First Impressions of Survivor Ghost Island Cast: Part Two
The Tribe is back for another year of blindsides, twists, and emotional loved ones visits; it’s time to take our second look at the cast of Survivor 36: Ghost Island!
Welcome back! It’s time to make some more blind judgements and predictions about the Survivor Ghost Island cast! Armed with only a short biography, a photo, and an intro video for each player, today I’ll be presenting my second set of predictions for the upcoming season… Who’s looking hot? Who’s not? And who seems to have what it takes to sip an ice cold mimosa on Day 39? If you followed our coverage of Australian Survivor last year, you’ll know that the corresponding preseason predictions turned out to be impressively accurate, so let’s hope that the Survivor Gods are still in a good mood and keen to produce a second strike of lighting. The Malolo tribe awaits!
Malolo Tribe
As a tribe in general, Malolo look like they could belong to some sort of strange jungle cult – there are a lot of colourful outfits going on and a few too many suspicious looking smiles for my liking. Old boy in the orange t-shirt looks like he’s already fed up with the kids, whilst you can just tell that stripey pants is going to be running around like a mad yahoo on Day One trying to form intense ‘higher plane’ connections with all of her new friends. Either that or she just has great taste in stripes. On visual first impressions alone, my picks of the bunch would have to be the Andrea Boehlke lookalike in the front row, and the daggy sandal wearer lurking behind her on the far right. My early tip is that they’ll scoop up the two boys next to them plus Afroman in the back left to make a pre merge majority alliance.
Anyway, enough outlandish group judgement – it’s time to dive into the individual preseason assessments for each member of the Malolo Tribe… Enjoy!
Jenna Bowman
23, Advertising Account Executive, California
The open minded advertising exec who loves ‘paying it forward’ and spending time outdoors, enters the game of Survivor in search of meaningful life experience and a sense of personal accomplishment. She makes a huge claim that so far in her life she’s been able to “manifest anything and everything” she’s ever wanted, and believes that her true destiny is to “find herself ” on the conniving beaches of Fiji. She would also like to learn how to make fire from scratch (why has she not mastered this already!!?) and is keen to start a low key ‘showmance’ with another competitor. It’s hard to recommend her on those last two points alone! On the plus side she did cry when Jeff hugged her for the first time, and her ideal playing style would combine Officer Sarah’s tenacity with Parvati’s social charm and a touch of Michaela’s sass. Jenna’s ultimate aim is to play a hard and adaptable game that is devoid of major emotion:
“This game is about deception… if you don’t have an enemy or ten on the jury did you really play hard enough?”
My biggest concern for Jenna is that her personality is going to come across as too sharp to the rest of the tribe. Her natural delivery of speech and resting facial expressions paint the picture of a player who will find blindsiding an ally way too easy. According to Jeff though, Jenna has self identified this trait and has been actively working on making her speech and facial expressions more approachable so that they can better reflect her inner emotions. Such a high level of self awareness spells danger to me – I would want her gone as soon as possible.
Prediction: Around the merge
Jacob Derwin
22, Music Teacher, New York
Jacob, the self-deprecating babbling afro clad musician trying to make it in New York is the quintessential Survivor nerd. He writes about the show, he tweets about the show, he dreams about the show. He reckons if he can pull off a win he’ll be able to prove to the world that he’s “not just some dork in the bedroom” and also “stick it to the kids” who tortured him in high school. There are quite few players still to come on this tribe who mention being bullied as children – it could be the foundation of a dominant and nurturing alliance.
“I’m a funny, nerdy, neurotic Jewish guy trying to make it in the entertainment business. I’m logical and smart (I like to think), but I’ve spent plenty of time crying in private.”
Jacob has spent the past few years of his life actively trying to improve his social skills, and it seems to be working. He personality comes across as warm and non intimidating, so I think he’ll be able to make more than enough friends to survive the first vote. However, the danger zone for Jacob will occur around Days 9 -15 when I have a feeling he’ll fall victim to one of the following three scenarios: One, the tribe culls him as a challenge liability… Two, he alienates himself by getting too excited and overplaying a vote… Or three, he gets stooged by an unlucky tribe swap. I’d like to see Jacob do well but sadly I don’t think the Survivor Gods are going to be on his side.
Prediction: Pre Merge Boot
Stephanie Gonzalez
26, Graphic Sales, Florida
Stephanie G, the Peurto Rican surprise packet, loves tending to horses, shooting guns, and gutting fish. She describes herself as a strong willed strategic fighter who puts her heart and soul into every moment of her life. Her pet peeves include: annoying laughs, arrogant men, racism, bullies, and pretty boys. I love her sass!
“I’ve studied Survivor well enough to understand how to manipulate the numbers, play idols how they should be played and hustle the social game. I will go into this with focus, agility, and perseverance.”
Stephanie is another Malolo member who was bullied growing up, and in an act of solidarity she intends to take the “nerds” under her wing until the time comes for her “dark side” to cut them loose. It sounds like version 2.0 of The Aussie Misfits’ Alliance is in the making! I think Stephanie is going to play an attacking, entertaining, and unpredictable brand of Survivor that draws inspiration from the likes of Tony and Sandra. She looks set to become a powerfully manipulative nurturer and will probably either win or be cut down pre-merge as the ill fated ‘head of the snake’.
Prediction: Potential Winner / Pre Merge Boot
Donathan Hurley
26, Caretaker, Kentucky
The next member of Stephanie’s Misfits’ Alliance, Donathan, is leaving the States for the first time in his life to play Survivor, and looks set to become one of the most entertaining characters of the season…
“Now darlin’, I ain’t no lumberjack. But I can offer common sense solutions in order to help make my tribe grow. I already plan on breaking my glasses to help with fire and prove that this little gay hillbilly nerd isn’t afraid of what nature can bring! I really think I will surprise a lot of people.”
Donathan is a student of the game who intends to put on a casual act to his tribemates by distracting them with his vibrant personality. He wants to play the most positive game as possible, but is willing to revert to “sneaky and sly” tactics if necessary; he says he’s been around the darkness and knows how it operates. I think people are going to massively underestimate Donathan’s strategic ability and place him in the kind of hillbilly Keith basket. A deep run seems likely but nobody is going to want to sit next to him at the end. Future returnee player for sure.
Prediction: Final 6 but cut before the end.
Laurel Johnson
29, Financial Consultant, Minnesota
Laurel is an intimidating triple threat who has no interest in the adventure or emotional components of Survivor – her only motivation is to win. She describes herself as driven, focused, and calculated, whilst her pet peeves include: incompetence, indecisiveness, and open-mouth chewers… You’re going to have to deal with a lot of that last one out there mate! On paper, Laurel sounds absolutely terrifying, but in her interviews she actually comes across as relatively friendly and likeable. I would still be extremely wary of working with her though – you can just tell that she’s hiding a highly intelligent and ruthless mind.
“I’m a triple threat to win this game—I’m a former college athlete, an Ivy League graduate, and I know the game better than anyone else out there. I’m a superfan who knows better than to let the game pass me by and I will always fight for every single inch.”
I worry that Laurel is going to place too much emphasis on the strategic component of the game and forget to form the social bonds that are required to win over a jury. A victory seems unlikely but other than that I can’t tell if she’ll be targeted early or claim a runner’s up seat at Final Tribal. This cast is extremely difficult to split!
Prediction: Pre Merge Boot?
Stephanie Johnson
34, Yoga Instructor, Illinois
The queen of stripes, Stephanie J, is a whimsical traveller/mum/tri-athlete/yogi who seems to have mastered at least twenty professions during her 34 years on the earth to date:
“If I have learned anything from watching the show, participating in endurance events, raising children, working in a fast-paced finance position, studying in an ashram, being an entrepreneur, or all my other adventures, is that nothing turns out like you expect.”
She’s loud, passionate, extremely extroverted, and is one of those lucky people who supposedly owns a ‘big’ personality… Which is basically code for annoying and obnoxious, and while we’re at it, just generally insulting to the whole introverted community! The implication that quieter people have ‘smaller’ personalities is one of my biggest pet peeves. Speaking of which, Stephanie’s number one annoyance in life is “running out of wine…” Now we’re talking on the same level! She also states that everyday for the past 10 years she’s been looking at a sticker on her mirror that says: “Outwit. Outlast. Outplay. Survivor.” And she’s not too concerned about playing the villain if necessary, as all of her real friends are back home drinking Bloody Mary’s with her husband. I think Stephanie J is going to become a ‘love them or hate them’ sort of character, but within a cast as evenly matched as this one, my feeling is that she’ll be a bit too much for a few too many punters too soon, and most likely fall to an early demise.
Prediction: Early Boot
James Lim
24, Business Analyst, New York
According to Jeff, Korean born James has the highest IQ of any contestant to have ever played Survivor… He discovered the game about six months ago after being courted for The Amazing Race, and has since been binging episodes to learn his new craft. Jame’s aim is to follow in the footsteps of Yul Kwon (winner of Survivor: Cook Islands) by playing a team orientated game that is built upon the foundations of respect. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be a pushover though – rather someone who will be empathetic towards the people he sends home. James has also been paying particular attention to his social strategy in the preseason and hopes to be perceived as the nice guy who’ll make a loyal alliance member. I like his style.
“There is no magic formula to winning Survivor. However, there are qualities that will help players get far. I believe I have most of them—I am team-oriented, athletic, outgoing, and tenacious. I will focus on being a helpful, likeable asset to those around me, and on the down low strategically pave my path to the very end.”
James is a terrifying prospect – smart, athletic, and deceptively non-threatening to the eye. If he can nail his social game and not come across as too robotic, I think he’ll be able to fool the other players into thinking he’s a loyal goat whilst he takes his strategical scheming to the next level. A true smokey.
Prediction: Flip of a coin… Post swap boot or end game.
Brendan Shapiro
41, Physical Education Teacher, Virginia
The dad of this year’s cast first started applying for Survivor in 2001 and believes that he represents the tailor made package of a winner… Everything else he’s tried in life has been “playing someone else’s game.” I love his thinking! Brendan’s hobbies include watching his kids play sport, tailgating at Redskins games, and chopping wood. Whilst his pet peeves include passive-aggression, cry babies, and people who slow down to merge or change lanes – if he ever visits Western Australia he’s in for a treat on that last one… On first impressions, Brendan comes across as a warmer version of a Savage/Tom Westman sort of character, but he aspires to play like Jeremy Collins. It’s all about surrounding himself with shields and casting the threat onto other players:
“I’m strong, fast, tough, and good with my hands. I can read a room. I know how to make people feel comfortable and secure. My tribemates will want to keep me around.”
Brendan is excited about trying to figure people out – he’ll be empathetic but claims to have the ability to seperate strategy from emotion. In his own words every game or sport involves a level of deception, it’s just that in Survivor the stategy plays out in words not actions. My thoughts exactly. Another string to Brendan’s bow is that he’s already identified the off putting intensity that his natural resting face shows, and is now making a conscious effort to present a more friendly, welcoming vibe. He seems to be the full package and will know how to work a jury – I’m backing him in as my number one pick for the win!
Prediction: Sole Survivor
Michael Yerger
18, Real Estate Agent, California
Now onto the baby of the cast, 18 year old Michael who lives his life as a 23 year real estate agent and doesn’t really come across as a teenager at all. He describes himself as energetic, slick, and resilient; he likes hot sauce, boomerangs, and skittles; and his aim in life is to make a lasting positive impact on the planet. Micahael is a bit of a surprise packet: he speaks well (albeit slightly monotonic), identifies more with Gen Xers than millennials, and is used to deceiving people on a daily basis… “Would you lease a house from an eighteen year old?” If he can continue this charade on the island I actually think he has the potential to go quite well.
“Ignorance is bliss… I am young, I don’t have some of the life experiences that everybody else may have on the show… But I think my positivity and my tenacity going through the game will really stick me out until the end.”
Although not always essential, Michael’s biggest challenge in the game will be building an emotional narrative that is powerful enough to win over the jury. Unfortunately his hidden strategical trump card of fooling everyone about his age also has the potential to work against him… Does a jury really want to give a million dollars to an 18 year old? In my opinion the money/concept of need should never come into the decision making process but not all jurors feel the same.
Prediction: Mid Jury
Libby Vincek
24, Social Media Strategist, Texas
The final cab off the rank is Libby, the outgoing small town Christian girl who wants to prove to the world that she’s “more than just a pretty face.” Like James, Libby gets annoyed by slow walkers, and also shares Laurel’s repulsion of noisy chewers. In addition she’ll be able to connect with Stephanie G, Donathan, and Jacob over their shared experiences of childhood bullying … It’s safe to say that Libby is going to have no problems in finding herself a majority alliance.
“I’m strong, smart, and pretty and I know how to use it. Winning could be my chance to show the bullies in high school that I’m not little ‘ol Libby anymore.”
It will be interesting to see what impact Libby’s faith has on her game of Survivor… She believes that God has been preparing her for this experience her whole life, but she respects the alternate beliefs of others and has no intention of becoming a preacher. In the context of the game she’s also prepared to play the role of a ‘sinner’ to some degree, provided that her actions aren’t going to cause pain or have a spill over effect onto a person’s life in the ‘real world’. Over the course of this season I have a feeling that Libby is going to face a great deal of personal conflict surrounding moral dilemmas, but if she can stay strong and not succumb to the emotional manipulation of others, I think she has claims to become a major player.
Prediction: 7th
And that completes the preseason cast assessments for Survivor Ghost Island! What are your first impressions of the group? Who’s your early tip for the win? Feel free to join the discussion below or chat with us on Facebook and Twitter.
If you missed out on our preview of the Naviti tribe, you can catch up by reading
First Impressions of Survivor Ghost Island Cast: Part One
Next week the game starts for real! Check back on Wednesday for our final preseason boot list prediction, and then on Friday I’ll be posting a detailed recap and analysis of the big premiere. Happy Survivoring until then!
Survivor Ghost Island premieres @ 8:30pm Thursday March 1 on 9GO!
Tristan Kelly is a 29 year old ex-doctor turned writer, based in Perth, Western Australia. During his final year of medical school he famously watched and analysed every available episode of Survivor (all 368 of them at the time), probably making him more qualified as a Survivor commentator than he ever was a doctor. In between writing and editing, he now spends most of his time organising various schemes and fantasising about one day winning the game.