Survivor 32 is upon us which means its time to rank our 18 Survivors competing for the million dollar prize. Though filmed before Survivor: Cambodia, this season returns to Cambodia and finds us returning to the theme of Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty. Will this be a repeat of the original B vs. B vs. B and be as epic as Cagayan or will we find ourselves in the post All-Star slump like Nicaragua? We'll soon find out! But let's meet our players and see where they rank in my pre-season power ranking. These positions are based on the preview video from CBS, the contestant bios on CBS.com, and virtually the history of the game.
#1) Julia Sokolowski
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 19
Current Residence: Boston, MA
Occupation: College Student
GO BU! I have to cheer on the girl who represents my school! Julia is the youngest member of the cast but don’t let that be a knock on her. I think it can easily work to her advantage if she plays her cards right. I can see her playing the young, pretty, and naïve card and flipping it when she needs to. Even at age 19, Julia has life experience. She’s an old soul. She seems to be one of the many super fans on this season which may allow her to blend in and potentially form bonds. She mentions she’s like Natalie Tenerelli and Andrea Boehlke (among others). I think she fits that mold, but unlike those two, I see end game potential in her first go around. Both Natalie and Andrea went far in the game, I think Julia has the full package to actually seal the deal.
Prediction: Winner
#2) Neal Gottlieb
Tribe: Brains
Age: 38
Current Residence: Sausalito, CA
Occupation: Ice Cream Entrepreneur
At first glance, you think he’s got no shot, but I think there’s potential in Neal. He’s nerdy, sure, but he is on the Brains tribe. Neal has Spencer vibes, but unlike the Young Lad, Neal has life experience. And self-awareness. I mean he calls himself incorrigible. Neal’s success will have much to do with where he places himself initially on the tribe. He can easily allow Peter and Joe to play the alpha male role while still maintaining the strength card should they go to Tribal Council. Neal does have a personality that could take some getting used to but compared to some of his tribemates, Neal seems mellow. I’m high on Neal. And not just cuz I want him to give me some free ice cream!
Prediction: Finals
#3) Elisabeth Markham
Tribe: Brains
Age: 27
Current Residence: New York, NY
Occupation: Quantitative Strategist
Elisabeth, or Liz as she will also be known as, is a natural born genius. She’s studied game theory. You look at her and she’s unassuming. She has the ability to fly under the radar yet be an epic strategist. If Liz can establish a strong alliance, she will be a key player. She seems to have strength, which will work to her advantage. Liz may be one of those people who would fit in all three categories in the ven diagram of Brains, Brawn, and Beauty.
Prediction: Finals
#4) Jennifer Lanzetti
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 38
Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Occupation: Contractor
It’s very likely that Jennifer doesn’t really know the game of Survivor outside the singular season she seemed to have watched. She relates herself to Survivor One World winner Kim Spradlin and has a connection to that season through her friend Jonas. But Jennifer certainly seems like the person who can learn on the fly. She has muscles, she is a fighter, and she is an all-around bad ass. What will hurt her game? Her dislike of weather. Perhaps she forgot that she’s playing a game outdoors. Either way, miss Semper Gumby (her way of saying she’s always flexible) needs to position herself in the right place on the Brawn tribe so she’s not the older lady that gets cut early.
Prediction: Merge
#5) Tai Trang
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 51
Current Residence: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Gardener
Tai Trang! This man will be known by his first and last name. And that’s awesome. At first glance, Tai Trang is the outcast of the Beauty tribe. There is certainly no one like him. But beauty isn’t always on the outside. Tai Trang is one of those people who is probably beautiful on the inside. And that will take him far…until he gets cut in the end because if he sees a final, he wins. Hands down. He’s a gay gardener. He likes to climb trees. And he thinks he’s a mix of Spencer Bledsoe and Bob Crowley. He’s amazing! Will he be a Bob and find a long Survivor life of more like the anomaly that is Cao Boi? We’ll find out soon but nevertheless, Tai Trang has found himself in Survivor history.
Prediction: Merge
#6) Debbie Wanner
Tribe: Brain
Age: 49
Current Residence: Reading, PA
Occupation: Chemist
Who is this woman and why is she wearing a tiger-faced bathing suit!? Debbie Wanner is a personality. And that could work against her. With age also a factor, Debbie has all the makings of an early-boot but Debbie Wanner, maybe another candidate for the first and last name recognition, is smart and strong. She easily could have found herself with the Brawns but she’s with an overall strong Brains tribe. Like Neal, Debbie has a strong personality. She will rub someone the wrong way. She just needs to make sure it’s someone who’s in the minority. One bad move and Debbie is gone.
Prediction: Merge
#7) Anna Khait
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 26
Current Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Pro Poker Player
Anna is another one of those who fits multiple tribe potential. As a poker player, you would have thought she’d be put on the Brains tribe, like Garret was in Cagayan. But Anna is clear that she uses her sex appeal when it comes to poker and that’s why she’s with the Beauty Tribe. Anna will likely be the strategist of the tribe. If she aligns herself with the right people, namely the girls and Tai Trang, Anna can move her way to the top. But the moment she becomes vulnerable and her game play is exposed, Anna is a giant target. Poker players have never faired well on Survivor. Leave it to Anna to be the one to break the tradition.
Prediction: Merge
#8) Cydney Gillon
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 23
Current Residence: Douglasville, GA
Occupation: Body Builder
Cydney is the reason why the Brawn tribe exists. Just look at her! She’s a body builder who seems to be smart. She’s got a bit of a potty mouth but the thing that really makes me wonder about Cydney is her admission to having alter egos. Are we talking about alter egos in the vein of Austin’s Judas on Big Brother 17? Lets hope not. If Storm comes out, it may end up being worse than the conditions in Cambodia. I like Cydney in the respect that she has strength and will be an asset to the tribe to start. What I’m afraid of is how she plays with others. And if she doesn’t get a hold of her Branch chain amino acid supplements will her muscles disappear? Cydney will be a goat until the tribe realizes she can go on an Individual Immunity run that will lead her to the end.
Prediction: Merge
#9) Alecia Holden
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 24
Current Residence: Dallas, TX
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Here’s the thing about Alecia. I go back and forth on her. But I see the women of the Brawn tribe dominating. If I’m wrong there, Alecia will be the first out from the Brawns. Compared to some of the others on the tribe, Alecia doesn’t quite fit the profile of brawn but she is a tomboy who’s dad is a boxing promoter. So that counts, right? She seems fearless which could be code for a big mouth. Also she has piercings in her tattoos. Which is gross. I still wouldn’t be shocked if Alecia does end up being the first Brawn boot.
Prediction: Merge
#10) Peter Baggenstos
Tribe: Brains
Age: 34
Current Residence: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: ER Doctor
Hail to the chief! No, this is not President Barack Obama. Peter has nice guy appeal but he does have a slight ego. He’s a doctor which could come in handy, should they need it. Peter is on an overall strong tribe which is why I see him going this far. There will be a battle for Alpha Male though. And that could polarize the tribe. And Peter seemed to forget about rule number one when it comes to being on Survivor: PRACTICE FIRE. He better not tell anyone he doesn’t know how to start a fire or find himself in a fire making competition. Stick to the shelter and Peter’s in the clear.
Prediction: Merge
#11) Joseph Del Campo
Tribe: Brains
Age: 72
Current Residence: Vero Beach, FL
Occupation: Former FBI Agent
We have not seen this type of player since Rudy Boesch in Borneo. And that’s so exciting. Until he admits his age, never would you believe this man to be 72 years old. And that will work to his advantage. He seems like a strong person, both of strength and will. How will that fair with a tribe comprised of younger players? We’ll find out. But in a three tribe format, keeping Joe around is a necessity. Unless he rubs people the wrong way. He claims he’s a private investigator but looks can be deceiving. And that I think that’s the theme of his game. I wish Joe well, he seems like he could be a fan favorite. I just worry that in a game of alliances, Joe may not fit in.
Prediction: Merge
#12) Darnell Hamilton
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 27
Current Residence: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Postal Worker
Brawn?! Really? There must be something we don’t know wen it comes to Darnell. I think Darnell may have some social skills that will hold him back. And that’s not good. Hopefully he won’t be Postman 2.0. He seems to be a fan of Survivor but he needs to be aware of his placement on the tribe and contribute immediately or he will find himself victim of an early boot.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#13) Caleb Reynolds
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 28
Current Residence: Hopkinsville, KY
Occupation: Army Veteran
BEASTMODE COWBOY! Do I need to write anything else? If you know Caleb from Big Brother, his ego will play a major factor in what happens to him on Survivor. Caleb is a personality. Sure, he went pretty far on Big Brother but he was completely unaware of what was going on. He can’t play that game on Survivor. He will be a natural target. And he needs to deflect that immediately. He also needs to not prey on the pretty ladies of the tribe. But that’s likely gonna happen anyway.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#14) Scot Pollard
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 40
Current Residence: Carmel, IN
Occupation: Former NBA Champion
Scot Pollard is INTENSE. If you know who he is then you know his style on the court. And it sounds like he’ll play the same way. Being ruthless is a choice. It’s worked for very few in this game. If he’s not afraid of integrity, then go play hard NBA man. Like Caleb, Scot has a natural target on his back. And I do think it’s a smart move to acknowledge it and not cover it up. But Scot will face the same fate as Cliff Robinson. It’s inevitable.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#15) Kyle Jason
Tribe: Brawn
Age: 31
Current Residence: Detroit, MI
Occupation: Bounty Hunter
I feel like Kyle is on because everyone loves Star Wars and want to see what the real life version of Boba Fett is like. Ok, that’s likely not true. I’m not a Kyle fan in the sense that his type has been on here before and they have not done well. Like Zane and Matt Bischoff, Kyle is going to fall victim to appearance. Can he overcome this by forming a strong alliance? Sure. But I don’t know who will bond with him.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#16) Aubrey Bracco
Tribe: Brains
Age: 29
Current Residence: Cambridge, MA
Occupation: Social Media Marketer
Aubrey is the leader of the elves. She is also like the lovechild of Cochran and Sophie, two of my least favorite players ever. So Aubrey is striking out in my book. I think Aubrey is on an extremely strong tribe. She’s a quirky nerd. She’s sociable. But what will she provide? Besides a love for Harry Potter. I think Aubrey is someone I would hang out with in real life. But in the game of Survivor? She’s a liability.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#17) Nick Maiorano
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 30
Current Residence: Redonda Beach, CA
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Is this guy for real is this all a façade? He’s a grade A douchebag and is likely an easy early boot. He’s a former RHAP blogger. He knows the game of Survivor. He’s cocky. He’s self-involved. But perhaps if he sets himself up as a villain, it’s his ticket to go far. Nick will either bond with Caleb or do battle. And I think Caleb is a little more suave than Nick and will sway the ladies.
Prediction: Pre Merge
#18) Michele Fitzgerald
Tribe: Beauty
Age: 24
Current Residence: Freehold, NJ
Occupation: Bartender
Someone’s got to be the first to go. And she is someone I’ve already forgotten existed. Jersey pride aside, Michele is a typical first boot. I think she’ll fit the bill and be gone early. If not the first, the first to go from the Beauty tribe.
Prediction: Pre Merge
So there you have it! How accurate will I be? Keep checking back each week to see how the Power Rankings shake up!
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