Survivor Snuff
Season 48
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji (Aired to ) 18 castaways, 26 days
26-day new-era season in Fiji with three starting tribes; Shot in the Dark and risk/reward journeys; hidden idols; final four fire-making; 90-minute episodes.
Episodes
Castaways
Kyle Fraser
Age
30
Hometown
Roanoke, Virginia
Current Residence
Brooklyn, New York
Occupation
Attorney
Traits
Fun, Crafty, Social
Why Applied
Calls Survivor the best game on earth and wanted to test himself where actions matter most
Life Experience
Taught GED/History in a juvenile detention center and learned to connect with students in a traumatic environment
Unique Gameplay
Extreme extrovert who can be around people all day without needing to recharge
Finish
1
Eva Erickson
Age
24
Hometown
Eagan, Minnesota
Current Residence
Providence, Rhode Island
Occupation
PhD Candidate (Engineering)
Traits
Energetic, Driven, Competitive
Why Applied
To compete and to show a version of autism not often portrayed in mainstream media
Life Experience
First and only woman on an all-men’s hockey team at Georgia Tech; captained the men’s club team at Brown; high-level hockey official
Unique Gameplay
Openly autistic contestant who officiates college and national hockey tournaments
Finish
2
Joe Hunter
Age
45
Hometown
Vacaville, California
Current Residence
West Sacramento, California
Occupation
Fire Captain
Traits
Courageous, Compassionate, Loving
Why Applied
To honor his late sister, a longtime fan who urged him to apply
Life Experience
Persevered through major personal losses and single parenthood; rebuilt his life
Unique Gameplay
Driven by resilience and a promise to family
Finish
3
Kamilla Karthigesu
Age
30
Hometown
Toronto, Canada
Current Residence
Foster City, California
Occupation
Software Engineer
Traits
Silly, Expressive, Impatient
Why Applied
Lifelong fan who wants to play a bold, fun game and represent South Asian women authentically
Life Experience
Unapologetic gamer who challenges expectations about what a South Asian woman should be
Unique Gameplay
Brought a Nintendo Switch to pre-game and embraces ‘small but mighty’ chihuahua energy
Finish
4 (On Jury)
Mitch Guerra
Age
34
Hometown
Waco, Texas
Current Residence
Waco, Texas
Occupation
Physical Education Coach
Traits
Joyful, Relational, Competitive
Why Applied
To prove his speech impediment doesn’t limit him and to compete with anyone
Life Experience
Grew up with a severe stutter; now coaches elementary P.E. and high school tennis and shares his story widely
Unique Gameplay
Among the first contestants with a severe speech impediment to play
Finish
5 (On Jury)
Shauhin Davari
Age
38
Hometown
East Bay, California
Current Residence
Costa Mesa, California
Occupation
Debate Professor
Traits
Charismatic, Driven, Clever
Why Applied
To make his community proud as the first Persian male to play and because he promised his mom he’d make it
Life Experience
Leads a nationally dominant speech & debate program and manages a large, diverse student community
Unique Gameplay
Planned to downplay his background in law and debate to reduce his perceived threat level
Finish
6 (On Jury)
Mary Zheng
Age
31
Hometown
Montgomery Village, Maryland
Current Residence
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Occupation
Substance Abuse Counselor
Traits
Chaotic, Dynamic, Thoughtful
Why Applied
After Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, wanted a new challenge that pushes emotional and physical limits
Life Experience
Keeps a handwritten diary and daily to-do list since age 17; a planner who also embraces chaos
Unique Gameplay
Planned to say she works with kids so others wouldn’t feel ‘therapized’
Finish
7 (On Jury)
Star Toomey
Age
28
Hometown
Monrovia, Liberia
Current Residence
Augusta, Georgia
Occupation
Sales Expert
Traits
Hilarious, Smooth, Laugh Out Loud Funny
Why Applied
Calls Survivor the realest cutthroat show and wants to build a family legacy for her son
Life Experience
Approaches the game weighing how much of her family story to share to manage perception
Unique Gameplay
Debated whether to reveal motherhood early to avoid becoming a target
Finish
8 (On Jury)
David Kinne
Age
39
Hometown
Long Beach, California
Current Residence
Buena Park, California
Occupation
Stunt Performer
Traits
Passionate, Daring, Curious
Why Applied
Seeks adventure and validation that his background gives him an edge
Life Experience
Whitewater rafting instructor turned Disney/Feld stunt performer; now training toward a commercial pilot’s license
Unique Gameplay
Comfortable with ropes, falls, and high-impact stunts; outdoors-savvy
Finish
9 (On Jury)
Chrissy Sarnowsky
Age
55
Hometown
Chicago, Illinois
Current Residence
Chicago, Illinois
Occupation
Fire Lieutenant
Traits
Badass, Lucky, Generous
Why Applied
To show little girls they can do any job and to embrace the challenge
Life Experience
Chicago firefighter/lieutenant paramedic and a nurse; excels at sizing people up and handling pressure
Unique Gameplay
Proud open-book approach—unless hiding an idol helps the game
Finish
10 (On Jury)
Cedrek McFadden
Age
46
Hometown
Columbia, South Carolina
Current Residence
Greenville, South Carolina
Occupation
Surgeon
Traits
Dependable, Determined, Conscientious
Why Applied
A fan since 2000 who didn’t want to live with regret and wanted the full experience
Life Experience
As a surgeon, quickly builds trust with people from all backgrounds and values every person’s story
Unique Gameplay
Well-known for connecting with people and meeting them where they are
Finish
11 (On Jury)
Charity Nelms
Age
34
Hometown
Monroe, Michigan
Current Residence
St. Petersburg, Florida
Occupation
Flight Attendant
Traits
Bold, Fun, Loyal
Why Applied
To overcome past insecurities and make up for experiences she held herself back from
Life Experience
As a flight attendant, deals with hundreds of personalities daily—like playing Survivor in a metal tube
Unique Gameplay
Lost 100 pounds and kept it off for years; shows up with tenacity and a go-getter mindset
Finish
13
Bianca Roses
Age
33
Hometown
West Orange, New Jersey
Current Residence
Arlington, Virginia
Occupation
PR Consultant
Traits
Bold, Friendly, Enthusiastic
Why Applied
Lifelong dream to join the Survivor family and push her positivity and strength to new limits
Life Experience
Relationship-building specialist who can connect with almost anyone; recently launched her own PR company
Unique Gameplay
Reads rooms quickly and adapts her communication to others
Finish
14
Thomas Krottinger
Age
34
Hometown
The Woodlands, Texas
Current Residence
Los Angeles, California
Occupation
Music Executive
Traits
Outgoing, Emotional, Loyal
Why Applied
To take his own advice about chasing dreams and doing what he loves even if it’s scary
Life Experience
Over a decade in music publishing; has signed prominent pop artists, songwriters, and producers
Unique Gameplay
Inspired by Mike White; kept parts of his job quiet so others wouldn’t see him as a threat
Finish
15
Justin Pioppi
Age
29
Hometown
Winthrop, Massachusetts
Current Residence
Winthrop, Massachusetts
Occupation
Pizzeria Manager
Traits
Compassionate, Hard-Working, Resilient
Why Applied
Survivor is a long-time family passion; wants a once-in-a-lifetime test of preparation and life experience
Life Experience
Grew up working in his family’s pizzeria, serving generations of regulars and learning community-building
Unique Gameplay
Transferred to and graduated from Yale, but planned to keep that quiet in the game
Finish
16
Kevin Leung
Age
34
Hometown
Fremont, California
Current Residence
Livermore, California
Occupation
Finance Manager
Traits
Energetic, Social, Determined
Why Applied
Inspired by Yul Kwon; believes he now has the social, strategic, and physical tools to succeed
Life Experience
Transformed his physique and confidence; parlayed that into retail work at Abercrombie that sharpened his social skills
Unique Gameplay
Learned to charm customers and read people—skills he hopes translate to Survivor
Finish
17
Stephanie Berger
Age
38
Hometown
New York City, New York
Current Residence
Brooklyn, New York
Occupation
Tech Product Lead
Traits
Ambitious, Outgoing, Resilient
Why Applied
Loves the game and wants to be one of the few winners rather than an armchair quarterback
Life Experience
Taught middle school in New Orleans with Teach for America and stayed eight years, learning to slow down and build community
Unique Gameplay
Balances NYC go-getter energy with a New Orleans neighborly vibe
Finish
18
Sai Hughley
Age
30
Hometown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Current Residence
Simi Valley, California
Occupation
Marketing Professional
Traits
Outgoing, Kind, Driven
Why Applied
Representation matters; wants young Black and POC women to see themselves in spaces they rarely occupy
Life Experience
Navigated both South Philadelphia inner-city life and private high school, learning to bridge different worlds
Unique Gameplay
Magnetic personality and backstory that often inspires others
Finish
12
Finalists
Kyle Fraser
Winner of $1,000,000
Jury Votes (5)
- Kamilla Karthigesu
- Mitch Guerra
- Shauhin Davari
- David Kinne
- Chrissy Sarnowsky
Eva Erickson
Jury Votes (2)
- Mary Zheng
- Star Toomey
Joe Hunter
Jury Votes (1)
- Cedrek McFadden
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