CBS announced today the 20 castaways who will compete on SURVIVOR: SAMOA, when the 19th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Sept. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
In one of the most beautiful Survivor locations yet, 20 castaways will be left to fend for themselves among Samoa’s white sand beaches, lush green valleys and towering waterfalls. Despite the picturesque landscape, the castaways will face exposure to elements and wildlife living in the mysterious rainforests that cover rugged volcanic mountain peaks. For 39 days, they will endeavor to outwit, outplay and outlast one another in order to win the title of Sole Survivor.
Surrounded by coconut palms in a land steeped in tradition, the Samoans who inhabit this island have a proud history and strong sense of community that has enabled their own survival. From the start of the game, Survivor embraces this Samoan culture by incorporating an ancient tradition of electing an individual leader of the village. Without speaking, both tribes must immediately choose one member of their group to become their sole decision maker, their chief. How important will the role of tribal chief be in determining the fate of each tribe?
Castaways competing on SURVIVOR: SAMOA (in alphabetical order):
DAVID BALL
Age: 38
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Fitness Instructor
BETSY BOLAN
Age: 48
Hometown: Campton, N.H.
Occupation: Police Officer
MIKE BORASSI
Age: 62
Hometown: Marina del Rey, Calif.
Occupation: Private Chef
BEN BROWNING
Age: 28
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Mixologist
MARISA CALIHAN
Age: 26
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohi
Occupation: Student
ERIK CARDONA
Age: 28
Hometown: Ontario, Calif.
Occupation: Bartender
BRETT CLOUSER
Age: 23
Hometown: Los Angeles via Salem, Ore
Occupation: T-shirt Designer
JOHN FINCHER
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Rocket Scientist
YASMIN GILES
Age: 33
Hometown: Los Angeles via Detroit, Mich.
Occupation: Hairstylist
RUSSELL HANTZ
Age: 36
Hometown: Dayton, Texas
Occupation: Oil Company Owner
ELIZABETH KIM
Age: 33
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Urban Planner
LAURA MORETT
Age: 39
Hometown: Salem, Oregon
Occupation: Office Manager
MONICA PADILLA
Age: 25
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Occupation: Law Student
JAISON ROBINSON
Age: 28
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Occupation: Law Student
KELLY SHARBAUGH
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles via Wilmington, Del.
Occupation: Hairstylist
RUSSELL SWAN
Age: 42
Hometown: Glenside, Pa.
Occupation: Attorney
ASHLEY TRAINER
Age: 22
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
Occupation: Spa Sales
MICK TRIMMING
Age: 33
Hometown: Los Angeles via Boise, Idaho
Occupation: Doctor
SHANNON WATERS
Age: 45
Hometown: Renton, Wash.
Occupation: Sales Rep.
NATALIE WHITE
Age: 26
Hometown: Van Buren, Ark.
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
SURVIVOR: SAMOA is hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Jeff Probst and produced by SEG, Inc. Mark Burnett is executive producer and David Burris and Leisa Francis are co-executive producers.
For more detailed information on SURVIVOR: SAMOA and the 20 castaways, log on to www.cbs.com/survivor.
