Survivor has been one of CBS’s most successful television shows for the past 20 years, but unlike other reality series’ like The Bachelor or Selling Sunset, many Survivor players don’t go on to have careers as social media influencers. Instead, their content and online image are mostly geared at showing their true selves in their everyday lives, with few ads, if any.
Because of this, Survivor alumni don’t rack up a ton of Instagram followers, despite their success on the show. Even the best winners of all time have fewer than 500k followers, and the champion of Winners At War, Tony Vlachos, doesn’t even have an active account. Part of what makes these reality stars so relatable and easy to root for is their easygoing personalities, which are perfectly encapsulated on their Instagram accounts.
Wendell Holland – 57.9k Followers
Wendell Holland famously won Survivor: Ghost Island after a Final Tribal Council tie vote, in which his ally Laurel Johnson cast the 11th jury vote. He was awarded the million-dollar prize and returned to compete on Winners At War.
In addition to being a Survivor alum, Wendell has branched out to other reality television avenues. He currently stars on Hot Mess House on HGTV, putting his carpentry and great TV commentary skills to good use. On his Instagram, he often promotes his business ventures and shares pictures of him and his friends (including the other half of his Survivor bromance, Domenick Abbate).
Adam Klein – 61k Followers
Adam Klein unanimously won season 33 of Survivor, defeating Hannah Shapiro and Ken McNickle in a grueling Final Tribal Council. At the reunion, he revealed that his mother had passed away just after he returned home, and he was able to tell her that he had won.
Adam isn’t super active on Instagram, but when he does share he is interactive with fans and shows glimpses into his personal life. He has many photos with his girlfriend, Kailey, and promotes his Survivor audition workshop.
Kim Spradlin – 65.9k Followers
Kim Spradlin played a dominant game on Survivor: One World, going down in history as one of the best winners ever, even if season 24 as a whole was pretty lackluster. She returned for Winners At War where she lived up to her reputation.
After her season, Kim married her current husband and welcomed three children. She posts lots of family content on her Instagram account, as well as her business ventures. Like Wendell, Kim has a show on HGTV that she promotes called Why The Heck Did I Buy This House? where she helps people design their homes.
Sandra Diaz-Twine – 71.4k Followers
Contestant Sandra Diaz-Twine made Survivor history when she won the game not once, but twice in the first 20 seasons. Sandra’s legacy has branded her as “the queen” of Survivor, even though she’s since returned and been eliminated.
Sandra holds her “queen” title close to her heart and refers to herself as such on social media. Despite this, her Instagram is very down-to-Earth and mostly just shows glimpses into her daily life, including her time at the dentist and the gym.
Ethan Zohn – 81.6k Followers
Ethan Zohn won season 3 of Survivor and has been a beloved member of the fandom ever since. He returned for All-Stars but didn’t place as well, and didn’t play again until the 40th season, Winners At War.
Ethan’s social media is incredibly heartwarming and wholesome, where he shares pictures of his Stand Up To Cancer campaigns, wellness journey, and friendships with fellow cast members Rob Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and Tyson Apostol.
Tyson Apostol – 81.7k Followers
Tyson Apostol was comic relief on Survivor: Tocantins, and even voted himself out with poor strategy on Heroes Vs Villains. However, when he returned for Blood Vs Water he proved that he had grown up a ton, and was ready to dominate the game once and for all.
Since winning, Tyson has taken his Survivor comedy to a whole new level, citing himself as one of the best to ever play. On social media, he shares videos with his wife and two young daughters, as well as poker and pickle ball tournaments.
Michele Fitzgerald – 97.4k Followers
Michele Fitzgerald was deemed a controversial winner when she won a million dollars on Survivor: Kaoh Rong instead of runner-up Aubry Bracco. However, fans have warmed up to her charming personality post-show, and during her appearance on Winners At War.
Michele’s social media has always been very interactive, an example being her Wednesday livestreams with fellow Survivor alumni during the pandemic. Michele frequently shares her many travel destinations, as well as her close relationship with her sister, Kim.
Natalie Anderson – 105k Followers
Natalie Anderson played a phenomenal game on Survivor: San Juan Del Sur, and fought her way to the final three during Winners At War. Her aggressive approach to the game made her a masterful player and led her to success on another CBS reality series, The Challenge.
Natalie shares photos of her reality TV days on her Instagram, but most of her content is fitness related. She posts workout routines, protein shake recipes, and pictures of her and her loved ones traveling and spending their days on the beach.
Parvati Shallow – 178k Followers
The infamous Parvati Shallow earned her villainous title on Survivor: Micronesia when she led the Black Widow Brigade to victory and herself the million-dollar prize. Every subsequent appearance by Parvati has been an entertaining one, and fans were elated when she competed on Winners At War.
Parvati has embraced her status as a lifestyle coach on and off social media, frequently hosting guided meditations on Instagram live and invites to her coaching classes. Parvati’s captions are usually inspirational and insightful as she reflects on world events and navigates life as a single mother.
‘Boston’ Rob Mariano – 219k Followers
‘Boston’ Rob Mariano is likely the most famous of Survivor’s cast members, mostly due to his successful showmance during Survivor: All-Stars where he met his wife, fellow castaway Amber Brkich.
Rob’s social media persona is mostly dad content, posting and praising his four young daughters for his followers to see. Additionally, he shares his construction business and tennis playing, as well as his love for his wife, Amber.
