Season 41 of Survivor ushered in a “new era” for the beloved competition show. Host Jeff Probst referred to this new chapter as “Survivor 2.0,” telling fans the game was about to get a whole lot harder. The last seven seasons featured many great players but a select few stand out in fans’ minds. These castaways earned a spot among the Survivor greats because of their tenacity to win.
Here are the best new-era Survivor players, ranked.
10. Karla Cruz Godoy – Survivor 43
Karla Cruz Godoy was a standout player on Survivor 43. She used her affable personality to make important connections and secure advantageous deals. Karla didn’t play a flawless game. She played her Idol prematurely at the final six, which left her vulnerable at the following Tribal Council. While she didn’t make it to the end, we would be amiss to ignore her impact on the season. Her impressive social game earned her a spot on our list.
9. Shantel “Shan’ Smith – Survivor 41
Shantel “Shan” Smith played a savvy, social game on Survivor 41. The Pastor had the misfortune of being placed on the Ua tribe, who struggled to win Immunity Challenges in the pre-merge phase of the game. Shan and her number one ally, Ricard Foye, joined forces and eliminated their tribe members one by one. Once the merge arrived, Shan’s luck changed and she paved a new path forward. She joined a majority alliance and found a ride-or-die in Yasa tribe member Liana Wallace. Shan was a natural leader on Survivor 41, which came back to bite her in the end. Her fellow castaways viewed her as a threat and chose to cut her at the final eight.
8. Ricard Foye – Survivor 41
Shan and Ricard were a force to be reckoned with on Survivor 41. For a while, Ricard hid behind Shan, allowing her to take center stage, but as the game progressed, his loyalty to her dwindled. He knew he couldn’t beat her in the end, so he decided to vote her out. It was a ruthless move that impressed fans and his fellow castaways. Unfortunately, Ricard’s “big move” made his peers view him as a threat. He managed to survive to the final five thanks to a string of Immunity wins that saved him from elimination.
7. Maryanne Oketch – Survivor 42
Maryanne Oketch was an underdog on Survivor 42. The Ontario native’s youth and bubbly personality made her fellow players underestimate her, which was a grave mistake. She was able to successfully manage her threat level throughout the entire game. No one wanted her out even after she helped orchestrate the biggest blindside of the season. Not to mention she found two Immunity Idols!
6. Carolyn Wiger – Survivor 44
Carolyn Wiger was a fan favorite on Survivor 44. She played a cutthroat game that propelled her to the end. She didn’t win over the jury, but she certainly won the adoration of the fanbase. Viewers fell in love with her eccentric personality and dedication to the game. She planted fake Idols, backstabbed her allies, and made beneficial deals. I have no doubt we will see Carolyn on a returning players season in the future.
5. Jesse Lopez – Survivor 43
Jesse Lopez played a masterful strategic game but his inability to make fire cost him the million-dollar prize. He would’ve won if he survived long enough to face the jury. His game was brilliant. He orchestrated blindsides, made successful alliances, and had a great personal story. He may have been the most deserving winner of the new era if he made fire a bit quicker. Here’s hoping he gets another shot at victory in a returning players season.
4. Genevieve Mushaluk – Survivor 47
Genevieve Mushaluk caused quite a stir on Survivor 47. She devised multiple blindsides, flipped on her allies, and even used a fake Idol to evade elimination. She played the game with little emotion, which earned her a reputation as an “ice queen.” Her bold gameplay made her a target and ultimately, led to her elimination, but we can’t ignore how brilliantly she played the game.
3. Andy Rueda – Survivor 47
Andy Rueda was my favorite player to watch on Survivor 47. He was unpredictable, messy, and always entertaining. His strategy wasn’t flawless but I have to give him props for how long he survived on the island after his disastrous start. The odds were stacked against him and yet, he prevailed. He made some big moves and wasn’t afraid to shake up the game. I would love to see him play again someday.
2. Dee Valladares – Survivor 45
Dee Valladares dominated Survivor 45. The Florida native was both a lethal social strategist and a fierce competitor in challenges. She ran the Reba alliance while simultaneously making side deals that helped her advance in the game. Dee viewed the game as a chessboard, cutting allies once they no longer served her. She was crowned the Sole Survivor in the finale and fans were delighted to see a deserving winner take home the million-dollar prize.
1. Rachel LaMont – Survivor 47
Rachel LaMont’s Survivor 47 reign earned her a spot in the Survivor Hall of Fame. She played a great social game, found advantages, made big moves, and won Individual Immunity Challenges when necessary. Rachel was also adaptable, a quality found in many great Survivor players. She bounced back quickly when she lost allies rather than sulking around the island. She recovered from every hurdle thrown in her way. Fans were happy when the jury rewarded her with the grand prize in the finale.
Survivor is available on CBS and Paramount Plus.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR LIST? WHAT NEW-ERA SURVIVOR PLAYERS WOULD YOU ADD TO THE LIST?
