With the season premiere of Survivor 48 heading our way this Wednesday, February 26, 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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ROB’S FIRST PICK
SHAUHIN DAVARI
It’s taken two seasons, but we’ve been given the infamous “beard guy with the initials SD” that was heavily featured in the season 46 pre-game press. Shauhin is a 38-year-old debate professor, and his reputation precedes him. Not only was he an alternate for Survivor 46 (along with last season’s winner, Rachel), but he also gained some notoriety for giving an interview where he detailed previously dating Sherri Papini (the woman who faked a kidnapping and made national news in the process) when he was only 17-years-old.
Shauhin is charismatic and a big personality, so I can see why he was mentioned by so many players during the 46 pre-game press, it’s hard to not notice him in a group. These traits could be an asset or a hindrance depending on who he’s with, but looking at his starting tribe, I can see him easily getting along with everyone.
He has a rare opportunity that he was able to hear people’s thoughts about him when listening to the 46 pre-game press, so whether he is able to take that information and switch things up a bit, make some adjustments, or lean more into it will yet be seen. He’s also a debate professor, so he’s a great talker and will be able to argue his points in an eloquent manner, whether it’s day to day at camp, at tribal council, or at the final three.
Shauhin said he identifies with Penner, and I can totally see that. He will give great confessionals and will be able to narrate the season in a Penner-esque manner. Also, like Penner, his big personality will either endear him to people or turn other players off, it just depends on how he’s able to integrate with his tribe members.
I’ve got high hopes for Shauhin, and whether he’s on the show the whole season or only a few episodes, he’ll definitely bring the entertainment factor. Fun fact: if he does win, the pre-season cast of 46 will have had three winners in its ranks (Kenzie, Rachel, Shauhin).
CORY’S FIRST PICK
THOMAS KROTTINGER
For my first pick, I’m going for Thomas, a music executive from LA who claims to know the ins and outs of a cutthroat industry, which could make Survivor a cakewalk. Listening to his interviews, he comes across as insanely laid back and easy to get along with, offering a fun personality and quick wit without standing out as an obvious social threat. Imagine Yam Yam, but dialled back a few notches, and there you go.
Coming off the heels of Survivor 46, Thomas is keen on taking his allies to the end rather than taking them out, as many in that crazy cast were excited to do. Obviously, he’s smart enough to cut anyone who would beat him at the end, but playing a loyal game until he needs to flip that switch should give him a solid standing and the perfect cover to carry out some nasty late-game betrayals at the right time. He’s also looking to play like Survivor winner Sophie, channeling her balance of savvy strategic gameplay with biding her time until striking. This perfectly fits the New Era meta that’s helped crown most of its winners. And just looking at his tribe, he’s got places to hide with multiple big characters calling his beach home.
It’s hard to find any glaring weaknesses in Thomas as a player. He doesn’t seem like the type to flame out or rub people the wrong way, he doesn’t seem like someone who gets strung along as a clueless number, and he doesn’t seem like a person who lacks the killer instinct required to make tough calls. At worst, he might not be as outwardly physical as other players and could fail to win a crucial immunity if people think he’s a huge threat in the endgame. But winning challenges isn’t a requirement to win the show, especially for someone who wants to play a heavily social game from beginning to end.
MARTIN’S FIRST PICK
MARY ZHENG
As a child of political asylum seekers, Mary has spent her life fighting for others, from her work with the Peace Corps to volunteering at a crisis hotline to her current job as a substance abuse counsellor. Survivor isn’t an altruistic game, but the skills Mary has developed in these roles could serve her well when it comes to connecting with others and making tough decisions out on the island.
What stands out about Mary from her Parade interview with Mike Bloom is her social ability. It appears she finds it easy to bond with people and have them open up to her, whether in her role as a therapist or when backpacking around the Mediterranean and meeting strangers. Survivor is the ultimate social game, and if Mary can transfer those real-life skills to the island, she could set herself up for success.
The fear, of course, is that others will recognise how strong her social game is and make her a target because of it. Mary seems aware of this, telling Parade, “My strength and my weakness are one and the same. It’s that I play a really good social game, and people are gonna smell that from a mile away.”
She compares herself to Kaleb Gebrewold, the Survivor 45 contestant who also displayed an immense social game, ultimately leading to his downfall when his tribemates were threatened by it. Mary’s success on Survivor 48 will likely come down to how she navigates her social game. If she can master it behind the scenes, making lots of one-on-one connections, she could go on a deep run. But if her likability is too out in the open, she might find herself in trouble. I’m hoping for the former!
MARIANA’S FIRST PICK
CHARITY NELMS
Charity gave me a good vibe regarding her attitude towards the game. Firstly, as she went through a health journey, which was also inspired by becoming a fan of the show, Charity demonstrates she’s a hustler and will fight for what she wants. Secondly, Charity not only supports having villains back on the show, which I wholeheartedly support, but Charity is also not afraid of becoming one herself if that is the road she needs to take to advance and potentially win.
Thirdly, Charity states she has “nothing to lose” in the game, which could translate into engaging, fun, and successful gameplay. Charity is there to win, no matter the cost, and I like that in a player.
CHRISTINE’S FIRST PICK
STEPHANIE BERGER
While she works in the corporate world now, 37-year-old technical project manager Stephanie got her start working as a public school teacher for the Teach for America program. As Mike Bloom points out in his Parade interview with her, Survivor is all about transitions and adaptation, and Stephanie is hoping she can channel her ambition into a winning game.
Stephanie is a big fan of the show and brings a lot of Survivor knowledge to the game. She doesn’t radiate “superfan” in a threatening way, though, which can only help her stay off people’s radars. I don’t think other players will immediately read her as a strategic threat, thanks to her personality and fashion sense, which both give the impression that she’s going to be social, laid back, and fun. I hope she’s aware of this and uses it to her advantage. She doesn’t even necessarily need to lie about her job – I think that’s generally not necessary in most cases – but anything she can do to play into people’s perception of her as a more fun and bubbly player rather than a calculating and strategic one would serve her well.
The biggest question mark for Stephanie is whether her self-described “alpha” corporate side that allows her to succeed in a high-pressure work environment will take over her gameplay and make her stand out as a threat. Striking a balance here will be the key to her success. Channeling her “alpha” side to make a critical move happen rather than sitting on the sidelines could win her the million dollars, but visibly trying to have too much control will just send her to the jury. If she can keep the “alpha” side to herself and maintain that bubbly and unassuming facade when talking to her fellow castaways, she just might have what it takes to sneak her way to the end as a hidden strategic force disguised as an easygoing social player.
GIA’S FIRST PICK
KAMILLA KARTHIGESU
From the moment Kamilla said she struggled with her lefts and rights, I knew she had to be my first pick for this draft. Our Canadian of the season plans to outlast the competition with a fluid game that does not prescribe to a “tribe strong” mentality, which frankly would be a refreshing change of pace in the pre-merge. She even mentioned our two Canadian winners, Erika and Maryanne, as inspiration for how she plans to play the game. Honestly? I can see the resemblance personality-wise, but will she be able to emulate their winning record?
Kamilla has built her career as a software engineer off of learning from her previous mistakes, which is far too often a skill that is ignored in the Survivor world. Fans and players alike can be quick to dismiss castaways who do not play a perfect game, but it’s these flawed players that I enjoy watching the most. Survivor is not about playing a game where everything goes your way; it’s about how you navigate the game when the cards are stacked against you. That is where I think Kamilla will truly shine.
Her 5”1’ stature may throw her adversaries off to how big of a threat she can be, which is just how she wants it. Overall, Kamilla seems more concerned with playing a game that will take her to the end than playing one that is filled with “big moves”, which I love to see in new era players. I believe she has the right mindset and self-awareness to know what gameplay will work for her, and her alone, to win the whole thing. I sincerely hope that, at the very least, we will get to see her make a deep run this season.
GIA’S SECOND PICK
CEDREK MCFADDEN
Cedrek was one of my favorites right from the beginning. A superfan surgeon who wants to play like Earl Cole and Cirie Fields? It’s like he was personally asking me to draft him. As a TV medical consultant for men’s health issues, this will not be Cedrek’s first time on screen. But it will be the first time that he’s being thrown into the spotlight as one of eighteen contestants all fighting for the same thing – the title of Sole Survivor and a million dollars. In a game where everyone starts on an equal playing field, Cedrek is not the default expert. Now, he has to keep his natural leadership skills under wraps if he hopes to go far.
At 46, Cedrek’s journey onto Survivor has been an interesting one, and it captured my attention immediately. After years of wondering “what if,” he finally decided to dive into the world’s greatest game and experience this one-in-a-lifetime chance first-hand. I admire that he decided to go all in with this opportunity, and this commitment and confidence could keep Cedrek in the game for the long term. His awareness of what it takes to win, specifically how HE needs to navigate the game’s social elements, could serve as his greatest asset, especially in the pre-merge where everyone is getting to know each other. I have a lot of hope for him and his abilities.
I am so excited to see Cedrek play Survivor for many reasons. He is an old-school superfan who has been watching since the very beginning, hoping for his quiet confidence to make him the dependable player the others never see coming. As a surgeon, Cedrek is already used to long hours in grueling, stressful situations. I have no doubt he’ll be able to work well under the pressure that comes with Survivor, but will it be enough to secure the million-dollar prize?
CHRISTINE’S SECOND PICK
STAR TOOMEY
Star’s personality jumps off the screen, and the page, if you read her pre-game press. Even just reading her answers transcribed, it’s clear she’s going to be a major, major personality on the season regardless of how far she makes it.
The 28-year-old sales expert is a recent Survivor fan and started binge-watching the show only a year before going out to compete after the birth of her son, Silver-Mars. Having the family motivation to compete is a powerful one, especially since her family is so entwined with her Survivor journey.
I had to draft Star because she’s such a hoot and is by far the person on the cast I would most want to hang out with and watch Charmed with, but she’s definitely going to be a player that people will either “get” or won’t. She’s so authentically and confidently herself, which will help her connect with others on her wavelength, but I have to imagine she won’t be everyone’s cup of tea if they find her too high-energy for the game. If she can get off to a good start, I could see her making a deep run as an unthreatening social player, but she could just as easily be an early boot if her tribemates don’t click with her. I pray it’s the former and not the latter because I need as many episodes of the Star Experience as possible!
MARIANA’S SECOND PICK
JUSTIN PIOPPI
What I liked about Justin is that there’s more than meets the eye. On the one hand, he seems only to be a laid-back, long-haired guy with a pizzeria. While on the other, Justin is also the youngest legislative aid hired at the Massachusetts State House. Justin mentions in his pre-game interviews that he changed his career path to help his family after the pandemic and after his mother got sick. This shows that Justin will do whatever it takes to take the bread and crust back home to support his family.
Justin states that his favourite players are Tyson, Fabio, and Malcolm, which are all immediate pluses in my book. Lastly, the fact that Justin made a pizza in his backyard over a torch also makes him the kind of guy one wishes to be stranded with on a deserted island, as pizza beats coconuts every time.
MARTIN’S SECOND PICK
KYLE FRASER
I made my draft picks before deep-diving into the pre-season interviews, going mostly off vibes. So, it was a complete coincidence that Mary and Kyle were my first two picks despite their interviews showing a lot in common. In fact, when asked who she was getting good vibes from, Mary listed the “tall Black guy with the short ‘fro.” And, weirdly, both mentioned Denise Stapley blindsiding Sandra Diaz-Twine in Winners At War as defining moments of their fandom.
The biggest similarity, though, is their aim to put their social games above all else. Kyle uses the term “people first” a lot in his Parade interview, acknowledging that you can’t make big moves or bold plays without building those foundations of trust with your tribemates first. That’s a pretty astute observation for someone fairly new to the show, having only started watching during Survivor 40. Sometimes, these newer fans can come in guns blazing, wanting to make big moves and put their mark on the franchise. Kyle seems aware of Survivor’s nuances.
Now, lawyers don’t have the best track record on Survivor, and Kyle is aware of that and intends to lie about his job. Lying about your occupation comes with a risk, but Kyle’s plan seems solid. He’s going to say he’s a teacher, which he has experience with. Given that he’s worked as a teacher in the past, he should effectively pull off this lie and be able to use it to disarm his fellow players.
In addition, Kyle looks strong and athletic but not the strongest on the beach, meaning he should be able to hide behind bigger meat shields if necessary. He’s actually on a tribe with the biggest guy, David Kinne, which should help play down Kyle’s physical threat level. If Kyle can be an asset at camp and in challenges while using his people first strategy to build tight bonds, I can see him going very far this season.
CORY’S SECOND PICK
JOE HUNTER
At first glance, you’d probably cast firefighter Joe as the Tony, the Jeremy, the Domenick, the Mike Turner. The big-hearted, blue-collar family man with a cutthroat edge, who might rub people the wrong way, but ultimately plays his ass off and dominates the season like a freight train. But Joe adds a few twists to the archetype, for better or worse, and at the very least, I’m interested to see what this man brings to the table as a fun character.
Right off the bat, Joe will be a physical asset and bring good vibes to the tribe. He just comes across as so fun and likeable in his interviews, and if this tribe has to cut anyone first, he should be just fine unless he royally screws up or gets screwed by a Journey twist. He’s also playing for a noble cause: making his late superfan sister proud after she lost her life to domestic violence. So he’s bringing a great story with a ton of honest passion to the island, and he’s wearing it on his sleeve. Joe’s overcome a lot and emerged as a strong, loving family man, and he’s bringing all that life experience to a game where simply being a great guy can get you the million-dollars regardless of your gameplay.
But I worry he’s so obviously likeable that anyone with a nose for threats will sniff him out and cut his throat before he gets to the end. At some point, Joe will need to either get really lucky with idols and challenges or embrace some solid strategy, making and breaking deals to get to the end. He’s not like Rachel, who can hide in plain sight and then beast her way to the end, to everyone’s surprise. Everyone knows Joe’s threat level on day one, and given he wants to play like Cody and Gabler (who he hilariously calls Digler in one interview) and studied all the New Era challenges before flying out… I worry for him later in the game.
However, I think he’s got a good chance of making it there as a solid shield to more cunning strategists, and at that point, it’s probably all on him to seal the deal as everyone tries to take him down as the dragon to be slayed.
ROB’S SECOND PICK
SAI HUGHLEY
Finally, after 24 years, the woman that Sue Hawk tried to vote out in the first episode of Survivor Borneo has made it on Survivor. Saiounia “Sai” Hughley is a 30-year-old (former) marketing professional and is coming to Survivor to represent for young Black/POC women just like previous players Maryanne and Drea, who Sai identifies with and wants to continue their legacy. She cites their double idol play and the preceding tribal council as her favorite moment in Survivor history due to the impact it had on the game, the players, and the viewers at home.
She comes across as very outgoing and personable but also calculated and driven, which is a very deadly combination in Survivor. I can see her getting along very well with anybody she comes into contact with and being a leader in game-making decisions by being smart and considerate of her alliance members. Sai won’t come off as too much of a physical threat or a social threat, but she will probably land somewhere in the middle, being able to work her magic throughout the game and get in good with whoever she needs to further herself and get into a good position.
Sai is aware of her weaknesses, which are her emotions and reactiveness, but she said she is going to try to curb that and put it to good use, which is such a good asset to have on Survivor. Hopefully Sai stays around for a while because if her Twitter presence is any indication, she’s going to be so fun to watch.
ROB’S THIRD PICK
CHRISSY SARNOWSKY
Chrissy might have been my final pick, but in no way is she someone who was low on my list of players I wanted on my team. I was thrilled when she was still available when the last pick came around for my team. Despite being the oldest woman and oldest player on the cast, Chrissy is not your typical “older woman” who gets tossed aside and underestimated. She’s a 55-year-old, tough-as-nails fire lieutenant from Chicago, and she could probably put most of her younger castaways to shame with her physicality.
Working as a firefighter, she’s thrown into life-or-death situations on a daily basis and has to make split-second decisions. She can lead a team and work with many different types of personalities, but she also knows how to work with a team and not just be the boss. Chrissy has the makings of a great Survivor player, and like some previous badass older women (Sue and Janet come to mind), she’ll be able to hold her own in challenges, be an asset around camp, and play the game hard.
She said that the former player she relates to the most is Carolyn from 44 because she will be herself, which we all know that Carolyn is most loved for. If she can translate Carolyn’s authenticity to her own game and have a bit more purchase over the game moves, she will be a force to be reckoned with come the end game. Hopefully, if she makes it to the end and gets thrown into the firemaking challenge at the final 4, she’ll be able to start a fire as expertly as she is at putting them out.
CORY’S THIRD PICK
BIANCA ROSES
If you close your eyes as you listen to her speak, you’d swear they brought Michele Fitzgerald back for this season. But nope, Bianca’s here to forge her own Survivor legacy, and she’s bringing her PR consultant experience to the table with the hopes of playing a strong social and strategic game up there with the recent female winners like Kenzie, Maryanne, Dee, and the aforementioned fellow New Jersey champion, Michele.
As a long-time viewer since she was eight years old, Bianca knows the game inside and out as one of the biggest superfans on this season, so much so that her first online username was Survivorfreak815. But having grown into her own, she’s learned the art of persuasion and taking risks, being a PR consultant who quit her job of eight years to start her own company. She’s got an infectiously positive personality, she’s super social and loves keeping up with people every day, and she’s not afraid to be herself, even if it means cursing like a sailor. She’s just genuine and sociable, which goes a long way, especially in a cast of wacky personalities she can hide behind.
Unfortunately, the issues arise for Bianca when it comes to actually making it to the end. She cites her impatience as a big weakness, as she’s used to operating on a “get things done now” pace. Perhaps it’s a good fit for the fast-paced New Era, but coming off of Survivor 46, where everyone wanted to play fast and loose without any desire to bide their time, Bianca might be inspired to burn out too fast and make her moves too early, leaving her exposed and knocked out long before the endgame.
Not to mention that on this tribe of hers with so many physical beasts, she’s probably the weakest link physically and might be an easy pre-merge boot if they happen to lose some challenges. She’s a high variance pick who could land anywhere in the boot order, ranging from tragic first boot to socially savvy champion, but hopefully, for her, it’s the latter.
MARTIN’S THIRD PICK
EVA ERICKSON
Another player who intends to lie about what they do, Eva, told Parade she will keep her Ivy League education and PhD studies under wraps. Instead, she will fully lean into her hockey obsession, telling her tribemates she is an NCAA Division I hockey official. Like Kyle, this is something Eva actually does and has experience in, so it should make it easier to pull off such a lie.
Eva’s obviously athletic, being the only woman on a men’s hockey team, and a fierce competitor. She will surely be valuable to her tribe during challenges. That could carry her through the first half of the game, though it could soon turn her into a threat when the merge rolls around.
My worry for Eva would be her getting too fixated on one style of play and not showing an ability to adapt. She is the show’s first-ever openly autistic player, and, as she told Parade, this can be both a superpower and her kryptonite. Her autism gives her the desire and the drive to set a goal and do whatever is needed to achieve it. However, that can sometimes come at the expense of other areas of her life.
“I’m a very social person, have a ton of energy, love talking to people. But I don’t pick up on the small social cues that everyone else does. And so this game where everyone’s lying to me, a lot of that’s going to go over my head,” she said. In a game where people are lying all the time, this could prove to be quite a setback for Eva.
However, if she can find herself a loyal ally or two early on while proving to be an asset physically, Eva could certainly make a deep run.
MARIANA’S THIRD PICK
KEVIN LEUNG
What won me over with Kevin was that he revealed he used to watch the show when he was younger after his parents went to sleep with no volume, as Kevin wasn’t allowed to watch anything that wasn’t for educational purposes. That level of commitment towards something shows dedication and a level of being a Survivor fan that I appreciate and support.
Then, when talking about his favourite former player, Kevin mentions Yul, a genuinely underrated winner who should be brought up more in mainstream conversations about great Survivor players. Hopefully, Kevin will emulate Yul in the latter’s Cook Islands era. Also, as a sucker for rooting for the underdogs who plan to take on the big sinister overlords in any season, it resonated with me when Kevin brought up that he wants to gather a group of mischiefs to cause chaos and take out the big guns, which is highly reminiscent of Yul and his Aitu four allies.
CHRISTINE’S THIRD PICK
MITCH GUERRA
34-year-old P.E. teacher Mitch is the first Survivor player with a speech impediment. He describes the experience of growing up with a stutter as a challenging one but says it’s also something that instilled a lot of resilience and empathy in him—two invaluable skills for succeeding in the game and making valuable connections with his fellow players.
His stutter may, on paper, seem like it will present challenges for him in the fast-paced New Era, where key alliances and core relationships are built seemingly within the first hours of the game. But it could just as well be a strength for him if he plays his cards right and uses it as a chance to be vulnerable and connect with people. If his stutter causes others to underestimate him strategically, then that’s all the better for him if he can play into that perception for as long as possible.
GIA’S THIRD PICK
DAVID KINNE
I’d like to think of this as David choosing me, as opposed to the other way around. On paper, he isn’t really the type of player I am usually drawn to. He is a stunt performer, has not watched Survivor in “decades,” and isn’t afraid to show off his physical capabilities to his fellow contestants. Of all the Survivor alumni that have ever graced our screens, he identifies the most with Johnathan Young. So, we’re not off to a great start.
Despite not being my first choice, David has some unexpected great moments in his cast bio. He is someone who values kindness in the people around him, diversity in people and places, and owns the fact that he does not have a lot of knowledge about the show. Being a superfan does not guarantee a player will do well. In fact, sometimes, it serves as their downfall. David going into the game on a clean slate is refreshing, something that could even serve him well in the long run, especially if he has the right alliance members to back him.
David strikes me as the type of player who will do really well in the pre-merge, only to get blindsided when he doesn’t win immunity post-merge. We’ve seen this be the fate of David’s archetype time and time again. But what if David is different? What if he is actually able to overcome his presumably predestined fate? While other players similar to him have tried to downplay their physical prowess (usually with very little success), David knows who he is and owns it. He wants to compete in physical challenges, he wants to go on immunity runs, and he wants to experience something new and challenging with a diverse group of individuals. Perhaps this could be the difference between an early exit and an unprecedented win.
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