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Who are the contestants for Survivor 44?
With the 44th season of the survivalist show airing tonight, here’s a look at some of the contestants
It’s been over 20 years since the survivalist-themed show ‘Survivor’ premiered on TV, and today (March 1) it’s back for its 44th season. Set in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji, the new season will have 18 contestants contend for the title of survivor and win $1 million.
Hosted by Jeff Probst, the 18 contestants will be split into three groups, Ratu, Soka, and Tika. To get a spot on the famed show, contestants only need to submit a video and be 16 years of age. Here’s a look at some of this season’s contestants.
An “electric” group of contestants
“I loved this group from the opening moments. I can’t give you a specific answer as to why they were so electric, but I do think you’ll feel it straight out of the game,” Probst said to Entertainment Weekly of this year’s contestants.
“One of the fun parts of the job is putting together a new cast of players, but it’s also fraught with risk because you can’t predict the vibe once they are all together. This group definitely came to play the game, and here’s the truth about Survivor — great players make for great seasons. It’s really that simple. I think we got it right this time!
This season’s contest range in age from 20 to 46. Ex-NFL star Brandon Cottom is one of the contestants. After leaving the NFL, he now works as both a security specialist and speech coach for children in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
On joining the ‘Survivor’ cast, Cottom says he’s excited about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and adventure.
“Taking away all distractions of social media and everything, there’s no chance you get to really detach from everything and focus on yourself and who you want to be,” Cotton said to Parade.
“I think that Survivor kind of pulls that out of everybody, whether they like it or not. I mean, that’s really the reason I’m here. I want to see what I’m made of and see what I’m capable of because I’ve never put myself in a position like this.”
Kane Frizler becomes the third Canadian on ‘Survivor’
Kane Fritzler from Saskatchewan, Canada, is a 25-year-old law school graduate who says he’s aware he has “big shoes to fill”, referring to fellow Canadians Maryanne Oketch and Erika Casupanan’s recent wins on the show.
“I think Canadians have waited so long to be on the show that when we go out there, we’re ready to perform and to play hard,” Fritzler told Maclean’s.
Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho from Puerto Rico is also aiming to become the first contestant from the U.S. Territory to win ‘Survivor’. Fellow Puerto Rican, Sandra Diaz-Twine from Connecticut, previously won the show twice in 2003 and 2010.
How to watch ‘Survivor 44′
New episodes of ‘Survivor 44′ will air Wednesdays on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. The show will also stream on Paramount+, Hulu+ Live TV, and Fubo TV.