Survivor 50 Recruits Two Survivor 49 Stars, Including the Winner
Survivor 50 is already stacked: CBS locked in two Survivor 49 alums — including the champion — and kept the twist under wraps until the finale, sending hype into overdrive.
CBS saved this one for dessert. Right after the Survivor 49 finale, they confirmed what fans have been whispering about for weeks: two players from 49 — including the winner — are already locked in for Survivor 50. The network sat on it until the last possible second to avoid spoiling the season, then dropped a trailer that spelled out exactly who made the cut. Cue the hype machine.
So who from 49 is back?
The trailer confirms Rizo Velovic and Savannah Louie snagged spots on Survivor 50. Both made it to the Final 5, which makes their return feel earned, not just picked for nostalgia. There were plenty of hints and Reddit sleuthing along the way, but CBS kept their names under wraps until the finale rolled to protect the outcome — which tracks, since one of them is the champ.
How the decision happened (and why it wasn't pre-baked)
Jeff Probst addressed the rumor mill and said there wasn't a rigid list set from day one. Production kept it fluid and let the season decide who belonged on 50. If someone popped on screen, they stayed in the conversation. Put simply: perform, and you earn it.
"What we agreed to as a group was, 'If somebody makes a big impression, we're going to want them on 50,'" Probst said.
That approach explains why 49 ended up sending two: Rizo and Savannah made their case in real time and got the callback.
The Survivor 50 lineup
It's a greatest-hits roster that stretches from Borneo to the new era. Here's the full confirmed cast:
- Jenna Lewis Dougherty (Seasons 1, 8)
- Colby Donaldson (Seasons 2, 8, 20)
- Stephenie Lagrossa Kendrick (Seasons 10, 11, 20)
- Cirie Fields (Seasons 12, 16, 20, 34)
- Ozzy Lusth (Seasons 13, 16, 23, 34)
- Benjamin "Coach" Wade (Seasons 18, 20, 23)
- Aubry Bracco (Seasons 32, 34, 38)
- Chrissy Hofbeck (Season 35)
- Christian Hubicki (Season 37)
- Angelina Keeley (Season 37)
- Mike White (Season 37)
- Rick Devens (Season 38)
- Jonathan Young (Season 42)
- Dee Valladares (Season 45, winner)
- Emily Flippen (Season 45)
- Q Burdette (Season 46)
- Charlie Davis (Season 46)
- Tiffany Nicole Ervin (Season 46)
- Genevieve Mushaluk (Season 47)
- Kamille Karthigesu (Season 48)
- Joe Hunter (Season 48)
- Kyle Fraser (Season 48, winner)
- Rizo Velovic (Season 49)
- Savannah Louie (Season 49)
Survivor 50 premieres Wednesday, February 25, at 8 p.m. EST. Based on this cast (and the way CBS staged the reveal), it sure looks like they're swinging for the fences with the biggest returnee season they've done.