'Survivor' winners

on Sunday, May 15, 2011


'Survivor' winners Where are they now?
'Survivor' winners. They outwitted, outlasted and outplayed and won the grand prize. With the upcoming season finale this Sunday of "Survivor: Redemption Island", we see what past season winners have been up to while off the island with their winnings. 
Richard Hatch
When: Season 1, Borneo 
Then: Worked as a corporate trainer in Newport, R.I.
Now: Has been battling the federal government concerning his winnings and was recently handed down a heavy ruling
Tina Wesson
When: Season 2, Outback
Then: The Tennessee native, wife and mother of two was working in the health care field.
Now: She was the oldest female to win the competition. She wrote a book about life's challenges and is an accomplished racquetball player
Ethan Zohn
When: Season 3, Africa 
Then: After graduating from college, he became a professional soccer player in an African country and played for a Massachusetts team and a Hawaiian team.
Now: Has been battling a deadly disease, with recent good news, and started a nonprofit soccer organization.
Vecepia Towery
When: Season 4, Marquesas
Then: The Northwest native  was the first frican-American contestant to win.
Now: Had a baby and was featured on a TLC documentary show 
Brian Heidik
When: Season 5, Thailand
Then: Worked as a soft-core porn star with his wife and played football in college 
Now: Was arrested in 2006 after his wife called police because he allegedly shot a family pet with an arrow.
Jenna Morasca
When: Season 6, Amazon 
Then: Was a college student, worked as a swimsuit model and in professional wrestling.

Now: Did a pictorial for this racy magazine, dated another "Survivor" winner and they appeared in another reality series
Sandra Diaz-Twine
When: Season 7, Pearl Islands. Season 20, "Survivor: Heroes & Villains" in Samoa 
Then: The wife and mother of two children worked as an office assistant in this Southern town.
Now: The two-time winner lives in Fayetteville, N.C., and works as a bank teller
Amber Brkich
When: Season 8, "Survivor: All-Stars" in Pearl Islands, Panama 
Then: Was a contestant on "Survivor: Outback", posed for this male magazine and married a fellow contestant. 
Now: She and her husband appeared on a racing reality show and have two children.
Chris Daugherty
When: Season 9, Vanuatu 
Then: Worked as a heavy equipment operator in his home state.
Now: Married his girlfriend at this unlikely place and landed in hot water with his employer in connection with a "Survivor" event.
Tom Westman
When: Season 10, Palau, Brazil 
Then: The New York City native and father worked in a dangerous but revered profession for more than 20 years.
Now: Quit his job in 2005 to focus on being a motivational speaker and returned for "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains." Is he considered a hero or villain?
Danni Boatwright
When: Season 11, Guatemala  
Then: Was a beauty queen, competed in a national pageant and finished as first runner-up to a famous actress.
Now: Married to a football player for the Kansas City Chiefs and works in sports broadcasting for this local channel
Aras Baskauskas
When: Season 12, Panama
Then: Played NCAA basketball for a California school and lived in South Africa to study a disciplinary exercise. 
Now: Founded and owns a winter hat company and is a yoga instructor in Santa Monica, Calif. 
Yul Kwon
When: Season 13, Cook Islands 
Then: He attended a prestigious California school, finished law school at another Ivy league school and was an aide for a prominent senator.
Now: In 2009 was appointed to a government post and married his girlfriend; the wedding aired on the TV Guide channel
Earl Cole
When: Season 14, Fiji 
Then: The former California advertising executive was on a first date when asked by a casting director if he and his date would like to appear on a reality show. Two days later, he was offered the opportunity to be a contestant on "Survivor."
Now: Was married in 2007; the wedding was featured on the Style Network
Todd Herzog
When: Season 15, China 
Then: The openly gay contestant had a high-flying job and grew up in this Utah-based religious group. 
Now: Stated in 2009 that he is dating another contestant and had to renounce his citizenship to collect his winnings 
Parvati Shallow
When: Season 16; Micronesia 
Then: Was a competitor in the female version of a male-dominated sport and competed in "Survivor: Cook Islands" before her winning season.
Now: Appeared in a surfing movie with a fellow contestant and competed on "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains."
Robert Crowley
When: Season 17, Gabon 
Then: The father of two was a high school teacher and lived in "the Pine Tree State."
Now: As the oldest "Survivor" winner, he retired from teaching and has written his autobiography
James "J.T." Thomas Jr.
When: Season 18, Tocantins 
Then: This Southerner worked and operated a ranch and graduated from Troy University.
Now: He returned to ranching, appeared on "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" and was among those on a sexy list. 
Natalie White
When: Season 19, Samoa 
Then: Originally from "the Natural State," White worked in sales 
Now: She resides in her home state and maintains that she and the second-place finalist are "friends."
Jud Birza
When: Season 22, Nicaragua 
Then: The California native was using his good looks for work and did work for a preppy clothing company. He was the youngest winner of the show, at 21.
Now: He was arrested this year on a drug charge after illegally skateboarding in Santa Monica, Calif., and appeared in a straight-to-DVD homoerotic horror movie.