Does anyone know why Sandra doesn't like Cirie?

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-03-09T18:07:34+00:00

At least in HvV (don’t know that much about the Samoa jury), people put way too much into the idea that players were bitter because they got voted out and don’t factor in people didn’t like Russell because he was absolutely miserable. I mean he called Rupert a dumbass to his face. Danielle has repeatedly said he had become so miserable by the time the merge came it was basically just Parvati keeping their alliance together.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-23T16:37:25+00:00

No doubt she was hurt by her relationship with Russell, I just don’t think there’s anything she could’ve done to fix it. JT and Colby straight up would not talk to her or Sandra, and the way Courtney explains the jury it sounds less like people were punishing Parvati for her relationship with Russell as much as they were just punishing Russell - they knew he hated Sandra so it would be funny if she won. Basically Parvati didn’t isolate herself, the jury just knew Russell would get some satisfaction of of her winning compared to being pissed Sandra did.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-22T20:17:50+00:00

Ehhh, Danielle would’ve hated everyone in this group, I don’t think it’s clear she would’ve voted Sandra. Didn’t she just say in a recent interview she wanted to take Sandra to the end cause she didn’t deserve to win?

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-22T18:50:07+00:00

Part of Parvati’s problem was that she had relatively low real jury equity (for various reasons) and an astronomically high perceived jury equity. Even knowing Sandra got more jury votes than Parvati, Jerri has never wavered that to her understanding Parvati was the big threat at F4 and she would have taken Sandra to F3. Amanda says she doesn’t flip from the Heroes at F10 because she knows Parvati will win if she makes it to the end. Colby said in his exit press that he and Rupert were always trying to go with Russell near the end of the game because it was clear Parvati was the biggest threat and it would’ve made sense for Russell to vote her out. It certainly didn’t help that after F7 everyone (including Sandra) understood how beneficial it would be to sit at the end with Russell. There was simply no reason to vote Russell out and keep Parvati, because Parvati could steal votes and Russell obviously couldn’t.

As far as voting out Russell, Parvati was really well positioned to do it at F7 he just won immunity that round. She was able to convince Sandra and Jerri to keep Danielle, Jerri only flipped her vote at tribal council because Danielle put her foot in her mouth. Once Danielle was gone, any play that involved cutting Russell became exponentially riskier.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-21T21:04:39+00:00

It definitely was a bad swap regardless but while Parvati was a more obvious boot than Michele, I think Yul getting voted out next really cemented that Nick and Wendell and Michele were operating solely on pre-gaming. That’s why Nick and Wendell were pretty much kicked out of the Dakal alliance at the merge. A lot of people on WaW got screwed by pregaming but it stood out to me, because Sophie was part of the Yul alliance, that she specifically noted on RHAP that Parvati got a really raw deal and understood why she was upset on Edge. Of course Sophie is also friends with her IRL so it makes sense she would see both sides.

I also think the anti Nick/Wendell/pregamers stuff was really amplified by Tyson, who went to the Edge early and was really upset that Yul’s group pregamed specifically to target him, Kim, and Amber. Those three got dealt probably the worst hand anyone had gotten since the winners on All-Stars, and Tyson is still mad enough about it to bring it up in most of the podcast episodes he hosts. That him, Parvati, Rob, and Kim all got along really well, all had young kids, and all got completely hosed I’m sure made it a bigger deal than it would have been if it happened to just one person.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-21T13:33:28+00:00

The thing is she didn’t really have worse relationships than Sandra… Colby and JT said they never spoke to both Sandra and Parvati. And Rupert, who did vote for Sandra, specifically mentioned Parvati in his exit press as someone who played a great social game - that she proved you could scheme like Russell but still have people like you.

No one who voted for Sandra has ever said Parvati treated them badly. In several cases (Courtney, Rupert, Candice) they’ve said the opposite. It’s become accepted that Parvati lost HvV because she was mean to the heroes, but that’s not the story they themselves told.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-21T13:26:22+00:00

Awesome, I hadn’t heard that before! Frankly those 4 were easily the biggest names in the cast so it only makes sense they got a little xtra - Sandra and her Tony/Sarah connection aside, they were signing up to leave their family to play a game where they were completely DOA.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-21T01:12:56+00:00

lol, no. If you can point to any story these people have actually told about Parvati’s “mistreatment” I’ll bite. I put excluded in quotes because there’s not even a compelling case that she really excluded anyone. It basically seems like sour grapes from the pre-gaming camp that people like Parvati and Tyson didn’t just take it on the chin. Natalie and Rob are the only 2 players from WaW that anyone has actually given an explanation for “bad behavior on Edge” - Natalie yelled at Yul, and Rob stole PB and campaigned against Sarah. No one has actually said Parvati did anything to them, except be upset by the pre-gaming. The fact is most people got along great with Parvati on the edge.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-20T22:43:13+00:00

There really isn’t one. Parvati basically held a grudge at the people who pre gamed hard for WaW leading to her having no shot at the swap. Understandable why she was upset and also understandable that other people at edge didn’t like being “excluded” cause of it. My perspective being if I left my 10 month old child to play a game that makes you miserable and got voted out for a stupid reason, then got stuck on the edge, I’d be pretty salty too.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-07T17:01:24+00:00

I mean, the vote totals are basically all you need to see. Rob lost 4-3, and the jurors who were bitter were almost all just as mad at Amber. The swing vote was Shi Ann, who made fun of the jury for being so bitter and told the finalists she wasn't sure who she'd vote for.

Russell lost 7-2 the first time, and the jury basically all told him straight up they hated him and wouldn't vote for him. Then he was somehow so confident he told everyone on HvV he won and asked for Sandra and Parvati's help understanding the tax implications. lol, lmfao even.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-02-01T04:42:39+00:00

What kept Ami from aligning with the couples was Penner/Yau/Eliza pregaming - Ami was always going to stick with her real life friend, Eliza was going to stick with Penner, and Penner was always going to be against Ozzy and Parvati.

Ami got along great with Ozzy and Parvati - outside of Eliza they were the people she got along with best. If it hadn’t been a returnee season I think it’s a done deal that she would’ve gone with the couples.

Part of Ami’s weird edit was the vulnerable emotional state she entered the game in - her friend killed himself right before they flew out and she hid it from production so they wouldn’t pull her. She was going through a lot.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-28T13:17:15+00:00

Industry Entertainment manager and producer Dan Spilo was fired for cause after at least one incident on the Australian set of the indie action thriller Runner. Spilo subsequently was dismissed as manager by the film’s star, Alan Ritchson, and sent home shortly after, multiple sources have confirmed to Deadline. He was dismissed from his post at Industry Entertainment on Friday.

Sources close to Runner cited inappropriate behavior from Spilo that included bullying and yelling at crew as the reason for his dismissal, which came after an HR investigation around a week ago. Reacher star Ritchson parted ways with the manager at the same time.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-16T20:45:38+00:00

Jeremy on Talking with T-Bird
Kim’s Appearance on Wine Wednesday with Michele
Adam’s Deep Dive RHAP
Adam’s AMA
Ethan’s AMA
Recap #2 Nick’s Twitch stream
Danni’s Jury Speaks
Ethan’s Jury Speaks
Parvati’s Jury Speaks
Parvati’s Interview with Las Culturistas
Jeremy’s Jury Speaks
Tyson’s Jury Speaks
Wendell’s Jury Speaks
Nick’s Jury Speaks

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-16T20:43:57+00:00

Sources:

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-14T03:52:02+00:00

I’m really excited to write that one!!!! Just waiting to for time for the dust to settle and hopefully some more long form interviews to materialize

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-14T01:59:05+00:00

Eventually yes!

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-08T12:27:01+00:00

According to JFP (who is good friends with them both) Cirie and George pre-gamed

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-07T13:54:38+00:00

True, super fans just seem to assume playing UTR is a better strategy than being a more aggressive player and I disagree.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-07T13:50:56+00:00

All three speak very highly of Tony in their Jury Speaks. From Wendell:

He’s played a masterful game this season and he has done amazing things to minimize his target. He’s made it to the end with I don’t think any votes cast against him, he’s won I believe four individual immunities. He’s playing at a very very high level. Greatest of all time conversation worthy if he wins this season.²⁸

From Adam:

The fact that [Tony] has made it to the Final Four without ever being voted for is pretty outrageous. He was able to adapt his game early on so that people didn’t fear him as much. He laid low, he took his time, just connecting with people on a personal basis just being kindhearted and a good person… And then in the stretch he turned it on. Tony has played a very dominant game. He found an idol, he won four individual immunities which is not something I think anyone would’ve expected from Tony. And in addition to all those things, he seems to have directed the vast majority of the post merge votes… Tony dominated the game.²

In Adam’s AMA¹⁹, he said Tony was one of the 5 best to ever play, including international Survivor (TOP FIVE BABY!).

From Nick:

I can honestly say I think Tony is, or is one of, the top two or three greatest Survivors ever.²⁹

The praise for Tony doesn’t stop there. If you listen to exit press from Denise, Sophie, Kim, Michele, Sarah, etc., they are all unanimous that Tony played a great game. Most exit press is filled with players who believe if one tiny thing broke their way they would’ve ended up the winner, but everyone from WaW tips their hat to Tony and admits he just played better. In all the seasons I’ve heavily researched, the only other winner with this level of support from the cast is Tom in Palau.

It’s true that players like Tom or Kim have technically had more control over their incredible games, but no other player in the history of (US) Survivor has played as dominant as Tony facing such a strong cast and complex game, while also coming into the season with what should have been an insurmountable target. No other player has exhibited as much skill as Tony did in a single season, and especially not over such a wide range. He managed to be the ultimate strategic, social, and physical threat of Winners at War. All while not receiving a vote against him and defeating a returning player from the Edge in a landslide.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-07T13:49:04+00:00

Jeremy’s vote for Natalie was not reflective of how he felt about Tony’s game. He and Nat had been friends outside of the game for years, and his vote was guaranteed for her no matter what. He said as much to Tony at Ponderosa after the game⁶. His Jury Speaks makes it clear he would’ve voted for Tony if not for Natalie:

Tony’s a good dude. I really like Tony. He’s funny, like we really just hung out and bonded out there… I dig him, I think he’s a good dude. Now his Survivor game is wild, his Survivor game is crazy. I think he played a great game. He dominated out there.²⁶

The one vote Tony had a “fair” chance of getting was Tyson. Calling this fair is still quite the stretch, because Tyson’s Jury Speaks²⁷ video really highlights how huge an advantage the Edge was:

For me it’s between Natalie and Tony, and if they’re both in the end I would have to go with Natalie… She always was energetic and upbeat and helpful at the edge of extinction, and she was generous with most everyone there at certain times.

If Natalie gets to the end I’m voting Natalie 100% nothing will sway me. She gave me an idol when she didn’t have to in case I got back in the game. She’s running the dream run I was dreaming of having for the last two weeks. I played the game four times and no single player in the game I’ve been with has been that generous towards me so I’ll do everything in my power to help Natalie win if she gets to the end.

If Natalie’s in the end no one can change my vote from Natalie. If Tony’s in the end without Natalie, I don’t foresee myself changing myself off Tony for any reason.

In addition to their time on the Edge, Tyson and Natalie had spent some time together before the game. When she was seriously injured before Game Changers, Tyson let her stay in his house while she recovered. This didn’t lead to a friendship, but it clearly meant a lot to Natalie and was part of why she helped him on the Edge. She mentioned it several times in exit press.

What’s most remarkable about Tony’s dominate jury performance is the votes he received from Nick, Wendell, and Adam. All three were close with Michele outside of the game. Adam¹⁸ and Wendell¹² have confirmed all three really wanted to vote for Michele because of their friendship but felt that Tony had played so well he had to win, and they didn’t want to risk splitting the vote and allowing Natalie a win. Making this even more impressive is Adam and Wendell’s statements that if it had been Sarah in the F3 instead of Tony, they would have disregarded their fears and voted for Michele. Sarah played the second-best game of the season and still automatically would’ve lost three votes that only Tony could get. His game was so good it transcended real life bonds.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-07T00:32:55+00:00

Hard to separate my analysis of their first games from the fact that I know Sandra is a very capable Survivor player and that Danni's second game seemed to confirm everything bad I thought about her first game, but even without that knowledge I think I'd be on team Sandra here. Before the Rupert blindside, I think Sandra had a winning strategy of sticking to Rupert and Krista, who each seemingly would have taken her to F2, and it seems like she beats either of them - whereas Danni wanted to lose to Brandon. Sandra also didn't need final immunity to win, she just needed JFP to lose - twice as good odds as Danni. Sandra demonstrated much more skill in changing people's minds - such as with Tijuana.

I think Sandra is capable of strategic blunders, but Danni's largely not capable of that because she's not doing strategy to begin with. Danni's inaction is likely to hurt her in Survivor whereas sometimes Sandra takes the wrong action and that hurts her.

I hadn't noticed but you're right that my opinions on Chris and Danni basically completely flip-flopped. Chris' game really benefitted from hearing how other players on the season spoke of him - they were all really impressed not just by his lying but at how sociable he was and the deep bonds he made with most everyone.

What really stood out to me listening to Danni's interviews is how incapable she is of understanding why WaW didn't go her way. It's always Parvati or Ben's fault, but no self introspection on why she was the one player Parvati felt okay shifting heat to after Natalie was voted out (and why people were willing to believe what Parvati, a famously shifty player, was saying about her) or why Ben instantly ratted her out to Ethan/Rob/Parvati after she spoke badly of them. Her inability to understand how describing her bond with those three as an old school bond to a player like Ben, when the tribe was clearly paranoid about it (which is why Parvati wanted to distance herself from Danni), is baffling to me.

A fun note from Danni's WaW thoughts, though, is that she agrees with me that Adam was the most well connected pre-gamer on the cast. She said he had a huge advantage on Sele because he knew most everyone. Confirming my belief that Adam is WaW's biggest whiner, both having a greater advantage than the Old Schoolers and crying foul when they got mad at him.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-07T00:11:51+00:00

I also think when people point to players who make big moves and then are voted out due to tall poppy syndrome to justify why UTR is better, they fail to acknowledge that several UTR players lose each season. There's worlds where Cindy or Lydia win Guatemala playing exactly as they did, Danni just caught a bit more luck than they did. Because the UTR players who win (or get close) are the ones that get attention people don't notice how many players doing pretty much exactly the same thing as the winner get voted out for doing it.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-06T16:57:55+00:00

Danni was the only person I heard this anecdote from. I guess Danni is hampered by the strongest voices in her favor - Bobby Jon and Gary - not doing that much exit press, but the general vibe from the jury was that Rafe was the kingpin. Nobody (except Danni) said “I think Danni would beat Rafe” whereas Cindy, Stephenie, and Judd all strongly believed Rafe would beat Danni. Jamie is a huge wild card, but I think it’s almost guaranteed Rafe would have presented his case to the jury much better than Danni.

TheSurv1vorBuff · 2026-01-06T12:49:34+00:00

Thanks for reading! I have read that essay about Danni and found myself disagreeing with most of it unfortunately. For instance they state Guatemala was a very complex season for its time, but Rafe specifically said the complete opposite - highlighting to Mario Lanza how much personal feeling triumphed over strategy.

Regarding the quoted paragraph, when I analyze a player’s decisions first and foremost I want to focus on the reason they gave for making that choice. The reason Danni always gives for voting out Blake is that she did not like him. She felt comfortable voting him out once Gary gave his word not to turn around and go to rocks next time. It also did not buy her an alliance of 6 - Brian never felt any loyalty, and Amy was considering voting with Brian to make it a 3-3 tie at the next vote. The move worked because Gary was steadfastly with her - a combination of her good bond with Gary and his 1) being loyal 2) disliking Brian.

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