” for the jury and take unprecedented risks to have another bullet point in their resumes. While some performances have been entertaining or winning moves, these go against the essence of the game, which is outlasting others and getting to the end.
Lastly, when asked about his biggest secret coming into the game, Jon jokes(?) that Jeff told him where all the idols are. While Probst does have a plethora of issues, I don’t think being a blabbermouth to this degree is one of them. Bluff called, Jon Lovett.
CORY’S FINAL PICK
SUE SMEY
From the trailers and promos we’ve gotten for this season, Sue is hands down one of the biggest characters on the board. A 59-year-old woman who started a flight school for women and longs to brag about kicking the asses of kids half her age, all while playing a Tony/Cirie level game? Yeah, she’s going to bring the entertainment value whether you love her or hate her.
But is Sue going to win this season? She’s got her work cut out for her, at the very least. She’s the oldest person in the cast by 16 years, so she’s playing on arguably the highest difficulty setting you can. There’s a timeline where she’s an easy first boot regardless of what she brings to the table simply because she doesn’t fit in with a vastly younger cast. Similarly, there’s a timeline where she gets to the end and can’t get the votes for similar reasons.
But I think Sue has some slept-on upsides we shouldn’t forget so soon. She’s still very fit for her age, and she comes from working in a male-dominated industry, so she’s used to being assertive and putting in the work to get what she wants despite underestimation. It’s that kind of confidence that makes me think she’s more likely to be a Maria than a Dawn or a Monica, someone who gains a reputation of being a strong player without the emotional baggage holding her back when it comes to her cast’s perception. But that also comes with its own downside, too: being too big of a threat for anyone to take her to Day 26.
Ultimately, Sue is a high-variance pick. Her strategy of playing up her ditzy, bubbly mom side to mask a cutthroat Tony-style game can definitely work. Maryanne and Gabler proved you can hide behind your goofy antics to earn the dark horse victory. But I just don’t know if this is the cast for her. There are so many pitfalls she’ll have to avoid along the way, but if she can take flight and remain at a consistent altitude with clear skies ahead, she might prove to be more than just a larger-than-life character.
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Finally feeling good about a new era cast before the premiere. I have a good feeling about this one … GO SUE, GO SAM
so proud of this cast for voting off the podjohn first!
So heading into merge:
Gia – Sam and Gabe
Martin – Rachel and Sierra
Rob – Andy and Caroline
Christine – Teeny and Kyle
Mariana – Genevieve and Rome
Cory – Tiyana and Sol and Sue
Cory in the lead with 3 remaining. Everyone else at 2