After months of speculation, the Survivor 50 cast list is here! Fans can finally take a breath and stop searching for hidden clues on their favorite players’ recent Instagram posts. The wait is over.
The highly-anticipated season will feature 24 returning players, including some fan favorites. Twenty-two of those names were released on Wednesday, May 28. The final two contestants will be revealed once Survivor 49 ends.
The cast list has caused quite a stir on social media. Some fans praised the selection, others demanded a recast. I’ll be honest, I’m deeply disappointed Survivor 47’s Andy Rueda didn’t make the cut. It’s not a perfect list, but there are a few names that piqued my interest.
Here are the five players I think have the best shot to win Survivor 50…
Cirie Fields is the biggest name on the Survivor 50 cast
Cirie Fields’ experience makes her a standout in a sea of new-era players. Half the cast has only played Survivor once, making Cirie’s deep well of knowledge about the game quite useful.
She’s never won the title of Sole Survivor, but that hasn’t soured fans’ perception of her as a player. She’s often regarded as the best player to never win and championed for her impressive social game. Cirie uses her likability and charm to move through the game, forming alliances and using her social prowess to eliminate her foes. She disguises her threat level by playing up her weaknesses, most notably her lack of athleticism, referring to herself as a “couch potato.”
Cirie’s biggest obstacle blocking her from a win in Survivor 50 is her threat level. Everyone on that island knows she is a smart and strategic player, making her path to the end challenging. She’s a Survivor legend, so flying under the radar will not be an option for her. And her impressive performance on Season 1 of The Traitors and Big Brother 25 will not help her case.
Normally, I would say Cirie’s reputation will tank her chance to win, but Survivor 50 is full of legends with intimidating resumes. If the new players are looking to challenge a veteran, I doubt Cirie is at the top of their list. I suspect they will target a player like Ozzy Lusth, who has a chance to win out through competitions, before they come after Cirie. If she plays her cards right, a Cirie win may be around the corner.
Mike White is a huge coup for the Survivor 50 cast
Mike White has only played Survivor once, but he left a lasting impression on the game. He made it to the finale in Survivor: David vs. Goliath but failed to take home the million-dollar prize, losing by four votes to underdog Nick Wilson. Although he did not emerge a winner, fans were still impressed with his game.
He formed tight alliances, orchestrated blindsides, and found clever ways to keep himself safe. He has the tools to pull out a win in Survivor 50, but his name may make him a target.
Mike was a public figure when he appeared on Survivor 37, known for movies like School of Rock and Nacho Libre, but he’s become a household name in recent years, thanks to his popular HBO series The White Lotus. His fame may help him early on in the game, but I suspect no one will take him to the end.
That being said, he’s entering Survivor 50 with Angelina Keeley, one of his closest allies from Survivor 37, so that may improve his chances.
Charlie Davis referenced Taylor Swift lyrics on Survivor 46
Charlie Davis competed on one of the most chaotic Survivor seasons I have ever watched. The blindsides were plentiful, the fighting was constant, and five players went home with an idol in their pocket. Humiliating.
While some Survivor 46 players crumbled under the pressure, Charlie thrived off the chaos. He adapted to the drama like a natural and even found himself in the final three. Unfortunately, he lost the title of Sole Survivor to his former ally, Maria Shrime Gonzalez, in a 5-3 jury vote.
Charlie didn’t leave the island with a million dollars, but he was certainly a beloved and respected player on his season. I believe he has what it takes to win it all on Survivor 50.
Genevieve Mushaluk could win Survivor 50
I was basically president of the Genevieve Mushaluk fan club when Survivor 47 was airing. She played a strategic and dynamic game that I believed was worthy of a million dollars. I was devastated when she was eliminated at the final five.
The first half of Genevieve’s game was pretty flawless. She kept a low profile on the Lavo tribe, encouraging her ally, Rome Cooney, to do her dirty work while she focused on building relationships. She made her first “big move” in Episode 4 when she chose to backstab her ally Kishan Patel, sending him to Ponderosa in a shocking blindside. Once Genevieve got a taste of control, it was hard for her to give it up. Eventually, her scheming caught up with her, and she became the number one target on the island.
I’m excited to see Genevieve play Survivor again. She needs to revise her strategy, but I’m confident in her chances.
Emily Flippen is the Survivor 50 cast wildcard
The start of Emily Flippen’s Survivor 45 game was a complete mess. She came down with a classic case of playing way too hard, way too soon, which alienated her from her tribe. Viewers thought her game was over, but Emily rose like a phoenix in the second half of the game.
She transformed from public enemy number one to a crucial swing vote, assisting in major blindsides. For a while, fans thought she had a chance to win, but eventually, her luck ran out. She was eliminated at the final seven.
Emily, like Genevieve, has the luxury of being a lesser-known player going into Survivor 50. She played a great game, but her name doesn’t carry the same weight as Cirie’s or Colby Donaldson’s. I suspect the new gen players will have an easier route to victory on Survivor 50.
Survivor is available to stream to Paramount+.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SURVIVOR 50 CAST LIST? WHO DO YOU THINK HAS THE BEST SHOT AT SOLE SURVIVOR?
