Sandra Diaz-Twine’s Hilarious Reaction to Learning Which ‘Survivor 49’ Players Returned for Season 50
POILER ALERT!!! The following article will contain potential rumors and spoilers regarding which two ‘Survivor 49’ players will return to compete on ‘Survivor 50’ next year. Read on at your own risk!!!
When the official cast of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” was first announced by Jeff Probst back in May, two members of the 24-person cast remained unidentified.
According to Probst, these final two spots – which will give the milestone season the largest cast in “Survivor” history – were reserved for players from the show’s currently-airing 49th season.
While the identities of the “Survivor 49” castaways who returned to compete on the back-to-back seasons remain (at least officially) unconfirmed by CBS, rumors and leaks online have given fans a fairly confident idea about which players will return to “Survivor” screens for Season 50 next February.
That being said, it’s clear that some fans – and even former players – have yet to discover the identities of the rumored returnees, as evidenced by two-time “Survivor” winner Sandra Diaz-Twine’s reaction to learning the “alleged” news during her appearance on fellow alum Carolyn Wiger’s “Kickin & Screamin” podcast.
Sandra Believes ‘Survivor 50’ Featured Three Former Winners
On the most recent episode of “Survivor 49,” as the remaining 11 castaways entered the Merge portion of the game, Jeff Probst informed the players that casting for “Survivor 50” was still “in a state of flux,” adding that, if they made big, memorable moves, they too could earn a spot on the upcoming season.
While the announcement certainly added some vigor to the season that has been, up til now, been widely described as “boring” by fans, it similarly had fans and former players alike returning to discussions revolving around which two players will supposedly return for Season 50.
Amongst those talking were “Survivor 44” finalist Carolyn Wiger, who sat down with series legend Sandra Diaz-Twine on her podcast to discuss the recent episode, including Probst’s Season 50 tease.
CBS“[Jeff] doesn’t want to bring anybody that’s whack on ‘49’ to play against these people that have a lot of chip on their shoulders. A lot of them need redemption. Here’s another shot at that million dollars that keeps eluding most of them,” said Sandra, before adding, “Cuz there ain’t but three winners on there right?”
The latter half of the two-time champion’s statement garnered a surprised reaction from Wiger, who reminded Sandra that, at present, only two former winners had been confirmed for the cast: “Survivor 45” winner Dee Valladares and “Survivor 48” champion Kyle Fraser.
Sandra’s three-winners faux pas likely stemmed from “Survivor 50” contestant Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick, who earlier this summer made headlines after supposedly leaking on a live stream that one of the returning Season 49 contestants will be the season’s eventual winner.
After seeing Carolyn’s expression, Sandra quickly (and hilariously) back tracks.
“Was I not supposed to say that?” she says, adding, “Don’t we already know who’s out there?”
Sandra Discovers Which Season 49 Players Returned for ‘50’
Sandra later clarifies that, despite having internalized the unconfirmed three-winner rumor, she was blissfully unaware of which “Survivor 49” contestants would be returning for the milestone season, an admission that shocked Wiger.
“You don’t know who’s on from ‘49’?” asked Wiger in disbelief before informing Sandra that the rumored returnees are – allegedly – Rizo Velovic and Savannah Louie.
“Is it them?” Sandra responded. “I didn’t know!”
Sandra continued, “Right now, if you wouldn’t have said that, I would’ve put money that Sage [Ahrens-Nichols] is going out there. Cuz I think she’s awesome.”
“Sage has done enough to earn a spot in ‘50,’” added the undisputed “Queen” of “Survivor,” before concluding, “But I’m guessing Rizo and Savannah are gonna do much more.”
