Two people from Michigan are competing in the CBS reality TV show “Survivor” as it enters its 47th season.
A graphic designer from Southfield and a construction worker from Cheboygan are going against each other and 16 other people for the $1 million prize and the title of “sole survivor.”
How to watch “Survivor” 47: The two-hour season premiere of “Survivor” 47 airs at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. It airs on CBS, and streams live for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers. It’ll be available on-demand the next day for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.
What to know: In “Survivor” 47, eighteen castaways will be dropped off in Fiji where they will have to survive the land, competitions, and each other. The goal? Don’t get voted out and play a good enough game that if you make it to the end people will be willing to give you the prize money. The reality TV show has been airing since May 31, 2000, and is hosted by Jeff Probst.
Already a fan of the show? Then this isn’t new information for you.
Used to watch “Survivor” and thinking about getting into it again? It’s like riding a bike, but instead of getting on a bicycle, it involves sitting on the sofa and turning on the television. Way easier!
Maybe you’ve never even seen a single episode. First of all, how? Second of all, you’re missing out -- but there’s good news -- you can start watching the new season and nobody will judge you. Well, you might get judged a little, but starting late is better than starting never.
I do need to warn you though, if you watch the new season, you will inevitably go back and watch all the other 46 seasons and it will take up a lot of your time. But it’s worth it, I promise. Do it so you know all the “Survivor” lore.
OK, you didn’t come here to hear me ramble about “Survivor,” so we’ll get to the actual point of this article.
Here are the players from Michigan:
Meet Rachel LaMont
Rachel LaMont is a 34-year-old Graphic Designer from Dexter, Michigan. She currently lives in Southfield, Michigan.
LaMont designs user interfaces and said part of her job is making sure the color, buttons, and typography being used feel seamless. She wants to integrate herself into the game in a seamless way.
“I’m weird and I’m like quirky and a little neurotic and a little too much at times and I think my husband Derick is the absolute foil to my personality. We just, like, really balance each other out. I hope that I can find somebody out here that has similar characteristics and is able to keep me in check,” LaMont said. “I’ve been thinking about this Goldilocks complex, not too smart, but not unstrategic, not too physical, but not too weak, just being right in that, like, middle spot. That’s key to winning.”
Watch LaMont’s introduction video here.
Meet Kyle Ostwald
Kyle Ostwald is a 31-year-old construction worker who grew up in Cheboygan, Michigan, and still lives there with his fiancée and young daughter.
He said his experience with the Bump ‘N Run derby has helped prepare him for the twists and turns of “Survivor”.
“The main goal of the game is to cross the finish line, and if that means putting somebody into the wall along the way, so be it,” Ostwald said. “It’s been preparing me for Survivor because there’s a bunch of different strategies that you could take, but there’s only one of us that are gonna cross that line.”
Ostwald described his upbringing as “kinda rough” and said he lived in a house that didn’t have electricity. He met his fiancée coming out of high school and said she inspired him to want to do more with his life.
“The home where I did a lot my growing up, I’ve demolished that home and decided to build our own home there. She (his fiancée) just fueled a growth inside of me, that’s been remarkable,” Ostwald said.
Ostwald said he wants to create a solid foundation for his daughter, Moose.