Natalie White wins 'Survivor: Samoa,' beats Russell Hantz, Mick Trimming

Natalie White's strategy of riding Russell Hantz's coattails and not playing too aggressively paid off.

The 26-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative from Van Buren, AR claimed Survivor: Samoa's $1 million grand prize during the live portion of last night's finale broadcast from CBS Television Studio in Hollywood, CA.

"It's about having no regrets. You've got to take a big risk to get a big return," said Natalie after her victory was revealed.

"I had to quit my job to do it. So I gave up a wonderful job -- not just a wonderful job, but one that I loved so much... There was a lot at risk for me."

Natalie defeated Russell Hantz, a 36-year-old oil company owner from Dayton, TX, and Mick Trimming, a 33-year-old doctor from Boise, ID who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, by receiving five of the first seven jury votes Survivor host Jeff Probst revealed. Russell received the other two jury votes that were disclosed. Jeff did not reveal the remaining eighth and ninth votes, which were presumably also for Natalie.

"Her key move in the game was aligning with me," said Russell after Natalie had previously stated her "key move" as orchestrating Erik Cardona's blindside after the merge.

"Okay, maybe I had two key moves then," replied Natalie.

Survivor: Samoa's finale broadcast began on Day 37 at the merged Aiga camp following the elimination of Shannon "Shambo" Waters -- who was ousted when Brett Clouser, a 23-year-old T-shirt designer from Salem, OR who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, won Individual Immunity for the second consecutive time and staved off certain elimination.

Mick and Jaison Robinson, a 28-year-old law student from Chicago, IL, discussed the possibility of Brett winning Immunity again and immediately targeted Natalie if that were to happen.

"I think Russell will have a hard time voting her off," said Mick to Jaison.

"I think Russell will have an easier time doing a lot of things than you think," replied Jaison.

However they both agreed that Brett would be first, as Jaison was worried the only remaining Galu member could go on an "Immunity run." Russell was aware that Natalie's neck was on the line if Brett won Immunity again.

"You know what's going to happen if he wins the next one? I ain't going to be able to save you," Russell told Natalie.

"Why would I be next?" asked Natalie.

"Because the three guys stay to beat [Brett] in that last challenge," replied Russell.

"Well, that sucks," she said.

"Well we've just got to win," he said.

Natalie then asked point blank if she'd be going home if Brett won the next Immunity Challenge.

"Probably so," answered Russell.

In a confessional, Natalie said her strategy entering the competition was to "play the underdog," "be underestimated" and "just kind of slide through."

"Which I've done. And it's gotten me this far," she added.

The five castaways then arrived for the Immunity Challenge, and before Jeff explained the rules he asked Russell if it was the remaining four Foa Foa against Brett.

"Yes it is. That's what it is," answered Russell.

"It's an individual competition, so it's definitely a motivator," said Brett.

Each castaway would race across a series of obstacles and grab a bag of puzzle pieces before racing back. They then had to climb a steep wall to a platform and use the pieces to solve a puzzle. First person to get it right would win Immunity.

The challenge commenced, and while Russell was able to grab an early lead Brett's puzzle-solving skills helped him in the end and he won Immunity for the third consecutive time.

"To finally see a Foa Foa member go home will be relieving," said Brett in a confessional.

Natalie said she "definitely felt" like her head was on the chopping block. At camp, she talked to Russell

"I'm going to change it," he said.

"Promise me?" she asked.

"I promise you," he said.

Russell then revealed in a confessional why he wanted to keep Natalie around.

"I'm trying to keep Natalie because she's holding onto my coattails," he explained. "Who better to take to the Final 2 than her? There's no way she can beat me in votes."

Brett talked to Jaison about the impending vote.

"Do you guys know what you're doing, or is it up in the air?" Brett asked.

"You always think you know what you're doing but you never actually know what's going to happen," answered Jaison.

In a confessional, Russell called Jaison "the weakest link" and thought Natalie was stronger in helping to beat Brett in the next Immunity Challenge. He also weighed the pros and cons of keeping Jaison or Mick.

"The good thing about keeping Jaison is he can't beat me in the votes, the bad thing about keeping Jaison is he can't beat Brett in the challenge," explained Russell. "The good thing about keeping Mick is he could possibly beat Brett in the challenge, the bad thing about keeping Mick is he might beat me in jury votes."

He approached Jaison about getting rid of Mick, and Jaison agreed.

"I think Russell and I trust each other enough and we're comfortable. When I say this, I mean it. When he says this, he means it," explained Jaison.

However Russell also told Mick that Jaison would be next, and Mick agreed.

"I wish he could stay around. But Natalie's head is much more in the game than Jaison's," said Mick in a confessional. "He shows up, but he's just not really into it at all."

Russell knew that he and Natalie were in control over what transpired at Tribal.

"We're the ones making the decision," he said before approaching Natalie -- who weighed the options.

"They both have goods and bads," said Russell in a confessional. "So now I'm weighing what in the world I'm supposed to do."

Tribal Council then commenced, and the jury -- Erik, Kelly Sharbaugh, Laura Morett, John Fincher, David Ball, Monica Padilla, and Shambo -- entered.

Natalie explained that if they were unable to beat Brett in the next Immunity Challenge, he would certainly get all the jury votes -- so it was a tough decision about whether to keep someone strong to help beat Brett or keep someone that would be easy to beat at the final Tribal.

Jaison added it was especially difficult because there were a few players remaining who "could command a lot of jury votes."

"It makes sense to keep people that can beat him at this last Immunity," said Mick.

Jeff then asked Brett if he had been "sandbagging it" up until that point in the competition, when he seemed to turn on the burners.

"I think the past few challenges have just coincided with certain skills I have and having really nothing to lose is a different frame of mind that I have that the se people don't necessarily have," he added.

Jaison reiterated Brett needed to go as soon as possible to prevent him from getting to the final Tribal.

"If he got there, he'd definitely have an upper hand," said Jaison.

Brett said at this point, it didn't matter how many jury votes he had since he wasn't at the final Tribal yet.

"I've won three challenges in a row, but it doesn't mean anything if I don't win the next one," he said.

Brett, Russell, Natalie and Mick all voted for Jaison -- who became the sixteenth castaway eliminated and eighth member of the jury.

"I'm kind of pissed off at Russell for blindsiding me this way," said Jaison after his ouster.

"For a relationship that you've had since Day 2, you at least let the guy know that he's going home. So I don't think I'd be cheering for Russell this one. I'd root for Brett. Brett's the underdog. He is who we were. We came from nothing to be something and he did pretty much the same thing."

Back at camp, Brett described it as a "miracle" to still be there.

"This is something I didn't really imagine," he said, adding Immunity was his only hope. "My fate is in my own hands."

The next day on the beach, Russell asked Brett if he thought he could beat him if they both made the Final 3 jury vote.

"I don't know," answered Brett. "I think it would be pretty close."

Russell said he'd rather be next to someone who "deserves it more" and Brett agreed, stating he'd "rather go up against someone that's harder to beat and lose" than someone who is easier to beat and win. Russell saw an opening, and struck a deal with Brett.

"What I can promise you is me and you will be in the Top 3," he told him.

"Okay," said Brett.

"If you win it, then you're safe," explained Russell. "If I win it, I'll take you to the Top 3. If you win, you're in the Top 3. We have no doubts. I'm going to do it straight up with you. Deal?"

"Deal," said Brett as they shook hands.

In a confessional, Russell called the deal an "insurance policy" in case Brett were to win Immunity.

"It looks like I'm going to be in the Top 3 no matter what," boasted Russell in a confessional. "If I win this challenge today, I'm 100% positive that the game is mine. I won the $1 million."

They then retrieved some Tree Mail, which informed them they'd be remembering Survivor: Samoa's 16 previously booted castaways via the game's traditional "Fallen Comrades" journey. Once it was complete, the castaways met for the final Immunity Challenge, and Jeff explained the rules.

Each castaway would place a wooden statue on the end of a pole. At regular intervals, another section would be added to the pole -- making it more difficult to keep stable. The last person with his or her statue standing would win Immunity and an automatic bid to plead his or her case in front of the jury.

The challenge commenced. Mick was the first one out, followed by Natalie -- setting up a showdown between Russell and Brett, which was eventually won by Russell.

"This is worth $1 million right now. In my opinion, I just won the game," said Russell in a confessional.

Back at camp, Brett told Mick he was "proud" of himself for making it as far as he did and called Survivor an "awesome experience."

"I failed," he said in a confessional. "I'm pretty certain that I'll be going home tonight. The only thing I have to fall back on is Russell's deal that he made with me that if one of us were to win then we'd take the other person to the final."

The former Foa Foa members discussed their chances at the final Tribal -- as Natalie said she thought Russell would win, and Mick agreed Russell had a "great shot." Russell was also confident, thinking the fact that he beat Brett in the final Immunity Challenge was just what he needed to make his case with the jury.

"I made a promise to Brett," said Russell in a confessional. "But you see, I made a promise to Mick too. Either way I slice it, if I break my promise with somebody I'll be putting them on the jury and they're taking it personal -- they hate me. This is why the game gets tough."

Mick told Natalie he was "skeptic" Brett was going to go that easily and thought something might be up.

"Mick, you're fine," assured Natalie. "You're so paranoid... Do you honestly think any of us want to go against [Brett] on the jury?"

"I wouldn't think so, but Russell's got all these little strange plans and ploys," said Mick.

"No Mick, it's a done deal," assured Natalie again. "You're coming back here tonight, and so am I, and so is Russell."

Russell then approached Brett and explained he had a deal with both him and Mick.

"I wish I was like you when I was your age," gushed Russell.

"I appreciate that," replied Brett.

"The only option we have is Natalie is going to vote you and Mick is going to vote you . If I vote Mick and you vote Mick then it's a 2-2 tie," explained Russell. "Then it's a challenge -- it might be a fire challenge. Do you think you could beat Mick in a fire challenge?"

"Yeah," replied Brett.

In a confessional, Brett said it was "hard to take [Russell's] word 100%."

"All I can do is hope that he's a man of his word," said Brett.

Russell said in a confessional he was solely focused on "jury votes" when deciding between Mick and Brett.

"Mick's a real good guy, I like him a lot," added Russell. "Brett's a good guy too. But I'm playing the game. I'm still strongly considering keeping Brett. May the best man win. That might get me jury votes -- keeping the strongest here."

The penultimate Tribal Council then commenced and the jury entered. Russell said he "definitely" knew it would be him and Brett facing off at the end of the final Immunity Challenge.

"I knew he would be the one that would be there at the end," said Russell. "I put more effort into this challenge then I did into anything in this entire game."

Mick said he "absolutely" knew Brett would be next as soon as Russell won, and added it was a "huge relief." Natalie echoed Mick's statement and Russell said Brett played a great game.

"He deserves to be sitting up there with me," said Russell about Brett. "We're probably the two best up here and you want the best up here to talk in front of the jury. That's just how it should be."

Mick said Russell was making a good point, however he didn't necessarily agree with it because Brett in front of the jury met only one thing -- he would win the $1 million.

"Russell knows strategically it's not a good move to take Brett and put him in front of that jury," added Natalie.

Brett said Mick and Natalie had to be "a little worried" and Jeff asked if Russell would get "respect" from the jury for taking him.

"Oh yeah, most definitely," replied Brett. "By that action, you're showing a sense of confidence in yourself."

However Russell, Natalie and Mick all voted for Brett -- who became the seventeenth castaway eliminated and ninth and final jury member.

"Wow. They did it," said Erik as Brett had his torch snuffed.

"I knew a couple Tribals ago that it was my time to go," said Brett after his outer. "I'm the last Galu member, I'm so proud of that. To get to where I got -- 38 days, one of the Final 4 -- was definitely a testament to will, my hard work and I definitely feel like I went out on my own accord to some degree."

The next morning, Russell, Mick and Natalie toasted to making the Final 3.

"I said from Day 1 that I was going to get here, and here I am," said Russell. "Not only did I get here, I brought two people here that I wanted to be here with me."

Russell told Natalie and Mick that the jury would accuse them of riding his coattails and asked how they would defend themselves -- specifically claiming he was going to call them the "nice guy and nice girl."

"Russell has good points, but he needs to be reminded that he couldn't have done this without us," said Mick. "We just took totally different paths to do it. Some people may say I like your path a little better, here's your vote."

Natalie thought there was "strategy" in Russell boasting that he had the jury in the bag.

"I'm not going to give up," she added. "I'll just explain to the jury I do not work the same way as Russell. That would clearly not have worked for me. The girls that were aggressive, they got eliminated early."

In a confessional, Russell said it would be a "shame" if Natalie or Mick won.

"It wouldn't make any sense to me," he said. "I played this game strategically better than anybody -- maybe in history. I really think this jury is going to put my name down. I accomplished the impossible out here. All by myself and brought a couple of bums with me."

The final Tribal Council then commenced, and the nine jurors entered. Jeff explained that Mick, Russell and Natalie would each make an opening statement before the jury members would have as opportunity to either ask a question or make a statement of their own.

Mick said he came into the game realizing there would be a lot of pressure on him to have more of a "moral leeway" than he was "willing to give" -- and added that temptation only grew at the merge. However he said he still wasn't willing to go outside the parameters he set for himself.

"The fact that I was able to get this far doing that, that was kind of my goal in this and I feel like I accomplished it," he said.

Natalie said there were lots of doubters in her Survivor ability even before she left, and added she decided to go through with it because she wanted to gain confidence and go outside of her comfort zone -- which she felt she did despite it being the hardest thing she had ever done mentally, emotionally or physically.

Not surprisingly, Russell made it clear he was there to win, which he tried to do by making "huge strategic moves" throughout the game -- beginning at Foa Foa and continuing after the merge. He called Laura's ouster the "biggest move of the game" before he turned on John.

"It went like dominoes from there," said Russell, adding defeating Brett was the "most difficult" thing he had to do physically.

"If either one of these outwit me then give them the money. If either one of these outplayed me then give them the game," said Russell about Natalie and Mick. "But you know what? I don't think that they have."

Jaison went first and he gave the Final 3 an opportunity to share information about who they "really are."

Natalie said she's "technically unemployed" since she quit her job to join the show's cast. Russell explained he was a "businessman."

"I opened a business five years ago, struggle for three years and just became successful with the business for two years," added Russell. "This is the first business that I have succeeded with."

Mick said he's $320,000 in debt from medical school. Jaison said he believed all the answers, but pointed out Natalie neglected to reveal she "made a lot of money," Russell was the "wealthiest" in the Final 3, and Mick will get paid very well as a doctor.

"Whatever decision is made, no one is broke," said Jaison. "I think you guys should look for other criteria."

Shambo apologized to America for "dismantling" Galu and questioned that decision. She then called Mick's decision "feckless" and insulted him for not knowing what it meant and called Natalie Russell's "coattail" rider. Natalie disagreed and said it was "intuition" to not play "aggressive" and put a target on her back.

"No way in god's green earth you're getting my vote," said Shambo to Natalie.

Brett asked Mick how he would plan a man date for the two of them and explained it was a way to see how invested Mick was in him as a "human being." Kelly said she disagreed with Natalie being independent.

"It wasn't because I had no fight," argued Natalie. "But I did do things on my own and I'll tell you I got better throughout the game to believe in myself."

Kelly then asked Russell if he was the same in real life as in the game.

"I'm 100% different outside of this game," he answered. "The thing that bothers me is I don't want my kids to think this is how I really am."

Russell added he embraces "honor, integrity and loyalty" outside of game, which Kelly had a hard time believing.

Monica asked Mick why he deserved the win over Natalie and Russell. Mick said he was not really sure what Natalie did along the way except align with Russell, whom he felt was willing to lie and pit people against each other for his own gain. Mick added he felt Russell let his "giant ego" get out of hand and said that wasn't the kind of character that deserved the $1 million.

Russell defended himself by stating his character wasn't in question when Mick and Natalie were using it to get to the Final 3.

"They both didn't mind following the snake," he said.

Dave asked what each thought there current chances were -- as Mick said between 20 and 25%; Natalie between 30 and 40%; and Russell said he initially thought his odds were much higher but now pegged them around 55%.

"It might happen, it might not happen," he said.

Laura asked Russell what he learned about her through the game, and he said he knew she was Galu's "biggest threat" and was also "controlling."

"If it wouldn't have took place like it did, I don't have a doubt in my mind you'd be here right now," he added.

John then asked Mick to give his "hard sell," and Mick said he has a "solid character" and doesn't treat people "like pawns."

"I don't think you could give it to a more stand-up dude. I just don't," said Mick.

He then asked Natalie to defend herself, and she reiterated that she'd been flying under the radar and tried not to play too aggressively.

Erik went last and said Mick did nothing before stating Russell "admittedly played an unethical game."

"The crazy thing about it is you're sitting there and I'm standing here. Did you get to the right place by behaving the wrong way?" asked Erik.

"I've never been in a situation in my entire life where that was the case. But you sit there proud of it."

Erik said while Natalie may be "weak" and "undeserving," that shouldn't be any less admirable than "lying, cheating and stealing" your way to the Final 3.

"You are sitting there and that makes you just as dangerous as any one of those guys there. You would say that you were probably the least deserving of the title of Sole Survivor," said Erik.

"But maybe, just maybe, in an environment filled with arrogance, delusional entitlement, maybe the person who thinks that she's least deserving is probably the most. You've got my vote, I hope you get four more."

The nine jurors were then given a minute to think before casting their votes. The live portion of the broadcast then commenced and Natalie was revealed to be the winner.

During the live reunion show, Jeff pointed out that Russell looked "visibly upset."

"I feel like I played the best strategic game in history, and I'm not the only one who thinks that," replied Russell. "I can guarantee you millions of people probably think the same thing. Natalie, her best move was to jump on my back."

Jeff then quickly polled the jury about whether Russell would have won had he instead chosen to take Jaison and Shambo -- and according to the results, he would have.

"Natalie, all I want is the title of Sole Survivor. I will pay you $10,000 for the title. If Jeff says, 'Russell, you are the Sole Survivor,' and I get it in paper written down -- that I am the Sole Survivor. I want the title," he pleaded.

"Are you asking Natalie to tell you you're a better player?" asked Jeff.

"No, I'm asking Natalie to ask you to tell me that I'm the Sole Survivor," replied Russell.

"I'm going to decline Russell's offer," said Natalie later in the broadcast. "I'm not interested. In order to win the title of Sole Survivor..."

"$100,000," interrupted Russell, upping his offer.

"No," said Natalie.

Jeff later revealed that Russell had won the "Survivor of the Season" text message/cbs.com vote that allowed home viewers to award $100,000 to one of the season's castaways, with Brett and Shambo finishing in the Top 3 with him.

In addition, Jeff also formally confirmed that Survivor's upcoming twentieth season -- which was filmed back-to-back with Survivor: Samoa in Samoa this summer -- will be dubbed Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and feature "20 of Survivor's greatest castaways."

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains will premiere February 11, according to Probst.

Parvati Shallow wins 'Survivor: Micronesia,' defeats Amanda Kimmel

Parvati Shallow was more than just the flirt this time around.

She organized the all-female "Black Widow Brigade" responsible for blindsiding several of the stronger male castaways before winning Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites during last night's finale of broadcast of the long-running CBS reality series' sixteenth edition.

The 25-year-old former Survivor: Cook Islands castaway from Los Angeles, CA claimed Survivor: Micronesia's $1 million grand prize during the live portion of last night's finale broadcast from New York City.

"I wasn't going to start playing in the beginning. I was going to fly under the radar and play the flirt and let everyone underestimate me," Parvati said after she was revealed to be the winner. "[But Jonathan Penner] outed me and said, 'This girl's a threat! We've got to get rid of her!' I was like, 'Okay. I've got to start playing.' I got my head in the game and started making moves."

Parvati defeated former Survivor: China castaway Amanda Kimmel by a 5-3 margin during the final Tribal Council jury vote. The finale marked first time since Survivor: Panama, the show's twelfth season, that a Survivor edition had ended with a Final 2 instead of a Final 3.

Parvati Shallow wins 'Survivor: Micronesia,' defeats Amanda

Survivor: Micronesia's finale broadcast began at the Dabu camp with Parvati, Amanda, former Survivor: Panama castaway Cirie Fields and Natalie Bolton celebrating being the show's first ever all-female Final 4, which they were able to achieve by convincing Erik Reichenbach to give-up the Individual Immunity Idol at the previous Tribal Council.

The next morning, the "Black Widow Brigade" continued to bask in the fact that they were able to eliminate all the guys while Natalie was surprised and happy to be the only remaining Fan.

"I definitely made a personal bond and connection with Parvati," added Natalie. "I think Parvati is an ally for me in this game."

The girls then received some Tree Mail, and were unsure if it would be a Reward or Individual Immunity Challenge.

"We're thinking that winning this challenge is pretty much guaranteed Final 3," aid Cirie. "So we have to beat Natalie."

Amanda, Cirie, Natalie and Parvati then arrived for Survivor: Micronesia's sixth Individual Immunity Challenge, and host Jeff Probst explained the rules.

Each castaway would start on a very small perch at the top of a 20-foot pole in the water. Using a bucket with several holes in it, they'd each gather water, which they would then pour into bamboo shoot. As the water filled up the shoot, it would raise a set of keys.

Once the keys were reachable, the castaways had to unhook them, jump in the water and swim to shore -- where they'd each unlock a chest containing 16 individually shaped latter rungs. The first castaway to correctly assemble her ladder and raise her flag would win Individual Immunity.

The challenge commenced and Natalie and Parvati got off to quick starts, as Natalie grabbed an early lead swimming to shore. Both opened their chests just as Amanda and Cirie grabbed their keys and began to swim to shore.

Natalie was the first to begin assembling her ladder but the other girls quickly caught up to her and Amanda eventually started to pull away. She subsequently completed the ladder and raised her flag to win Immunity.

"I made Final 3! I can't believe it," Amanda told the cameras later. "I'm ecstatic. That's twice in a row. This time I played my game so different and I feel so much better about it."

Meanwhile Natalie opined being the "low woman on the totem pole," but vowed to "explore all [her] options" before Tribal Council. She planned to be "calm, cool and collective."

"There's a way to weasel in and communicate with them in a way that may seem reasonable," said Natalie, who planned to appeal to Parvati as a last chance by explaining that Cirie is a bigger jury-vote threat.

Amanda and Parvati discussed who they would vote for, and Amanda thought Natalie "definitely deserved to be here" because she played a better game than Cirie.

"I don't who I'm voting for tonight," said Amanda.

Natalie then told Parvati about Cirie being a bigger jury-vote threat.

"I love Natalie to death and I think she's a lesser threat as far as jury votes than Cirie," said Parvati in a confessional. "Now the time has come where I could switch it up now and then we have our biggest jury threat out of the game."

Cirie was aware she might be booted.

"I could be going home tonight," she said. "They could of made a deal with Natalie."

The four women then arrived for Survivor: Micronesia's fourteenth Tribal Council, and the jury members --Eliza Orlins, Ozzy Lusth, Jason Siska, Alexis Jones, James Clement and Erik -- entered. Natalie gushed how Erik's blindside went down "seamlessly" before Jeff asked what she expected to happen with the impending vote.

"I think at this point the four of us respect each other enough that I don't think that there would be a blindside," said Natalie, a comment that made Jeff and the jury look a bit surprised. "I would pray for a blindside on some levels because now it would actually benefit me better than all the other four."

Amanda and Parvati said they were surprised by Natalie's comment and Jeff asked if they had just been assuming that there would be a Final 3 instead of a Final 2.

"No one here -- I think I can honestly say -- is expecting a Final 2," answered Amanda. "At this point in the game, it would take us for another whirlwind."

"It is nerve-racking to think that it could be a Final 2 because that makes me feel like -- once again -- I'm on the bottom of the alliance," said Cirie. "Which is not a good place to be Jeff."

Amanda then interjected and asked Cirie when she began to think she was on the bottom of the alliance.

"From the five -- when I started with you, Ozzy, James and Parvati -- basically it's unspoken that I'm on the bottom," Cirie answered, adding it was "obvious" she was also at the bottom when it came to her alliance with Amanda and Parvati. "Not one person in any alliance has ever said, 'I won't vote for Cirie'... So that clearly places me at the bottom of the alliance. I would be foolish not to think that."

Natalie said she saw the bickering as an "opportunity."

"I'm just letting them duke it out and may the best woman win," she said.

However Amanda and Parvati stuck to their alliance with Cirie and all three women voted for Natalie -- who became the seventeenth castaway eliminated from the competition.

"I have to say that I'm pretty happy with the way I played the game," said Natalie after Jeff snuffed her torch. "I was the last Fan standing, and I feel proud of the group of girls that I finished with. I respect the way that you guys played the game with me and I thank you."

Back at camp, Amanda accused Cirie of trying to make she and Parvati look "awful." Amanda and Cirie continued to argue about Cirie being on the bottom of the alliance, with Amanda mostly upset about Cirie mentioning it in-front of the jury.

"If you were me, what would you feel?" asked Cirie as her voice begin to raise. "And because I said it out loud, you're upset?"

She reiterated she's been at the bottom of "every single alliance" and Amanda continued to insist she didn't understand.

"I can't explain it anymore," said Cirie.

"It makes sense," added Parvati, agreeing with Cirie.

Amanda then "broke down" and cooler heads prevailed as the three girls hugged and apologized.

"I feel like I've been doing this forever," said a tearful Amanda. "Straight from China and I come here and I just can't take it."

Amanda told Parvati and Cirie she "almost lost it" when Jeff mentioned there "might be a Final 2."

"There's no way that it would be a Final 2," assured Parvati, although Cirie wasn't so sure.

"It would just break my heart to find out it would be a Final 2," said Cirie.

The next morning the girls let "Gloria" -- their final chicken -- go in the wild. Instead she immediately made a nest at camp to lay an egg.

They then retrieved some Tree Mail, which informed them they'd be remembering Survivor: Micronesia's 17 previously booted castaways via the game's traditional "Fallen Comrades" journey before going to their final Individual Immunity Challenge -- meaning there would be a Final 2.

"It's like when is it going to end. There's only so much you can take," said Amanda. "I am so tight with these girls. This just sucks completely."

Cirie saw a Final 2 instead of a Final 3 as "almost poetic."

"We've been blindsiding people left and right, and essentially we got blindsided," she added. "We thought we had it made. I guess what goes around comes around."

Once the "Fallen Comrades" journey was complete, the Final 3 met for Survivor: Micronesia's seventh and final Individual Immunity Challenge, where Jeff explained the rules.

Each castaway would have a long, wooden cylinder that had been cut into several pieces. In the center was slot, which would hold a metal ball. On Jeff's go, the castaways would pickup the first pieces and balance the ball. Every five minutes, the castaways would have to add pieces to their cylinder, making it longer and more difficult to hold onto.

The castaway able to keep their metal ball from falling the longest would win Individual Immunity at the impending Tribal Council and decide who would sit next to her in the Final 2.

The challenge commenced and all three castaways easily survived the first two rounds. However Parvati dropped her ball during the third round, which both Cirie and Amanda were able to survive.

The fourth round began -- with Amanda holding her cylinder underhand and Cirie going overhand -- and both survived to make it to the fifth round, which would last until somebody dropped her ball. Cirie lost her concentration, dropped her ball and Amanda claimed Individual Immunity for the second time in a row -- receiving a spot in the Final 2.

Back at the Dabu camp, Amanda called deciding between Cirie and Parvati as the "hardest decision" she's had to make in the game so far. Cirie opined her defeat in the challenge.

"Unfortunately Amanda won. Since Parvati and Amanda are so buddy-buddy, unless something happens, I'm probably going home tonight," she said.

Parvati said she was "fairly confident" Amanda would take her to the Final 2.

"We've had an alliance since Day 1 out here," she said. "We also have a really tight relationship that's developed over the course of this game. So I'm not worried about it, really."

Somewhat stupidly, Parvati then told Amanda she thought Cirie "pissed way more" jury members off than she did -- which placed a seed of doubt in Amanda's mind about taking Parvati. Amanda went to talk with Cirie.

"I feel like your best shot with the jury is taking me over Parvati," Cirie told her. "Every person she's screwed over, I've screwed over. We did everything together. Every blindside we orchestrated together -- most of them I did most of the talking for."

Amanda agreed, but said she was still nervous of having Cirie in the Final 2 since she's one of those people who can "talk their way in or out of anything they want."

"Cirie has pissed a lot of people off on the jury -- probably more than Parvati," said Amanda. "But Cirie is a hell of a speaker. She can convince anyone to do anything. In the final Tribal Council, if she can convince the jury -- that's $1 million. So it's kind of a catch 22. Making this decision tonight is killing me. You kind of have to just go with how you feel, your gut feeling. But I know that this decision could cost me $1 million."

Survivor: Micronesia's penultimate Tribal Council then commenced and the jury entered. Amanda described winning Immunity as a "blessing and a curse" because it gave her a "hard, hard decision." Cirie said she believed it was a difficult decision for Amanda since the three of them had been together since Day 1.

"I honestly don't envy Amanda's position at all right now," added Parvati. "I don't think it's going to be an easy decision."

Amanda said picking between Parvati and Cirie was a "toss-up" and got emotional about the impending choice.

"I feel like either way it's a lose-lose situation for me at this point," said Amanda. "I know that this vote tonight is going to hurt someone's feelings. I'm just having a hard time with that."

Amanda then cast the Tribal Council's lone vote for Cirie, who became the eighteenth castaway eliminated from the competition.

"Here I am again, coming up just short," said Cirie, who finished fourth during Panama. "I tried my hardest. It just wasn't meant to be."

The next morning Amanda and Parvati both expressed excitement about being in the Final 2 and being able to go home that night. They received a breakfast basket and celebrated their accomplishment, which both said was the biggest of their life so far.

"I think it's interesting that me and Parvati are in the end of this game together because we have played completely different games," said Amanda. "I think I have played this game loyal to my alliances, and Parvati pretty much did anything she needed to do to take control. Because of that, a lot of people on the jury don't like her. That could be a benefit for me."

"I really honestly feel so relaxed going into this final Tribal Council," said Parvati. "I feel like I've played a game that's been very true to myself. I don't feel like I could have played this game better. My game was a lot more aggressive than Amanda's game -- it was a lot more cutthroat and more cold blooded. I was playing this to win. I think my strongest point that I an make tonight is standing up and owning that I have been a powerful, controlling player throughout the duration of this game."

Survivor: Micronesia's final Tribal Council then commenced. Jeff explained that Amanda and Parvati would each make an opening statement before each of the eight jury members would have the opportunity to either ask a question or make a statement of their own.

Amanda said she entered the competition wanting to "play a loyal game" and "fight physically, strategically and mentally to the end," and thanked the jury for helping her get to the Final 2.

Parvati said she had a reputation as "the flirt" from Cook Islands and had to "play so much differently" in Micronesia -- which included her being more aggressive and making "bold power plays." She assured the jury "honest answers."

Eliza commended both for playing "great strategic games" but added she had no idea who she'd be voting for. However she said she'd "have a lot of difficulty" giving Parvati the $1 million because she "might just be a mean person." In addition, Eliza accused Amanda of being "superficial."

Jason then asked Amanda if they would have told her about their plan to blindside Ozzy before it happened, would she have warned him.

"Yes," she answered.

Jason then asked Parvati about what some of her "redeeming qualities" were in the game since he saw her as "manipulative." She said she was "very protective" of her alliance with Cirie and Amanda and was loyal to them all the way to the end.

Alexis asked Parvati what makes her a better role model for young girls, and Parvati answered she's "more independent" than Amanda.

"Amanda, I have seen a bunch of Oscar Award-winning performances," said Alexis. "We couldn't help but be laughing when you were crying about sending Cirie home... I think you cried wolf so many times that, what about -- if any -- part of your game has been genuine?"

Amanda answered that crying about booting Cirie was "genuine."

"I didn't come here trying to get sympathy votes. I don't want sympathy votes," she added.

Natalie said both Amanda and Parvati have her "respect" and asked Parvati how being a flirt "resonates in the bedroom." The jury laughed at the odd question, and Natalie explained she was asking if Parvati being a flirt was one of her real-life qualities or something strategic for the game. Parvati said she flirts with both guys and girls at home and often uses it to get what she wants.

"It is an old standby, I'm not going to lie," answered Parvati.

Natalie then accused Amanda of always having a "glazed-over look" on her face and asked if that was a strategy or who she really is a person. Amanda said she's a "strong woman" who "definitely has substance" and came into the game to compete with the guys, which she felt she was able to do.

Erik said he would have been "100%" voting for Amanda and saw her as a "big sister" until she had harsh words for him at the two Tribal Councils leading up to his ouster, which he said left him feeling "totally burned" and "thrown under the bus." He asked her on what basis she had to judge him?

"Everything I said in Tribal Council was honest," she answered. "You were un-loyal to me and you tried to get me voted out and I was hurt. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

Erik didn't believe the apology and called "too little too late."

James said he felt Amanda already had the jury vote "in the bag" and added he thought Parvati fed him a "bunch of fluff" after Ozzy was blindsided and asked her to be honest.

"There was no chance for me to win this game if I stuck with you and if I stuck with Oz," she answered. "I felt like I had to make that move when I made it. It also gave me a lot of control, and that's what I wanted."

Cirie asked Amanda "why Parveti deserves a $1 million more than I do." Rather than turn the question into an explanation of how she'd deemed Cirie to be the bigger threat, Amanda instead said that Parvati had "played a very aggressive, bold game" and earned her respect by standying by her throughout the entire game. Amanda added while she also respected Cirie, Parvati made "bolder decisions" and was "kind of the powerhouse" in making those decisions happen. Neither response seemed to go over well with either Cirie or the jury.

Parvati then said Cirie played a "pretty brilliant" game that was a little more under the radar than her own. In addition, Parvati said it would have been difficult for either her or Amanda to compete for the jury's vote against Cirie because she has three children.

Ozzy was the last jury member to face Amanda and Parvati. He said he was "hurt" by Parvati's "great move" to blindside him.

"I never in a million years thought that you could do that to me," he said. "You put a price on our friendship. You threw us away like garbage. It hurts. It really does hurt. How can you say you're a role model when you're willing to discard a valuable friendship like that."

Ozzy didn't even give Parvati a chance to talk.

"Honestly the hardest part for me was the fact that you took away 14 days that I could have spent with Amanda," continued Ozzy to Parvati, adding he was never faking his feelings for Amanda.

"I honestly feel like I started to fall in love with you. I'm glad I didn't win Cook Islands so that I could be here and meet you."

The eight jury members then cast their votes, with Parvati winning by the aforementioned margin.

During the subsequent live reunion show, Jeff revealed James had won the "Survivor of the Season" text message/cbs.com vote that allowed home viewers to award $100,000 to one of the season's castaways. James had also won Survivor: China's "Survivor of the Season" $100,000 prize.

In addition, Jeff also confirmed recent online rumors that Survivor's Fall 2008 seventeenth season will be set in Gabon, a west-central African country along the equator that borders Guinea, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and the Gulf of Guinea.

Todd Herzog wins 'Survivor: China,' beats Courtney Yates, Amanda Kimmel

Todd Herzog was rewarded for being Survivor: China's primary puppetmaster, as the 22-year-old flight attendant from Pleasant Grove, UT was revealed to be Survivor: China's winner during last night's finale of the long-running CBS reality series' fifteenth edition.

"All I could hope for was that people would be able to say, 'Survivor is a game,'" Todd said after host Jeff Probst revealed him to be the competition's winner. "I meant it when I said I made relations and bonds with people, and that those were true. But everything inside of the game was the game, and I meant that."

Todd -- who was only 14-years-old when Survivor: Borneo premiered in Summer 2000 -- claimed Survivor: China's $1 million grand prize during the live portion of last night's finale broadcast from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, CA.

"I knew that the second that I got out there -- that no matter what it took -- I would do everything I possibly could to be sitting right here," said Todd. "I had all of these people in my mind that could help me get here, and I can't believe it worked!"

Todd received four final Tribal Council jury votes, besting runner-up Courtney Yates, a 26-year-old waitress from New York, NY who received two jury votes; and third-place finisher Amanda Kimmel, a 23-year-old hiking guide and Miss Montana USA 2005 from Los Angeles, CA who received one jury vote.

Todd Herzog wins Survivor China

Survivor: China's finale broadcast began with a video montage of the competition's first 36 days before the four remaining castaways returned to the merged Hae Da Fung camp following the previous elimination of Peih-Gee Law.

The next day, the castaways met for Survivor: China's final Reward Challenge, and Jeff explained the rules.

Each castaway would begin at the top of a platform, which they'd have to climb down via a ladder before crossing a bridge. Each castaway would then have to use planks to assemble another bridge before they could cross it. They would then use a traditional Chinese carrying device to move 12 large puzzle blocks back to the top of the platform, where they would solve the puzzle. First one to complete the puzzle would win the challenge's reward: pizza, beer, soda and brownies.

Todd grabbed an early lead and was the first to build his bridge, but Amanda was hot on his heels. Todd maintained his lead throughout the piece-moving portion of the challenge and was the first to have all of his puzzle pieces at the top of the platform, however Amanda was persistent and eventually emerged as the first castaway to complete the puzzle, winning reward.

Jeff gave Amanda the option of eating the food -- which would have been a very large meal for just one person -- by herself; with one other person; or with two other people. After deliberating, Amanda chose to share her feast with Todd. Amanda explained she chose Todd to see where his head was in the game, unsure if she was able to trust him.

"I don't trust you that much from what I've heard," Amanda told Todd. "I just have the feeling that if anyone of us back-stabbed me right now, you would."

Todd was hurt by what Amanda said, claiming when they formed their alliance on Day 1 he had full intentions to stick with it until the end.

"I swear on my life... I'm in this to the end with you," Todd told Amanda, adding it was the "honest 100% truth."

Back at camp, Courtney and Denise Martin, a 40-year-old school lunch lady from Douglas, MA, chatted, with Denise commenting she thought Todd should be the next one to go.

"He's a slippery little sucker," agreed Courtney.

Amanda and Todd returned from their Reward Challenge outing, and Todd proceeded to live up to his "slippery" billing by sweet-talking Denise about his fear that the three remaing women would vote him out of the game in favor of an all-female "girl power" Final 3 alliance and telling Denise that he felt Amanda and Courtney had the best chances of winning the jury vote.

After overhearing Todd's conversation with Denise, Courtney decided that Todd was only "looking out for himself." As Courtney and Amanda discussed their trust issues with Todd, he approached and wanted to make sure Denise was still going to be the next person on the chopping block if any of them were able to win immunity.

"Ya," Amanda assured him.

After remembering Survivor: China's 12 previously booted castaways via the game's traditional "Fallen Comrades" journey, the Final 4 arrived at the game's final Immunity Challenge, which would test their endurance and ability to focus. Jeff explained each castaway would balance a stack of porcelain dishes on a long, wobbly balancing arm. The more dishes that were added to the stack, the more difficult the challenge would be and the last castaway to not drop their stack would win immunity.

Twenty-seven minutes and several dishes into the challenge, Todd became the first castaway eliminated from the challenge when his stack of dishes fell to the ground. Courtney followed shortly thereafter, leaving only Amanda and Denise still in the running for a guaranteed spot in the game's Final 3.

Denise immediately tried to strike a "I won't write your name down, you won't write my name down" deal with Amanda, but she refused and insisted they instead "battle this out." Denise's stack eventually fell to the ground, winning Amanda immunity anyways.

"I'm so excited that I'm for-sure in the Final 3... I have nothing to worry about tonight," said Amanda back at camp. "But I'm afraid whoever gets voted out tonight is going to think that it was because of me... So it's such a good thing and then it can be such a bad thing."

Denise said she was "really, really nervous" as the "old lady" on the "outside." She tried to sway Amanda, who said she hadn't decided yet who she was going to vote for and added she respected Denise's determination. Denise explained how this was her one shot since she was the oldest of the Final 4. Todd sensed Amanda might have been weakening and made it clear he intended to vote for Denise at the upcoming Tribal Council. Courtney and Amanda agreed.

However despite her conversation with Todd and Courtney, Amanda still seemed uncomfortable with the idea of voting Denise out, and as she talked further with Denise, Todd told Courtney he hoped they could still trust Amanda.

Courtney said she didn't think Denise deserved the $1 million "just because she sucks at life" -- a reference to the $7-an-hour-lunch-lady-with-kids sob story that, having already used it on them in camp, Todd, Amanda and Courtney were sure Denise would play for the jury if she made the Final 3. Courtney also realized her comment about Denise made her the "biggest bitch on the planet."

Amanda explained her current position to Denise -- that she had been in an alliance with Todd since Day 1 and didn't want to back-stab him but would also rather have Denise in the Final 3 instead of Todd. While Amanda requested more time to think about it, she did offer Denise some hope.

"I will guarantee you I will not vote for you tonight," Amanda told Denise.

Afterward, Amanda discussed the situation further with Courtney. Amanda attempted to convince Courtney that in addition to knowing how to "sugarcoat things so well," Todd was well-liked and had "connected" with everyone on the jury, however Courtney disagreed.

"Denise is gonna cry [and win jury votes]... he's the schemer [and the jury will hold that against him]," Courtney told Amanda.

But despite her personal feelings, Courtney still seemed willing to turn on Todd if Amanda decided to do so.

"Just let me know, cause I'll vote with you," Courtney told Amanda.

"This is not just for me, it's not just for you -- it's for both of us," Amanda replied.

"Right now in the game, my biggest threat is probably Todd," Amanda later explained to the cameras. "Todd has made a lot of personal connections with a lot of people on the jury [and] the jury is a younger jury so I think he's my biggest threat right now. I'm at an awful crossroads... Denise [or] Todd... I'm still undecided, I don't know what I'm going to choose."

Survivor: China's fourteenth and penultimate Tribal Council then commenced, with Peih-Gee, Erik Huffman, James Clement, Michael "Frosti" Zernow, Jean-Robert Bellande and Jaime Dugan observing as the first six members of the jury.

However rather than using Jeff's Tribal Council questioning to make a last-minute attempt to convince Amanda and Courtney to vote out Todd, Denise -- apparently certain that there was no longer any chance of getting Todd's allies to turn on him -- instead confidently boasted about what a huge final jury threat she'd be.

"I don't know why they shouldn't vote me out," boldly stated Denise, explaining she'd be sure to receive sympathy votes from the jury if she made the Final 3.

Denise then outed Amanda, telling everyone Amanda claimed to have her back at the Tribal Council. Needless to say, Amanda wasn't too happy with Denise's comment and stated that while she might have told Denise she "had her back," she had made the statement "a while ago.. .not today." Todd made a face and commented how if he was Denise, he wouldn't have found Amanda's reaction encouraging.

Denise voted for Todd, who along with Amanda and Courtney voted to boot Denise, making her the thirteenth castaway eliminated from Survivor: China and the seventh and final member of the jury.

"I definitely believe I would have won this entire thing if I'd have stayed in the game," Denise -- apparently still unaware that Survivor juries have never crowned "sympathy" winners when given the opportunity -- opined following her ouster. "I'm just proud of what I've accomplished -- I think I did a great job -- I never gave up and to make it 38 days out here is a spectacular thing for a 40-year-old woman."

Once the remaining threesome returned to camp, Amanda made little secret that she was upset about Todd's Tribal Council comments. Amanda said felt "horrible" about it and thought Todd's goal was to make her look bad in-front of the jury. Todd apologized, but Amanda was still pissed and questioned the intentions of Todd's comments.

"She I don't think believes me -- that it was an accident -- but it was," said Todd.

The next morning Amanda, Courtney and Todd received a celebratory breakfast basket for being the Final 3 before journeying to Survivor: China's final Tribal Council. Amanda, Courtney and Todd would each have an opportunity to make an opening statement before each jury member could either address the Final 3 with a statement or question.

Amanda said she felt "blessed" to be in the Final 3 and had a specific strategy at the start of the competition -- to align herself right away -- and she chose Todd. After the merge, Amanda said her strategy was to align herself "with people I had a chance to physically compete against, and I did, I won the last [two] Immunity Challenges." She concluded by saying there were some things she wasn't proud of -- specifically her votes to oust James, Jean-Robert and Frosti -- and apologized for any hurt feelings.

Todd thanked the seven jury members for playing a role in helping him reach the Final 3. He was aware he lied and back-stabbed, but hoped the jury realized the difference between the strategic and personal relationships he had with them. He concluded by saying he had lived his dream and was ready to face the firing squad.

Courtney said she had no strategy entering the competition and was actually surprised she survived with each passing day. She said the fact she's not a Survivor buff set her apart from Amanda and Todd, especially since she felt she was still able to make the game work for her. She was happy with the way she played and thought she deserved credit for it.

The jury then addressed the Final 3. Low-lights included James tossing a softball because he didn't want to be a "bitter Betty;" Erik asking Amanda what her riskiest move of the game was; and Frosti learning his personal relationship with Courtney was real and not a product of the competition.

Jean-Robert said that since Todd had betrayed him and voted him out of the game, he'd entered the final Tribal Council verbally obligated to not vote for Todd and was undecided about what to do. Always the strategic mastermind, Todd decided to appeal to Jean-Robert's ego and said he'd been forced to vote Jean-Robert out because the professional poker player was becoming an "extremely great strategic player" in the competition.

Jaime wanted to know why each of the Final 3 felt the other members of the Final 3 didn't deserve her vote. Courtney struggled with the question -- but not Todd, who thoroughly bashed Courtney and Amanda by claiming he played a more strategic game then either and adding he "did the dirty work for the nice girl," aka Amanda.

Denise was still upset she was on the jury rather than facing the jury before calling Amanda a liar and calling attention to Todd's "deceptive side." Denise concluded by saying she respected Courtney being outspoken with her thoughts.

The seven jury members then cast their votes and the majority of them recognized Todd for his strategic game play by writing his name down -- giving Todd the $1 million prize and leaving Amanda to wonder what would have happened if she had followed through with her idea to vote Todd out instead of Denise.

During the subsequent live reunion show, Jeff revealed the obvious: that James -- the man he acknowledged was Survivor's most popular castaway "in a long time" -- had won the "Survivor of the Season" text message/cbs.com vote that allowed home viewers to award $100,000 to one of the season's castaways.

At the conclusion of Survivor: China's reunion show, Jeff formally announced Survivor's next edition -- which was reportedly originally set to be a second "full all-stars edition" featuring castaways from the show's last seven seasons -- will be a "half all-stars edition" that will feature popular former Survivor castaways competing against a group of "superfans."

As previously announced, Survivor's sixteenth edition -- dubbed Survivor: Micronesia -- Fans vs. Favorites -- will premiere on February 7, 2008.

CBS reveals the identities of 'Survivor: China's sixteen castaways

CBS has revealed the identities of the sixteen castaways who will be competing on Survivor: China.

Survivor: China -- the fifteenth edition of its long-running reality competition series -- will premiere on Thursday, September 20 at 8PM ET/PT.

Survivor Season 15 - China Preview

According to CBS, Survivor: China will begin with the castaways leaving the bustle of downtown Shanghai and traveling to HuangPu Mountain's Mi Tuo Temple. Once there, they will participate in a Buddhist ceremony and be instructed to "leave all of their worldly possessions behind."

After leaving the temple, the castaways will transported to Zhelin Lake, an enormous man-made reservoir lake in China's Jiangxi Province, and become "marooned with the clothes on their back at two separate islands." One tribe will be called Fei Long ("Flying Dragon"), the other will be called Zhan Hu ("Fighting Tiger"). Each castaway will also be given a copy of Sun Tzu's The Art of War, which will serve as "tribe motivation and assistance throughout the game," according to CBS.

As Survivor producer Mark Burnett revealed last month, Survivor: China will not feature an Exile Island concept. Instead, the tribe that wins each Reward Challenge will be allowed to "kidnap" a member of the losing tribe. The kidnapped tribe member will remain with the other tribe until the next Immunity Challenge, at which time they will re-join their original tribe.

Similar to this spring's Survivor: Fiji edition, Survivor: China will feature one hidden Immunity Idol "hidden" ("in plain sight," according to CBS) at each camp. However since Survivor: China won't have an Exile Island, the clues about the idols' locations won't be tied to an Exile Island visit.

Instead, each "kidnapped" castaway will receive a clue note before leaving the Reward Challenge site -- but rather than getting to keep the note for themselves, they will be instructed to privately give it to the enemy tribe member of their choice. After reading the clue, the enemy castaway will have to decide whether they want to keep the information to themselves or share it with the rest of their tribe.

Survivor: China was filmed in late June and July. The production marked the first time that a major American television program filmed an entire season on location in the country.

Survivor: China's sixteen castaways

The sixteen castaways -- which includes Survivor's first-ever Under-21 castaway -- competing on Survivor: China are:

- Jean-Robert Bellande, a 36-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas, NV (originally from Long Island, NY)

- James Clement, a 30-year-old grave digger from Lafayette, LA

- Dave Cruser, a 37-year-old former model and bartender from Simi Valley, CA

- Jaime Dugan, a 22-year-old student from Columbia, SC (originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

- Todd Herzog, a 22-year-old flight attendant from Pleasant Grove, UT

- Erik Huffman, a 26-year-old musician from Nashville, TN (originally from Greenville, SC)

- Amanda Kimmel, a 23-year-old hiking guide and Miss Montana USA 2005 from Los Angeles, CA (originally from Kalispell, MT)

- Peih-Gee Law, a 29-year-old jeweler from Marina Del Rey, CA (born in Hong Kong)

- Sherea Lloyd, a 26-year-old elementary school teacher from Atlanta, GA (originally from Pontiac, MI)

- Denise Martin, a 40-year-old school lunch lady from Douglas, MA (originally from Revere, MA)

- Ashley Massaro, a 28-year-old WWE professional wrestler from East Northport, NY

- Steve "Chicken" Morris, a 47-year-old chicken farmer from Marion, VA

- Leslie Nease, a 38-year-old Christian radio talk show host from Tega Cay, SC

- Aaron Reisberger, a 32-year-old surfing instructor and bartender from Venice, CA (originally from Belmont County, OH)

- Courtney Yates, a 26-year-old waitress from New York, NY (originally from Boston, MA)

- Michael "Frosti" Zernow, a 20-year-old parkour athlete/student from Chicago (originally from Traverse City, MI)