With the season premiere of Survivor 51 heading our way this Wednesday, September 23, 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…
STEPH’S FIRST PICK
AALIYAH PUGLIA
It’s time to fess up that I went into this draft completely blind. The social media algorithms changed my feed and made me avoid all news about Survivor 51. By the time I realised, it was a weird time to catch up, so I decided to continue not knowing anything about the season. When it was time for this draft, I picked Aaliyah literally because she was the first on the alphabetical list.
Aaliyah is a chef from New Jersey who currently lives in Rhode Island. At 25 years old, she’s one of the youngest this season. Typically, this would be more noteworthy, but it seems there are many other young players this season, so Aaliyah’s age wouldn’t stick out as much.
In her interviews, she says that, as a chef working on a team, she understands the social politics and dynamics needed for a game like Survivor. She also talks about her ability to adapt to changes and be flexible in unanticipated situations. I’ll be honest, all these sounded to me like buzzwords and suggested answers from a compilation of past interviews. I didn’t pick up much else on her possible strategy and preferences. I’m most keen to see how Aaliyah manages her independence and confidence while working with strangers.
GIA’S FIRST PICK
THIEN AN NGUYEN
As a fellow 5-foot extrovert, I knew I had to pick Thien for my team. She’s well-versed in the game and seems more than ready to adapt to the Open Era. However, there is more to her than just being a Survivor fan. She is a former Boy Scout (shoutout to the iconic Lil Morris), loves to travel, and includes running a marathon “on a whim” on her list of hobbies. Safe to say, Thien An is a force to be reckoned with.
Her New Era inspiration is Kenzie Petty, which I believe is a fantastic pick going into the 51st season. Her answers in her pre-season press indicate she wants to model her game in a similar fashion as Kenzie, but will that come with the same success rate? Time will tell, but I’ll definitely be starting the season on Team Thien An.
ROB’S FIRST PICK
ROB ANTONSON
I feel like if I didn’t pick the man with the same name, same age, and same geographical location as myself, it just wouldn’t be right. The 40-year-old airline gate agent originally from Rhode Island (now working in Boston) is the oldest man on the cast, and that’s definitely messing with my brain. He said he wants to play like Tony, Joe, and of course Boston Rob, and I probably could have told you that before reading his bio. He gives the same energy as these three guys, and it’s worked out multiple times for all three of them in the past. Whether this benefits him or hinders him is yet to be seen, especially without knowing the tribe breakdowns going into the season.
He seems athletic, and being an airport worker makes me think that’s a good read on him. If he’s able to be an asset to his tribe early on, and keep that New England personality on the charming side and not on the “brash” side, I could see him doing very well this season. He’s got a fun personality, and in the short cast announcement video, he was endearing.
Rob said his biggest asset is that he can be a social chameleon because of his life experiences, and that’s a huge plus in the game of Survivor. He might not be the obvious first pick for a draft out of this cast, but this is my team, and I’m more than happy to have chosen him to be my team leader.
CHRISTINE’S FIRST PICK
KRISTIN FLICKINGER
I couldn’t help but choose my fellow butch Kristin as my first draft pick. There have been so few of us on Survivor, AND she shouted out Scout and Ami in her pre-game interview on top of it. A woman after my own heart!
As a longtime Survivor fan and applicant (she first applied for The Australian Outback), Kristin clearly knows the game and is bringing a lot of knowledge and passion out to Fiji. Her job in crisis management suits the stresses of the game, especially given the fast-paced nature of the 26-day, advantage-and-twist-heavy format we’ve come to expect in recent years. As the oldest contestant on the season by nine years (Maggie and Rob, both 40, are our second-oldest contestants), I of course worry a bit about Kristin being on the outs generationally, depending on how tribe divisions shake out.
She also says her friends would describe her as both “agitating” and “lovely.” It’s unclear what exactly this combination of words will mean for her social game on Survivor. To me, it implies she’s very likable but might have a strong personality and is unafraid to speak her mind, qualities that probably serve her well in her line of work. I think we can expect Kristin to be a proactive, strategic player from the get-go, especially when it comes to navigating whatever twists we might get this season. Her longevity in the game will depend on how well she connects socially with whatever group of people she ends up with.
CORY’S FIRST PICK
DANNY KILBY
Survivor rarely casts someone I’m actually familiar with before they’re ever on the show, but Kilby is a very familiar figure from the reality TV fandom, and I am thrilled to see him finally get a shot here. Does that mean I think he’s going to win? Well, landing in 18th place and playing a messy game on the YouTube show Sequester isn’t the most encouraging track record in terms of game ability, but there’s more to this superfan than meets the eye.
He’s also co-hosted an edgic podcast for the last few years, and if you’re deep enough in the weeds with this show to know what that is and spend hours each week breaking it down, you clearly understand narratives and the show’s behind-the-scenes meta. That might not seem like a golden skill set to have at first glance, but I’m reminded of Christian Hubicki’s “narrative warfare” strategy he brought to Survivor 50. It’s the idea that understanding the story unfolding on the island and considering every other player’s narrative alongside your own gives you a unique vantage point in crafting your game and selling it to a jury at the end.
However, all those niche skills will be for naught if Kilby plays a messy game or his wacky personality rubs too many people the wrong way. Because he is, in fact, a lot. But if he can play the quirky, lovable camp jester role for a while and not come across like the scheming hybrid of Brandon Donlon and the Rizgod, I think he’s got a really good shot at a deep run. And if he can position himself well, make a couple respectable moves against some power players, and sit next to weak competition as he sells his own winner’s edit for a change, I see the vision of a really fun and unique sole survivor here.
MARTIN’S FIRST PICK
LINNEA CAPOBIANCO
There is a real lack of pre-season material available for the Survivor 51 cast, so these draft picks are mostly based on vibes. Right from the first promo, Linnea instantly jumped off the screen, and not just because she talked about being “poop positive.” She just looked like fun and someone who will make good television, regardless of how well she does in the game itself.
Her official cast bio backs up those early reads. She talks about wanting to experience everything and saying yes to a challenge, which tells me she’ll fully embrace Survivor. The 25-year-old sex store owner also seems to have a keen social awareness. She says she doesn’t like to exclude people and wants everyone to feel part of the conversation. That kind of human connection can go a long way in this game.
Linnea names Kyle Fraser as the castaway she’d most like to play like; that’s not a bad player to emulate. She wants to have strong social relationships and the ability to control votes without coming across as the leader. That’s easier said than done, but if she’s used to letting everyone be heard in her day-to-day life, she could very well pull off this balancing act on Survivor.
MARIANA’S FIRST PICK
ANGELICA “JELLY” LOBLACK
I haven’t exactly had a winning streak with drafts in the past (yes, I’m still salty about having Genevieve twice as my winner pick and losing both times), but I’m really hoping I can break that pattern this season. When it came time to make my first pick, Jelly immediately jumped out at me. There’s just something infectious about her energy in her videos, and her thoughtful answers in interviews made me want to root for her even more. She has a spark and presence that makes her seem like such a dynamic player, which is why I chose her first.
Jelly’s background as a sociology professor gives her a huge advantage in reading people and navigating tricky social situations. I can totally picture her forming strong bonds early on, knowing exactly when to align herself and when to keep her guard up. Her understanding of human behaviour could really help her figure out who’s an asset and who would be a hindrance to her game. Plus, she’s clearly got a physical edge, which is extremely important in those early tribe challenges and could make her a real force when it comes to individual competitions later in the game.
What cemented my choice of Jelly was her mentioning Shan from Survivor 41 as someone she sees herself playing like. That’s a massive green flag in my book, as Shan was a strategic powerhouse and one of the most unforgettable Survivor villainesses. If Jelly can channel even a bit of that Shan energy, then Jelly is definitely one to watch out for this season.
MARIANA’S SECOND PICK
LEWIS KELLY
I must confess that I immediately gravitated towards Lewis, and yeah, it was, in fact, the Irish accent. Well, not specifically the accent, but the whole Irish aura, I should say, as I do have a personal connection to Ireland. I went to an Irish school my whole life, and I was also lucky enough to live in Ireland for a year, where I even learned how to Irish dance and speak a bit of Gaelic. So yeah, I’m going to gravitate toward anything Irish, aka the first Dublin-born person in the history of US Survivor.
Now, speaking specifically about Lewis, he also seems like a genuinely nice person who might bond with multiple people on the island. And he lives on a farm in Puerto Rico, so he’s already used to a warm climate and the outdoors, so he can already skip an adaptation period to the elements that others might struggle with.
One red flag that really worries me about Lewis is that he said he doesn’t see himself as the Sole Survivor. Yes, he said it in jest, referencing a scenario where others would vote him out before the Final Tribal Council. Still, I think a true Survivor winner needs to have the mentality, both before and during the game, that they can actually win. If Lewis is self-aware, he should downplay his threat level to avoid being targeted, but not go as far as saying, “I probably won’t be the Sole Survivor.” Maybe I’m taking his words too literally, but I prefer when players confidently say they’re going to win, no matter what.
MARTIN’S SECOND PICK
ANA SANI
Ana is another played who popped off the screen in that initial promo. As an actor and voiceover artist, she knows all about the art of performance, and I think she’s going to give us a show. In her official cast bio, she talks a lot about creating chaos, even mentioning Tony Vlachos as a player she’d like to emulate. That’s a risky game to play, but I’m here for it.
The issue is that women on Survivor aren’t usually given the same leeway as men when it comes to playing a ruthless, chaotic-style game. So Ana could be villainized for any strategic deception that even has a whiff of Tony about it. That said, she comes across as personable and fun to talk to, so if she can balance a strong social game with her strategy of chaos, she could pull it off.
CORY’S SECOND PICK
SHARONDA COX
This OBGYN from Kentucky might just be the most wholesome, kind-hearted person in the cast. And not in that annoyingly overbearing, toxic-positivity way that might grate on people. Sharonda is just chill and comfortable, and that goes a long way in playing a good social game. But is that how she intends to angle her game on the island? Hard to say given she’s here more for the self-discovery and to inspire others than to cut everyone’s throat and mastermind her way to the million.
But considering she’s not shy about her willingness to cut her own allies if she feels they’d beat her, I think she’s got the game sense to do what needs to be done. I still have reservations about her long-term strategic thinking to position herself for that win, but if she can play that loyal, lovable ally role, I see her cracking the final five without breaking much of a sweat.
Sharonda’s likeability might prove to be a liability, as hardly a soul would eye her as an ideal final three partner, assuming she doesn’t totally tank her game or play too passively to earn goat status, of course. And if she’s put in a position of winning immunity or going home against obvious comp beasts, her challenge abilities have yet to be seen, so she might be relying purely on social skills and manipulation to survive close calls.
There’s a lot of intrigue here with her, and it’s hard to really gauge her potential as a player until we see her in action on that beach. But in this cast with a lot of bigger personalities that will undoubtedly draw attention to themselves as massive twists could shake up the game week by week, I think being chill and likable will be a killer combo.
CHRISTINE’S SECOND PICK
JENNA DOORE
31-year-old wedding photographer Jenna is a lifelong fan of the show, and if you can describe her pre-season coverage in one word, it’s definitely “energy.” She’s incredibly excited to be on the show and comes across as a very kind and bubbly person who’s put a lot of thought into preparing for the game.
Notably, Jenna says she hopes to play like a combination of both Charlie and Kenzie, which, if you can pull it off, is essentially the perfect way to play Survivor: having control and agency over the direction of the game while also having the social ties and charm needed to convince the jury to vote for you. I think Jenna will have no problem with the likability and social side of the equation, and she’s likely to be underestimated strategically due to her bubbly personality.
I don’t get much sense of how she’ll navigate the game strategically beyond being adaptable, but usually being adaptable and likable is all you need to win. As long as she doesn’t overthink the strategic side of things and make herself into a threat, Jenna strikes me as a real dark horse contender for the million.
ROB’S SECOND PICK
ALEXIS LEVINE
Alexis, the 34-year-old criminal defense attorney, was a pure “good vibes” pick for me. Her cast announcement video was very unexpected, but in a good way. She comes across as a very level-headed person, but has a lot of life experience despite being in her early 30’s. Alexis identifies with Kyle, Rachel, and Parvati, and that could be a deadly combination of social and strategic gameplay. She’s a fighter, being sober from drugs and alcohol for 10 years, and is playing for her daughter who she cites as her biggest inspiration.
What struck me most was in her bio when she said that she wants someone who thinks and plays differently than her as an alliance partner. At first, this comes off as an odd choice because you’d think that someone you’d want in your alliance is someone who is similar to yourself. Thinking about it more, this is a great read on the game, because a lot of strategic decisions are best made when you have someone who can challenge you on potential outcomes as opposed to just agreeing fully with everything.
As long as there’s a good rapport between you and an alliance partner, you can bounce these ideas off each other and think through the decisions from all sides. We’ve seen countless alliances/duos go far in the game despite being polar opposites of each other. If Alexis is able to use all of this to her advantage, she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
GIA’S SECOND PICK
ORI JEAN-CHARLES
First of all: fantastic name. Second of all: fantastic pick for their Survivor inspiration (Jeremy Collins). Lastly, and most importantly, I want Ori to go far in the game. He seems genuinely delightful, which could help him long-term or make him an easy target. The self-described ‘hustler’ knows how to pivot in times of high stress, including balancing NCAA Division 1 dreams with the personal stress of being there for his family when his mom had an accidental fall.
Yes, that type of athletic ability and hardworking mentality can make him an easy target come merge, especially if he is unable to be flexible with the other castaways. However, I am choosing to believe he will be able to persevere through the worst of scheming in Fiji and give a strong showing on 51.
STEPH’S SECOND PICK
DEVIN WAY
Watching and reading Devin’s pre-season interviews was a ride. The 33-year-old actor is clearly media-trained and knows how to entertain! This would be interesting to look out for over the season, though he shares he will definitely keep his job a secret. Overall, I’m struck by his positive outlook. He gives off a vibe that he’s playing for a good time and perhaps not a long time. This is refreshing to hear, compared to the many players extremely focused on winning. I think this attitude will actually give him an edge over others.
However, Devin has also admitted that he’s not the most suited for the game. He lists a bunch of things he isn’t and doesn’t do that are typically the skills and habits needed to thrive on the show. He doesn’t want to lie and backstab other players, which is going to be tough in a game of deceit, manipulation, social strategy. I’m not counting on Devin winning, but I’m looking forward to being entertained by a fresh character.
STEPH’S FINAL PICK
ERIC MACKSOUD
When I watched Eric’s interview video, it was all fine and dandy at first when he shared the usual motivations and hopes he has for the season. Then, when he shared, “heading into Survivor 51, which I’m going to be calling 50-fun,” he totally lost me. I’m bracing myself for an over-the-top character.
The 34-year-old mental health counselor has community theatre listed as one of his hobbies and the one life experience that has prepared him for the game. Perhaps he’ll bring with him the strong sense of fostering connection, camaraderie, and teamwork. Perhaps he’ll bring with him the politics and d.r.a.m.a that seems to usually come with the politics of community theatre. Either way, I’m quite excited to have him on the cast and my final pick of this draft!
GIA’S FINAL PICK
PATT CANNADAY
Patt Canaday, the icon that you are. She may have been the last pick on my draft, but she’s number 1 in my (and the fandom’s) hearts. From hiking to skydiving to boxing, it’s clear that she has a taste for adventure perfectly compatible with the environment you’d expect on Survivor. She’s looking for allies that are willing to engage in her shenanigans, and from the looks of this cast, she’ll definitely find at least a few birds of a feather to flock with.
My major concern for her in particular is how she will integrate with her tribe in the earliest stages of the game. If she can make it through the first few rounds with a solid alliance, I think she stands a strong chance of going far.
ROB’S FINAL PICK
CARTER KRULL
The first name that popped in my head when watching Carter’s cast announcement video was JT Thomas. The young JT vibes are strong with Carter, and considering so many of the Tocantins cast seemed to be playing for JT to win, this could be a good sign for him. He’s the youngest man on the cast, but I wouldn’t have guessed it. He’s got that Midwestern charm that usually gets players far.
Carter lists “communication” as something he values in an alliance partner, and that’s probably the single most important thing that you could have, just above loyalty. He’s a farm worker, so he’s no stranger to being a hardworking person, which will be a huge point in keeping him around in the early stages. I think his occupation and daily life will also help in the early challenges, which seem to be “carry this heavy thing” or “get dirty and do this task.”
I could see him sailing through the early stages and winning challenges when he needs to in the later stages. If he’s able to get in a solid alliance, make some great strategic moves, and not come across as too threatening in post-merge challenges, I can definitely see a potential winner on our hands.
CHRISTINE’S FINAL PICK
MAGGIE NESTOR
Maggie immediately won me over with her three words to describe herself: joyful, intentional, redneck. She’s our first-ever contestant to live in West Virginia and one of the three farmers on this season. I have to be honest: I think Maggie is here for a good time, not a long time. She absolutely tickles me, and I picked her in hopes she’ll at least be a big character on the season, because I think she has a lot of Carolyn-esque potential even if I don’t think she has what it takes to win.
She has a huge personality that could help her be underestimated as a strategic player and go far without being targeted. Still, that personality could also alienate her from her starting tribe if they don’t vibe with her. Either way, I’m excited to get to see Maggie in action, because I think she’ll bring a lot of fun to the season even if she goes out early!
CORY’S FINAL PICK
MIKE PINSKY
I’m honestly surprised Mike lasted this long in the draft. Because when it comes to picking winners, usually choosing the most mild-mannered, strategically-minded, socially savvy person never hurts. And Mike fits all of that to a tee. He’s not a huge personality, but he’s affable and charismatic enough to grab your attention. He comes from a line of work where negotiation and strategy are paramount to success with millions of dollars on the line in the MLB.
He’s clearly here to win and knows the game front to back, having watched the show since he was eight years old and played mock Survivor games with his family. He compares himself to Kyle, Charlie, and Adam, and… Yeah, I see it. That pleasant, unassuming strategist who sneaks through, hiding behind more visible threats as they fall before him.
So with Mike seemingly built in a lab to be a top contender, does he have any clear downsides? I’m honestly struggling to think of any. Every single answer he gave in his bio and interview was on point and made him stand out as one to watch as a strategic force, and I don’t think this cast will see him coming. A male Kim Spradlin, perhaps? Well, let’s not go that far, but he’s got all the right ingredients to be a great player.
And unless he overplays his hand or becomes so obviously threatening that nobody lets him sniff the endgame, I’m tempted to just pencil him into the finale and start writing him a check. But in this era of constant uncertainty, maybe that balanced, steadfast game won’t matter if Lady Luck’s barrage of game-breaking twists gets in the way.
MARTIN’S FINAL PICK
BRADY BOOKER
As a longtime pro-wrestling fan, I had to choose AEW/ROH star Brady for my final pick. He’s a big, physical dude, so I’m sure he’ll be an asset to his tribe in challenges and, therefore, should stick around for a while. The question is whether he can match a strong physical game with a solid social and strategic game. That is something these big dudes have struggled with on Survivor in the past.
Brady is friends with Jonathan Young, and he says he wants to play a similar game to his buddy. The Jonathan-style game has pros and cons. Obviously, he made it far both times he played, even finishing as runner-up in Survivor 50. But Jonathan’s game of physical domination and often rigid strategy doesn’t translate into jury votes. So Brady will need to add new layers and not be afraid to rock the boat, if necessary.
MARIANA’S FINAL PICK
CRISTIAN CHAVEZ
Rounding out my roster is Cristian. To be honest, he wasn’t exactly my final pick, as I ended up with him technically by default. However, I’m not upset about it at all. In fact, I actually have a good feeling about Cristian. (Cue the voiceover: famous last words)
The first thing that stuck with me was his loud, boisterous laugh from the Survivor 51 preview. It’s the kind of laugh you can’t help but notice. Digging a bit deeper, it’s clear that Cristian absolutely loves being on Survivor, which is something I can really appreciate as a fellow superfan. His interview answers reveal a hint of snark, maybe even a touch of bitterness, and he definitely gives off a bit of “chaos demon” energy, which are traits that might not always add up to a winner, but they sure make for fantastic television.
What gives me pause about Cristian is how perfectly he fits the classic “nerd” archetype, which is a label that can go multiple ways on Survivor. We’ve seen nerds thrive and win, like Cochran and Aubry; others haven’t taken home the title but became fan favourites, like Christian Hubicki and Rick Devens. And then there are those who crashed and burned, like most of the Brains tribe in Survivor: Cagayan. Cristian might break the mould and carve out a whole new category for himself during Survivor 51, and for his sake, I hope it’s not the disastrous one.
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