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One ‘Survivor 49’ Player is Drawing Everyone’s Eye — For Better and For Worse (Exclusive)

Plus, find out the 18 new castaways’ first impressions of their competition.

‘Survivor 49’ Players Reveal Which Twists They Want to Play With (Exclusive)

In Episode 5 of Survivor: Africa, three words changed the course of the show forever: Drop your buffs. In an instant, six people were swapped across tribes, becoming the first of many twists that have appeared across 25 years of the hit CBS reality series. Over decades, various shake-ups, idols and advantages have been introduced

‘Survivor 49’ Players Reveal Their Most Controversial Hot Takes (Exclusive)

The 18 new players speak on everything from controversial wins to being for and against Final Four firemaking.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Shannon Fairweather Reveals the Advice Boston Rob Gave Her Before Playing (Exclusive)

One thing is clear when talking with Shannon Fairweather: She’s here for the vibes. That’s the literal core of the entrepreneur’s business, “HerVibe,” a spiritual community for women. But it also speaks to the frequency that the 27-year-old has in every step she takes. Shannon’s unique sense of faith has her connected to higher presences, hoping her sense of self-actualization and go-getter attitude can create Heaven on Earth in Fiji.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Savannah Louie Predicts She’ll Be on a ‘Disaster Tribe’ (Exclusive)

After years of reporting on headlines, Savannah Louie comes to Survivor looking to make some herself. The newfound marketing specialist spent years as a news anchor, which gave her great listening skills, an ability to talk to anyone and a penchant for leveraging information. The 31-year-old was sucked into the game at a young age by some of the biggest villains in the show’s history, hoping to bring her own level of cunning to the beach.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Sage Ahrens-Nichols Brings a Military Background and a Love of Emotions (Exclusive)

Cards up, this is not the first session I’m having with clinical social worker Sage Ahrens-Nichols. Having originally applied for Big Brother, you can expect quite the unexpected resume from the 30-year-old, having enlisted in the Army right out of high school and currently working in mental health counseling. And, while not making it to the battlefield for Season 47, she was reenlisted for Troop 49.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Rizo Velovic Reveals How He’ll Bring His ‘RizGod’ Persona to Life

While one of the younger members of Survivor 49‘s cast, Rizo Velovic had to learn to grow up from an early age. With his immigrant parents working multiple jobs, the 25-year-old was left to do taxes, house hunt and take care of his younger brother. But while he babysat his sibling, Survivor babysat him. The tech salesman found an immediate love for the show, and he showcases his encyclopedic knowledge, having spent the preseason comparing his entire competition to previous players.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Film Producer Nate Moore Reveals What Made Him Step in Front of the Camera (Exclusive)

It’s safe to say Survivor is the most unique set Nate Moore has been on. That’s saying a lot, considering the film producer worked in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade, helping craft some of the greatest comic book movies of all time. But it’s a 25-year love of the game that has him stepping out in front of the camera, as his origin story has him saying, “I can do this all 26 days.” The 47-year-old is hoping his sense of humor can be a superpower, calling himself “pathologically sarcastic.”

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Video Editor Jawan Pitts Is Using ‘Little Brother Energy’ to Make Big Swings (Exclusive)

Five years ago, Jawan Pitts left behind everything he knew to travel coast-to-coast, pursuing a career in Hollywood. And the 28-year-old is using the lessons he learned from his literal big move to hopefully make some more on the island. Despite being the oldest of five siblings, Jawan hopes he can come across as everyone’s “little brother.”

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Sophi Balerdi Is Playing for Her Late Superfan Grandmother (Exclusive)

Surrounded by the jungle of Fiji as we speak, Sophi Balderi’s mind is on the family tree. The 27-year-old discovered the show through her grandmother, who learned to speak English through the musings of Jeff Probst. And, five years after her passing, she stands ready to compete, feeling her loved one’s spirit alongside her. The business owner has admittedly not done much accounting in preparation, opting to rely on her adaptability that got her three different stores. But Sophi does plan on being “emotionally unattached” in the game, as well as a shoulder to cry on, so she can earn the cash flow towards some new acquisitions.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Nicole Mazullo Refuses to Vote for Anyone to Win With an ‘Honest Game’ (Exclusive)

Nicole Mazullo describes herself as the “love child” of Boston Rob Mariano and Shambo Waters. Unlike Shambo’s iconic haircut, she’s all about party in the front and business in the back, hoping her sense of humor will mask her cutthroat nature. Learning with hearing loss growing up, Nicole became an expert in body language that she plans to carry over to the beach, a skill she hopes she can use to fuel some fiery fights at Tribal Council. Having turned 26 on the day we speak, the financial crime consultant is happy to call out fraud as she sees it, including people who claim they’re playing an “honest game.”

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Jeremiah Ing Told His Loved Ones He’s Climbing Mount Everest Instead of Playing (Exclusive)

When Jeremiah Ing’s mom sees him on Survivor, she’ll be surprised to say the least. That’s because the global events manager had told her – along with nearly everyone in his life – that he was climbing Mount Everest instead. The 39-year-old feels he’s been summiting a proverbial peak his entire life, consistently underestimated and only relying on himself. Jeremiah has a habit of verbalizing his thoughts, but he’s coming in with a foolproof plan: When in doubt, talk to the trees.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Correctional Officer Jake Latimer is Missing the Birth of His Child to Play (Exclusive)

To say Jake Latimer’s time on Survivor will be rooted in family would be an understatement. Part of the reason why the 35-year-old is playing right now is because of his father’s glaucoma, wanting his dad to see him on TV before his eyesight goes altogether. But that does jut up against some major timing for him, as he’s missing the due date of his first child to come play the game. So Jake has to make sure the trip is worth skipping the major milestone, as the correctional officer hopes his physical prowess and natural nurturing skills won’t put him in solitary confinement.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Kimberly ‘Annie’ Davis Leads a Double Life as CEO and Rock Star

There is nothing that can dull Kimberly “Annie” Davis’s shine. Literally, she’s decked out with glitter across her eyes as she sits down with me to talk. But throughout our conversation, it’s clear the 49-year-old has never let the world keep her down, as a life of trials and tribulations has led to her becoming the founder and CEO of her own company, as well as an award-winning rock star. And so, when Annie got the call to come play Survivor 49 only a month before the game began, she did what she’s always done: Hit the ground running. The triathlete and mountain climber is ready to summit Survivor, quite literally flipping off any opportunity to play it safe. And, through it all, the leader of “Trashy Annie” hopes to find some treasure awaiting her after 26 days.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Alex Moore Brings History-Making Work in Congress to the Beach (Exclusive)

When I meet Alex Moore out in the jungles of Fiji, his feet and legs are caked in mud. But it’s far from his first time wading in a swamp, as he spends his days immersed in DC politics on Capitol Hill. The 26-year-old is used to being underestimated, considering he started his political career as one of the youngest communication directors in the history of Congress. And he has a few laws that he’s operating under out on the island: Use gossip to your advantage, don’t tell anyone what you find, and don’t get suckered by a cute girl.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Rocket Scientist Steven Ramm Wants to Play Like a Supermassive Black Hole (Exclusive)

Steven Ramm is used to exploring the expanses of the universe in his day-to-day. But the rocket scientist has made his own giant leap to Fiji to find his own edges. The 35-year-old believes his well-rounded experiences as a NASA engineer and musician give him an astronomical chance of taking home the prize. Growing up with an undiagnosed hearing condition gave him superhuman observational skills, which he hopes to use to “rocket” in this game. While Steven’s work sometimes causes him to naturally overthink, he’s hoping his social skills can draw people into his orbit where, like a supermassive black hole, he crushes their games into the void.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Sophie Segreti Reveals How Her Alternate Experience Influenced Her Game (Exclusive)

The last time I spoke with Sophie Segreti in Fiji, she was simultaneously devastated and furious. Admitting she wears her heart on her sleeve, the 31-year-old had made her feelings known about her disappointment at being an alternate for Survivor 48. Less than a year later, she’s in much brighter spirits, as she’s bringing plenty of lessons from her first island trip into her second. Self-admittedly “handy as hell,” Sophie brings a toolbox filled with an athletic background, strategic experience in corporate America, and an ability to bring people together. And the YouTube strategy associate hopes that’s a winning combination to make her one to watch.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Michelle ‘MC’ Chukwujekwu Calls Herself a ‘Recovering People Pleaser’ (Exclusive)

For Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu, Survivor was a case of “better late than never.” More than six months ago, the 29-year-old sat down for her first episode, a watch party recommendation. But the fitness trainer and salesperson fell instantly in love with the physical challenges, as well as the complex psychology. And so MC decided going to the island was her MO. But will this self-proclaimed “recovering people pleaser” find herself relapsing in the worst possible way?

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Airport Ramp Agent Matt Williams Calls Himself a ‘Trojan Horse’ (Exclusive)

Matt Williams has led a life of putting his money where his mouth is. Ten years ago, feeling unfulfilled with his finance career, he left the white-collar world behind, becoming a ramp agent at the airport. And, after criticizing players from the comfort of his couch, he was challenged by his friends to try to pilot his own game and apply. The oldest person in the cast at 52, Matt is hoping his outdoor background and laid-back “just happy to be here” vibes will make him an underestimated “Trojan Horse.” But, being loyal to a fault, the dreadlocked man hopes he won’t dread booting his friends. If he can overcome that, he can go from throwing around bags for a living to securing the bag on Day 26.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Kristina Mills Says the Game is a ‘Recharge’ from Recent Family Events (Exclusive)

The last thing anyone would call a monthlong game of starvation and exhaustion a “recharge.” But that’s exactly why Kristina Mills found the island calling to her. The 35-year-old has spent the past several years dealing with postpartum depression, as well as the death of her mother from addiction. And so the MBA career coach applied for the job of castaway, hoping her skills as a self-proclaimed “social nerd.” Kristina admits she can get caught off-guard, wearing deception on her face. But, with the calming ocean at her back, she’s hoping to make waves in the game.

Meet the ‘Survivor 49’ Cast! Jason Treul Says the ‘Age of the Survivor Resume’ Is Over (Exclusive)

When I talk with Jason Treul, he believes he’s not on the cast of Survivor 49. The Pokémon fan has no idea that, the next day, the show would be telling him, “I choose you.” The Super Smash Bros. player was drawn into the show by alumni Ken Hoang before he decided to pick up the controller for himself. And, while he’s happy to lead with vulnerability and talk up his smaller stature, the 32-year-old has made some big moves in his life, going from pouring acid into vats to working at Google to starting the path to becoming a lawyer. And he’s hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow former alternate Rachel LaMont, mastering “Fast and Furious Survivor” as he pulls up to the starting line mere hours before the race.

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