Who’s Too Big a Threat to Win Survivor 50?

A lot of the early talk about Survivor 50 has focused on who’s playing – specifically, whether there are too many returning players, and if some have been on the show too many times. But with the premiere almost here, it’s time to shift the focus. The question isn’t about who deserves to be there, but how well they’ll compete against each other. A common problem with Survivor all-star seasons is that the most exciting players often also seem like the biggest threats, leading to surprising early votes. We’ve seen it before – seasons like Survivor: All Stars where strong players like Tina Wesson and Richard Hatch were voted out before the merge, or Survivor: Game Changers where Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos suffered the same fate, ultimately leading to less strategic players making it to the finals.

While it’s not always a bad thing, strong relationships in Survivor can be key to success. Boston Rob and Amber won All-Stars not only because they were a devoted couple, but also because Amber wasn’t seen as a major threat early on. Similarly, Parvati Shallow, now considered one of the best players, initially built her winning strategy in Micronesia by forming alliances with people who underestimated her, seeing her simply as a social player.

With 24 castaways competing on Survivor 50, many stand out as strong players due to their strategy, willingness to betray others, or overall likability. After analyzing their past performance on the show and reviewing preseason interviews – especially those with Mike Bloom from Rob Has a Podcast – here’s my ranking of the most to least threatening players.

Threat Level Red: The First-Boot Candidates

The beginning of an Survivor all-star season is the most precarious time for players, before they’ve had a chance to form alliances. At this stage, they’re heavily judged by what everyone already thinks of them. If a highly-perceived threat ends up at the first Tribal Council, they might not have enough time to change that initial impression. Survivor 50 has a larger cast than ever before – 24 players – meaning two people will likely be eliminated in each of the first few episodes. (Previous seasons have never had more than 20 players, and the standard season length is 26 days.) Because tribe immunity is so valuable early on, players seen as strategic masterminds are more likely to become targets than those known for their physical strength.

These developments are concerning for players like Genevieve Mushaluk from Survivor 47. Genevieve is known for being a strategic mastermind, especially after cleverly eliminating a key ally and orchestrating a complex plan later in the game. The show portrayed her as a ruthless strategist. Similarly, Kamilla Karthigesu from Survivor 48 was presented as someone eager to manipulate her fellow players. While she can point to her alliance with Kyle Fraser as evidence she’s a valuable ally, many of the returning players are already wary of her intentions.

I’ve been following Survivor for ages, and Rick Devens is already shaping up to be a huge threat this season. After doing so well on Edge of Extinction – finishing fourth – everyone knows he’s not a villain, just relentlessly strategic. Honestly, just thinking about playing against him seems exhausting for the other returning players – and there are fifty of them! He’s constantly scheming and searching for idols, and it’s clear he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Threat Level Blood Orange: The Former Winners

During the first season of Survivor: All-Stars, Jenna Lewis strongly targeted past winners Tina and Ethan, arguing that other returning players didn’t want to see anyone win a second million dollars. Tina was the first to be eliminated. Although Survivor has since seen a few players win multiple times, Jenna’s point still resonates. This season, three players are facing extra scrutiny: Dee Valladares, Kyle Fraser, and, to a degree, Savannah Louie. While Savannah’s season hadn’t aired yet when the 50 contestants left for Fiji, only she and her Survivor 49 ally Rizo knew she had won. Nevertheless, the other contestants considered the numbers and have identified Savannah as the most likely third winner.

Dee, Kyle, and Savannah might be able to convince others they’re reliable allies until the very end, as the jury may be hesitant to reward them again. However, experienced players will likely want to avoid a repeat of Sandra Diaz-Twine’s strategy from Heroes vs. Villains, where the Pearl Islands winner successfully pretended to be a non-threat throughout the game to ultimately win. Because these three winners are spread across different tribes, their best bet is to be part of the tribe that wins the first few immunity challenges.

Threat Level Marigold: The Cirie Tier

As a huge Survivor fan, I truly believe Cirie Fields is legendary – there’s nobody quite like her, and it would be such an iconic moment if she finally won. She’s played the game in so many different ways over her four seasons – sometimes quietly, sometimes aggressively. She can be ruthless, eliminating threats, but also a fiercely protective player. She’s made bold moves that didn’t pay off, and even been voted out without a single vote against her. The one thing she hasn’t done is take home the win. Honestly, if she makes it to the final tribal council on her fifth try, I think the jury – any jury who truly loves this game – would have to give her the prize. That’s why, as the season starts, 23 players have one clear goal: do everything they can to prevent Cirie from reaching the finale.

It seems like Cirie’s best move would be to use her legendary status and rally the younger players who grew up watching her on television. However, modern Survivor players often demonstrate their admiration by eliminating those they respect, so that strategy might not work.

Threat Level Canary: The Keep-Your-Head-Down Gang

Players invited back for an all-star season of Survivor are usually pretty strategic. It’s all about building relationships with people who see that strategy as helpful, not harmful. If someone who likes to scheme can keep their plans under wraps, they can form strong alliances and go far. Chrissy Hofbeck played a very aggressive, strategic game to reach the end of her season—and won four immunity challenges—which means people will either want to work with her or get rid of her. If she starts playing too hard too quickly, she’ll likely become a target. Christian Hubicki was seen as a major threat due to his intelligence on his first season, but because he didn’t make it to the final, players on 50 might be less intimidated and more open to his unique and friendly personality.

Aubry Bracco has a reputation that makes some past male players of Survivor uneasy. A competitor once admitted he didn’t trust her because a former castmate told him she was his favorite player. However, much of Aubry’s strategic prowess comes from her first season. In the two seasons since, she hasn’t played as strongly and hasn’t had much impact. Many remember her leaving Edge of Extinction without a strong finish. How dangerous she’s perceived to be will likely depend on how her competitors remember her past performance.

Emily Flippen quickly became a popular contestant on Survivor 45 despite her direct and sometimes harsh personality. Although she played a clever strategic game and made it far, she didn’t reach the final, which might make others underestimate her this time. However, Emily needs to be mindful of how she initially presents herself, as she came across as abrasive to her fellow players early in her previous season.

Threat Level Lime: The Chaos Agents

Honestly, some players are just way more entertaining to watch than to actually play with, and Angelina Keeley is a perfect example. I was glued to the screen during David vs. Goliath – her bartering with Jeff Probst for rice, even asking the woman she just voted out for her jacket? Iconic! She really rattled everyone’s cages, both her allies and enemies. The pre-interview packages showed how much the old-school players – guys like Colby and Ozzy – dreaded the thought of being stuck with her. But here’s the thing: keeping someone like Angelina around late in the game can actually be smart. If you’re trying to make it to the final tribal council, having her next to you as someone everyone else is annoyed by? That’s a strategy, and it totally worked for her the first time around.

Besides Jason, Quintavius “Q” Burdette was a major source of disruption. He wasn’t just annoying to his fellow players with his boastful behavior; he actively hurt their chances of winning. Q was a chaotic player – unpredictable, irrational, and often sabotaged himself, even asking to be voted out! This made it incredibly difficult for anyone to partner with him. While he could be amusing – and others on the show might try to use him as a distraction – it’s hard to believe anyone would want to work with Q for very long.

Threat Level Emerald: The Kids

Charlie Davis and Rizo Velovic, being two of the younger cast members, immediately become targets simply because of their age – older players often resent youth. While both play the game differently, Charlie has a reputation for being able to stay neutral and get along with everyone, but also being willing to betray others when necessary. This makes him somewhat suspicious, though likely not an immediate threat. The other players might hesitate to eliminate Charlie, a big Taylor Swift fan, too early for fear of upsetting other fans, but as seen on The Traitors, players quickly overcome those concerns – just look at how quickly they voted out Donna Kelce.

Rizo, however, is known for boasting and making dramatic plays, like using a fake immunity idol during Tribal Council. While most of this aired on television after Survivor 50 was filmed, the cast did see a preview for season 49 at the end of the season 48 finale—the one where Rizo famously introduced his “RizGod” persona. It will be difficult for him to change people’s perceptions after that memorable moment.

Threat Level Aquamarine: The Meat Shields

The latest season of Survivor split its players into two groups: six from the show’s first 39 seasons and six from more recent seasons. It wasn’t surprising, then, that a clear divide emerged between these ‘old-school’ and ‘new-school’ players during interviews. This difference often comes down to when someone played the game, but it’s sometimes more about attitude. Some describe old-school players as valuing loyalty, winning competitions, and playing fairly, while new-school players are seen as prioritizing quick betrayals and constantly changing alliances.

Players like Colby Donaldson and Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick built their reputations on earlier seasons of the show, and they still project an image of being strong-willed and self-righteous. This traditional, cautious approach to strategy could make them valuable allies later in the game because they’re likely to be dependable. However, their reluctance to take bigger risks or play aggressively might clash with the newer players’ styles.

Jonathan Young and Joe Hunter, both newcomers to the Survivor world, played the game in a very traditional way. Jonathan is a classic physical competitor – the type of player everyone wants on their team early on to win immunity challenges. However, he’s also likely to become a target once the game merges. Joe presents a different kind of threat. Unlike Jonathan, who’s known for his physical strength but struggles socially, Joe is known for his unwavering loyalty. It’s interesting to wonder if Joe will form a similar strong bond with someone on this new season, or if his connection with Eva from his previous season was unique. Regardless, most players will probably try to align with Joe early on, but ultimately vote him out later in the game.

Threat Level Cerulean: Active Seniors

While Colby and Stephenie embody a traditional, conservative style of gameplay, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Ozzy Lusth appear more open to collaborating with the younger players. Both were once the ‘young’ players themselves on their original seasons. Jenna is the last remaining contestant from the very first Survivor season, which should excite longtime fans and make her a valuable ally. How much of a threat she poses will largely depend on her approach when the game begins. In the past, she’s sometimes rubbed people the wrong way early on by being overly enthusiastic or talkative, and recent interviews suggest she hasn’t changed much in that regard.

Ozzy is competing on Survivor for the fifth time, and he’s unique in that he’s reached the merge (where players form a jury) in all four of his previous appearances. While still capable in challenges, he’s not the dominant physical player he used to be, making him less of a threat. He’s never been a master at building social connections, which limits his ability to form strong, lasting alliances. He could do well in the game if he manages to align himself with some of the newer players.

Threat Level Indigo: Oddly Beloved

It’s not surprising that Mike White is well-liked by the players on Survivor 50. He’s a successful TV creator – known for hits like The White Lotus – and he’s given former David vs. Goliath castmates small roles on his shows, which the current players clearly find exciting. What is strange is that so many people don’t seem to recognize how dangerous of a player Mike actually is. Emily is an exception – she plans to target him because she knows everyone else will try to befriend him hoping for connections to The White Lotus. Many contestants praise Mike for playing for fun rather than the prize money, but they don’t seem to realize how easily that story could win him votes from the final jury.

While Hollywood Mike is getting a lot of praise from his fellow cast members, Benjamin “Coach” Wade seems to be the most popular player heading into Survivor 50, based on early conversations. Players of all ages are excited to both play with and strategize alongside him. Even with veterans like Cirie, Colby, and Ozzy competing, the cast is noticeably more enthusiastic when talking about Coach. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but what once made him seem arrogant and out of touch in his previous seasons now feels charming and endearing. He’s the biggest star of this cast, and the only person who sees him as a threat is Jenna, who has a specific reason to target him – she’s against dragons!

Threat Level Mauve: The Under-the-Radar Risk

As a huge Survivor fan, I’ve been analyzing the potential threats this season, and it’s fascinating. Every player brings something to the table, whether it makes them a big target or lets them fly under the radar. But Tiffany Ervin… she’s a really interesting case. She wasn’t shy on Survivor 46; she was great in confessionals and had strong bonds with players like Q and Kenzie. However, she’s almost too well-rounded – solid strategically and socially, but without any one huge, flashy move that everyone remembers. Actually, her biggest move – getting the jury to vote for Kenzie – never even made it to the broadcast! This season, the fact that there are three of them from 46 – Tiffany, Q, and Charlie – immediately makes them a potential threat that other players might want to dismantle. But honestly, there are two other strong trios this season – the group from 48 (Kamilla, Kyle, and Joe) and the David vs. Goliath alliance (Mike, Angelina, and Christian) – who were much tighter back in their original seasons. Plus, Q and Charlie could easily protect Tiffany if people do start targeting the 46 players. It’s a really complex dynamic!

Early interviews revealed that most players don’t have strong feelings about Tiffany, and some even had trouble saying anything about her – which is exactly what she wants. She’s a low-threat player, making her an easy ally, especially early in the game. With so many experienced Survivor players this season, Tiffany hasn’t become a major target yet, and she’s now in a good position to start making bigger moves.

Dee Valladares is the third.
Parvati was voted out before the merge in “Winners at War,” but on that season, everybody made the jury.

2026-02-25 23:58