“Survivor” is typically at its most exciting when returning players are in the mix, and part of the fun is predicting how the contestants might play. Based on their previous seasons, which “Game Changers” cast members will come out on top? Here they are, ranked from least to most likely to walk away as “Sole Survivor.”
20. Hali Ford (Worlds Apart)
The “Game Changers” theme of this season has left fans scratching their head at a few of the casting choices. Who is Hali? And what exactly did she do to change the game in her first season? Will she be able to keep up with a season of players who have a track record of actually making big moves?
19. Sierra Dawn Thomas (Worlds Apart)
Sierra was another relatively anonymous player from “Worlds Apart,” but she made it to the final five that season and found herself the swing vote more than once along the way. That’s worth something, I guess.
18. Tai Trang (Kaôh Rōng)
Look, Tai made it to the Final Tribal in his last season, but no one believes that was because of his strategic gameplay. Tai is a social threat with a proven ability to form lasting relationships, but there’s no evidence he’ll be any better at leveraging those relationships to run the game this time around.
17. Debbie Wanner (Kaôh Rōng)
Debbie’s comically-varied professional history is one of the more memorable aspects of an otherwise forgettable season. But raise your hand if you can remember literally anything else she did.
16. James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. (Tocantins & Heroes vs. Villains)
Previous winners will always be at a distinct disadvantage. They are both viewed as a threat by their competitors, and face an uphill battle when it comes to convincing them that they deserve another million dollars. J.T. didn’t display much skill in walking that line the last time he went up against other returning players.
15. Brad Culpepper (Blood vs. Water)
The last time he played, Brad Culpepper made his fair share of enemies (Marissa’s “f— you, Brad Culpepper” outburst remains an all-time great “Survivor” quote) and he demonstrated little in the way of self-awareness about the entire situation. Those aren’t great qualities on a show where interpersonal relationships are as important as physical ability.
14. Troy “Troyzan” Robertson (One World)
The only serious threat to Kim’s complete domination of “One World” was Troyzan’s string of individual immunity wins, proving that challenge strength can get even the most vulnerable player deep in the game. But, like all competitors must, Troyzan eventually lost and was voted out immediately, proving that good strategy will always win out in the end.
13. Sarah Lacina (Cagayan)
Sarah goofy “Cops ‘R’ Us” alliance with Tony didn’t get her very far post-merge, ending when Chaos Kass flipped the script and sent her packing. Has Sarah, who otherwise seemed to be a smart, capable player, learned from that blindside?
12. Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth (Cook Islands, Micronesia & South Pacific)
Ozzy joins the four-timers club this season, but he’s always seemed more interested in living on the beach than actually playing the game. And with his history of winning challenges, he’s sure to have a massive target on his back from Day 1.
11. Caleb Reynolds (Kaôh Rōng)
Having been pulled from the game early on in his first season due to heat stroke, Caleb is a bit of a wild card. But he made it to the final four during his season of “Big Brother,” which indicates some ability to play strategically.
10. Cirie Fields (Panama, Micronesia & Heroes vs. Villains)
Anyone who was paying attention knows that Cirie was robbed when she played in Micronesia. A surprise final elimination — likely due to the season’s many medical evacuations — sent her to the jury on a season she otherwise probably would’ve won. But the game has changed a lot in the last few seasons, and it’s unclear whether Cirie can adapt to the new style of play.
9. Tony Vlachos (Cagayan)
Tony played a wild game last time, and thanks to a combination of poor competition, dumb luck and several hidden immunity idols, it paid off. But lightning rarely strikes twice, and recklessness has consequences.
8. Jeff Varner (The Australian Outback & Cambodia)
When he returned for “Second Chances,” Jeff showed an impressive ability to adapt to the “new school” style of gameplay, with its ever-shifting alliances and non-stop gameplay. And if there’s one quality more important than any other on “Survivor,” it’s adaptability.
7. Michaela Bradshaw (Millennials vs. Gen X)
A fan-favorite spitfire, Michaela played too aggressively last time and was quickly ousted by her own alliance. But if she learned the lesson of her own blindside between her two back-to-back seasons, Michaela might be able to use the fact that the rest of the cast has yet to see her play — “Game Changers” was filmed before “Millennials vs. Gen X” aired — to her advantage.
6. Aubry Bracco (Kaôh Rōng)
Aubry played a savvy game throughout her last season, making it to the very end without the assistance of a reliable majority alliance. Michelle came out victorious because she had more friends on the jury, but the fact that Aubry is frequently underestimated could be used to her advantage.
5. Ciera Eastin (Blood vs. Water & Cambodia)
“Cambodia,” as a season of entertainment television, owes a lot to Ciera, whose frequent pleas to her cast mates to “play the game” helped prevent one majority alliance from running the entire show. And flat-out lying about Andrew Savage in front of the entire tribe in an attempt to get them to flip on him is one of the gutsiest moves this game has ever seen (Of course it didn’t work, but still). And historically, the players willing to take those big risks are the ones who do well.
4. Malcolm Freberg (Philippines & Caramoan)
Speaking of “big risks,” Malcolm served up one of the most memorable moments from “Caramoan” when he ousted Philip by playing two hidden immunity idols. It only bought him a week, but Malcolm is a smart, likable guy with demonstrated challenge prowess. And even though he’ll probably have a target on his back from the jump, few have as much experience playing from the bottom as Malcom.
3. Zeke Smith (Millennials vs. Gen X)
Like Michaela, Zeke has the advantage of being a mystery to the rest of the cast. And he played a fine game last season, until he became too laser-focused on his rivalry with David (Hannah was clearly the real mastermind of his opposition). It’ll be interesting to see how Zeke stacks up against a bunch of vets.
2. Andrea Boehlke (Redemption Island & Caramoan)
“Redemption Island” was a snooze of a season, clearly orchestrated to crown Boston Rob. So it was somewhat of a surprise when Andrea returned for “Caramoan” and immediately made an impression as one of the season’s most serious threats. If she can walk the line between being too passive and too aggressive, Andrea might just come out on top.
1. Sandra Diaz-Twine (Pearl Islands & Heroes vs. Villains)
Sandra’s “as long as it’s not me” attitude toward tribal council has made her the only contestant in 33 seasons to win more than once. She has a perfect “Survivor” track record! Who would bet against that?
