Survivor was an immediate hit when it premiered back in the summer of 2000. For its 20th anniversary and 40th season, Survivor plans to do the unprecedented: hand out the largest prize in game show history, 2 million dollars! And who would be better suited to win the double-prize other than the game’s twenty best winners? For the first time, fans get to watch an entire season of only winners, guaranteed to be an all-out blood bath!
Survivor: Winners at War gathers a diverse, complex group of winners, going as far back as season 2! Since Survivor's first iteration of an all-star season 17 years ago, many relationships and connections have formed. Here are ten in-game and out-of-game connections between contestants that you may not know about.
This Will Be Boston Rob Mariano & Amber Mariano’s First Time Battling Each Other As A Married Couple!
Back in 2003 when Survivor: All-Stars premiered, Boston Rob and Amber first met on the Chapera tribe and quickly fell for each other. Amber claims it was all strategy at first, but their chemistry is undeniable! Fans were shocked when the pair made the final two of Survivor: All-Stars, where the jury bitterly voted for Amber to win. Rob then went on to propose to Amber at the live reunion show, followed by a TV special covering their wedding.
Boston Rob won Survivor: Redemption Island on his fourth try; his fifth time out will historically be the most times a contestant has played! He also community to see their mom and dad play again, and possibly vote each other out!
Green-Eyed Monster? Boston Rob & Ethan Zohn Have An Outlasting Feud
Ethan, Boston Rob, and Amber all played together in Survivor: All-Stars. Ethan and Amber had previously dated, which didn’t sit well with new beau Boston Rob. As Rob and Amber’s relationship blossomed, Ethan suddenly became Rob’s #1 punching bag. Jealousy reared its ugly head when Rob teased Ethan at challenges, calling him a “pretty boy”.
Whether or not Ethan and Boston Rob have mended fences remains unclear, but it would be foolish if Rob didn’t try to pull in Ethan as an ally since they are two of the only “old school” players this season. Hopefully, we’ll see a turnaround for these two on Winners at War!
Tyson Apostol & Boston Rob Are Good Friends Outside The Game
Tyson and Rob have a long history both inside and outside the game. They played together on the Villains tribe back in Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, but were both eliminated pre-merge. The two have bonded over poker, and playing Survivor with their spouses! Tyson played with his now-wife Rachel Foulger during his triumphant season, Survivor: Blood vs. Water.
Tyson and Rob have formed a squad of previous winners who them at Nick Wilson, and Kim Spradlin-- all featured on this season!
Kim Spradlin & Jeremy Collins ed Tyson & Rob To Compete During The Televised Tournament 'Poker Night in America'
Tyson and Boston Rob formed an all-star poker crew, which included Jeremy Collins, winner of Survivor: Cambodia, and Kim Spradlin, winner of Survivor: One World. These four competed against each other during the televised event Poker Night in America, with Kim winning the pot!
Did this dynamic foursome make a pre-game alliance for Winners at War, or will they lay under the radar and try to not draw too much attention to their previous connections?
Sandra Diaz-Twine & Boston Rob Lived Together On Their Own Island As Mentors Last Season
Boston Rob and asked to be mentors for season 39, Survivor: Island of the Idols.
Castaways on two biggest idols the game has ever seen- Boston Rob and Sandra! Will they team up this season, being two of the biggest threats?
Parvati Shallow Began Her Survivor Career By Losing To Yul Kwon
Before she became Survivor's most notorious female player of all time, Parvati was making heart-emoji eyes at fellow Winners at War contestant, Yul Kwon. Known for his cerebral-style of playing the game, Yul will be under-the-radar this season, since his last (and only) time playing was over 13 years ago. He has no other connections to the cast besides Parvarti.
Parvati has the best record for any three-time player: she won Micronesia, placed second in Heroes vs. Villains, and got eliminated 8th in Cook Islands-- will she have the stamina to keep her resume strong for her fourth time around?
Tyson Apostol and Sophie Clarke Have Previously Connected On Rob Has A Podcast
Rob Has A Podcast is known to fans as the main hub for all-things Survivor. Hosted by Survivor legend Rob Cesternino, the podcast features weekly recaps and interviews with previous castaways. Rob and Tyson are good friends and even host their own show together. Sophie Clarke, winner of Survivor: South Pacific, dubs herself a "Survivor nerd" and also frequents the podcast.
During the "Roast of Rob Cesternino", Tyson decided to start a side-roast, comparing Sophie to Princess Fiona from Shrek. The two remain in close and most likely formed a pre-game alliance in Winners at War.
Season 40 Will Be Tony Vlachos & Sarah Lacina's Third Time Playing The Game Together
Sarah Lacina and Tony Vlachos first played the game together in Survivor: Cagayan, where Sarah quickly detected Tony ultimately won the title and prize.
Sarah, Tony, and Sandra all returned for Survivor: Game Changers. While Tony and Sandra were voted out pre-jury, Sarah hoodwinked her way to the final 3 and became the all-star season's winner. Sarah remains the game's last female winner, the show's longest-running streak! Can she break her own record and become the game’s second two-time female winner?
Natalie Anderson & Jeremy Collins Had An Alliance When They Played Survivor: San Juan Del Sur Together
Natalie Anderson and Jeremy Collins played closely together in Natalie's winning season Survivor: San Juan Del Sur, before Jeremy was voted out at the merge for being too big of a threat. Jeremy returned and prevailed as the winner in Survivor: Cambodia.
Natalie was supposed to play in Game Changers but was unfortunately pulled from the game last minute due to a concussion involving a sports injury. While Jeremy has had the advantage of playing with all-returnees before, this will be Natalie’s first time with veterans. Being placed on the same starting tribe, will the two rekindle their alliance?
Michele Fitzgerald & Wendell Holland Dated For A Short Time
Michele and Wendell dated for a short period following their two respective wins. After causing the first-ever tie during the game's final million-dollar vote, Wendell narrowly pulled out the 'W' in Survivor: Ghost Island, and Michele became victorious during Survivor: Koah Rong.
Regardless of their past, Michele and Wendell might need each other as some of the only newbies with no prior connections. Do we think the pair have created a pre-game alliance, or will decide to work together only when their backs are up against the wall?