Survivor 42 Cast Predictions
Survivor 42 is upon us! With only mere hours until the 42nd rendition of the greatest social experiment commences, it’s time to take a deeper look at the 18 castaways set to square off in the abridged 26 day adventure of a lifetime. As we get to know our castaways, it will quickly be revealed who is here to make big moves, lean into uncomfortable decisions, adapt to ever-changing gameplay, mastermind game changing blindsides, and WIN the million dollars, and who isn’t. For those looking to boost their social media footprint, “find themselves”, and unwilling to “DO or DIE”, well…we both know how that will end up.
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Considering Survivor 42 and 41 were shot back to back with literally no break, the structure and gameplay will be similar. Like 41, in 42 we again have 18 castaways split up into 3 tribes (VATI, TAKU, IKA) of 6 castaways each, given no food, penalized for losing challenges, and more twists than ever before. Twists like the “DO or DIE” and Beware Challenges are set to return with more ridiculously dumb phrases to unlock advantages.
Not everything will be a mirror image of 41. New twists will be ready to challenge castaways to make game changing decisions early and often like the one featured in the recent 42 teaser.
CBS
Forming secret cross-tribe alliances and having
“TO COVER UP YOUR LIE…SPREAD MUD AND FAKE BLOOD OVER YOUR BODY TO PROVE HOW HARD YOU WORKED TO GET YOUR PADDLES” - New Advantage
has this season feeling SPICY right out of the gates, yet we haven’t even left the starting line! My feelings headed in are excited and eager. EXCITED for Survivor to be back so soon after only 84 days (quite a difference from the 420+ days between the end of 40 to 41’s premier) but also EAGER to see how the show will adapt and follow up the “new era” of Survivor for 42 based on what they learned from 41.
42 could go either way. It could be like the pre Super Bowl LVI hype of having the Cincinnati Bengals and new kid on the block Joe Burrow squaring off against the home team Los Angeles Rams packing their $6B stadium with superstar players (Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp) and superstar tabloid grabbers (Odell Beckham Jr)
OR
it could be the actual game, a dud that faithful fans watch no matter what, but an opportunity is missed for something special and worthy of truly kicking off a “new era”.
Like sports and the Super Bowl, Survivor is reliant on the players. Without the players, the twists and advantages are just a producer’s wet dream come to fruition on a dirty piece of parchment. That being said, let’s meet our players, watch the videos available via @survivorcbs on Instagram, and have some fun predicting where they go.
Survivors ready?…
VATI (Green tribe)
Chanelle Howell - 29, Executive Recruiter from New York, NY.
CONFIDENCE off the charts, certificate in “Negotiation Mastery” from Harvard Business School seems very Evvie like IMPRESSIVE and her drive to being on Survivor is to be the “exception to the rule” in the ways people and life try to limit her. Love. All. Of. This. BUT, when people find out about Harvard and that confidence of hers, I think it will lead to people not wanting her around long.
Prediction - Makes Merge
Daniel Strunk - 30, Law Clerk from New Haven, CT
GOOFY, BOOK SMART, SELF DEPRECATING are my first impressions and vibes from Daniel. He couldn’t be more different in how he presented himself from Chanelle. However, like Chanelle, Daniel too is also an Ivy League grad, Yale Law School. Hmmm. Survivor really likes having the cream of the crop educational institutions represented on this season right out of the gate. I’m sure Malcolm Gladwell would be more outraged than I am about it, however I do like Daniel’s chances if he plays the game more than just to “scratch his Survivor itch”. I feel like Daniel’s game will go far, because he’s smart and has a self deprecating nature to him, OR he is going to do something really stupid to screw his game up.
Prediction - Makes Merge
Jenny Kim - 43, Creative Director from Brooklyn, NY
Jenny is SELF AWARE and I like that about any player. You can’t come into Survivor oblivious to who you are, strengths and weaknesses, and the piece of your game that you need to be conscious of and able to adjust on the fly. Jenny has that. She was raised to be the best and to strive for perfection and I’m sure that is how she handles her family life, career, and everything in between, but Jenny being prepared to be “comfortably uncomfortable” with being who she needs to be in this game gives me high hopes for her. I think she will be DISCIPLINED to hold back when needed, make strategically sound decisions and make it far in this game.
Prediction - Makes Merge, Final 5
Hai Giang - 29, Data Scientist from New Orleans, LA
INTELLIGENT guy. As a “latch key kid”, Hai got to be best pals with his TV and the most resounding connection he made with a Survivor player was with one of my favorites too, Yul. Being a DATA DRIVEN person, I think Hai will be able to adapt those skills into every facet of the game - votes, strategy, challenge hacking, and advantage hunting. Also, like we saw Shan, Liana, Deshawn and Danny connect last season, I think we could see that again with Jenny and Hai and out of the mold of Yul and Becky at Cook Islands, make a deep run together to the final 3.
Prediction - Makes Merge, Final 5
Lydia Meredith - 22, Waitress from Santa Monica, CA
QUIRKY. YOUNG. GREEN. I don’t have high hopes for Lydia winning after the vibes her video gives off. She’s young, not a great athlete, and may be way out of her league considering the intelligence of her fellow VATI tribe members. Lydia seems like a repeat of Sara from 41. I could see Lydia crying in the first episode when she fails at something.
Prediction - No Chance. Out Pre-Merge. Out First.
Mike Turner - 58, Retired Firefighter from Hoboken, NJ
LEADER. WORKER. EXPERIENCED. Mike is quite the contrast to Lydia. While a firefighter, Mike rose to the rank of Battalion Chief which tells me that he is DEPENDABLE and used to working with a group, but also used to being the one in charge. Also, though Mike is aware of it, he has a certain look about him that he has to do some work to downplay his threat level. You’ve heard of resting bitch face, well Mike has resting tough guy face and on Survivor people do judge a book by it’s cover. I like Mike and could see myself rooting for him but I don’t think he will get very far. I see Abraham from 41 written all over Mike and I don’t think being the worker and “strong guy” does a whole lot in this game anymore.
Prediction - Out Pre Merge
TAKU (Orange tribe)
CBS
Jonathan Young - 29, Beach Service Co. Owner from Gulf Shores, AL
First impression is the music used at the start of Jonathan’s IG video. Did you hear it? Listen again. It’s an opening of a Christopher Nolan film vibe and out walks The Incredible Hulk. After watching the video, Jonathan is very much on brand of who you thought he was. STRONG guy who is a physical presence and by default, a threat. CHALLENGE BEAST in the making as one of his goals is to win more challenges than anyone ever has. Think Brad Culpepper. But, despite Jonathan’s southern charm, I think his game is one we have seen before and the type that Richard Hatch will roll his eyes at. In the end, he may be a challenge beast and help keep the tribe out of a couple Tribal Councils, but once they do lose one, I bet his torch is the first one snuffed.
Prediction - Out Pre-Merge
Maryanne Oketch - 24, Seminary Student from Ajax, Ontario
FAN FAVORITE written all over Maryanne. Great backstory. Great personality. Great smile. Gives off Naseer type vibes. My concern with Maryanne is also what makes me like and root for her, she has a GREAT HEART. She tells us that her weakness will be breaking bonds with people, NOT a good selling point for a deep run, but I do think she will be around a little while.
Prediction - Makes Merge
Omar Zaheer - 31, Veterinarian from Whitby, Ontario
Another 🇨🇦 to try and follow up 41 winner Erika Casupanan alongside Maryanne. I do like that they have that connection on the same tribe. Could be an early connector. After watching Omar’s video, I want to like him and root for him but Omar if you’re reading this, ease off on the animal metaphors. I like that he wants people to see him as a pidgeon or UNDER THE RADAR and MOLDABLE. Not having that dominant personality will make people like Jonathan have an even larger threat level on his tribe. Lastly, I hope he can channel his inner vulture and not end up the prey. Good luck Ace Ventura.
Prediction - Makes Merge
Lindsay Dolashewich - 31, Dietician from Asbury Park, NJ
Lot of good pedigree on Survivor being from New Jersey, but I’m not feeling that vibe with Lindsay. Lindsay strikes me as TYPE A personality, CONTROLLING, and if I had to guess, OVERBEARING. Don’t see how a dietician will have success on a season of Survivor where no food is available. Plus, dieticians are likely very particular people. I bet Lindsay has a lot of Post-It notes and color coded systems in her life. Survivor couldn’t be more opposite. Plus, whenever someone admits on their intro video that they are “hard headed” and will need to just “chill out” on the show, mark them down for an early exit.
Prediction - Out Pre-Merge
Jackson Fox - 48, Healthcare Worker from Houston, TX
Winner of the best Instagram handle - @chanandler_bong_73 for all you Friends fans out there. I like Jackson’s chances here. He is a hospital transporter so he has skills in pressure situations and a calming presence when high pressure situations like whispering at Tribal begin to rock people. Being a transgender man seems to have given him a true understanding of himself. Jackson mentions being UNDERESTIMATED which is fresh in our minds coming off Erika’s win in 41, but I don’t think I got that vibe from Jackson. What I liked most of all about Jackson is his PERSPECTIVE on Survivor headed into the game. He wants to play honorably while also being mindful that he will come out of this experience a better person than he was going into it.
Prediction - Makes Merge
Marya Sherron - 47, Stay at Home Mom from Noblesville, IN
Marya had the best video so far from a loving what was said standpoint. She delivers some PASSIONATE and INSPIRING words about losing a passion and fire in life and Survivor is her way of finding that missing piece of her. I love that. I think she too will be a fan favorite. Combine that with being a mom and a teacher and we have some fire that is ready to ignite. Looking forward to Marya playing this game and I hope she unleashes that 🔥 within without it getting snuffed out.
Prediction - Makes Merge, Final 6 or 5
IKA (Blue tribe)
CBS
Rocksroy Bailey - 44, Stay at Home Dad from Las Vegas, NV
Didn’t get a whole lot from Rocks. CONFUSING video overall because I want to know more about Rocksroy. Being a stay at home dad will be an interesting archetype that probably hasn’t been on too many reality TV shows before and I like that he acknowledges the PATIENCE that parenthood has provided him. But, any player who references winning challenges makes me feel they lack in strategy and gameplay.
Prediction - Out Pre-Merge
Tori Meehan - 25, Therapist from Rogers, AR
We have a ringer here folks. Well even though this may be premature, like watching the teaser of a movie and anointing it the next Oscar winner, to me, Tori gives a lot of reasons why I am confident in her ability to make a final 3. Number 1, she is a THERAPIST. Like she said, she has been trained to get people to trust her. Secondly, she showed me a COMPETITIVE drive that few others did to this point. Lastly, she is IN IT TO WIN IT because she “came to strategize, cut throats, and crush dreams.” BOOM!!! That’s one hell of a combination. P.S. she ain’t bad lookin either, and she knows it! She won’t be afraid to use her skills and training as a therapist to create social bonds no matter the twists and turns and swaps and merge may bring and she has that KILLER INSTINCT. Ladies and gentlemen, my pick to win 42, Tori!
Prediction - FINAL 5, WINNER
Romeo Escobar - 37, Pageant Coach from Norwalk, CA
As Romeo shared in the video, he is MOTIVATED and DRIVEN by a bigger purpose coming into Survivor. He is representing the Immigrant, Latino, and LGBT communities. I like when castaways have their “WHY” laid out because I believe it to be a powerful force in the game that will serve him from beginning to end. And I believe the end will be exactly where Romeo gets to.
Prediction - FINAL 5
Swati Goel - 19, Ivy League Student from Palo Alto, CA
I thought Mike wanted to be the winner of the Don’t Judge a Book By its Cover Award for 42, but Swati takes that award easily. Harvard. Army National Guard. Combat Training. HOW IS ALL THAT ROLLED INTO A 19 YEAR OLD? Swati has me feeling perplexed and not quite getting a read on her. Maybe that will be the case for other too, but the one aspect of Swati that was easy to read between the lines on was her “undefined” strategy. At 19, I wouldn’t have had a damn clue as to what I should be doing on this show and she is a hell of a lot smarter than I am. However, even though I will be betting on Swati in life (like I was with Liana in 41), I don’t have high hopes for her on 42. Maybe I am too skeptical of age, especially 19 being soooo young, but I have to believe it will be tough for her to relate to people, and I don’t see her as a valuable asset in challenges, around camp, and an easy target. Hell, maybe I’m underestimating the crap out of Swati and she will win.
Prediction - Out Pre Merge
Zach Wurtenberger - 22, Student from St. Louis, MO
Another Terminator like entrance song to Zach’s video but the total opposite frame and physical stature of Jonathan. Zach strikes me as the biggest SUPERFAN of the 18 castaways. He has definitely seen all seasons, studied strategy, studied gameplay, etc. He is a true STUDENT OF THE GAME. In reality TV competitions in 2022, that is an advantage. People will underestimate Zach and they probably shouldn’t. Being frail and skinny may not win him challenges but it will keep a low threat level and that may be more valuable.
Prediction - FINAL 5
Drea Wheeler - 35, Fitness Consultant from Montreal, QC
Closing out the cast predictions and assessment is our Fitness Consultant and Business Owner, Drea. First thing to note is Drea has, as of this typing, 699K followers on Instagram. Is she famous? Will people know her? INFLUENCER? Hard to say, but what we can say is that Drea is an athlete. She is fit, ripped, and as a business owner, not just a dumb jock. Drea is a POWERFUL presence. However, upon watching her video, I feel there is a SOFTNESS to her, despite the rock hard body we all can see. I like Drea. I could see Drea and Tori running this game together or scrambling to see who will be the leader of Ika to make the merge.
Prediction - Makes Merge
CAST PREDICTIONS RECAP
Out Pre-Merge
VATI - Lydia, Mike
TAKU - Jonathan, Lindsay
IKA - Rocksroy, Swati
Makes Merge
VATI - Chanelle, Daniel, Jenny, Hai
TAKU - Maryanne, Omar, Jackson, Marya
IKA - Tori, Romeo, Zach, Drea
FINAL 5
VATI - Jenny, Hai
IKA - Tori, Romeo, Zach
WINNER - Tori
WINNER Prediction - TORI
Enjoy the premier everyone!
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