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Survivor is the quintessential reality show of our generation. The first season premiered in May of 2000, with close to 29 million viewers tuning in to the finale in which Richard Hatch was crowned the first-ever sole Survivor.
Almost two decades later, the show is wrapping up its 39th season, and a 40th season has already been filmed and is set to air in February 2020. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is the representation of so many different types of personalities. In many ways, Survivor is an applied sociological experiment. Love them or hate them, these past contestants have left their mark and continue to work their charm on social media.
Ron Clark: 226K Followers
Ron Clark was a contestant on season 38 of the reality show, Survivor: Edge of Extinction. The teacher and author was an instant fan favorite, though he was voted out 13th. His teaching career had earned him quite a reputation prior to appearing on the reality show. He was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show where he was named a 'Phenomenal Man'.
In 2006, a made-for-TV film about his life called The Ron Clark Story was released. It starred Friends alum actor Matthew Perry. Ron is quite popular on social media with over 226,000 followers on Instagram and Twitter.
Taj George: 275K Followers
Tamara George, affectionately nicknamed 'Taj', is an American rapper, actress, writer, and Survivor alum. She appeared in Survivor: Tocantins, though she admitted to never having watched an episode of the show before applying. She was accepted, despite not being able to swim.
Despite what could be considered disadvantages in the game, she became one of the best players of the season and came in fourth place. With no shortage of fans, Taj continues to be active on social media where she continues to promote her music and artistic projects.
Ashley Massaro: 315K Followers
Ashley Massaro was a WWE professional wrestler, television and radio host, and reality show contestant. She rose to fame on Survivor: China, in 2007 but was voted out after only 6 days on the island.
Despite her short-lived time on the show, she became one of the most popular past contestants. Her career seemed to be successful; despite leaving her wrestling career behind in 2008, she had spent the last two years of her life as a radio host and DJ for 94.3 The Shark in Long Island. At the time of her death in 2019, she had over 315,000 social media followers on Instagram and Twitter.
Caleb Reynolds: 429K Followers
Caleb Reynolds is one of the most adored past contestants of the show, with 429,000 faithful followers on Instagram and Twitter. Caleb first appeared on season 32 of the show and returned for season 34, Survivor: Game Changers.
The Army vet was such a likable person, making many lasting friendships with fellow castaways. Despite being a powerhouse in physical challenges, he was voted out after 9 days (in both seasons!) due to being such a social threat to the other players. A real reality TV aficionado, he has already appeared as a houseguest on the popular summer show Big Brother.
Michael Yerger: 458K Followers
Michael Yerger appeared on season 18 of the reality show Survivor: Ghost Island. He was an underdog from the beginning of the season and had to fight to keep himself in the game. Although he started on the bottom, he managed to find two hidden Immunity Idols, keeping him in the game a bit longer, but ultimately putting a target on his back for elimination.
He is one of the most followed past contestants on social media, with a faithful fan base of 458,000 people on Instagram and Twitter.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck: 480K Followers
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is one of Survivor's past contestants who went on to have a very successful television career, as past host of The View and Fox & Friends. Before her career took off, she was a castaway in Survivor: The Australian Outback, where she made it to the final four. Her bubbly personality and intelligence in the game made her one of the most well-respected past cast members, but she turned down an opportunity to return for Survivor: All-Stars. Retired since 2015, she is now enjoying the results of her hard work and spending lots of time with her three children, and her husband, Tim Hasselbeck.
Chelsea Meissner: 692K Followers
Chelsea Meissner was a contestant on Survivor: One World, the franchise's 24th season. Her southern charm and quirkiness gained her many allies, but she was voted out at the final Tribal Council, where she placed third overall. Her biggest offense at the finale was that she didn't have enough independent gameplay and was accused of riding coattails to get to the end.
In spite of this, she goes down as one of the most popular ex-castaways and has a loyal fan base of 692,000 social media followers.
Mari Takahashi: 1.28 Million Followers
Mari Takahashi is a past Survivor contestant and sketch comedian who worked with the YouTube channel Smosh for several years. Her season was Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X.
Despite being a great player, she was voted out in one of the first Tribal Councils, seemingly for being too big of a threat. Though she only spent 7 days on the island, she gained a loyal fanbase for her unique personality and humor and has over 1.28 million followers on Instagram and Twitter.
John Hennigan: 1.53 Million Followers
John Hennigan appeared on the 37th season of the show, Survivor: David vs. Goliath. He showed great strategic abilities and was also a physical powerhouse when it came to challenges. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, he was voted out after the two tribes merged, on day 22.
His exposure on the show allowed him to grow his social media following, which currently sits at just over 1.5 million followers.
Chase Rice: 2.03 Million Followers
Chase Rice is one of the most famous past castaways and was the runner-up in Survivor: Nicaragua. Well-liked and respected by the jury and past players, he lost the title by one vote to Fabio Birza. His early career was spent as a pro race car jackman, but, after his appearance on the reality show, he focused on expanding his music career.
He is now quite a well-known country singer who has written songs for the popular country outfit Florida Georgia Line. With 2.03 million followers on Instagram and Twitter, he is the most famous past player, as far as social media is concerned.
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