Don't let the returning mentors or weird twist distract you, this looks like a really strong cast and could be a great season. The first of the post-Spillman era, we've got a really fresh direction this season, with tons of fans, older players and more diversity than usual. Get excited! Presented from best chance to worst chance...
Jack Nichting, Graduate student [Vokai]
"Externally, I can easily be perceived as a laid back, longhaired, ditzy guy. In reality, I can be quite intellectual, intentional, and LOVE having serious, deep conversations with people."
I sense a new golden boy! Seems a risk to make him my winner pick when he could have a huge target on him, but I think he might be able to use his surfer boy persona to downplay it a bit. He compares himself to Devon and that's really what he should be aiming for. He clearly has more going on than challenges, he seems smart and social too..so, we'll see!
Molly Byman, Law student [Vokai]
"I am smart, strong, and not annoying. Discomfort and being dirty don't bother me. I can fit in anywhere and form relationships with anyone."
This season's resident quirky girl, Molly seems very likeable and smart and probably won't be regarded as a threat. However it sounds like she has the tenacity to be willing to make moves. She knows the game well and she's also a teacher which I think is a good job for making you empathetic, something you need out there. Strong Kellyn vibes, someone else I was very high on pre-season.
Jason Linden, Personal injury lawyer [Vokai]
"I will outwork my competition; I am an animal. I am resilient and hardworking. When I start something, I NEED to finish it."
Alright, get your Ross Geller jokes out of the way now! Jason comes off intelligent, mature and well-spoken. He'll probably be one of the main strategic players this season and I could see him doing very well, though it's definitely possible he might come off as too shady and turn people off. Especially if he tells them his real job, they're gonna get ambulance chaser vibes.
Tommy Sheehan, Teacher [Vokai]
"I am physical and can win challenges, but that won't win Survivor. What wins Survivor is the time spent opening up and connecting to people. When you have real connections with people they will keep you around longer."
Weirdly, Tommy is the person I keep forgetting about in this cast...but that's not a bad thing! Staying incognito is good. He seems to be a fan based on his players he's most like, so he should have some game in him, but I also think he'll be seen as the goofball of the cast and a good, loyal guy to have in your alliance.
Lauren Beck, Nanny [Vokai]
"My ability to connect with others is astronomical, I just love people! I have the physical and mental ability to see myself through to the very end. People tend to underestimate me which will definitely work in my favor. I plan to be the second black woman to win this game, hands down."
Lauren surprised me. She's extra but in a way that seems easy to like. She reminds me a lot of Ali, and I mean that as a good thing. Her bio had some hilarious lines (she's like Troyzan because they're both hot) and I noticed she was the only one to mention Sandra. She doesn't really seem like the type of personality that wins the show, but maybe this year will be different.
Chelsea Walker, Digital content creator [Lairo]
"I'm tenacious, a hard worker, and I don't take anything for granted. Applying to the show for so many years has made me stronger, and hungrier to win. I have something to prove, and I will win because I have the passion and desire to do so."
I'll be rooting for Chelsea above all else this season. She's hot, she's charming and she's a real deal superfan that's been trying to get on this show for ages. It's clear she wants this so bad and I hope it works out for her, but her main obstacle is going to be making sure she doesn't come in too hot and overplay.
Jamal Shipman, College administrator [Vokai]
"I've been intensely studying this game. I feel like I have a good handle on what to do in order to give myself the best shot at making it to the end with enough good will to get votes. People will be happy to write my name at the end."
Jamal is a real jack of all trades...athlete, singer, trumpet player. And he doesn't look like an Ivy League grad either. He's a big guy that will probably be a challenge asset, but he's not gonna be first priority at the merge over younger guys like Dean or Jack. On top of that, I just get likeable vibes from him.
Missy Byrd, Air Force Veteran [Lairo]
"Beyoncé wrote a song about surviving so I have to honor Queen B."
Yes, that really is the best quote from her that I could find. It's a shame her bio is so ridiculously short, because she actually seems pretty interesting. She has a lot of life experience from time in the military and being so well-travelled, so hopefully she can bring some of that to the game. She's gonna be a tough cookie, but as far as the social game goes, I have no idea what to expect. Probst mentioned her as a candidate for an all-girls alliance though.
Kellee Kim, MBA student [Vokai]
"My pain tolerance is high, and I love to make difficult things fun. With a pinch of luck and a good meat shield, I'll win."
I was prepared to have Kellee much higher, but then Probst hinted she might be inflexible and that seemed like a major red flag. I'd be happy to see her do well though. If she's as fun as she claims, that'll help her, and I'm sure she learned some translatable skills in business school. Her soccer background should give her some challenge ability too.
Dean Kowalski, Tech sales [Lairo]
"I strongly believe in my ability to get along with and be liked by a variety of different people. This will allow me to build strong, diverse alliances. Additionally, my athletic and puzzle abilities will make me a threat within challenges. My experience working in sales will fuel my persuasion within my alliances."
It's hard to back anyone that seems as cocky as him, but I could maybe see a universe where he perseveres and wins in spite of that. He has some things going for him: he's a strong challenge competitor, so he shouldn't be gone before the merge. His confidence could also make him a strong social player. And he's in sales, so maybe there's Chris Underwood upside here.
Elizabeth Biesel, Olympic medalist [Lairo]
"I'm physically, mentally, and socially strong. I can easily connect with people—my alliances will be strong and help carry me through the game. I can win individual Immunity due to my strength as an athlete. I'm a tough girl who will fight until the end."
Elizabeth is an incredibly accomplished person with a lot going for her and on paper could be a well-rounded player. But her biggest problem is how could you hear "Olympic swimmer" and not instantly think "huge threat"? On top of that, she also hasn't seen much of the show. But it's possible she can overcome this, and seemed very gung-ho for a girls thing on her pre-season interview.
Ronnie Bardah, Poker player [Lairo]
"I spend my life adapting to ever-changing environments. I grew up in a rough inner-city neighborhood and rose above and have been successful in one of the most competitive, cutthroat businesses on Earth. Poker is such a great challenge and competition and I want to always challenge myself to do better and better. There is no greater challenge in life than Survivor, I must conquer it."
Poker players don't have the best track record on the show for a profession that you'd think would make a good player. I'm not sure how much Ronnie knows about the show or if he just got offered it because he was a big name in the poker world. I guess it's not out of the question he could pick it up, but I see him playing the same way he plays cards: reckless and sloppy.
Noura Salman, Entrepeneur [Vokai]
"I'm multidimensional and not just one thing or person. I'm the nerd, jock, and model with brains, brawn, and beauty. Most importantly, I have the social skills needed to both win and influence people, and relentless drive to go after what I want."
Noura certainly has the pieces to be a good player: athletic, determined, adaptable. The question is, will she able to fit in with the tribe or will her energetic personality rub them the wrong way? Probst sounded unsure on her, which is not a good sign.
Dan Spilo, Talent manager [Vokai]
"I think I have the basic, if not superior, physicality to be useful to the Tribe. More importantly, I have an incredible ability to know what people need and to make them feel good, and to make myself critical in their success."
Dan is someone I could see being a villain. It might be hard for him to win because of that, but I don't want to rule it out as he does seem smart and like he's going to play hard. It seems like he thinks he'll be a challenge asset but I'll believe it when I see it.
Elaine Stott, Factory worker [Lairo]
"I think people will underestimate me. I think with my people skills and my ability to relate to different types of people, I will be able to befriend them or gain their trust. I would be overlooked because I wouldn't be a threat, but an ally."
The last two people in Elaine's archetype, Elizabeth and Lauren, both ended up being pleasant surprises, so I could definitely regret having her this low. I don't doubt that she's super fun to be around, which will help her. I just think a 40+ woman faces a lot of challenges, both at the beginning with they're worried about strength and at the end when they're trying to get respect for their game at FTC.
Aaron Meredith, Gym owner [Lairo]
"I have to come in with a STRONG social game because I will have a huge target on my back as a physical threat. I know how to work people, get people to know me, like me, and trust me."
I dunno, I just don't see it with Aaron. I'm not saying he's definitely going to be a douche, but he might be. He's also just undeniably fit and is gonna be a walking target after the merge, which is gonna take a huge amount of game sense he doesn't have to counteract.
Karishma Patel, Personal injury lawyer [Lairo]
"I feel like I was born to play this game. I've always craved challenges that help me learn more about myself, and I know deep down that I do have the physical, mental, and social skills to outlast, outwit, and outplay anyone."
The one camp shot I've seen of Karishma so far is her arguing. I hope that's not indicative of things to come. I would love the first Indian American contestant to do well as she seems like a badass independent woman with a strong, feisty personality, but that's exactly what could get her in trouble very early. So she shares a profession with Jason, could that be something they come together over if they ever meet?
Janet Carbin, Lifeguard [Vokai]
"I come off tough and stern... not true."
Another disappointingly short bio from someone who you'd think would have a lot to say, what gives? Probst is talking up Janet as one of their biggest characters this season and anybody who is a lifeguard at her age is guaranteed to be a badass. She seems mindful of not taking the role as the bossy one though. It's hard to overcome being the oldest player on your tribe, but she might just do it as she does have a skill others might not.
Tom Laidlaw, Former NHL player [Lairo]
"I know how to build an alliance and win challenges and then do whatever it takes to win."
So they said they were gonna cast Canadians this season, and the only one is an ex-hockey player that lives in New York? Huh. Anyway, it's cool to see a 60-year-old on the show but even an in-shape one is gonna have a tough time keeping up with the younger folks. His bio is very generic. One of the words he describes himself with is "stubborn", so...he's already on very thin ice. But maybe there's an alliance out there for him that needs a father figure.
Vince Moua, Admissions counselor [Lairo]
"I believe I can use my unassuming image and 209 vernacular to fool others into believing that I am not an immediate threat. However, I'd say I'm pretty crafty and will be able to use my smarts to create plans and execute votes that will eliminate anyone I feel is a threat to my game (if you're not with me, you're dead to me)."
I hate to put Vince last, because he seems like a nice guy and I'm sure he'll be fun while he's there, but I just get the sense that he's not gonna fit in at all. He's too weird and too different. And his bio answers are all over the place...he's apparently a shaman? But hey, I hope I'm wrong, as it's tough not to root for the underdog!
